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The University of West Georgia Men’s Basketball team overcame an early deficit Thursday night to defeat Delta State, 82-70.  The Statesmen took control of the game early, stifling the Wolves in the first period with numerous turnovers and rebounds.  The Wolves found themselves stunned and down by 13 points mid-way through the first period.  Delta State seemed to be one step ahead of West Georgia as Coach Cooney’s Wolves fought to make up lost ground early in the game.  Late in the first period, the Statesmen’s momentum began to slip away from them, and they were unable to find an answer to the efforts of West Georgia’s Gavin Field.

Field brought the crowd at the UWG Coliseum to life by nailing four goals in the final minutes of the opening period.  “I think we started off slow because we were playing at home for the first time in a while, said Fields. “Once the crowd started to come alive, that brought us some energy and helped us gain the momentum.” West Georgia finally took the lead for the first time with four minutes left in the first period.  The Wolves managed to pull within three points of the Statesmen by the halftime mark.

The West Georgia Wolves opened the second half in much of the same way they did the first.  Delta State capitalized on turnovers and remained ahead of the Wolves in the opening minutes of the second period.  As the Wolves began to gain control of the lead, the crowd again became a factor in the Coliseum.  “We are here for the crowd, and they were here for us tonight,” said Coach Michael Cooney. The Wolves finished off the Statesmen for their first win in the month of February. “The crowd really gave us new energy and helped us a lot throughout the second period,” said Field.

The West Georgia Wolves look to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament with another win this season.  They will again face a great challenge when they meet up against Christian Brothers University this Saturday at home court.  “Saturday’s game is huge, said Coach Cooney. “It’s a chance for us to really prove something to the conference and to ourselves.” Tonight’s victory brings the West Georgia Men’s Basketball team record to 19 wins.  They are seeking their first 20-win season in seven years.

Field was the leading scorer for the Wolves with 22 points in tonight’s game while Da’Ron Sims also played a huge part in the game, accounting for 20 points.  “Gavin really looked to me like he is back, said Cooney. “He’s jumping and there’s lift on his shot.” The Wolves are hoping that their fans will show up to support them this Saturday and be as much of a positive influence on the team as they were against Delta State.  “Our guys played for the crowd tonight,” said Cooney. “I like where we are; we just need to rest up and prepare for Saturday.  It’s a huge game for us.”

“We have voted on nearly $2 million in student fee allocations in the past two years,” said Fred Curtis, Student Government President. “SGA decides where your money goes.” Voting in the upcoming SGA elections will have a direct impact on how student fees are allocated.

Full time students pay between $3,000 (in state) and $9,000 (out of state) in tuition alone.  The SGA takes an active role in where that money is allocated.

The SGA provides an official voice through which student opinions may be expressed.  They enact programs necessary for the general welfare of the student body, and they promote unity among students, faculty and staff of the University.  They encourage a higher quality of educational opportunities for all students attending the University of West Georgia. They actively participate in Faculty Senate Committees and governance structure of the university and they give students a chance to defend themselves through the Judicial Commission.

UWG has the same population as some small cities, so voting for SGA is comparable to voting in a city election.  A few examples of how the SGA impacted student life with their votes are the Z-6 being open until 8:30, the shopping shuttle round trip from the UCC Bus Stop to Wal-Mart and the unanimous SGA vote allows the university to expand the scope of the athletics complex project.

“The [SGA] elections should be more than a popularity contest,” said Curtis. “Students should look at the candidates experience, [the candidates’] goals and ideas for UWG and [the candidates’] vision.  They are going to decide where your money goes, when your breaks are, where you park and bus routes.”

For more information on SGA Elections visit www.westga.edu/sga

“One of the biggest events that we have going on this semester is the SGA Cares Too Week on February 13-16,” said Dionna Livington, SGA Press Secretary. “During this week, which also corresponds with the week of Valentine’s Day, SGA will be spreading lots of love throughout our campus.”

The events of that week will include:

MONDAY- C is for Campus Involvement- SGA events in front of the Campus Center from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. as well as an event that night, Sex Therapy/Flirt Fest, co-hosted with  SAC at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom for all our lovers out there!

