"Taylor" Made

By: Kayla Hackett

Many are saying Birmingham's music scene is transforming into the new Nashville. From Blues, to Country, and even Folk, the talent is extraordinary in each genre. Birmingham's own singer/songwriter Taylor Hunnicutt, is a perfect example of what is being brought to the table. Playing in many different venues throughout the Magic City, she is making herself known one note at a time.

Singer/Songwriter, Taylor Hunnicutt

Taylor Hunnicutt, born in Demopolis Alabama, has been singing since she could speak. She received a music scholarship from the University of Montevallo, and attended there for 2 years. She left to pursue her dream of becoming more than just another pretty voice. Last year she tried out for American Idol, and came close to making it to Hollywood, but the Idol judges told her to build her confidence and come back when she had more experience. Not caring whether she becomes the next big thing, she just wants to tour the country and meet new people, and says "I want to give people hope, and when they hear my voice, maybe they will know someone understands how they feel." For Taylor, music is a way to cope with her emotions, and though people may not see it, she pours her heart out on stage.

Taylor Hunnicutt, and Matt Willis

Taylor performs with many different bands/singers in Birmingham, one of them being the talented Matt Willis. They make a great duo, and rock out several times a week at different stages throughout the Birmingham area. If you're interested in checking them out, here are a few venues: Blackwell's Pub in Cahaba Heights, The Tavern of ST. Clair, Champy's of Alabaster, City Vineyard on 280, Lights House Bar of Jasper, Iron City of Birmingham, Iron Horse Cafe, and many more. The links are attached, and lead to dates and showtimes.

 

UM students share a bond centered around The Doctor

By: Mandy Steadman

University of Montevallo students gathered on Wednesday night with a common interest in the hit BBC show, "Dr. Who." The Whovian Society has been on campus for two years and is still growing.

The show, "Dr. Who," is about a man who travels in a tardis, or time machine, back and forth throughout the space time continuum. He has 13 regenerations, which is where his body and personality changes almost completely. The show is currently on its 13th regeneration.

Diana Douglas, the secretary/treasurer/vice-vice president says the group has really bonded over this common interest in "Dr. Who."

Diana Douglas and Victoria Houston prepare for meeting

"We are a family in a way. We have a common interest, but we can also can come together and just help each other. And we are not the crazy cult that people think 'Dr. Who' is. We're fun and we have an interest that we like that we can share," said Douglas.




The society's main goals are to bring people together with this common interest and to help some of the students, like incoming freshmen, find friends whom they can rely on.

Victoria Houston, the president of the society, said her favorite part about being in the group is the games. One in particular is a game they created called, "Angels vs. Doctors." She described it as a version of freeze tag.

If you have an interest in "Dr. Who," want to find out what the heck a tardis is or just wanna make new friends then check out the Whovian Society every Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. in Comer 205.

Flex Points Come Downtown

by: Jordan Wales

A student walks into Eclipse and orders a milkshake before handing over a little plastic card. Their method of payment? Flex points off their Montevallo student I.D. What has long been a part of larger universities, such as Alabama or Auburn, is finally coming to grace the doors of the University of Montevallo this spring- the ability to pay with flex points at restaurants on Main Street.

Montevallo Main Street Courtesy-Martin J. Reed

Deanna Smith, vice president of Business Affairs, said that this has been in the works for a while for the university and when the dining provider changed to Chartwells, they included a provision to bring the software necessary to do “Downtown Dining” in the contract.

Local restaurants will be given the opportunity to enroll in the program and the university expects the system to be functional before this semester ends. For senior Julia Erwin, that means more options than just Moe's and the ability to support the local businesses.

"I'm very excited that we're going to have flex points on Main Street because I feel like it is a much better and effective use of our flex dollars, especially for some people that don't like to eat in the caf a lot. And I think it's going to be a much better bridge to connect the gap between the university and the town of Montevallo itself," Erwin said.

UMOM Courtesy-Frank Couch

   When a student swipes their I.D card at a participating merchant the points will come off the card just like at Moe’s. However, there are some restrictions. When the meal plan is purchased, the money put on the card becomes labeled as state funding. This means that no alcohol or tobacco products will be allowed to be purchased with the flex points.

           The college hopes to eventually have a one card system, where vending machines, groceries, and services, such as haircuts, will be available for purchase with flex points.
          For more information on where and how flex points can be used and the "Downtown Dining" program, contact the Business Affairs office at (205) 665-6012.

Rallying For Higher Ground

Story by: Amos Hollinhead

Have you ever heard the phrase "A mind is terrible thing to waste"? This is a phrase that students across the state of Alabama believe to be true. Last Thursday, students from the University of Montevallo joined other college students in Alabama to support Higher Education Day.

Other universities such as Troy, Alabama, and Auburn all joined together to rally for the state funding for education. After walking three blocks, more than 500 students gathered in front of the Alabama State House in Montgomery to make their voices heard. 

Governor Bentley addressing the rallying students

Students were greeted with a loud roar fitting for a rally in Higher Education Executive Director Gordon Stone. He encouraged students to be as loud as they could so the Senate could hear their demands for the future.

Governor Robert Bentley believes higher education was not only an important part for students seeking jobs, but also for the future of Alabama as a profound state for students to seek careers. College students are the future of Alabama.

