LET THE
GOOD
TIMES
ROLL
HOMECOMING WEEK EDITION
HOMECOMING
OCTOBER 2013
VOL. 14, ISSUE 2
2
THE MILEAN
A MILES COLLEGE STUDENT PUBLICATION
HISTORIC EXPANSION
Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates the opening of
three new buildings on the Miles College campus.
(L-R) Bishop Teresa E. Snorton, Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III, Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr. and Miles College President George T. French, Jr. pose for pictures during the Ribboncutting and Grand Opening ceremony Thursday, October 17.
PHOTO///CURTREL BISHOP
Shana Hughes
MIlean Reporter
Miles College has come a long way from the
time the college was first started to the times of
today. Through the vision and leadership of the
14th President of the college, Dr. George T. French,
Jr., the college continues to move forward with
the addition of three buildings: the Welcome and
Admissions Center, Student Dining Center, and the
204-Bed Residence Hall The college hosted the historic Ribbon-cutting and Grand Opening ceremony
Thursday, Oct. 17, where various dignitaries and
alumni were present including several of the nation’s top CME bishops.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley was one of the
honored dignitaries scheduled to attend the event
but was unable to due to receiving surgery the day
before. The governor sent his appointed legislative
director, Blaine Galilher in his stead.
There was a common theme among all of the
guest speakers in notes of thanksgiving to God for
what He has done for Miles College, thanking the
alumni, faculty and staff that set the standard for
what Miles is today. Also, the speakers gave praise
and encouragement for the current students who
will take Miles into the future.
Miles College was founded in 1898 and is a pre-
“It only takes the faith
of a mustard seed to
make a dream come
to a reality.”
BISHOP TERESA E. SNORTON
mier liberal arts institution located in metropolitan
Birmingham within the corporate limits of the City
of Fairfield. The noble founders of the institution
saw educated leadership as the paramount need in
the black community.
Through this ceremony, the campus continues to
be transformed. The three new structures served as a
backdrop to the outdoor ceremonies.
Miles College renamed and dedicated the George
T. French, Jr. Activity Center, the Teresa E. Snorton
Residence Hall, the Stewart-Reddick Residence
Hall and a Welcome and Student Enrollment
Services Center. Some of those buildings are still
under construction but should be completed within
the next 30 days. The 204-bed residence hall will
serve as a women’s only dormitory. This is the first
time in the school’s history that three facilities were
unveiled concurrently.
“I have to tell you that I understand what our
ancestors must have felt like when they said free at
last free at last,” commented Congresswoman Terri
Sewell. “What a great day it is to be a Milean. We
write a new chapter in this book called education.”
Established in 1898, the traditionally black college has plans for significant expansion in the near
future. Two existing facilities on campus are on tap
to be renovated. In addition, acres of land which
encompass the North Campus which will eventually
be developed and house new classroom facilities.
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton let the crowd know
how she and the other board members appreciate the people for their support. “It only takes the
faith of a mustard seed to make a dream come to a
reality.”
Miles College student David Miller noted how
significant the ceremony for the new buildings is for
the college. “I think the ceremony today is a monumental ceremony. We (Miles College) have been
waiting for this day for so long, but it’s only one of
many of come. This is something that has been in
the planning for many years, so everyday counts. I
see this as a monumental step forward. Miles College is staying true to their tagline, (miles ahead)
because they are doing that every day.”
CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY
THE MILEAN
3
SORRY...WE’RE BACK OPEN
The Milean is the Miles
College student publication,
produced by the Milean Lab,
Division of Communications.
The information contained
in the Milean is provided
as a public service with the
understanding that Miles
College administration,
faculty and staff make no
assurances concerning the
accuracy, completeness,
reliability, or suitability of
its content. This publication
reflects the views, attitudes,
interests and tastes of
student writers, editors and
contributors – not those of
Miles College at large. For
more information, contact
the Miles College Division
of Communications. The
Milean is produced by the
Division of Communications
on behalf of the offices of
both Academic Affairs and
Student Affairs.
Managing Editor
Lauren McCaulley
Sports Editor
Javon Crowder
Campus Life Editor
Zenetra Johnson
Entertainment Editor
Brittany Dix
Editorial Editor
Shahanica Gales
Reporters
Delisa Olison
Shana Hughes
Rita Powell
Antonio Hagler
Justin Farvell
Faith Leonard
Advisor/Designer
Fredrick Fluker
Chairman, Division
of Communications
Bala Baptiste, Ph.D.
