Campus

Student Government Association senate seats are currently vacant including the secretary’s. SGA president Amy Whitehouse said there are currently only 14 of 26 senate seats filled after Mikal Huff abruptly resigned as secretary Feb. 1 via e-mail.

Huff told the Patriot Talon he needed to devote more time to his 15-hour course load. “I learned a lot from being secretary and had fun doing it,“ he said. “I would recommend it to anyone if they can manage the time.”

University officials are  accepting applications for Washington D.C. internships through the Bill Archer Fellowship Program, Dr. Michael Eidenmuller, an associate speech professor, said.

Applicants must be university juniors or seniors with 24 completed hours at the University, a 3.0 GPA, complete basic government requirements and hold work or internship experience. Submission deadline is Feb. 26.

The University’s Iota Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, the international honor society for nursing, received the Chapter Key Award for a second time at the 2009 Biennial Convention, Dean Linda Klotz said in a recent press release.

The award, established in 1991, honors chapters that excel in chapter-related activities, including membership recruitment, retention and professional and leadership development, according to the release.

Domestic violence, suicide and sexual assault are problems that college students can possibly prevent simply by knowing more about them.

Kimberly Harvey-Livingston, adviser for Wellness and Prevention Education Services, said she is on a mission to provide information to University students on these subjects and others. She developed peer education groups and training 10 years ago to help curb potential problems before they arise. “They help the students develop understanding about their subjects and the things they teach and present on,” Harvey-Livington said.

University recruiters are touting the benefits of higher education by taking their message on the road.

The University, in cooperation with the Texas Pioneer Foundation, is launching a Mobile GO Center, which was unveiled Thursday at the University.

Freshman Business major Kasey Moore plays guitar for freshman education major Cassidy Younghans during Open Mic Night Thursday night in the University Center’s Patriot Zone. Younghans wrote and performed the song “Trying Not to Choke.” Campus Activites Board sponsored the hour-long event.

Dr. Jennifer Courtney looks on in awe at the three-ton pickup parked beside her small car in the faculty parking lot. Since moving to Texas in August, Courtney said she has seen more large trucks than in any other state. Gathering her belongings she begins walking toward Room 202 of the Business Building for another day of working at the Writing Center.

A senior criminal justice major sang her way into the hearts of a judge’s panel last week, walking away with a $1,000 check at this year’s Patriot Idol winner. Tyler native Aubrey Burnley finished the week-long competition with her rendition of “Cowboy Sweetheart” on Thursday night.

Burnley, who said she been singing since she was 5-years-old, said the prize money will help pay tuition. “It was a really tough competition,” she said. “I mean it wasn’t even like we were competing against each other because everyone was so great in their own way.”

Freshman Robert Sorbet rides his skateboard during a warm day around campus last week. East Texans experienced a stretch of warm and cool weather followed by rain last weekend. Photo by Sam Ramsey.