Honors and a Goodbye

By Andrew Hardy

It's always hard to say goodbye to someone who has meant as much to the Mass Communications as Dr. John Horner has. But it is also great when the department can get together as a family and honor him along with all of the hard working students. That is what made this past Honors Day so special for the department. This reporter for one feels honored to have worked with Dr. Horner these last few years.

Charlemagne Records: A Staircase To The Past

By: Andrew Hardy



Charlemagne Records is Birmingham's oldest used record store. Opened in 1977 Charlemagne has be buying, selling, and trading records since. Whatever music you might be looking for Charlemagne can help you acquire what you desire. If they do not have the record you are looking for the helpful staff of Charlemagne will help you track it down.

Spring Arrives to Montevallo

By: Jasmine Hawkins

The state of Alabama has had one of the harshest winters in recent memories, and this includes the University of Montevallo.

From the very start of the semester there was inclement weather, severe rainstorms, cold days.

The students on campus suffered greatly from the inconsistency of the weather.

Students never knew what type of weather they would be getting each day. In-between the severe cold weather there were days where it was bearable to go outside.

Now there are beautiful flowers showing up all over campus, and these are the first signs of well over due spring ahead.

Now with the end of semester fast approaching students are able to go out on the quad and do last minute studying.

Senior Day at the University of Montevallo

by:  Jolyn Hannah

On Thursday, the Office for Advancement and Alumni Affairs treated seniors who are graduating in May and August to a Zaxby's meal for just $2.00.  The seniors were given the option of either chicken fingers or a salad, they also received a UM alumni t-shirt.  The event was organized to collect information from seniors so that the university can stay in touch after they graduate.  Gary Johnson, Director of the Annual Fund and Special Giving, said he thought the event had be very successful.  All the proceeds from the event will go to the Annual Fund which provides money for scholarships, building projects, and other campus program.

U.M. Baseball heading Home

By Jordon D. Semien

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Coach Chandler Rose

  The crack of the bat as it collides with the ball. The sound of fans chanting and cheering as teams vie in mid spring and early summer. There’s no sure fire way to describe the excitement of attending a baseball game in words, but the right words may just invoke the best memories for fans of all ages.    

   In a football first state like Alabama, at some times, it may be hard for our National Pastime to receive much publicity, outside of the Major Leagues. But at the University of Montevallo, men like Coach Chandler Rose are giving students and fans a new reason to pack Kermit A Johnson Field to capacity.

   In just his third year at the helm of the program, Coach Rose has his Montevallo Falcons knocking on the door of not only a Peach Belt Tournament appearance, but a chance for a NCAA D-II Regional Tournament bid. 

  

#36 Vinny Rodriguez

   For Coach Rose, the season’s success hinged on his team’s ability to “Win Today”, saying “Right now it’s not too tough to keep them focused, with what we’re playing for…Our guys know the importance of every game from here on out and we got nine regular season games that are championship games, each and every one of them”.

    Coach Rose came to Montevallo after helping guide the Air Force Academy to program highs in batting and fielding. As recruiting coordinator, Rose saw many of his players make it to the major leagues.

Kermit A. Johnson Field

    At Montevallo, Coach has seen no shortage in talent, including Red Shirt Sophomore Outfielder Vinny Rodriguez. Rodriguez, a recent nominee for the Tino Martinez D-II player of the year award, has been one of the most consistent forces on the team this year.

   He attributes that success to his personal mantra of taking every practice and game one at-bat at a time, saying “I just gotta take it one at bat at a time. I can’t get ahead of myself, and I can’t start thinking too much if I have an off game or anything. Every time I go to the plate, it’s that at bat. Not worrying about the next one or the one before that.”

    It’s a mantra Vinny shares with his Head Coach. Through out it all, the ups and the downs, the accolades and the accomplishments, Coach Rose will always preach the time honored tradition of showing his players the value of patience.

   “What I always talk about with the team, and the one thing we always focus on is improving everyday.” Rose said, “If we keep improving and buying into the things that have made us successful, then the results will be there.”  

    To keep up with Vinny, Coach Rose, and the rest of the team, check out the Baseball Team’s Homepage, Facebook page, and be sure to watch the next Falcon Fever and Falcon Weekly.    

