Maroon

              -——y^—--~—j-^—-— gj^^^^g^ THE MAROON  FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2005 VOL. 83, NO. 25 LOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS FOLLOW-UP Newton finishing school in Tennessee Recap: Thomas Dodd Newton was arrested Nov. 1 and charged with 18 counts of false imprisonment. Newton put a knife to his throat during a production class and then asked someone to call the FBI. By Kelly Brown Staff writer According to court dockets, all charges again Thomas Dodd Newton, the former Loyola student who held a knife to his throat during class last November, have been dropped. However, neither Newton, nor his family or lawyer, were aware of this. The district attorney's office refused all 18 counts of false imprisonment with a weapon on April 2. Newton was released on a $20,000 bond on the condition that he receive inpatient psychiatric treatment. Kyle Schonekas, Newton's lawyer, said, it would not surprise him if all charges had been dropped. "I suspect [the district attorney) realized that Dodd was suffering from an illness and didn't intend to harm anyone," Schonekas said. 'Typically if they were going to do something with it they would have contacted me," he said. "I welcome it as good news." Newton is now at home with his family and said he is doing much better. "I've moved back to my home state; I'm a full time student. I really didn't miss that much school, and all my credits transferred," he said. He added that he is now working two jobs. Newton's mother, Marilyn Seaton, said the family is focusing on the positive. She said that the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., university president, was helpful. "Father Wildes was just as caring and compassionate as he could be ... he was truly gracious, loving and so supportive of my son while balancing his interest in the school," Sealon said. Phil Seaton, Newton's stepfather, said the family is grateful for Loyola's support. "They've shown true support and sympathy for the difficulty Dodd went through," he said. "Dodd is doing very well in school, and we're Poet, activist Angelou visits campus Capacity crowd fills Roussel; many more watch videofeed By Gigi Alford Staff writer Maya Angelou called Loyola a rainbow in the clouds. She said that without Loyola, several students would not have the opportunity to study at a higher education institution. "You are here because you have a rainbow," she told the audience Sunday night. Angelou was the 10th speaker in the Father Carter Lecture Series. After this year, the series will switch from an annual event to sponsoring speakers every other year. University Police officer Lt. Angela Honora said that the 650 seats in Roussel Hall were filled and about 200 people watched a live video feed in the St. Charles Room in the Danna Center. Honora also said another 30-40 people decided to stay and listen to the speech from the hallway outside the auditorium. Daniel Green, political science sophomore and University Programming Board member, had the opportunity to meet Angelou backstage Angelou when she gave the students on the welcoming committee words of wisdom before her speech. "Someone made the comment that we are lifelong learners," Green said. "[Maya Angelou] responded, 'We are all lifelong learners. Once you leave here your training may be done, but your learning has just begun.'" The author, poet, playwright and civil rights activist said in her speech 10th anniversary of lecture series brings acclaimed writer Angelou I By Maggie Crawford Contributing writer This year's Father Carter Lecture Series lecture brought Maya Angelou to Loyola. The speech marked the 10th anniversary of the series created and funded by the Student Government Association to honor the Rev. James C. Carter, S.J., former university president. "Each year the committee chooses a speaker who embodies Jesuit ideals and the ideals of Father Carter," said communications junior David Robinson-Morris, this year's Father Carter Lecture Series chairperson. Carter, who served the university from 1974-1993 as Loyola's longest-tenured president, believed Angelou was an excellent choice. "She is well suited to Loyola's social justice tradition because of her history of social activism," he said. "The structures of our society are not perfect, and she stands for changing that." Carter added that Angelou's appeal to students made her an ideal selection. "She is in tune with STAFF PHOTO BY GILLIAN DICKER Maya Angelou, writer and social activist, spoke to a packed audience in Roussel Hall Sunday night as part of the Father Carter Lecture Series. Cameron overrules SGA; honors fraternity receives charter By Kevin Corcoran Staff writer Loyola's chapter of the national economics honors society Omicron Delta Epsilon inducted its first 14 members this past Saturday. The organization is new this year to Loyola but nearly did not receive its school charter. James lanelli, economics senior, was the driving force behind bringing ODE to Loyola. This year's senior class had a large number of students involved in Loyola's economics program, said lanelli. He said he felt the honors society would be an opportunity for Loyola students to be recognized internationally. Based on the strong academics of Loyola's economics students, lanelli was able to secure a national charter from ODE for Loyola. "It's a really prestigious honor," lanelli said, "and this is the one year we've been able to have it." lanelli missed the April 1 deadline for submitting his proposal and constitution for ODE to the Student Government Association for approval, disqualifying his organization from receiving its school charter. After being turned away by the SGA, lanelli consulted with his adviser William Barnett, associate professor of economics, and lobbied Pat O'Brien, Dean of the College of Business, to get an extension for ODE's charter. O'Brien approved the extension and called Chris Cameron, director of student activities, to have ODE put before the SGA Congress again. "It's a rather non-controversial organization," O'Brien said, "and we're happy to have honors societies." On April 19, the Omicron Delta Epsilon charter was voted on by the SGA Congress and denied by a 15-10 vote. Chief Justice of the SGA Court of Review Candace Walker upheld the denial. On April 20, the decision was brought to Cameron who overruled congress' decision and allowed the Omicron Delta Epsilon to receive its charter. The school administration has the power to do this, despite the decisions of the SGA. The student handbook states: "The director of the Danna Center and student activities may uphold Congress and the court of review's decision or approve the application for university recognition." "I'm absolutely sure there are people in the congress who disagree with my decision," said Cameron. "In my role as adviser I think they made the right decision." He said that, as he understood it, the organization was voted down because two or three other groups had came in after the deadline seeking a school charter, and the congress thought it best to treat every group equally. Cameron said he telt that in his role as director it was his responsibility to take into account the special circumstances surrounding the case. Inductions tor Omicron Delta Epsilon took place last Sunday at Canon's Restaurant. Three of the 14 inductees were faculty members. As long as ODE goes through the rechartering process and elects a president, said Cameron, it will continue to exist at Loyola. Kevin Corcoran can be reached at kpcorcor® loyno. edit. D See CARTER, page 3 D See ANGELOU, page 2 D See NEWTON, page 2 SPORTS fc*v Is Part 2 of 3: J!*7  Still experimer^ii^^A,' ;]J(t:,t with scholarships/ Ciood music iW M  Good food  Good times at Jazz Fest page 11 OPINION Music business junior sets the record straight, responds to column page 5