A Miles College
Student Publication
FOLLOW US ON
@MileanNews
/// Miles W.A.R.N.
Alert System
Miles “WARNME” is an emergency
web-based notification service that
provides faculty, staff and students
with timely information and
instructions during emergencies
or other urgent situations that may
directly effect their well-being. Miles
“WARNME” can send messages to
the College community by e-mail,
telephone, cell phone, text messaging (SMS) and TTY.
Miles “WARNME” is available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Faculty, staff and students can enroll
or edit their contact information anytime of the day or night. Sign up at:
http://www.warnsignup.com/miles.
/// Letters to the Editor
Capitol Hill
Lauren McCaulley/wire reports
MIlean Reporter
It seems history finds a way to knock on
present day doors that is especially true for
the United States government. Oct. 1, 2013
marked the first for quite a few things. The
most important of those are the first day of the
2014 Federal fiscal year. However, Congress
could not mutually develop a bill at midnight
on Monday Sept. 30, 2013. This resulted in a
Federal Government shutdown due to the lack
of appropriated funds.
The shutdown forced as many as 800,000
workers to be furloughed indefinitely without
pay. Another 1.3 million furloughed workers
have to report to work without pay until a
compromise bill is passed. The previous Federal Government shutdown was in 1995-96.
The Republican led House of Representatives voted to pay furloughed workers
once the shutdown ends. According to the
Washington Post, the House of Representatives also offered a continuing resolution not
delaying votes, but they strengthen “traditional passion” by forcing Democrats to limit
or block the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act (Obama Care). Meanwhile the Senate responds to their continuing resolution by
approving Obama Care, while on Oct. 1 the
Federal health care exchanges opened.
When Congress could not come to an
agreement, it resulted in a funding gap and
a partial Federal Government shutdown.
Also President Barack Obama and Congress
have led the United States into a government
gridlock which is on the verge of a mass
disruption. However, according to the Washington Post, President Obama and the House
Speaker suggest considering short-term bills
ending the shutdown and extending the debt
limit to give them time to negotiate.
This government shutdown leads many
parents and students wondering what that
means for them as far as funds for college.
It also may leave government funded public
school officials wondering as well.
According to a “furlough possibility plan”
on the Department of Education’s website, it
details how the agency’s programs and more
than 4,000 employees would be affected, if
the government was to stay shut down longer
than a week. And as we already know, it has
been far more than one week.
What does this mean for students? If the
government is shut down does school shutdown? Yes, as they say the show must go on,
school must go on.
College students receiving Pell Grants and
federal student loans were mainly unaffected
by the shutdown. This is only because those
programs are funded through multi-year
and ongoing appropriations from Congress.
However, most of the staff overseeing those
programs were furloughed except for a “skeleton crew” to provide oversight.
Although college students face small issues, younger sibling or family members in
general may face far more apprehension than
the college student from an extended government shutdown.
Title I loans for schools within low-income populations where threatened due to the
shutdown. Those grants total in $22 billion
and some school districts receive up to 20%
of their funding through federal grants and
programs.
Congress was able to avert further issues
of default on Oct. 16 by striking a deal that
would re-open the government. This deal
ended the standoff that triggered a 16-day
government closure and drove the nation
toward the brink of default.
The agreement struck by Senate Majority
Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority
Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) funds agencies through mid-January, calls hundreds of
thousands of civil servants back to work and
raises the $16.7 trillion debt limit.
The agreement that the Senate and House
approved the night of Oct. 16, funds the
government only through Jan. 15. In the
interim, Obama’s team and Congress will try
to negotiate a longer-term spending plan.
The shutdown deal also averted the risk of
a debt default by extending the government’s
borrowing authority until at least Feb. 7,
though that deadline could be pushed back if
the government utilizes special measures.
Still, another debt ceiling dispute is in the
offing in four months.
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THE MILEAN
A MILES COLLEGE STUDENT PUBLICATION
/// MILES COLLEGE CELEBRATES BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
THE GOOD FIGHT
Delisa Olison
MIlean Reporter
Miles College supports National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
with a walk around Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium on October 1.
PHOTO///DELISA OLISON
“A growth started to appear. My skin was
peeling around the breast and my nipples leaked
like I was post pardon from having a baby. It
was very abnormal and I had to make an appointment with my doctor immediately.”
These are the words spoken by Brenda Crenshaw who is a breast cancer survivor.
Crenshaw was soon told that she was stage
two with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS breast
cancer). DCIS is a non-invasive breast cancer
where abnormal cells have been contained in the
lining of the breast milk duct.
