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MOVIE REVIEW: Super letdown

Run away from "Man of Steel" faster than a speeding bullet

Despite a progressive portrayal of women and minorities and some powerful acting performances, the exhausting torrent of fight scenes in “Man of Steel” crowded out opportunities for decent character development, while failing to conceal plot lines with loose ends.

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COURTESY

Frat to host meal-packing event

Each year since 2010, Kappa Upsilon Chi, or KYX, has purchased raw materials from the nonprofit organization Feed My Starving Children to produce thousands of sealed and packaged meals to help feed hungry children around the globe.

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COURTESY

Fisherman launches guide business

While many may consider fishing a hobby, Ben Paschal has made it into a career.

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Grafitti Church

Trending Theology

Younger generation interprets religion on its own terms

In the rush between biology and philosophy, students hurriedly shove loose change into a vending machine, hitting various combinations of letters and numbers to select the beverage that will fuel them through the next class. Rarely do they stop to run their fingertips over the embossed “In God we trust” found on each coin.
 

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Josh McKenna

Fashion choices reflect student personalitites

Fashion may be born in the backrooms of clothing design companies, but it is the individual who creates style. Different activities, interests and hobbies seem to define the clothing people wear. Even Ralph Lauren said, “Fashion is not necessarily about labels. It’s not about brands. It’s about something else that comes from within you.”

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Missionary takes spiritual quest abroad

For many student considering future careers and destination, Lebanon doesn’t often grace the list of possibilities. Yet it’s at the top of the list for at least one aspiring missionary on campus.

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MSC hosts slam poetry event

MSC Townhall will be presenting their 4th annual “Anything but Common” slam poetry event on Saturday as part of the MSC Birthday Celebration.

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Aggie SWAMP hosts annual festival, uses film for expression

Picture it — a line of well-dressed college women, standing as they giggle over a bachelor in a suit, rose in hand. Now, the image quickly cuts to the same girls, outfitted for battle and out for blood. “The Bachelor Games,” Aggie SWAMP Club’s recently released film, combines the hit television show “The Bachelor”and the popular book-turned-movie series “The Hunger Games” in a quirky piece that exemplifies the work of the club.

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Dieters follow caveman regimen

From South Beach to Beyoncé’s acclaimed lemon detox drink, diet fads have come and gone over the years, filling refrigerators and pantries across the nation with spices, veggies and strange juices. The newest fad to hit kitchens may be a little simpler than past diets, bringing eating habits back to the stone ages.

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COURTESY

Yeah Yeah Yeahs slow down

It’s been a long 10 years since the Yeah Yeah Yeahs first broke out from the basements of New York clubs on the back of their debut album “Fever to Tell.” Since their emergence, they’ve headlined festivals, gone a little dance-rock and even saw their charismatic front woman, Karen O, score a trippy film based on the children’s book, “Where the Wild Things Are.” Through it all, they managed to maintain a fairly solid sense of identity as a band known for their intense volume, with the occasional flash of quiet sweetness embedded in the noise. With the release of their new album, “Mosquito,” however, this identity seems to be a bit in flux.

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Star parties offer outlet for astronomical interests

Star parties, facilitated and supervised by individuals of the Mitchell Institute in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, allow students the opportunity to observe the night sky with advanced telescope equipment. These parties welcome all students, and are perhaps best known for the students and professors involved in coordinating them.

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COURTESY

Horror film redefines cult classic

Five teenagers get together for a retreat to a cabin in the woods, only to be stalked and destroyed one by one by a demon they accidentally summon. Or a murderous psychopath with a sharp weapon. Or a horde of disgusting zombies. Sound familiar?

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Jade Bedell

Play immerses audience in history, explores relationships

What happens when eight people with nothing in common find themselves stranded in a diner during a blizzard? You get “Bus Stop,” a witty, comical and evocative play that takes audience members into history and explores the complexities of relationships.

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Roger Zhang

Aspiring movie critic reviews films in blog

By the glow of a computer screen, Shelbi LeMeilleur, freshman English major, began a blog In February of 2011. LeMeilleur had a distinct mission in mind for her little corner of the Internet — she would watch and review every movie listed in the book “1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.”

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Aaron Cranford

ArtFest winner thanks university for nurturing talent

Sarah Stimson, senior communications major, has called herself an artist since 2011 when she took her first drawing class at A&M, and has since impressed fellow students and professors with her creativity, natural talent and diligence to her craft.