                

Finals Come to Montevallo

by Samuel Phillips

Final exams are coming up April 29th, and students are hurrying to get their work for the semester finished and their studying in. As usual, Carmichael Library will be offering extended study hours starting April 27th.

Students are finding different ways to deal with the stressful exam period, but many agree that the way to stay on track is to get work out of the way early and to avoid problems they know they've had in the past.

Students are encouraged to avoid over-stressing themselves with worrying and too-strenuous workloads. They should also try to find relaxing activities to punctuate their study schedule.

The schedule for exams looks much like it has in the past, and as in previous years, graduating seniors are required to take exams before grade submission closes Wednesday, May 1st.

The Running Man Challenge

Story By: Ryeshia Albright


The Korean Culture club is a new organization on campus.  It was started by a small group of students to show other students that even though our cultures seem very different, we actually have a lot of similarities.

To promote the Korean Culture Club, they hosted the Running Man Challenge Wednesday afternoon along with the Baptist Campus Ministries, BCM.

Abbey McNeely said the event is based off of a popular Korean Show, called the Running Man.  The contest includes challenges that are similar to tag, but a little more advanced.

McNeely also said she thinks that it is important for students to learn about other cultures.
 

Montevallo Community Members Run for Research

Story by: Savannah Kidd

The 7th annual Run for Research

Students, faculty, and community members joined together to participate in the 7th annual Run for Research. The run, which benefits UM Undergraduate Research, was held this past Saturday at the SAC.


Runners can choose to participate in either the 5-k run, or the 1 mile walk. Brett Noerager, who is the Run for Research Director, is always seeking for more involvement in the run. He says, "If anyone has any ideas to help us get the word out better in the future, to encourage more participation, I would love to hear some ideas.

Winner AJ Jackson crossing the finish line

This years 5-k winner was AJ Jackson. Jackson says that though he hasn't ran a 5-k in quite some time, he's happy to come in first place.

More more information about the Montevallo Undergraduate Research Program, visit their website.

If you have a story you would like us to cover, email us at UMFalconNewsNetwork@gmail.com

Gramatik in Tuscaloosa

Stefan Vaziri

Electronic music as a genre has become increasingly mainstream in the US over the past 10 years and the southeast has become a hotspot for both up and coming producers and fans alike. 

Wednesday April 17th Gramatik's age of reason tour came to the Jupiter in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with supporting acts Cherub and HeRobust opening the show. The turn out for a weekday show was impressive for Tuscaloosa, a college town that has adopted the electronic music scene and shown important support for the genre. 

Gramatik with guitarist F.A.Q.

The tour continues this summer and is highlighted by a busy touring schedule that includes several festivals and international dates. 

Gramatik, born in Slovenia has made a name for himself in the states signing to one of the largest US electronic record labels PLM, a label that gives away all of their artists music for free; a strategy that paid off for them in spades. 

For more information check out the links below:

Gramatik Homepage

Gramatik Facebook

Upcoming Tour Dates

PLM

The Department of Communications Welcomes a Radio Broadcast

by:  Jolyn Hannah

It has been several year since there has been a radio show here at the University of Montevallo.  Several Mass Communications students intend to change that with the new radio show, The Friday Game Plan.  The show will air Fridays from 12-2.  Devan Cooley, Dan Cook, Amos Hollinhead, and Jordon Semien will host the show, so remember to tune in every Friday.

UPC's Foam Party

By: Irene Cardenas


Tuesday UPC hosted their annual Foam Party. It was a great way to get students to get out of their rooms and into some fun. UPC coordinator Tanya Hoang planned the event later in the year than usual to provide students with some fun before finals.

The event consisted of a foam pit and music with a D.J. There was also a shower head to rinse off with.  Sophomore Brittany Williams thought was the event was a great opportunity to attend and to have some fun.

It was a little hard not to know the event was going on. Students were able to hear the music from their dorm rooms. It provided most students with a reminder to come on out and join the party.

Student Jessica Jorgenson enjoyed listening to the music and cooling off from the warm weather. Several students attended the event and found it to be nothing but a good way to spend the day.

To check for future UPC programs check https://coc.montevallo.edu/sga/UPC/Spring%20Events.shtm

Firefighter safety

By Dan Cook

Fire Chief Matt Tobias travels the United States to teach firefighter safety classes.  Recently, he cam to the University of Montevallo to teach his course to local fire departments. 