“I was scared and at that point the only thing
I could think about was death,” says Crenshaw.
According to America Cancer society, one
in eight women will be diagnosed with breast
cancer in their lifetime. The most commonly
diagnosed cancer in women is breast cancer, and
it is the second leading cause of death among
women.
Instead of being scared Crenshaw started to
educate herself about the disease and started to
get treatment.
“I refused to give up. I had to fight and that
is what I did. I had the cancer removed, but
was advised that I was not totally out of the
clear from it coming back. So after treatment, I
started to exercise and eat healthy, but I did not
know exactly how this happened because no
one in my family had breast cancer and I do not
drink or smoke,” says Crenshaw.
Risk factors such as drinking, smoking, and
family history does not mean that a woman will
get breast cancer. Many women who have risk
factors never develop breast cancer. Women do
have a greater risk if there is a family history
of the disease. A risk factor is something that
can increase the chance of getting the disease,
but does not guarantee that an individual will
contract the disease.
No one knows what exactly causes breast
cancer, but the cause is worth fighting for.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness
Month. The month is highlighted with events
and fundraisers to raise money for a cure.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation is a foundation that raises money for the cure of breast
cancer. The foundation was founded by Nancy
G. Brinker, sister to Susan. Pink ribbons are
worn for this cause.
Breast cancer also affects men. Although
males do not develop milk-producing breasts,
a man breast cells can still develop cancer.
Less than one percent of all breast cancer cases
develop in men.
A hard lump underneath the nipple and the
areola is an abnormal sign that a man is suffering from breast cancer.
“I have been in remission for five years, and I
have to give thanks to my family and friends for
supporting me through my time. I have to give
God the glory because without him I would not
be here to tell my story,” says Crenshaw.
National Breast Cancer month has also
sparked awareness at Miles College. Miles
College raises awareness by walking around the
Albert J. Sloan Alumni Stadium.
“This walk is for the survivor and also for
those who are suffering from this disease. The
key is to educate, and people will know that this
disease is preventable,” says Ashley Williams, a
volunteer at the walk.
Breast cancer is an illness that has touched
many lives but with funding for research from
organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation and continued public awareness, there is
always a continued hope for finding a cure.
RACE FOR THE CURE
Shahanica Gales
MIlean Reporter
Vampires, fairies, goons, and gobbles are not
the only things that will be worn this October.
Pink is considered the new orange this season.
On Oct. 12, 2013, the students of the Miles College Communications Club put their best foot
forward and headed downtown to Lynn Park to
join many men, women, and children to race for
the cure. Club members such as Brittney Edison
walked in celebration of many love ones who
have beat the odds of living with breast cancer.
I walked in celebration of Lutrica Long, my
grandmother who battled this heart wrenching
disease. “Tears began to roll down my face as I
pulled in the parking deck. I watched my grandmother try her best to put on a brave face while
fighting breast cancer. At that very moment,
I realized that I could be sheading mournful
tears,” Long said. I was ready to give up on life
and so much more, but my husband told me that
he loved and supported me no matter what, and I
had something to live for so I started treatment.”
Long also added, “While undergoing treatment
for breast cancer my fingertips and feet turned
black and my hair started to thin during chemo.”
Freshmen LaPrieya Tinker did not take part
in the race for cure walk, but she shared her
story with other young women to let them know
that they were not alone. “At first I was mad at
God for punishing my aunt with breast cancer,
because I didn’t understand.” After deciding to
get a double masectomy, Tinkers aunt is breast
cancer free, which was 10 years ago. LaPrieya
found a lump in her right breast a few months
ago while doing a self-breast examine in the
shower. As of today Tinker does not know if its
cancerous cells. Tinker said “I’m scared to go
through what my aunt did that’s why I won’t get
checked”
According to Curtrel Bishop, Fairfield
resident, “My grandmother passed from breast
cancer and it tore me up. I really miss her.”
Bishop is one of many Fairfield residents
who have lost someone to this incurable disease.
Breast cancer doesn’t target women but men
as well. According to a study done by Susan
G Komen foundation breast cancer in men is
extremely rare, but it does happen. In the United
States, about one percent of all breast cancer
cases occur in men
Breast cancer has taken the lives of many
women in the African American community
all over the United States. The best thing that
we can do to become knowledgeable about
this diseases is to engage in things like the race
for cure to help foundations like the Susan G.