Speakers and representatives also came out to address the students to keep rallying for the cause. As Executive Director Stone shouted, "We need our one-third! We have to have our one-third in order to make a difference in Alabama!" If the Senate did not hear Gordon Stone or the college students, they heard the music coming from the bands of Jacksonville State and Alabama State universities.

Abigail Bradley leading the UM students 

Montevallo students were right in the cross hairs, holding the purple and gold UM banner proudly. Students looked forward to being out of school for a great cause. Montevallo Higher Ed Coordinator Abigail Bradley says the process was well worth seeing the success.

"This year, a fellow SGA member and I went down to Montgomery a month prior to Higher Ed Day and had a legislative round table with other coordinators. We discussed some ideas and came back to Montevallo, putting up flyers, sending out emails, and getting students to sign up. We had 139 students sign up and our goal was 150, so I was very proud."

If you would like to read more about the goals for educational funding or more about the Higher Education Day rally, go to www.higheredpartners.org and support the educational future for the universities in Alabama. 

Apple Security Patch

By: Kayla Guillot

Apple announced earlier last week they had a security patch update for their users. With various other companies coming out and saying they have had similar issues in the past few months, students should be especially cautious when using the internet.

iPhone and iPad mini included in security patch 

Many think they have nothing to worry about when it comes to their security. However, thousands have reported their debit cards have been compromised.

University of Montevallo student Lyndsay Lowery said she only uses her card at the register and pays with PayPal online. "I rarely shop there [Michaels and Target] so I'm not worried about using my card at other places," said Lowery.

However Chancellor Crawford says he felt anxious about using his card everywhere and is online shopping has taken a backseat. "I only use my card at places like McDonalds other than that I try to stay away from it," says Crawford.

Security Patch released by Apple

There are a few tips to make sure you are safe when on your Apple devices. Avoid unsecured wifi networks, they make it easier to access your information, install all the updates offered on your devices, don't click on any links that may look out of the ordinary even if it is from a friend, and also never take your security for granted.

These tips aren't guaranteed to make sure you are safe on your devices but it always helps to be safe rather than sorry.

Wide Open Mic Night at Eclipse Coffee

By John Engle

Montevallo is a unique place, filled with rich history and kindred spirits that make the town the place that it is. A lot of the grassroots charm is found in the local music scene where art and collaboration help tell the story of the individuals that carry a passion for their craft.

Wooden Eclipse sign made by local artist Andy Cummings

Anyone who has lived in the area or visited at any point has more than likely experienced the friendly and laid back environment of local hotspot, Eclipse Coffee & Books. 

It serves as a down home place to relax for stressed students, native 'townies', and anyone just passing the time. Once night falls, the music rises, and students flock to come support local artists and spend time with friends.

Wide Open Mic Night sign in Eclipse Coffee & Books

Wide Open Mic Night is an event that brings people together through the power of music. A night where one can face their fears and spread their sound.

The Event Coordinator, Trent Jones, stated that it, "provides an artist with an opportunity to transition from playing in the house…to being in front of people without the obligation of being in a band."

The crowd is usually filled with familiar faces and the diversity of the performers is very representative of the diversity in the town. The feedback is crucial for the serious musician trying to get their name out and the experience is wonderful for the person trying something new.

University students cheering on performing friends.

Fiji founding fathers experience victory and opposition

Heather Buckner

Phi Gamma Delta delegates arrived to Montevallo's campus February 11 and have been busy building a brotherhood ever since.

“We have seven guys who have joined,” said field secretary Josh Wiseman. “We’re looking to have a couple more within the next few weeks. We have about three more weeks left on campus.”

Men interested in joining their ranks are welcome to stop by Student Life, where Wiseman and fellow secretary Adam Wagner set up office—every day from around 8:30 a.m. until about 5 p.m. 

Wiseman says the majority their day is spent
filling out paperwork for other chapters.

Wiseman admitted that, while they do have a lot of work to do, eight hours in that room can be a bit much. So what do they do when they aren’t rushing potential members?

“We do take some time for ourselves. Maybe watch a bit of Netflix. I’ve gotten really big into Parks and Rec lately,” said Wiseman, laughing. 

But they have been busy since arriving, even having the opportunity to share in Fiji’s first unofficial win—Alpha Gamma Delta’s He’s a Lady pageant.

“We brought out all the guys who had been going through the process to support him, and he did a phenomenal job. There’s a picture of Adam and I along with Kevin and two other guys who had accepted bids at that point,” said Wiseman. “That’s going to be the first picture that goes down as the first picture of Fiji at Montevallo—him dressed in his red wig and blue dress.”

Wagner tells the founding fathers they are
"always wearing their letters" now.

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the new Fijis.

“There are people I have been friends with for years who, at an intramural game this week, wouldn’t even so much as talk to me,” said one new member. “But if that happens to you, brush it off. That’s what we’re here for.”

Another newly pledged brother shared a similar experience: “I was made fun of very vividly on a public platform by one of the other fraternities.”

Wagner however, ended their first official meeting in a fitting way—explaining to the young men that they were now pledge brothers and would be together to support each other as brothers, in his words, “from now until…forever.”