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'Phantoms' brings Broadway hits

Audiences will be treated to the “music of the night” with the opening of the world premiere concert event “The Phantoms of the Opera,” which will close the 40th season of MSC OPAS.

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COURTESY

Scuba club pushes environmental convservation through trips, events

As Meghan Loftus strapped on her scuba gear and plunged into the Comal River, she knew not only that was she making a positive impact on the environment, but that she had also chosen to be a part of a unique organization at Texas A&M. 

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Sikh

Tie a Turban day to educate students on Sikh faith

At Texas A&M University, a small group of students practice a religion that numbers more than 30 million globally and is the fifth largest organized religion in the world. Sikhism, a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th Century in Punjabi, India, is a religion that places importance on equality, service, social justice and truthful living.

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Satirical website presents skewed take on Greek life

What started as a website has launched into a phenomenon. With a New York Times Best Seller and the rough outlines of an impending movie, Total Frat Move has morphed into a state of mind.

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Spring Breakers is weird and wild

The latest film from oddball writer and director Harmony Korine, is an arty crime film shot with a glossy sheen that makes it impossible for audiences to look away.

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Former student part of Oscar-winning team

Pitted against animated films such as “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Frankenweenie” — Pixar’s “Brave” won the Academy Award for best animated feature film in February, thanks in part to the help of a graduate from Texas A&M.

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Passover

Jewish community prepares for commerative holiday

The smell bubbling up from pots on a stove carries from the kitchen, while the steady rhythm of a knife chopping carrots provides a tempo for the crowd busily preparing the approaching feast.

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Elyse Wudeck

Undead create cultural epidemic

The zombie apocalypse is upon us; the undead stalk the land and infect the everyday lives of people. They are infesting TV and books and starring in major motion pictures. They have taken a bite out of the media, fueling an obsession with the undead and creating a movement rivaling that of the hormonal vampire or nerdy wizard.  

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Alec Goetz

Festival's free shows, new artists attract student crowd

This year’s South by Southwest festival featured the old and the new, with musical artists such as the Flaming Lips and the recently popular Macklemore hitting stages to entertain masses of grinning and sunburned music lovers. Though the costs for some shows were high, students attest that this year’s festival offered free lineups that entertained at a cheaper expense.

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Josh McKenna

Multi-genre writer shares insight to his craft

For a man who never experienced a traditional creative writing program, Charles Taylor took to the craft quickly.

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Vivek Karthikeyan

Student organization offers comedic relief

While some people have a hard time coming up with jokes on the spot, actors of Freudian Slip make it their job to do so.

Freudian Slip, which started in 1992, is a group of A&M students who love improvisation.

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Dolan

Papacy faces changing church

Cardinals tangle with modern media as world watches Vatican City

The Sistine Chapel, graced by the fingers of Michelangelo and the footsteps of popes, will be the site of the upcoming papal conclave. The chapel has stood to hear the prayers of the faithful for centuries, but the world around it has not stood so still.

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Health Services push nutritious campus diet

It’s a daily struggle for some college students: after working on homework assignments, studying for tests and balancing extra curricular activities, finding time for creating and maintaining a balanced diet seems to get pushed aside.

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COURTESY

Annual philanthropy creates educational opportunities

For its annual “Project 365” event, the Chi Psi fraternity auctioned its members and other volunteers to provide dates to the highest bidders and generate funds for the fraternity’s philanthropy.

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Thomas Harbour

"Empires Fall" reading attracts important audience

Last Friday evening, a staged reading of “Empires Fall,” a play about the relationship between President George H.W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev, the General Secretary of Soviet Union, was featured in the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center.

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COURTESY

"21 & Over" adds twist to familiar story

From the people who brought you “The Hangover” comes another movie about the crazy antics that can ensue under the influence of alcohol. The comedy “21 & Over” will make you laugh and squirm in your seat with its witty humor, obscene references and stereotypical displays of alcohol-induced chaos.

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Feeble Contenders mix faith-based lyrics with indie sound

What does a 27 year old living in Austin have in common with a handful of college kids in Aggieland

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Jessica Smarr

Pope Benedict XVI resigns

Conclave to select new leader; unique departure makes process unclear

Pope Benedict XVI will officially step down from the papacy Thursday and become “Your Holiness Benedict XVI” and add either the title of emeritus pope or emeritus Roman pontiff.
Benedict was the first pontiff to resign in more than 600 years and his unique exit has left Catholics around the world speculating about things ranging from his new title to what his resignation will mean for future popes.