Komen’s and many more to help raise money to
find a cure. The next time you purchase a new
pair of running shoes for your upcoming race,
take a brief moment to think about the next race
that u may run because it could be your last. So
go out with a PINK BANG and RACE FOR
THE CURE.
CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY
THE MILEAN
///SPECIAL PICTORIAL SECTION
HOMECOMING WEEK AT MILES COLLEGE
LET THE
GOOD
TIMES
ROLL
A LOOK AT EVENTS DURING HOMECOMING WEEK INCLUDING THE HISTORIC
RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AND THE MISS MILES CORONATION CEREMONY
PHOTOS/// CURTREL BISHOP, KIM MOORE, LEON MOODY & TONY BINGHAM
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THE MILEAN
A MILES COLLEGE STUDENT PUBLICATION
CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY
THE MILEAN
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A MILES COLLEGE STUDENT PUBLICATION
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A MILES COLLEGE STUDENT PUBLICATION
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THE MILEAN
A MILES COLLEGE STUDENT PUBLICATION
CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY
THE MILEAN
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ROLL BOUNCE
Zenetra Johnson
MIlean Reporter
W
Two Miles College students at the roller-skating event.
PHOTO///ZENETRA JOHNSON
hen Miles College says let the
good times roll, they mean it
literally. Homecoming Week
kicked off smoothly with the
elegance of Miss Miles Coronation and led into the week’s events. On Tuesday,
Oct. 15, the Student Government Association
(SGA) executed their plan to take the students
back to a time when they were carefree risk takers. Roller Motion, a skating rink in Bessemer,
Ala., gladly opened their doors so this could
happen.
When some of the Miles College students
found out about roller-skating being one of the
events for Homecoming Week, they were excited.
“I haven’t been roller skating in so long I can’t
wait to go. I’m a little nervous about falling, but
other than that I’m excited,” says Kim Preston, a
senior at Miles.
As students entered the skating rink, a sense
of nostalgia enveloped them. The smell of greasy
food and the sound of back-in-the-day music
attacked their senses. Students stood in line for
skates a little apprehensive about putting them on.
Of course, there were a few stumbles, fumbles,
and tumbles but no one can say Miles does not
have persistent students. No matter how many
times they fell, they got right back up and tried
again. So many students were in attendance for
the event that some were more than willing to
hand their skates over so others could participate.
“It was really great, I haven’t seen the student
body get together and participate as much as
they did last night and I really enjoyed that,” said
senior class president Tireesia Person. “With this
being my senior year, it really made me smile
knowing we are leaving Miles as it transitions.”
Darius Scarver, a graduating senior at Miles,
said, “I had an excellent time at Roller Motion.
We showed so much unity, to the point that people that have never met before were helping each
other out by picking each other up when we fell
and also helping each other around the curves.”
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14
THE MILEAN
A MILES COLLEGE STUDENT PUBLICATION
/// CATCHING YOU UP FOR THE HOMECOMING GAME
FOOTBALL SEASON RECAP
Justin Farrell and milesgoldenbears.com
MIlean Reporter
So far the Miles College football team seems
to be battling some major ups and downs. Losing the first two games test the true character of
what everyone believes to still be a championship
contender. Our Golden Bears could blame some of
their misfortunes on losing a number of key players
due injury as well as disciplinary reason, however,
“we look forward at the upcoming games and learn
from our mistakes instead of focusing on the past
of which we can do nothing about,” said junior Joe
Beckham.
The season opener was played on national
television against a fierce opponent. Unfortunately
The Miles College Golden Bears dropped the 2013
season opener on the road 42 -7 to the University of
North Alabama Lions in Florence, Ala. The Golden
Bears offense was held to only 264 yards of total
offense while UNA’s offense compiled 480 total
yards.
The Golden bears traveled to the state of Georgia
to face the University of West Georgia Wolves for
their second game of the season. Miles College
struggled on the road losing to West Georgia, 31-7.
For the second consecutive week, Miles College
got on the board first. A three-yard run by senior
running back Floyd Graves capped a 14-play, 66yard opening drive to take an early 7-0 lead. Miles
kept that lead until UWG erupted for 21 points in
the second quarter. MC finished the game with 260
yards of total offense. The defense was led by junior
defensive back Tyrell Kinder who finished with six
tackles and one interception, while senior linebacker
Julantate English finished with 12 tackles (8 solo)
and one tackle for loss and Keenan Clark finished
with 12 stops (6 solo).
