Apr 26 by MediaOCU

GRADUATION EDITION

THE CAMPUS April 26, 2017 – Volume 110 Issue 53

I'll make you popular Alumna Kristin Chenoweth coaches Megan Carpenter, music theater sophomore, at the third annual Kristin Chenoweth masterclass Sept. 6 at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center. Chenoweth invited 16 music theater students to join her on closing night of My Love Letter to Broadway in November at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City. The one-woman show has special guests each night and features songs Chenoweth

Cou�tesy o� Hannah Potes and the Billings Gazette

Ball so hard

helped make popular. Students accompanied Chenoweth for performances of “I Was Here”

The women’s basketball bench celebrates as Junior Guard Daniela Galindo shoots a buzzer-beater against Montana Western. The Stars went on to defeat three other opponents at the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. They were undefeated in the tournament, bringing home the championship trophy and banner. Senior Forward Daniela Wallen was named NAIA Most Outstanding Player.

and “Upon This Rock.” Elina Moon Student Publications

THE YEAR IN

HIGHLIGHTS Congratulations! The academic year is nearly over and students already have started planning for the summer. But, before putting this year in the past, take some time to reflect on its highlights. Variety is one of the university’s strongest attributes. The Wi-Fi may be shoddy, and some housing facilities leak too often, but OCU can always boast a unique student body. Students come from all walks of life, representing different parts of the world, and bringing unique personalities and perspectives to the community. Students give the university life and highlight its most positive traits, even while living through negative ones. Students help the university achieve success academically, artistically and athletically. There were many ups and downs this year,

PAGE 2 HIGHLIGHTING COMMUNITY

but the highlights stand out, making it a good year overall. The country elected Donald Trump as the 45th president this year, and students elected Randy Gipson-Black as the new Student Government Association president. The new SGA executive cabinet and senators were also sworn in. The campus community crowned Camryn Sanders, biomedical science junior, as Miss OCU. Officials named Dr. Kent Buchanan as provost, Dr. Amy Cataldi as dean of the Petree School of Arts and Sciences and Dr. Helen Gaudin as her associate dean. Different departments said “goodbye” to beloved staff, but also welcomed new people into the mix. The basketball teams competed well this season, and the women’s team took it all the way, bringing back a national championship banner.

PAGE 4 HIGHLIGHTING PHILANTHROPY

Elina Moon Student Publications

Ali Wonderly Student Publications

For the first year, cheer was recognized as an official sport. OCU not only hosted the first ever national cheer championship, but also took the win. New shows this year didn’t just include the regular university seasons, but an abundance of student-produced, student-led productions on topics like sexual assault and women’s rights. This issue of The Campus highlights some of the best moments of the 2016-17 academic year, where students represented the university in a good way. This issue also highlights some graduating seniors with loving words from their families and friends. The Campus staff hopes you enjoy this look back at the year’s highlights. By Miguel Rios, editor-in-chief

PAGE 6 HIGHLIGHTING CREATIVITY

PAGE 7 HIGHLIGHTING TEAMWORK

Elina Moon Student Publications

Donovan Lawson Student Publications

Freshman follies

Making pancakes

Kicklining dino

All I do is win

Adam LaPorte, music theater/composition freshman, and Kenzie McIntyre, music theater freshman, play an icebreaker at First-Year Follies. The event focuses freshmen and encourages them to come together as a community that helps each other throughout the year.

Jessica Martens, music theater/vocal performance sophomore; Maddie Williams, dance universal sophomore, and Kristen Grooms, dance universal freshman, prepare for Pancake Palooza, Gamma Phi Beta’s philanthropy event benefitting the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

Roary the Tyrannosaurus Rex kicklines with dancers from the American Spirit Dance Company during rehearsals for the Spring Show. The Spring Show highlights different styles of dances with unique choreography so students can improve in all areas of dance.

Seniors Mariana Duran, Amanda Ingram and Daniela Wallen show off their championship trophy and bracket after arriving back on campus from their tournament. The women’s basketball team worked together to bring home a national championship for the university.

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Get advice by emailing chawthorne@okcu.edu Read about possible distractions before finals

Shining stars

Read about the Jewish Stars organization