TUESDAY- A is for Appreciation!- Bus Driver Appreciation Day come join SGA in front of the UCC for some refreshments to show our support for our bus drivers who get us from point A to B everyday. Events will last again on Tuesday, as well as all other days of the week from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

WEDNESDAY- R is for Resources!- Join SGA in UWG Jeopardy Game that night on the first floor of the Library at 7:30 p.m. for a little UWG trivia and some good laughs! Events are also located in the library that day from 11am-2pm.

THURSDAY- E is for Entertainment!- We’ve saved the best for last! Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., SGA will be hosting a “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” event in the Campus Center Ballroom. Join SGA for some lively entertainment, laughs and prizes! Events will be held in the Education Center this day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Timeline for 2012-2013 SGA Elections

January 6-February 16-Online application period-Campaigning freeze

February 21-Mandatory Candidate Meeting and picture session, Pafford 302

Campaigning may begin immediately following the 21 following the mandatory meeting.

February 21-March 26-pre election campaigning

March 7-Candisate Forum Bonner Lecture Hall 8:00 pm

March 26-30-Online voting period-Campaigning restrictions related to voting locations is in effect.

April 2, 2012-Election outcomes posted on the portal

Croatian pianist Dorian Leljak played a recital featuring works by Fréderic Chopin and Sergei Rachmaninov at Kathy Cashen recital hall last Wednesday.

In an unfortunately half-empty recital hall in the Humanities building, around 40 people gathered on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 8:15 p.m. to listen Dorian Leljak play works from two piano geniuses: Chopin and Rachmaninov. People were composed mostly of Carrollton natives enjoying the presence of a great pianist in their town, a few music majors and students looking for extra-credits.

After a wonderfully executed set that lasted approximately an hour, the musician left the stage and went into the humanities hall to talk to the music lovers. Having an impressive résumé, there is no wonder why many people were so pleased to talk to him. In addition to be a piano professor at the Academy of Art in Novi Sad, Serbia, Dr. Leljak is also president of the World Piano Teachers Association and the World Piano Conference. He has also won many competitions including the prestigious Rachmaninov Competition in Belgrade and was awarded distinctions from Yale University’s Mary Clapp Howell, Irving Gilmore and Parisot Pizes. Since he has also been teaching piano at the Royal College of Music in London and at the prestigious Yale University, he clearly answered everyone’s questions in perfect English.

Although this event was organized by the university Department of Music, it did not a meet a big success in term of audience. Most people came out of the recital hall really impressed by the musician’s performance. “I absolutely loved the event! His talent was amazing and so beautiful,” said Brandi Walker, an Early Childhood Education major. “I came to the event because I love piano. I am also required by one class to attend two musical events and that one sparked my interest.” Dr. Carol Gingerich, professor of piano at UWG, initiated the project by submitting Leljac’s name to the Music Department. “Pianists call frequently to know if they can come and play at the university,” said Gingerich, who has already been twice in Serbia to attend Leljac’s conferences. “And since Dorian was touring in some American universities and that we knew each other, he asked me if he could play here.” His performances for the next days were to be in Conway, Ark. and Memphis, Tenn.

Nevertheless, as it has already been mentioned, the small amount of people in the audience was too obvious. This illustrates either a lack of interest for classical music from students or a poor advertisement for the event, maybe both. “I was very upset that we had such an amazing event and there were very few students who attended,” said Walker. “To have such a renowned person at our school should have been celebrated and shown much more appreciation.” For Dr. Gingerich, the problem came from the insufficient advertisement. “We should have tried to advertise more but we are understaffed,” she said. “I am the only full time piano teacher. I work 24/7 and I cannot keep up.” However, there are, fortunately for UWG students, more free musical events to come, which can be checked on the Music Department’s website ( http://www.westga.edu/music), and hopefully, they will share Brandi’s enthusiasm. “The performance was amazing,” she said. “I can’t wait for the next one, so I can take all my friends and even my family since they provide many of the events for free.”

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has stormed the political scene over the past few months. Many believe that Gingrich is more electable as a typical conservative candidate than former Massachusetts Governor and front-runner in the Republican race, Mitt Romney. That’s common knowledge by now, right? It’s not. The home-state hero, Gingrich faces similar candidates with “conservative ideologies” that will challenge his presidential bid, but there are some scenarios that could favor Gingrich.