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Tell Your Story forum features tales of inspiration, social rise

Tell Your Story hosts a leadership conference every spring that features three speakers with various backgrounds. The objective of this one-night forum is for the speakers’ stories of overcoming adversity to inspire and empower others to recognize their passions.

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COURTESY

Cinematic favorites star in live debut

Full of ritzy numbers and classic characters, HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD dances audiences down memory lane, showcasing popular movie musical moments from the last 50 years in a display of live performances and theatrical talent.

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COURTESY

Students launch literary magazine

The unsung artists of A&M have a new outlet with which to share their creative works in The Eckleburg Project, A&M’s newest literary magazine. The magazine was created by eight students, who say the purpose of the project is to open the door for a greater appreciation of the arts.

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Caleb Stewart

Student mixes tunes on the side

While most eighth graders were worrying about who they would take to the school dance or where they would go to high school, Tim Farmer was dreaming of brighter lights and faster beats.

Farmer, known locally as DJ Roughneck, said it has always been his dream to get involved in music.

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Tanner Garza

Former student adds acoustic touch to performance

In a blend of pop, rock and acoustic instrumentations, Charlie Gore, Class of 2012, took the stage at the latest performance of the MSC Town Hall Coffeehouse series, serenading an audience with soulful melodies and vibrant renditions.

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Alice Chang

Films compete for Oscars

The 2013 award season will come to a close on Feb. 24thThe85th Annual Academy Awards, also known as The Oscars, will be broadcasting from Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre and hosted by Seth McFarlane.

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Students face workout woes

As New Year’s resolutions lose their luster and energy levels dwindle, working out is sometimes the last thing on students’ minds. With sleep and studying often taking precedence, running on the treadmill or spending 30 minutes on the elliptical are often cut out of a student’s schedule.

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Patient progress

Student recovers from nearly fatal accident

Jan. 5, 2012, was the day that changed everything for senior university studies major Caleb Jentsch. After an accident that almost took his life, Jentsch has returned to A&M, spreading his message of faithful endurance.

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New Works Festival showcases student playwrights

 

From actors and directors to designers and playwrights, the Student New Works Festival exists to showcase Aggie talent and to give theatre arts students the chance to live a dream.

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Josh McKenna

Technology puts new spin on romance, redefines dating

The scene is familiar: candle light, food and romance. It’s date night, and nervous laughter and quick glances are traded over the tabletop. The night seems to be going well, though the couple doesn’t talk much or really even look at each other. Little screens aglow, their phones seem to be doing most of the entertaining, replacing words with emojis and awkwardness with apps.

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Elyse Wudeck

Masquerade

Secular side of celebration masks religious history, students say

Once a year, floats, masks, and gold, green and purple beads combine with thousands of people for a unique holiday: Mardi Gras.

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COURTESY

Modern renditions of classic fairy tales return to dark roots

There has been a recent trend in Hollywood to produce the “twisted” fairy tale, taking the sweet stories people know and love and applying a more sinister perspective. From the newest rendition of “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” to past blockbusters like “Snow White and the Huntsman,” moviegoers have flocked to theaters everywhere for these darker twists on old favorites.

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Christian Science

Prescription of faith

Christian Scientists declare spiritual healing

Pass the bars of Northgate’s Boyett Street and the foam of the night’s first brew spills onto the floor. Laughter and music pour into the Saturday night air. Sunday morning on the same street, a few voices turn the words of a hymnal into song.

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The Muslim Next Door

Imam Wazir Ali’s presentation of “The Muslim Next Door” intermingled an Arabic dialect with familiar “Howdy.” Ali is the director of the Mercy Community Center and the Imam of the Houston Masjid of Al-Islam.

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COURTESY

'Downton Abbey' enamors students with historical drama

A revival of petticoats, fancy hairstyles, chaperones and elaborately served meals has taken televisions and hearts by storm across America and the UK.

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COURTESY

Watermelon Queen sows industry message

To most, watermelons are juice dripping down your chin on a summer day in Texas or a seed-spitting contest in your grandmother’s backyard. But to Kimberly Duda, watermelons represent a rich history and a progressive future that are much more than a simple summer memory.

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Students pick 55th Grammy Award favorites

Every year, Billings Artworks in Ridgeway, Colo., sees almost 100 little golden gramophones assembled by hand, gilded and engraved, each one for a different category. The statuettes then make their way to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where, on the 10th of February, they will each be awarded to big names in the music industry.