Tobias spoke on several topics ranging from reminding firefighters to chock firetrucks, to being sure to save their celebrations for when they return to the fire house.

There were a substantial number of local departments represented in Comer Hall for the course, and while some of those in attendance have been around for years, the class provides information on what may already be known, and some information that may get forgotten during more stressful situations.

Tobias adds that coming home safely, and ensuring the safety of your fellow firefighters is the greatest thing you can accomplish at the end of the day.

Firefighters are professional life-savers, but if they can't preserve their own lives, they can't save ours.

Who is the Jesus man?

By Lauren-Nicole Altaffer

While driving past the Wal-Mart on Lakeshore Drive on a Saturday, one might notice a strange sight. One might notice large signs reading, “Honk if you know Jesus,” and, “If you don’t pull over,” and a man behind a microphone, preaching the Gospel.

Who is this man?

He is 73 year old, Pastor John Gilpin Brown, a street preacher that migrated from Jamaica to the U.S. He now calls Birmingham Alabama home. He is a proud street preacher that ministers on the Homewood, Alabama street of Lakeshore drive.

Brown is also the preacher and founder of Power of God Deliverance Ministries. Brown says a miracle increased his faith, prayer and love for God. Brown believes that he is on a path to give the true Jesus to the world. When he refers to the real Jesus, he is referring to the Jesus found in the Bible who can bring power though the Holy Spirit.

His life has been lived for the work of God. He spreads the gospel from the islands of Jamaica to the southern land of Alabama. 

“I’m on a mission from God. My Job is to bring life to them, tell them about the real Jesus that gives life to everyone that believes,” Brown said.

Brown started preaching in front of Wal-Mart 12 years ago. Brown preaches life and teaches the coming of the real Jesus. He’s on Lakeshore every Saturday and has only missed 6 days in his years of preaching in this location.

Resident in the area, Aundrea Olszewsk say, “I’ve been living in Birmingham for 5 years now and every Saturday he’s out here singing and dancing, and he’s always encouraging.”

Many people don’t understand his mission but Brown believes that he reaches at least 120 people a year. With a combined total of 1,500 souls reached at this location. 

Art Students Show off their Talents

by: Margetta Thomas

The University of Montevallo is home to many talented artists, and they are able to showcase their art in The Gallery. Located in Bloch Hall, The Gallery walls were covered in art from students Amber Orr, and Joshua James.

Students, family, and friends came out on Sunday, April 7, to see Amber and Joshua's collections,

from "Psychedelic Muliebrity"

"Psychedelic Muliebrity," and "Almost Always." 

Joshua says that he was inspired by his family and, "the conversations I have, the feelings that I share with them, are without a shadow of a doubt, my core."

Everyone seemed to really enjoy the artwork, including student, Trent Jones. He says that "Almost Always" reflects what's happening in the world today, which is, "Sort of an evolution in conciousness, and our ability to see past form, time, and space."

from "Almost Always"

"Almost Always" and "Psychedlic Muilebrity" will be on display until Thursday, April 11.

University Programming Council

Madison Jones

The University of Montevallo has a negative stereotype of being a “suitcase campus,” meaning students typically travel home for the weekend, as opposed to staying on campus.

University Programming Council’s goal is to turn this trend around. UPC is a student-led subgroup of Montevallo’s Student Government Association. The group is responsible for planning and executing weekly events for UM’s students.

UPC Foam Party

Not only do UPC volunteers attend every event, they also set up before the event and clean up afterward. Many people are unaware of the amount of work and time that goes into being a UPC volunteer.

UPC hosts a minimum of one event each week, with the exceptions of finals week and Greek Week. Events vary from Cokes and Strokes, where students sip coke and paint, to the foam party, where bucket of foam soak dancing students.

UPC’s newest event is the Zombie Relay Run. During the event, UPC members dressed as zombies chase teams of students around. The students try to avoid infection while searching for checkpoints located around campus.

UPC Coordinator, Tanya Hoang

The event proved to be successful and entertaining with a relatively high student turnout. Following the relay race, local band Giants and Toys performed for zombies and survivors alike.

Events like the Zombie Relay Race, as well as other UPC events, give students a chance to do something on weeknights and weekends alike. The goal of UPC is to keep students entertained and on-campus during the school year.