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and Texas Congressman Ron Paul are the biggest factors that could prevent him from winning the GOP nomination. Why? The answer is simple. Both Paul and Santorum take the conservative vote away from Gingrich. Though Paul is straggling along, Santorum has mounted impressive victories in Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado. If Santorum dropped out of the race, more than likely, his voters would aid Gingrich. If you add the totals of Gingrich and Santorum in most states, Gingrich would have more delegates than Romney.

Then there is Ron Paul, who carries a strange but influential voting pool—the young people. If Gingrich managed to gain votes from young people, as President Obama gained in 2008, along with traditional conservatives, he’d seemingly sweep the rest of the country and be the GOP nominee.

The Republican Party has indicated that they want someone other than Romney, and there are a lot of “what if’s” in these scenarios. It’s the election season, and where would we be without these predictions?

300 students and alumni in search of possible career and networking opportunities came to the 2012 Career Services Job Expo.

“Enterprise has been very active with UWG. Whenever volunteers were needed, our company is always happy to participate,” said Nick Harris, Talent Acquisitions Specialist for Enterprise.  “Our goal is to empower students and offer them every opportunity.” Enterprise is the Corporate Sponsor for Career Services this year.

Over 30 different employers, ranging from the FBI to Wal-Mart Distribution, accepted applications from the participants.

“I’ve met several potential candidates and am very excited to explore what we have to offer them,” said Greg Campbell, Regional Operations Manager for Fastenal. “The volume of students was a little down, but the quality made up for it.”

Students signed in at the registration desk where volunteers approved their business dress attire.

“Absolutely professional dress attire is important. Most [students] don’t know what professional attire is,” said Jamie Fernander, Department Assistant of Career Services. “This is an opportunity to educate them on how to find a job.” One young man was turned away for wearing tennis shoes with his suit.

The registration volunteers explained four color-coded hands that appeared in different combinations on employer booths. There were red for full-time, purple for part-time, yellow for internship and green for volunteers.

“This is a good event UWG offers,” said Brandon Smith, a UWG Senior. “It allows prospective employers to invest in the students.” The color-coded hands helped the students to find jobs and network.

The expo opened with Mike Morris, Director of Talent Acquisition & Development for Lanier Parking Solutions gave an opening seminar.

“Tell me about yourself in under 2 minutes” said Morris. A Power Point with interview advice showed the audience strategies such as the 3 P’s of personal marketing:

• Ÿ Previous Experience – Skills you’ve learned
• Ÿ Portable Skills – Skills that are transferrable
• Ÿ Passions – Skills that make you who you are

Several of the represented employers explained that they hire from within.

“We start with part-time employment to be sure we are a good fit for the employee, said Campbell. “We strictly promote from within, and everyone starts at an entry level position.” Enterprise is another company that promotes from within.

UWG Alumni represented several of the employers, which they now work for, such as Carson Parham, Human Resource Specialist with Southwire and Adam Vancour, Controller with C.L. Services Inc.

Career Services encouraged students to have copies of their resumes available for the employers.  Career Services offered help from job search to resume writing. The mission of Career Services was to provide efficient, effective and personalized services to UWG’s students, alumni and employers.

Career Services interfaces between the campus and the employment community to facilitate career development through career coaching, student work, professional practice programs and career employment.

For more information on Career Services visit www.careerweb.westga.edu  or call 678.839.6431.

On Feb. 2, The International Student Club celebrated its 27^th annual International Night. This year’s fete, themed “Different Stars, One Galaxy,” was a celebration of the diversity and uniqueness of every international student studying at UWG. The event involved the contributions and participation of most members of the club, and after over a semester of planning and preparations, the club members were ready to give an exciting and entertaining show. The event started at 7 p.m. at the Z-6 and attendees enjoyed delicacies prepared by international students from 30 countries, including China, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and France, as well as Carrollton area restaurants and food vendors. After the dinner, attendees could choose to watch the entertainment show, which began around 8:15 p.m. The International Student Club president, Tsedey Mekbib, gave her welcome address to the audience, calling the event a celebration of cultural diversity, and officially opened the show.