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Kaitlyn Becker

Web health tips may mislead

Though they’re cyber-fueled and lack the official medical practitioner’s title, Internet health sites are a contagious trend among students, resulting in interesting diagnoses and possible malpractice.

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David Cohen

Movement mobilizes against human trafficking

 

Slavery, the fastest growing criminal industry, generates an estimated $32 billion annually, ranking only behind weapons and drugs. From bonded labor to sex slavery, modern day human trafficking affects virtually every country, making the issue a growing concern worldwide.

End It Week, a weeklong campaign run by Texas A&M students and organizations, strives to involve people in the prevention of forced labor and bondage.

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mic check

Mic Check puts poetry center stage

Words have the power to change things, evoke emotions and bring people together. Blended in a flowing structure of artful expression, words can mean more — as promoted by the slam poetry organization, Mic Check.

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COURTESY

Zombies warm hearts of audiences

With a twist on the classic zombie tale and an oddly charming and somewhat dead cast of characters, “Warm Bodies” will make audiences laugh with its dry humor and refreshing take on the living dead.

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Jenna Rabel

Corps welcomes scouts to Aggieland

Service, leadership and honor are values held highly in the Corps of Cadets. It aspires to keep tradition alive through the recruiting of young men and women striving for excellence and a sense of purpose – standards cultivated at a young age by the Aggie Eagle Program.

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COURTESY

Furry friends take the stage

 

This Saturday, Rudder Theatre will be taken over by performers of a furrier nature.

The Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre, a troupe composed of performing cats, dogs, feathered friends and the world-renowned Russian entertainer, Gregory Popovich, is coming to A&M campus for a day of laughs, fun and house-trained amusement.

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COURTESY

Bush School features lecture on newly-released book, 'Into the Desert: Reflections on the Gulf War'

The Gulf War, a long forgotten conflict for many, has had a lasting impact on American history. “Into the Desert”, a book by Dr. Jeffrey A. Engel, attempts to discuss the war in depth, taking readers back to a time when foreign policy was being redefined in the Middle East.

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Brother Jed

'Confrontational evangelist' evokes student discourse

He stands on stone benches in a tweed coat, screaming “you’re gonna die, sinners.” And the crowd around him keeps growing.
He calls himself a “controversial evangelists” — the traveling preacher who often finds himself in a curious and sometimes heckling crowd. Brother Jed Smock visited academic plaza again Wednesday and spoke to a stop-and-go crowd that sometimes numbered about 200 students. Jed travels to speak at college campuses across the country to spread his message.

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Elyse Wudeck

Surge of women shifts political makeup

Women, an infamously underrepresented minority in the world of politics, saw a historical increase in representation in our nation’s capitol this last election season.

With a record-breaking 20 women in the U.S. Senate and 101 females in the U.S. House of Representatives elected to the two chambers of the 113th U.S. Congress, citizens and politically inclined students are discussing how policies could see a stronger female influence.

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COURTESY

London actors bring 'Hamlet' to A&M

In a classic tale of revenge, betrayal, love and death, “Hamlet” takes audiences to the very core of human nature, asking the vital and famous question, “to be, or not to be?”

Professional actors plucked from the Actors From The London Stage touring company will perform William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” in Rudder Theatre on Thursday.

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Atheist

Faithful unbelievers

Irreligious students identify outside religious culture

Scuffed Sunday school shoes lie in the back of a closet, five years too old and three sizes too small. An alarm clock sits idly on a shelf, silently keeping track of the minutes that no one is awake to count. It’s been quite some time since it woke anyone on a Sunday morning.

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stark

Artists shoot truth and lies

In the Stark Galleries’ latest exhibition, “The Absolute Truth… Nothing But Lies,” photographers Dave Einsel and Robert Sebree fuse reality and make-believe in a myriad of realistic and distorted photography.

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fashion

Spring into fashion

New styles and daring combinations are predicted to make appearances this spring season, or, in the case of Texas, just about any day now.

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COURTESY

'Movie 43' will stun audiences with cast and humor

With an impressive cast list and no ambition, “Movie 43” will humor and possibly offend audiences.

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David Cohen

Writer's Debut

Emily Sturrock is not your average student. Majoring in both theater arts and creative writing, reporting for Lifestyles at The Battalion, and writing her own play production that will be performed on campus in February, she takes busy and creativity to another level.

