NPR science journalist addresses USU students

by Aubrie Waldron

Joe Palca, a science correspondent for National Public Radio, visited Utah State on Thursday where he addressed a media smarts class about science journalism, political journalism and a series of stories called "Joe's Big Idea."

"Mostly, what I do is talk about science," Palca said.

Palca said that he doesn't pretend his reports on NPR are newsworthy in the sense that other news stories are. He used the example that knowing why some turtles have shells on their stomachs rather than their backs, one of his recent stories, is not going to vitally affect anyone's life.

"But," Palca said, "it's interesting."

According to Palca people have a tendency to avoid science journalism because science is hard to understand, and "people don't like to feel stupid."

"You need to try to understand what you don't know," Palca said.

Concerning political journalism Palca said that the main question the public should be asking about politicians is not if they're a Republican or Democrat but rather "What do these people actually stand for?"

"The media has allowed politicians to tell the story the way they think they should be telling it instead of telling it the way we, the people, think it should be told," Palca said.

Palca ended his address by talking about "Joe's Big Idea" which is a series of stories that focus on the "minds and motivations" of scientists and inventors. Palca said the purpose of the series is to help people understand scientific ideas and inventions.

"I'm not trying to convince anyone about anything," Palca said. "I just want people to know how incredibly cool science is."

Samantha Emmett, a USU student who is studying journalism, attended the speech and found Palca's experiences and insights interesting.

"As a journalism student, I liked his excitement about the stories he is writing," Emmett said. "He was very relatable and easy to understand."

Concerning journalism as a whole Palca asked, "What's the point?"

"The point is we're trying to tell the people out there what's going on out there."

Utah Jazz emeritus speaks to Aggie "floaters"

by Aubrie Waldron

Former Utah Jazz player Thurl Bailey spoke to Utah State students on Wednesday in the Taggart Student Center as part of Education and Human Services Week. His speech was specifically directed to those who haven’t made solid decisions about what to do with their future.

“Lots of young adults are floating,” Bailey said. “They get to the point where they know the important stuff, but there’s no concrete decision made about where they’re going to go.”

Bailey’s main message to students was to direct their lives toward goals, even if they don’t know how it will turn out. He also emphasized that “preparation is the most important position” and that everyone should prepare themselves for whatever opportunities come their way.

After showing a short video highlighting Bailey’s basketball career, Bailey serenaded the crowd with a song about looking to the future with optimism. He explained that after his professional basketball career of 16 years, he recorded three music albums, pointing out that no one needs to be confined or limited by one talent or interest they have.  

“Where have you been? Why are you here? Where are you going?” Bailey asked. “These are three of the most important questions anyone with desire, passion and goals could be asked.”

Bailey went on to say that in order to make the right decisions a person must gain a vision of where they see themselves next year, in five years, and even in 10 years.

“A lot of our purpose is on us to decide,” Bailey said.

“It was a good message for those who don’t know which direction to take,” said JoLynne Lyon, public relations specialist for the College of Education and Human Services. “His whole life story would have been different if he would’ve given up on his goals. It was a good reminder for everyone to not quit.”

Trenton Judd, a member of the College of Education and Human Services council, helped organize the event. He said that he was influenced by how highly Bailey valued education.

Judd also liked Bailey's thoughts about directing our lives with purpose.

"He gave a lot of insight to students," Judd said. "Where we are going needs to be something that we have planned out with goals and a way to accomplish it."

AgReserves Inc. managers rely on Utah State graduates for competent employees

by Aubrie Waldron

General managers from AgReserves Inc. made visits on Tuesday to Utah State's agriculture classes to recruit plant science and agribusiness students for internships. In the evening, the employees held an information session where students from the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences could network and ask questions about intern opportunities.

"We count pretty heavily on Utah State for competent employees," said Don Slight, cooperate manager of AgReserves. Slight explained that working for their company is different than working on a family farm in the sense that it's a corporate company and that employees have opportunities to work their way up the career ladder and make continuous professional progression.

"We don't intend to hire a lot of you and have half of you fail," Slight said. "We intend to train you so that you all succeed."

