A SHOT OF REALITY
LOOK FOR 3-PART SERIES THIS WEEK The Kansan takes an in-depth look at the realities of drinking
The Kansan takes an in-depth look at the realities of drinking.
KANSAS WINS TWO OF THREE Freshman provides winning hit on Sunday. SPORTS 1B
THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSA
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009
WWW.KANSAN.COM
VOLUME 120 ISSUE 144
OBITUARY
Friends remember Hawkins as a 'blast to be around'
BY KEVIN HARDY khardy@kansan.com
UPDATES
Dalton Eli Hawkins, Shawnee freshman, was found dead Friday morning outside of Watkins Scholarship Hall after falling off the roof, University Relations confirmed Saturday.
Hawkins was a resident of Ellsworth Hall and a member of the Mount Oread Scholars Program. Hawkins, a pre-pharmacy major, was employed at Sunflower Pharmacy, 1501 Inverness Dr. He had recently joined Alpha Kappa Lambda, a colony working toward recognition as an official KU fraternity.
Hawkins was born Aug. 13, 1990.
The Shawnee County Coroner's office released a preliminary autopsy report Sunday in the case of Dalton Hawkins. Shawnee freshman, who was found dead Friday morning
near Watkins Scholarship Hall.
The report indicated the cause of death was blunt traumatic injuries to the head and chest as a result of a three-story fall from Watkins' roof. Hawkins suffered injuries to his heart, left lung and ribs. The coroner's office determined the death to
be accidental. The initial preliminary drug test was "presumptively positive for alcohol."
in Shawnee. He attended Broken Arrow Elementary School and Hocker Grove Middle School in Shawnee. He was a 2008 graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, where he participated in cross country and bowling.
A representative from the coroner's office said there was no time frame on when the full autopsy report would be completed.
Hunter Williams, Shawnee soph
omore, attended high school with Hawkins and introduced him to the fraternity members. Williams said Hawkins was a great kid who he was just starting to get to know better.
Kevin Hardy
"He was a jokester," Williams said. "But, when it came time to be serious, he was serious."
Williams said Hawkins was a hard-working, intelligent person who always acted responsibly.
"This came as a surprise to all of us," Williams said.
Shane Miller, De Soto freshman.
SEE HAWKINS ON PAGE 4A
Dalton Eli
Hawkins,
Shawnee freshman, was
found dead
Friday morning outside of Wat-
kins Scholarship
Hall. Officials from University
Relations said
Saturday that
Hawkins fell off the scholarship
hall's roof.
Photo courtesy of the Hawkins family
CRIME
Student assaulted on Friday
BY ALEXANDRA GARRY
agarry@kansan.com
A 20-year-old female KU student was sexually assaulted early Friday, Lawrence police said.
The woman was walking south in the 600 block of New Hampshire Street around 1 a.m. when she was attacked from behind by two white men, said to be in their 20s with short hair.
MIXING UP THE MUSIC SCENE
Anyone with information can call the police at (785) 832.7509
Lawrence police Sgt. Michael Monroe said the woman was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The woman said she was knocked to the ground before being sexually assaulted. After the assault, the suspects fled the scene, Monroe said.
CRIME
Students robbed outside of McCollum
BY ALEXANDRA GARRY
agarry@kansan.com
agarry@kansan.com
Two students were among the three victims of the robbery at about 3 p.m. Sgt. Bob Williams said. The suspects took cash from the victims but did not physically harm them, Williams said.
Campus police are investigating an armed robbery that happened Sunday afternoon behind McCollum Hall.
Williams said there were two suspects who had handguns at the scene, but that officers were investigating the possibility of a third suspect in the suspect's car.
The suspects fled the scene after robbing the victims.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the KU Public Safety Office at (785) 865-5900.
Talib Kweli, half of the hip-hop duo Reflection Eternal, entertains a crowd Sunday night at the Granada. Kweli and his partner, Hi-Tek, reunited nearly a decade after their influential "Train of Thought" recording to produce a new self-titled album. Proprietors of local music venues such as the Granada are booking more hin-hon shows to meet an increasing demand for the genre in Lawrence.
Hip-hop fans, artists increase in Lawrence
BY KAYLA REGAN
kregan@kansan.com
More local events provide outlet for genre on the rise
As of 5 p.m., more than 400 people had bought tickets for last night's Reflection Eternal show at the Granada. Jake Hiersteiner, Granada marketing director, said he expected even more of the tickets to go before the end of the night, just another sign that Lawrence loves hip-hop.
Lawrence's hip-hop scene is increasing in popularity.
The group, a collaboration
between nationally recognized artists Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek, is on its small tour promoting its upcoming self-titled album.
Danny Spence, local rapper and producer, said the show united the growing number of Lawrence hip-hop fans.
Spence, Austin, Texas, junior and KJHK production director, said the local hip-hop scene went into a lull after 2002 because local artists left the area hoping to expand their audience. Now though, Spence said the artists are back and are doing things a little differently.
"Even though Lawrence is smaller, it recognizes there is a community" Spence said. "There's a lot more artists coming to Lawrence and a lot more here getting shows. It feels like the time is right."
"KC and Lawrence artists go both ways. More people are scoring shows and scoring shows for other people," Spence said. "Austin has a good scene, but it's not unified like here. There's a good unity growing."
Last Saturday, approximately 300 people attended "Move," a hip-hop dance party hosted by KJHK at the Bottleneck. The show featured six local hip-hop acts, two professional dance crews and live painting. Peter Adney, KJKH hip-hop director, said hip-hop shows provided the audience an "experience" that allowed them to interact with each act in a different way.
"just as with local rock groups, it is very fun to go out and see local producers and encees perform. The smaller and more localized, the more unique and honest the experience. That's why it's just as great to experience local hip hop as it is to see your favorite star MC."
And more people are noticing. Spence said KJHK's foundation had always been traditional college-radio genres, like indie or alternative. But over the past few years, college radio at KJHK has expanded to include hip-hop music as well. With two hip-hop based special programs, Bounce and Breakfast for Beat Lovers, Adney said KJHK focused on the genre more than most college stations.
Ben Coldham, Chicago senior started a hip-hop column in The University Daily Kansan this
semester. Coldham said the column would continue next semester.
"Nothing in the Kansan or other places are tailored to the hip-hop fan base and I know for certain there's a lot of hiphop fans in Lawrence," Coldham said.
For more of the local hip-hop scene experience, the first Wednesday of every month, the 8th Street Tap Room hosts Get Foolish, a local hip-hop show. On May 8, DJ Spence and MC Polly Rhyme are performing at the Jackpot Saloon. For more information on more hip-hop events in the area visit hiphopkc.com.
Edited by Sam Speer
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