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Chase Krumholz

Students strive for healthy lifestyles

 

With the fast-paced schedules and cheap lifestyles that many college students become accustomed to, healthy diets and exercise are often placed on the backburner. Comfort foods become a must as late nights and long days kick in and sleeping takes priority over exercising.

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The return of Schwarzenegger

When Arnold Schwarzenegger uttered the words “I’ll be back” in the classic action flick, “The Terminator,” he wasn’t kidding.

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Jenna Rabel

Crafting personalizes dorm decor

“Homemade”, a term usually reserved for experiments in the kitchen, is being redefined by students.

DIY, or “Do It Yourself” projects, are taking over the world of cheap and fashionable dorm décor. With step-by-step instructions on sites like Tumblr and costs that don’t cut into pizza and gas money, many students are making it a point to use their own creativity to decorate their spaces and make them feel more like their own.

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COURTESY

Open House

Student organizations, groups and clubs are a huge part of A&M culture. Not only do they offer students a chance to get involved and have an impact on campus, but they also provide fun, purpose and a way to meet others with similar interests.
This Sunday, the Spring MSC Open House will offer students the opportunity to interact with and learn about over 300 organizations. The event, held every semester by MSC Marketing and the Division of Student Affairs offers a venue for clubs and groups to gather and reach out to students in one cohesive body.

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COURTESY

MSC opens bold exhibition, features Mesoamerican art

With the start of another semester comes a new exhibit at James Reynolds Student Art Gallery in the MSC. Kathy Sosa, a mixed media artist from San Antonio, presents her Mesoamerican-inspired art in a brilliant display of bold colors, portraits and abstract themes.

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COURTESY

Stafford features alternative lineup

 

In a blend of indie rock and folk-inspired tunes, Thursday’s lineup at the Grand Stafford Theater in Bryan is sure to bring something new and different to the stage.

The show features everything from hard rock beats to orchestral themes, and is the fourth stop in a cross-country tour for co-headliners The Eastern Sea and Kopecky Family Band. The bands will play along with Buxton, a folk group from Houston. 

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Tanner Garza

Spring TV means returning favorites

As the spring semester begins, students are seeing the return of some of their favorite television shows. Not only are books, papers and homework making a re-appearance, but television’s hottest, funniest and most dramatic characters as well.
 

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Jenna Rabel

A&M faith culture inspires Breakaway leader

Ben Stuart has become something of a celebrity on campus.

Known for his inspirational talks and witty sense of humor, Stuart’s ministry has attracted thousands of students to Breakaway every week, furthering both his message and work in the college world.

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Hobbit

Book adaptations dominate screen

Turning books into movies is a trend well known to filmgoers. The end of 2012 saw several films go from bookshelves to movie theatres in what seemed like a literary craze, sparking interest and competition with what adaptation was the best.

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New year inspires students to make changes

 

Students make resolutions for a new year centered on grades, health and more. Many are hopeful for fresh starts and changes as 2013 and the new semester commences.

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Opinion: Preventative measures

Health benefits outweigh initial awkwardness

For the woman who has never visited an OB-GYN, the idea of gynecological check-ups can be terrifying. Who can blame her?

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B-CS offers safe-sex services

Sex sells, but contraception does not always follow the same trend.

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Social network, web app, help students share lists and experiences

College boils down to the experiences people have. Memories of the good times are the ones that tend to stick more than memories of class and lecture halls. Unbucket is a recently developed app that enables users to form lists of things to experience and connect with other people through those lists.

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Study habits foster exam success

Though the act of studying proves to be difficult for many students, the process of learning how to study and how to do it well can present an even greater challenge. With procrastination, distractions and chaotic schedules rampant among students, establishing effective study routines for tests and quizzes is vital to achieving good grades and valuable habits.

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Cody Canada

Texas tunes

Alt-country band set to rock Stafford

The newly formed red dirt country band, Cody Canada & The Departed, will debut their first original album this Friday at the Grand Stafford Theater in downtown Bryan with Rosehill.

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Spoken word to be performed at Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival

Poetry on paper is static. Slam poetry is animated, loud, a form on its own. This weekend, the Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival is coming to Bryan.

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NO exit

Damned

Play explores an alternative hell

The hellish habits of others become the tools of torture when three people are doomed to be roommates in hell. Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit is an existentialist’s window into human relationships and perceptions of hell, requiring the audience to think about themselves in relation to others.

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Voters analyze popular vote as election day nears

In the U.S., even though a democratic system is in place, the method for electing the president isn’t solely dependent on the popular vote.