According to James Strong, general manager of a branch of AgReserves called Desert Farms, one reason why they target USU is because it's the only university in the state that offers a degree in agribusiness. Students in this program learn the financing, marketing, and management of food production. An agricultural based plant science degree can only be earned in Utah through USU as well. This degree focuses on researching the production and management of economically important plants. 

Nathan Whipple, who is studying plant science, said that interning for AgReserves would be a great opportunity to get hands on experience.

"It's an in-field operation versus a classroom lecture," Whipple said. "In Utah we focus on alfalfa, row crops and potatoes. There you learn about almonds and citrus fruits. It's something that can really grow your spectrum of plant science knowledge."

Agronomy and soil research specialist Robert Newhall, who also teaches soil conservation courses, said that he is impressed with how AgReserves runs their cooperations.

"Internships are the future," Newhall said. "Students who take advantage of this opportunity will be propelling their future in a positive direction."

Interviews for internship positions were held Wednesday afternoon.

"If you want to drive a tractor don't come work for us," Strong said. "We want what you learned in school. We want your mind."

The Center for Women and Gender holds first event after Sarkeesian threat

 By Aubrie Waldron
JCOM 1130 Section 3

On Thursday, the Center for Women and Gender held an event in the Merrill-Cazier Library featuring speakers Stacy Louck Sturgeon and Craig Simper. It was the first event put on by the center after Anita Sarkeesian's speech was cancelled due to threats she and other university personnel received via email on Oct. 14.

"The threats that were given to her were also given to our center," said Reni McBride, staff assistant at the center. According to McBride, the threats made extra security precautions for Thursday's speech necessary.

According to Ann Berghout Austin, the director of the Center for Women and Gender, a police officer patrolled the foyer outside the classroom where Sturgeon and Simper were speaking. She also said there may have been officers in "plain clothes" inside the event.

The Center for Women and Gender is an independent department within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Women and Gender Studies program helps students recognize and understand issues that affect the world today concerning gender, age, race, ethnicity, class and sexual identity.

Through the center students may earn a minor or an undergraduate or graduate level certificate of study in women and gender.

"A lot of our discussions have been about how the traditional role of women is changing," said Amy Atkinson, a USU student who is enrolled in several women and gender studies courses. "Roles in homes aren't as set as they used to be. In class we talk about what influences in the world are making it so more men and women have equal responsibility in both house work and careers."

According to Austin, completing the program can give students an advantage when it comes to job searching.

"A women and gender studies certificate or minor is something that indicates to potential employers that you are interested in fairness and equality," Austin said. "Minors and certificates usually don’t get a person a job by themselves, but they certainly serve as a reinforcer for that person’s qualities. They give you an edge, and often it is just the edge to make the difference."

Coming soon: USU nursing program

By Aubrie Waldron
JCOM 1130 Section 3

Nursing and Health Professions is now its own department within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University. According to an email sent from new department head Travis Peterson to all pre-nursing students, practical and registered nursing programs are projected to be offered beginning Fall of 2016.

Currently nursing courses are offered on campus through Weber State University. Enrollment and scholarships must go through WSU, and only 30 students are accepted into the program each year. When USU expanded to the College of Eastern Utah campus in Price administrators continued the nursing program that was already established there. Nursing courses are also offered at USU's campuses in Vernal and Blanding, but have never been offered in Logan.

Kristen Christensen, a program coordinator at the USU Blanding campus, said the new department was created with the development of nursing programs at the Logan campus in mind.

“We have high hopes that becoming an independent department will accelerate the process of making that happen,” Christensen said.

Annette Dalton, part of the new department's staff, said she does not know why USU has never had it's own nursing program in Logan, but that there has been lots of of excitement and support toward initiating one in the near future.

"It's going to have to start small because we've never done this before," Dalton said. "But once we get going I don't know what would keep us from growing."

Megan Allred, a USU student taking pre-nursing courses, said creating the new department and programs were only a matter of time due to the high demand of nurses. Although she thinks the development will provide good opportunities, she is concerned about the quality of the programs.

Megan Willis, one of Allred's classmates, hopes that USU creating a program independent of WSU will allow more students to be admitted.

"It was one of the highlights of my week when I heard that we were getting our own program," Willis said. "I think it was huge news to lots of students."