UPC is always accepting applications. The application can be found at the University of Montevallo’s Student Life website or office. For any questions or concerns, contact Tanya Hoang.

Montevallo Students Serve at "The Big Event"

Story by Sloan Gibby

University of Montevallo students were busy Saturday, April 6 serving local businesses, schools, organizations, and residences during "The Big Event".

The Big Event is sponsored annually by the Student Government Association as a way to express gratitude to a community that supports the university in so many ways.

Those in need of service fill out work requests on the City of Montevallo's website. Organizations on the University's campus sign up to participate in the event. Then, students from Montevallo are matched with someone in need.


This year, 28 of Montevallo's organizations participated in The Big Event. 

Student volunteers at "The Big Event"

The Event began at 8 AM at Kermit A. Johnson field. There, students listened to a motivational speech by Dean of Students Dr. Tammi Dahle. The organizations then received their assignments for the day and headed to work.




Students performed various activities throughout the day, including weeding, trimming hedges, raking, pulling weeds, spreading mulch, planting flowers, painting signs, and more.

Student Volunteer Kayle Dickie said her organization served Montevallo High School. "It felt good to know we were helping the community out."

Those that participate receive a free t-shirt that they are expected to wear while volunteering.


The Big Event was first created at Texas A&M University. Now, the Big Event has expanded to over 75 schools across the nation.

This year, over 17,500 students volunteered throughout the United States in the largest one-day student-run service project.

For more information about upcoming events, contact the Student Life office.

Greek cookout/ stepshow

By: KB Avery

           The University of Montevallo's Greeks ended their Greek Week with a bang last Friday with food and music on Main quad followed by a step show in Palmer. The event started at 6 pm and ended somewhere around 9 pm. 

          The turnout for both the cookout and step show was great. Students seemed to enjoy the free food and music and even played a few games of football and frisbee. It seemed that the gathering was not just a hit to Montevallo students as greeks from Birmingham colleges like Samford and Miles stopped by to relax and have fun, they even participated in the step show after the cookout. 

         

     The cookout/ step show was just one of the many fun activities that the Montevallo Greeks hosts yearly. To find out more about greek life on the University of Montevallo's campus students can visit the school's website.

Falcon Fever- April 10, 2013

by:  Mass Comm Students and Instructors

A special thanks to Dr. John Hoerner for helping out today.

Falcon Weekly April 8, 2013

by:  The instructors and students of MC 433, MC 411, and MC 333

Here's this week's episode of Falcon Weekly.  

Montevallo Construction

By: Jasmine Hawkins

 

 

 

There are big improvements in the works for the University of Montevallo. Many students on campus are looking forward to the progress that is being made.

 

Even though the construction has been noisy while classes are in session everyone is very thrilled about the renovations.

 

In the past few months construction workers have been installing a brand new roof to Harmon and Bloch buildings.Students are also very intrigued about other projects and renovations that may come in the future years.

 

 

 

There has been construction going on at Carmichael Library for over the past year, and have been completely renovating the downstairs area of the Library.

 

This will be another area that students can utilize when the renovations are all complete.

 





One thing is for sure the University of Montevallo has great things and major opportunities that are in the works for future endeavors and students.

 

UM Men's Soccer - Extra Training Session

By: Stefan Vaziri

The University of Montevallo men's soccer team took their training session indoors on Thursday afternoon. The team's official training was cancelled but the players took it upon themselves to train independently in preparation for a 7v7 tournament with UAB. The falcons take on UAB this Saturday, April 6, at UAB's West Campus Field.

Juniors Andre Williams and Jaxon Tolleson believe that getting in the extra training before Saturday will be crucial to their success. The Falcons take on UAB in a full sided exhibition match on Wednesday April 10th, also at UAB's West Campus Field. With only a few weeks left in the semester the spring season for the falcons is winding down and they are using this time to make their final preparations before heading in to the fall season.



Come out to support the team this Saturday and Wednesday for some great action. More information about the men's soccer team can be found at their official site.

Greek Week 2013

Madison Jones
April 5, 2013

 

The University of Montevallo Greek community is celebrating Greek Week this week. Greek Week is an annual tradition that gives Montevallo's Greek community a chance to get to know one another better. This year, Greeks are using Greek Week as a way to develop Greek Life at the University of Montevallo.