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Bryan theater

Award-winning play opens in Downtown Bryan theater

In the dark of the 29th Street Studio, two lovers, bound by passion but restricted by family, will devise a plan to salvage their relationship before the last curtain call.

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Students bearded with no mission in mind

It’s that time of year again: the time of changing leaves, layered clothing and facial hair. Lots of facial hair.

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monsters

Halloween throwdown

Classic monsters battle it out for supremacy

Creepy Spirit from Paranormal Activity- Silent but deadly, this villain tends to target suburban families with its eerie household pranks and occasional possessions. Though totally evil and a definite bad guy, this demonic character also shows some definite weaknesses in this competition, with breaking household items and setting small things aflame being its main haunting strategies

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Mexican Sunrise hits Bryan theater

Texas filmmaker tells the story of a disastrous bachelor party

A wild bachelor party gone wrong doesn’t always follow the plot of The Hangover. Consequences can be serious and even life threatening. Texas filmmaker Rowdy Stovall uses this premise in his film Mexican Sunrise, based on true events.

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Tanner Garza

Latter-day Saints clarify Mormon doctrine

Frequently seen around Academic Plaza, a religious group is doing their part to spread their beliefs to the students of Texas A&M. Easily recognized by the white shirts, black ties and friendly attitudes are the members of the Church of Latter Day Saints, otherwise know as Mormons.

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Brown bag lunch

Professors, students talk art over brown bag lunch

Every third Thursday of the month, excluding December, the MSC Forsyth Gallery will be hosting “Brown Bag” lunches. Students are invited to stop by the gallery from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., bring their lunch, and sit at the round tables for an art lecture and discussion.

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Alternative anchors

Some Texas A&M students are finding an alternative way to get their information on the presidential campaign outside of traditional news media outlets. Programs like “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “The Colbert Report” and “Saturday Night Live” appeal to students who want to stay updated on the campaign news, but find traditional news uninteresting and uninformative.

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Uncorked concert

Sisi Berry soulfully serenades audience in downtown Bryan

The music scene in the Bryan-College Station area changed as Sisi Berry introduced a soulful, bluesy style of music to mesmerize audiences.

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Weirdstock

Austin City Limits showcases eclectic live performances

Once a year for three days Austin becomes the center of the world. At least, that’s what it feels like when Austin City Limits music festival, commonly known as ACL, returns to Zilker Park with a bill full of the latest and greatest musical acts and 75,000 adoring fans from around the country. For some, the festival is a highlight of the year.

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Country artists sing from soul

Drowning in a sea of mainstream music, it can be difficult for new artists to find a place to grow in the spotlight. But for the Texas Country duo Rosehill, scheduled to play Saturday at the Lakeside Icehouse on Lake Bryan, heads have started to turn and show interest.

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Sailed the ocean blue

Christopher Columbus: hero or villain? Many people praise him as the European who discovered the Western Hemisphere, even if that half of the globe had already been inhabited for thousands of years. More people have a negative view of the man because of the disastrous consequences that followed Columbus' 1492 expedition. But I think the blame for those consequences should not fall on the shoulders of Columbus.

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Penn State professor lectures on climate change reality

Thursday night Michael E. Mann, professor of meteorology at Pennsylvania State University, visited Texas A&M to give a lecture on human-caused climate change and the disinformation given by the United States government.

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Courtesy Photo

True riff

Southern rock band takes Stafford stage

In an age of auto tune and empty beats, a group of men strive to create more organic music. The Dirty Guv'nahs plan to bring their rock and blues inspired sound to the Grand Stafford Theatre on Thursday.

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Aaron Cranford

Students pickup post-game garbage, earn cash

Some students consider A&M football one of the most important and exciting parts of the Aggie experience. At every home game, over 70,000 fans pile into the stadium.

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David Cohen

Diverse exhibition

Stark Galleries offer multiple collections

J. Wayne Stark, Class of 1939 designed a gallery available to students, providing them the opportunity to view and share museum quality art on campus. Today, The Stark Galleries, located in the MSC, display various forms of art from around the world.

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David Cohen

Artistic impressions

As the season changes and Fall sets in, Forsyth Center Galleries trades former, vibrant mixed media art and abstract sculptures for soft, Impressionistic paintings and smooth Cameo glass works.

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Courtesy Photo

Herpetology Club brings reptiles to campus

The reptiles, normally housed in the College of Veterinary Medicine, are regular attendees of the Texas A&M Herpetology Club.