There were a total of 19 performances, each performed by members of the club, including various dances, a fashion show and a drama skit by the women of Alpha Omega Eta African Sorority. Becky Davies, a Welsh national, and Philip Gosu, a Ghanaian, were the hosts of the event and kept the audience laughing with their jokes, stories and impromptu performances. Among the most popular performances of the night were a Korean opera called Pansori, a dance by members of the African Students Association and the final performance of the night, a martial art showcase, which drew a standing ovation from the crowd. Every act was well-rehearsed and went off with little to no hitches.

During the show, Fantahun and the club vice-president, Bilal Alaji, presented bouquets of flowers to Sylvia Shortt, the International Services and Programs associate director, and Kristin Etheridge, the international student advisor, in gratitude for their help towards and work with each and every UWG international student. As the go-to people concerning everything and anything-international student related, the two women have been indispensable assets to all UWG international students, and the club members made sure to express their gratitude.

At the end of the show, around 10:30 p.m., all club members were invited to the stage for the grand finale dance. After all the time and effort that had gone into its production, the show was a certified success with many attendees thanking and congratulating the club members on a job well done. From the food to the music to the performances, the members of ISC gave a show to remember. This year’s theme rang true as the different stars that make up the ISC galaxy shined brightly individually and as a whole. Every year, the club seems to outdo itself and one can scarcely wait to see what will be in the show next year.

For students looking to slim down before summer or pack on some muscle for the beach this season, University Recreation has the classes or program to fit your needs.  The UREC is offering a variety of fitness classes led by experienced and trained instructors.  Such classes are often expensive services offered by high quality private fitness centers, but University of West Georgia students have free access to as many classes as they can handle.  In addition to the fitness and aerobics classes, UREC is also hosting all new comprehensive fitness programs.

Biggest Loser and Wolf 90X is now available to students at the Campus Center for a small fee.  More and more students seem to be showing up on campus sporting gym clothes and water bottles in order to take advantage of what the UREC now has to offer. To accommodate students’ schedules, classes are offered as early as 9 a.m. and as late as 10 p.m.  In addition to aerobics classes and fitness programs, the UREC also has a large weightlifting area, which contains free-weights, resistance machines and various machines designed for cardiovascular training.

Students can now choose from 16 different aerobics classes designed to fulfill various  types of individual fitness goals that students may have.  From yoga to a boot camp style class designed to test the limits of participants, the UREC has individually trained instructors for each class. The classes are held seven days a week.  The times classes will be held and their respective instructors can be found at the UREC website www.westga.edu/urec or by visiting the Campus Center.  The website provides full information on the two new fitness programs offered as well as a detailed description of what each individual fitness class focuses on.

I didn’t really have anyone that I could say that I had unconditional love for besides Michael Jackson and my family, of course, until a few years ago when I met my soon-to-be best friend, Megan. I would have never met her if the Arby’s on Maple Street in Carrollton, GA hadn’t of shut down because of horrible service. When I heard that we were getting a “select few” of the crew members from the Maple Street Arby’s, I automatically knew, along with my other coworkers that whoever the people were, we didn’t like them.

When Megan showed up, I didn’t think anything of her. I wasn’t going to try to be her friend. After a few months of working with her, I actually came to like her. After a year, we were a match. We talked constantly and went out on dates at IHOP whenever her fiancé was working late at work. She listened to me when I went absolutely psycho over guy A, and then claiming to be in true love with guy B after talking to guy C and going to the movies with guy D the next week. I was there to pick her up when she fell, drunk and face first into a pile of used cigarettes and spilled vodka at a club one night.

“I’m okay?,” she said. She jumped up from the floor screaming, “I look okay?” I said, “No” to both questions. I loved her enough to say it to her intoxicated face. She loved me enough to call me on New Year’s Eve and tell me that Andy had proposed to her just seconds ago and that I was to be one of her bridesmaids in her wedding that summer.

We have a definite love even though we are complete opposites. She grew up in Carrollton, and she is in her second marriage with two kids. I grew up in Atlanta, and I’ve only had one relationship defined and broken by Facebook, and I’m terrified of all things childbirth. But we click. I can honestly say that spending a Saturday night with Megan and her family, eating ice cream and watching SpongeBob episodes is more fun than any date I could go on. I know, that no matter what, I can always go to her, and that is the first time I have felt that way for someone outside of my family. This is much more than a friendship.  So, even though I will probably spend my Valentine’s Day doing my yearly ritual of turning on the sob love stories and eating an entire chocolate cake by myself, at least I can say that I am in love for the first time in years. I’m in love with my best friend.