Greek Speaker, Rick Barnes

Greek Week events kicked off this week with Greek Speaker Rick Barnes. Barnes was a member of FarmHouse Fraternity during his collegiate years and now travels the country speaking to college campuses about the importance of maintaining the dignity of the Greek system, as well as personal self-respect.

Representatives from all organizations turned out and had a great time. Barnes was funny and entertaining to watch, but also brought a great message with him. This week's Greek Speaker was just one way that Greeks used Greek Week to grow as a community.



Tuesday of Greek Week brought a Greek Unity Kickball Tournament. Six representatives from each organization played for two separate teams. The groups were intermingled to bring a sense of unity and light-hearted fun to the games.

2013 Panhellenic Council Presidents

On Wednesday, Greek Week had planned for a sign raising competition on Flower Hill. Each group had created a sign to show Greek Week spirit.

Unfortunately, the weather did not permit the event to happen. The sign raising has been moved to Saturday, April 6th.

After becoming unified, the Greek community got to participate in some healthy competition.

Field games were played in Myrick gym, due to rain. However, the organizations did not let the weather bother them.

With events including a three-legged race, tug-of-war and limbo, the field games were the highlight of the week. The most fun came during the final relay race. The race was a long combination of silly activities, such as wheel-barrel racing and dizzy bat spinning.

Intrafraternal Council Members

The group with the shortest time won. For the men, Alpha Kappa Lambda took the prize and Phi Mu women between the women. The real winners were the spectators who got to watch the events unfold.

This Friday is the Greek Unity Step Show and a cookout on the quad. Members of all female Greek organizations will be supplying the desserts, while the Greek men operate the grill.

On Saturday, April 6th, Greeks and other University of Montevallo organizations will be participating in The Big Event. The Big Event is a national tradition were college students donate their time to helping members of the community.

Saturday afternoon is the Greek Week sign raising, followed by the Alcohol Awareness video

The Big Event 2012

competition. Each Greek organization will present a short public service announcement about alcohol safety, following the theme of "Mistakes Take Less Than You Think".

At the end of the day, Pi Chi's will be inducted. New Members of Order of Omega, the Greek honors organization, will also be initiated. The last event of Greek week is the announcement of winners.

Montevallo reacts to same-sex marriage debate

by Samuel Phillips

Same-sex marriage has surfaced as a topic of conversation in American politics during the past few weeks. Two landmark cases were heard in the US Supreme Court, one challenging California's controversial Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in that state, and one contesting the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal recognition for same-sex unions.

Many Montevallo students joined in a nation- and world-wide movement to change their Facebook profile pictures to reflect their support for LGBT equality. LGBT allies sported a red-on-pink version of the logo for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's most visible LGBT advocacy group. While the HRC's politics are controversial in the LGBT community, the symbol was widely regarded as a tool to spread awareness of changing attitudes.

The popular "equals sign" logo spread virally on Facebook.

The national conversation also led to several spirited conversations through social media, including on the controversial "Montevallo Confessions" page.

The conversation has also bled over into the classrooms, where UM professor Glenda Conway says students in her Constitutional Rhetoric class are reflecting the national shift in opinion. Conway told us how she's seen opinions move toward support for same-sex marriage in recent years, so that nearly all of her students now support marriage equality.

That shift is mirrored in national polls. Nearly all polls now show at least half of Americans support same-sex marriage, and a recent poll by Southern Baptist organization Lifeway shows up to sixty-three percent of Americans consider marriage equality inevitable.

The Supreme Court will announce its rulings in the two cases in June. Currently nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage.

Students Unite for the Annual Greek Week

Story by: Savannah Kidd

Each year, students in Greek organizations at Montevallo unite for a special event called Greek Week. It's a week of competition and celebratory events for the thirteen organizations.

This year, there were a variety of events held from April 1-6. There was special guest speaker Rick Barnes, and also a kickball tournament and field games. Friday there will be a cookout and step show, and on Saturday there will be a service project called The Big Event, and the Greek awards.

Fraternity members enjoying the kickball game

Alpha Kappa Lambda member Clark Maxwell says his favorite part of Greek Week is the field games, and it's fun to heavily compete against one another but at the end of the day still be friends with the other fraternity or sorority member.

With there being a series of competitions, there will be on fraternity and one sorority named the Greek Week winners on Saturday.

For more information about Montevallo Greek Life, visit their Greek Life page.