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Jewish community seeks atonement on holy day

At sunset Tuesday and extending through sunset Wednesday, Jewish Aggies are observing Yom Kippur, a holy day in which Jews fast and seek atonement for sins committed in the past year.

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Texas Tribune Festival

Texas Tribune Festival offers political debate, dialogue

Sunday marked the culmination of the second annual Texas Tribune Festival. Hundreds of speakers came from all across Texas to discuss topics ranging from law and order to energy and environment.

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'AGS WIN' in tradition

With a snapshot and an Aggie spirit, Buddy Bradford started a tradition that would last more than 20 years and gain him recognition from many generations of Aggies.

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The Midtown Men

Golden oldies

Rudder auditorium grooved to 1960s musical hits on Thursday night during a performance of “The Midtown Men.” The show features Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award-nominated J. Robert Spencer — the original cast members of the hit Broadway show, “Jersey Boys.”

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coffee

Energy fix

Coffee can cause detrimental health effects for students

Managing studies and extracurricular activities can be difficult, and for the average late night studier and procrastinator, a steaming cup of caffeine is often the key to getting everything done. Though offering temporary energy and focus, coffee can be harmful to leading a healthy lifestyle in college if not consumed in careful moderation. Full story

Caffeine Fix

Managing studies and extracurricular activities can be difficult, and for the average late night studier and procrastinator, a steaming cup of caffeine is often the key to getting everything done. Though offering temporary energy and focus, coffee can be harmful to leading a healthy lifestyle in college if not consumed in careful moderation.

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Lock and load

Students pioneer gun competition club

Some students are interested in learning how to shoot properly and take part in competition while doing so. Aggie 3-Gunners is a new student organization billed as the nation's first collegiate 3-Gun competition team. Chase Jennings, a geography graduate student and veteran 3-Gun competitor, created Aggie 3-Gunners. Full story

first friday

Downtown beat

Venues, galleries display local color

The first Friday of every month brings a unique celebration of arts and culture in Historic Downtown Bryan.

Full story

vintage

Northgate Vintage gets a new look

Every day, Texas A&M students embark on numerous kinds of challenging endeavors. Kate Vincent, a senior biomedical engineering major, used her faith, creativity and business skills to breath new life to Northgate Vintage, a vintage clothing store on University Drive. Full story

Stafford

Encore performance

Local duo renovates historic Grand Stafford Theater

The University of Texas at Austin has always had an advantage over Texas A&M in its access to the state capitol’s music culture. Aggies who prefer their tunes with a little less twang and a little more anything else are usually looking at a two-plus hour drive to Longhorn country or Houston for their live music fix. Full story

field fashion

Field fashion

Put on your best game face

As A&M approaches football season, students are adding to their game-day wardrobe. From jerseys to dresses and body paint to school-spirited shoes, Aggies are taking game-day apparel to a whole new level in order to best represent A&M in the SEC.

Full story

Keepers of the spirit

Cadets wear traditions on their sleeves

 

Honor, integrity, discipline and selfless service are the characteristics of the more than 2,100 men and women of Texas A&M University’s Corps of Cadets. 

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dfsgsdg

Defying all odds

Pre-med student and mother of two, diagnosed with rare disease

With a baby bump that could barely fit in a desk, then-freshman Susan Castillo had all eyes on her when she walked into a classroom.

Full story

Top Story

cadets

Cadets march into leadership

Despite the Texas heat, the Corps of Cadets spent the weekend outdoors, marching in celebration of another year coming to a close. Select units traveled to San Antonio to march in the Battle of Flowers parade, but returned in time to take part in the 18-mile March to the Brazos. Full story

Lifestyles articles

  • skill cancer

    Dermatologist urges students to avoid dangers of UV rays

    With summer fast approaching, many students are looking forward to basking in the sun at the beach or by the pool. While a few hours here or there spent in the sun seem harmless enough, a fast-growing epidemic is making our summer months more dangerous, according to a local dermatologist.

  • extra green mile

    Students go extra ‘green’ mile

    Adopting a green lifestyle is making more of a splash on campus than expected. Aggies all over campus are taking full advantage of ways to reduce their impact on the Earth.

  • sdf

    ‘Unsinkable’ tells Titanic survivors’ stories 100 years after tragedy

    Playwright, actress steals show performing as multiple characters

    Two days after the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s tragic collision with an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean, MSC OPAS presents a production based on actual diaries, letters and interviews from six women who survived the Titanic. 