Personally, I love Valentine’s Day. It is always a great day to treat your girlfriend. The art of giving is great and how you give adds to the creative element. I’m convinced that everyone is creative in his or her own particular way. Society tells the masses that Valentine’s Day is a feminine holiday, but that doesn’t mean we should lose our creative edge. Again, this doesn’t make Valentine’s Day a bad day.

Society perceives the man in a masculine role. So why would one spend his hard-earned money on chocolates and flowers. These overpriced, over analyzed gifts do not contribute creative emotion. Gentlemen, it is time to change your taste.

As if anniversaries and birthdays weren’t enough, Valentine’s Day adds the flavor of love to promote capitalistic ideas among the masses. So, when I treat my lady friend, I try arrangements and activities that one wouldn’t think of. It is the creative thought that helps build the relationship.

Here’s a checklist of activities you can do that are out of the ordinary.

• Go to a different town with exploration on your mind. Nothing will make your significant other more excited than the thought of going somewhere new, and naturally, the exploration may lead further than that.
• Go hiking. Nothing will get you closer to nature than hiking with your significant other. Even if you’re not the “outdoorsy” type it will be easy to connect, and the instinctive effects will have her or him cherish the moment long after you leave the wilderness.
• Picnics are a safer alternative to lines at generic restaurants. Gentlemen, Longhorn, Applebees, O Charley’s and Ruby Tuesday are unoriginal. It is nice to treat your lady with something original and perhaps a favorite dish in a scenic natural environment.
• Now, for those of you who are not in touch with your natural side, it’s much better to setup a particular space with decorative arrangements and cook for your significant other a hearty meal than to fall into the depths of normality. Your guy or girl may seem troubled at first, but the key to any successful Valentine’s Day is the creativity that you put into it.

I’ve equipped you with alternatives for the typical date; now go and heed my advice. Get in touch with nature. Trust me. She’ll love it, and her and your needs will be met as well. Moreover, ladies if you’re the date planner, these methods will trump any typical date.

I remember my junior year in high school. Many of my friends would crowd the halls with balloons and huge bears that their boyfriends had purchased for them. I would look at myself empty-handed, and secretly wish that someone would come around the corner barring gifts with my name on them.

Somehow I would get through the day without popping somebody’s balloons out of jealousy. As soon as I would arrive home, I would run straight to my room so that could I pout and complain about the day that I hated so much out of the year.

Before I could nose dive on my bed I realized that someone had indeed thought of me that year. Chocolate bears, and balloons were spread across my bed.  I read the card in the mist of my gifts and it said, “With love, from Daddy.” My heart melted and I ran and kissed him on the cheek telling him thank you.

I realized at that moment that my dad was my true love all along. He was my knight in shining armor and he was the man of my dreams. I didn’t have to beg and plead for his love. And his love lasted more that just one day, he proved it every single day.

I reflect on the many lessons that my father taught me. He was an advocate for education. He instilled in me that knowledge was power and that it would be the key to my success. He also taught me that it is important to always give your best and exceed expectations. Whenever I would share with him my dreams he would encourage me and say, “you can do anything you want in life, but it takes hard work and dedication.”

Recently my daddy’s cancer has turned for the worst. He had fought a long hard battle, but it seemed as if his body had done all that it could do.  I sat five days watching his body transition to death. That was the hardest thing that I ever had to do.

My love for my dad was so deep that I knew that his body needed peace. And because I am a believer in eternal life, this was his opportunity to rest. I had to rely on my faith in God to get me through this tough time.

My daddy taught me the true meaning of Valentine’s Day. He also taught me the true meaning of love. “Love is patient, love is kind.” Though I’m still technically single, I don’t feel lonely because I know that my true love is always with me. I thought that when we buried my dad that I was also burying my heart. But my true love will always be with me. He lives inside of me. And until the right man comes along and asks me for my hand in marriage, I will always belong to him.