Miles College and Concordia-Selma College was
scheduled to play Sept. 21, 2013, at Albert J. SloanAlumni Stadium, however the game was cancelled
due to a fire on the Concordia-Selma College bus,
which destroyed all their equipment. No injuries
were sustained to the Concordia-Selma football
team or coaches. The game will not be rescheduled.
The Golden Bears begin conference play at home
against conference rival Albany State University.
The MC held off a comeback attempt by ASU
to pick up their first victory, 22-14. The Golden
Bears improved to a 1-2 record (1-0 SIAC) while
the Golden Rams fell to 1-3. Miles College senior
linebacker Julantate English led the defense with a
game-high 18 tackles (11 solo). English also had a
FIVE
QUESTIONS
WITH MILES COLLEGE
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
REGINALD RUFFIN
MC Head Coach Reginald Ruffin
Coach Reginald Ruffin leads the Miles College football team onto the field at Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium September 28.
PHOTO///MILESGOLDENBEARS.COM
fumble recovery. Cornerback Alexander Francios
also racked up eight tackles in the win. The MC
offense has a season-high 487 yards of total offense
from a balanced attack of 239 rushing yards and
248 passing yards.
For the forth game of the season, Miles College defeated the Benedict College Tigers, 27-13,
in Columbia, S.C. Both teams fought a defensive
battle through the second quarter before the Golden
Bears tied the game at 7-7 just before the halftime.
Quarterback Demetrice Price led MC on an 11-play,
80-yard drive capped by his 5-yard plunge into the
end zone. Late in the fourth quarter, the Golden
Bear’s All-SIAC safety, Joe Beckham, intercepted
a pass and returned it 30 yards to the Benedict fouryard line. MC capitalized on the turnover and senior
running back Floyd Graves ran it in from three
yards out, giving Miles the 27-13 victory. Julantate
English led the Golden Bears with a game-high 13
tackles (8 solo) and Antonio Marshall chipped in
nine tackles (7 solo). The Golden Bears offense was
led by Price who finished 14-of-19 passing for 116
yards while also rushing for two touchdowns. MC’s
trio of running backs Denzel Veal (8 carries/99
yards), Emmett Terry (13 carries/83 yards, 1 TD)
and Floyd Graves (9 carries/41 yards, 1 TD) helped
1. Q: Where do you see the football
team going this season?
A: As long as we continue to get better
fundamentally and learn to cut down
on mistakes and take one play, one
down, one quarter, and one game at a
time then we can continue the uphill
climb to winning championship(s).
2. Q: Do you feel that you’re the driving force behind the team?
A: No the leadership of the seniors,
and the unity of every student athlete
in the program, and the teaching and
mentor ability of the assistant coaches
the Golden Bears to log in 261 yards rushing.
The fifth game of the season was played against
the newest member of the SIAC conference, Central
state University. MC fell to 2-3 on the season (2-1
SIAC), while Central State picked up their first
SIAC win to improve to 1-5 record. MC starting
quarterback, Demetrice Price, led the Golden Bears
on a seven-play, 76-yard drive, which he capped off
with a three-yard plunge to tie the game 7-7 in the
second quarter. The Golden Bears would take the
lead with cornerback Alexander Francois’ interception for a 57-yard touchdown, making the score
14-7. Central State would take a 19-14 lead early in
the third quarter on a 15-yard TD. CSU would score
again making their lead 25-14. The Golden Bears
attempted to rally with a touchdown run by running
back Denzel Veal, cutting the score to 25-21. But
MC came up short on the rally as CSU held on for
their first SIAC victory.
Miles College returns to action this Saturday
for their Homecoming 2013 game, October 19th.
MC takes on the Thorobreds of Kentucky State
University. The contest has been designated as the
SIAC Game of the Week and will air nationally on
Bounce-TV. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m.
and finally the together we stand and
divided we fall is the main ingredient for the success of this program
because it’s not about me it’s about
the team.
3. Q: What’s your life’s motto?
A: Do what you love and love what
you do and do it because you love
doing it!
4. Q: What do you try to instill in the
young men who play football
for Miles College?
A: Always keep God first, be humble,
treat everyone like you want to be
treated, always finish what you start,
don’t do anything to embarrass yourself or your family and finally never
quit or give up in life.
5. Q: Why Miles College?
A: Why not Miles College? It’s a great
institution for higher learning, great
support system from the President to
the major stakeholders (the student
body at Miles College). My family and
I have been accepted and welcome by
this institution and I’m very grateful to
be the head football coach at
Miles College.
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