  • Mass Effect 3

    Consumer vs. creator

    Jared Baxter: The power of internet backlash

    There have been endings that were happy, sad, controversial and everything in between. And then there was the conclusion to the Mass Effect series, an internet-fueled beast in a class all its own.

  • ring wrap

    Ring wraps make tradition sparkle

    The Aggie Ring is beloved for its rich history, symbolism and the educational accomplishment it communicates. But one student took her ring a step beyond the traditional, adding a distinctive flare. 5 comments

  • beer

    Beer and other beverages

    Students explore alternative ring dunk options

    Some students prefer a pitcher of Shiner Bock while others like the lighter, but always smooth, Keystone Light for their Aggie Ring Dunk. But since drowning that golden symbol of history and accomplishment in a pitcher of ale became an unofficial tradition, students have explored alternative beverages to chug — some more edible than drinkable.

  • music

    Grant marks first for Fresh Minds

    Art and music are performance mediums often used to convey meaning, but what happens when they are used as research tools rather than features of a music video?

Keeping Traditions

  • aggiering

    Aggie Ring

    Keeping Traditions

    One of the most highly anticipated events in Aggie's college life is the moment they receive their hard-earned Aggie Ring.

  • Rev

    Reveille

    Keeping Traditions

    The most well-known and beloved lady on campus might only be knee-high, but she is frequently sought after for photographs or simply an approving wag of her tail.

  • silvertaps1

    Silver Taps

    Keeping Traditions

    As an Aggie family, students honor deceased peers on the first Tuesday of every month at Silver Taps. At 10:15 p.m., Aggies quietly gather in the Academic Plaza as the Albritton Tower bells play hymns. At 10:30 p.m.,....

Enterprise

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  • Joe Terrell

    Joe Terrell: Reporting on sexual assaults challenges me

    An English teacher who knew I wrote for The Battalion pulled me aside after class last semester. She told me she might have a story for me. Nothing could have prepared me for what followed.

  • unthinkable

    UNTHINKABLE

    Male victims of sexual assault face a society that doesn’t understand their experience

    When they leave the bedroom, John grabs hold of Gary’s shirt and whispers into his ear. “You better not tell your parents. They aren’t going to believe you.”

  • unjustified

    UNJUSTIFIED

    Sexual assault victims navigate grueling path bringing assailants to justice

    Stepping into the College Station Police Station, 20-year-old Stephanie feels sick. Her mother walks by her side. Somewhere between the parking lot and the station’s front door, she takes Stephanie’s hand in her own....

  • unbroken

    UNBROKEN

    Sexual assault victims learn to live with the psychological trauma of their attack

    “You’re a slut.” The words sting, but don’t match the physical pain that follows as Ashley’s boyfriend lands a punch to her face.

  • sex assault

    UNSPEAKABLE

    Sexual assault victims voice their stories about a prevalent and underreported threat

    An hour later, she’s curled up in a ball in the corner of her shower, surrounded by curtains of steam as scalding hot water pours down from above. Her clothes, ripped and torn, lay in a soggy pile in the shower’s opposite corner. She reaches for a washcloth and begins scrubbing her bare skin, rubbing her flesh raw until traces of blood swirl around the drain.

MSC

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  • msc reopening

    MSC reopening attracts thousands

    The Memorial Student Center came back to life as Aggies once again occupied its couches, walked its halls and paid respects to military heroes after the building was opened and rededicated on Aggie Muster day. Students readily welcomed the campus living room’s return.

  • msc grass

    Ceremony reinstates MSC traditions

    Two traditions, absent three years on the A&M campus, were reinstated in anticipation of the reopening of the Memorial Student Center. As of Thursday afternoon, tradition dictates that students and visitors are to keep off the grass surrounding the MSC and remove their hats upon entering the building.

  • msc hall of honor

    A memorial home

    Hall of Honor immortalizes Aggie heroes

    In a reverent, secluded hall of the Memorial Student Center, sunlight illuminates the names of Aggie heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country.

  • msc ballroom

    Ballroom adds to MSC appeal

    As the campus living room, the MSC is a hot spot for socializing, studying and relaxing between classes. But on the building’s second floor, a grand ballroom will showcase a different side of the MSC’s personality as a proper entertainer to special occasions, including dances, banquets and weddings.

  • msc dining

    Dining options fill campus living room

    When the MSC opens its doors on Saturday after three years of renovation, students will be able to satiate their stomachs and social cravings with a host of new choices.