March 6 by MediaOCU

THE CAMPUS

March 6, 2019 – Volume 112 Issue 20

Methodist officials vote to condemn same-sex marriage Emily Wollenberg

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The future is uncertain for the LGBTQ community in the United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church, which is the second-largest Protestant denomination in the United States, voted to maintain its traditional stance on the LGBTQ community during a Feb. 26 special session of the United Methodist General Conference in St. Louis. The Traditional Plan was approved by a vote of 438-384, according to apnews.com. This plan strengthens existing language regarding sexuality in the Book of Discipline, the official book of law and doctrines for the United Methodist Church, and enforces penalties related to clergy who perform same-sex unions or churches that host same-sex weddings. The Traditional Plan was one of three primary plans considered, the other two being the One Church Plan and the Connectional Church Plan. The One Church Plan would have kept the Methodist Church united while allowing each congregation and pastor to decide for themselves regarding sexuality and their level of inclusion in the church. The Connectional Church Plan would have allowed the Methodist Church to split into three categories: progressive, centrist and traditional, each of which would have had a different stance on sexuality. KC Curry, religion junior, said students from the school of religion had to leave the conference early to return in time for classes, but they livestreamed the conference in the car. “The presiding bishop said, ‘let the votes be put up,’” she said. “The Traditional Plan was obviously passed. The car ride was silent for quite some time.” Jay Williams, religion junior, said, as a person who identifies within the LGBTQ community, he feels torn about his future. “I’ve had conversations about leaving the Methodist Church because it doesn’t have room for people like me to serve,” he said. “But I know that if everyone leaves, we can’t make it a better place, and we can’t make it reflect God’s love the way that I see God loving everyone.” Williams said he will continue fighting for the LGBTQ community in the church and wants those in the community to remember that many will continue to support them. “You are beloved, you are of sacred worth, and no vote or any decision from the United Methodist Church could ever separate you from God’s love,” he said. Curry said she identifies with the LGBTQ community, and there are many pastors in the United Methodist Church, particularly in Oklahoma City, who are affirming and inclusive. “After seeing all the love and support on social media, especially on Twitter and from my pastors, I’m staying. I’m definitely staying and fighting and hoping that love will win one day,” she said. A large sway in the vote came from international input from countries where non-traditional sexual identity is illegal. “About 43 percent of the delegates were from abroad, mostly from Africa, and overwhelmingly supported the LGBT bans,”

Submitted Students, some wearing rainbow apparel in support of the LGBTQ community, gather and cry after the One Church Plan was voted down at the United Methodist General Conference on Feb. 23-26. The Traditional Plan, which enforces penalties related to clergy who perform same-sex unions or churches that host same-sex weddings, was approved by a vote of 438-384.

according to apnews.com. Kendal Willis, religion sophomore, said she supports the Traditional Plan because it keeps the church together. If other plans passed, international churches would have had to leave the denomination, she said. “We are a global church, and we want to stay a global church,” she said. “It really kept us true to our Wesleyan heritage.” Willis said students who support the Traditional Plan want others to know they hope they can find peace with the decision and won’t give up on the church. She also said students who supported the Traditional Plan still love those who didn’t. “Just because the plan they wanted passed doesn’t mean they love the people less,” she said. “Their hearts are with those who are sad right now.” The United Methodist top court ruled that parts of the Traditional Plan were unconstitutional. It’s possible that the United Methodist Judicial Council could strike down the plan at the next council meeting April 23-26. Newly-appointed delegates will also vote on the plan again at the General Conference in 2020. There are many unknowns in the church at this point, but a split is a possibility, said Dr. Charles Neff, vice president of universitychurch relations. “I suspect that we’re looking at a future Methodist Church that is more of an affiliated group of Methodist Churches with a common Wesleyan heritage, one in which the global Methodist Church may be separate from the United States,” he said. Blake Lemmons, political science/philosophy senior, is a fourth generation United Methodist pastor’s child. Lemmons said he and

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other allies of the LGBTQ community will continue to fight for inclusivity. “I’m going to continue to fight to make sure they are fully included in the United Methodist Church, and my fight won’t stop until that’s changed,” he said. Neff said he advises students who are struggling with the decision of whether to stay in the church to speak with their pastors and families to weigh the decision against their calling to ministry and whether the United Methodist church is where they want to live out that calling. “I also believe that there is hope for the church, and I shall have hope that, coming out of 2019, it will mobilize enough people to change hearts and minds in 2020 to make the church more open and affirming to adopt something even closer to the One Church Plan,” he said. President Martha Burger wrote a statement posted in the OCU Facebook group Feb. 26 informing students that OCU will remain committed to the United Methodist Church and will remain inclusive. Neff also posted in the group, stating that he and Dr. Elizabeth Horton-Ware, director of religious life, support full inclusion of all persons in religious life in the university. “We want everyone, especially the LGBTQIA+ members of our OCU family, to know that we love, support, and affirm you as persons of sacred worth,” Neff wrote.

Student senators consider impeaching vice president Emily Wollenberg

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Student senators may have impeached their vice president this week. A disciplinary hearing for vice president of Student Senate was scheduled for Tuesday night following his impeachment charges. Visit mediaocu.com for the most up-to-date information. The hearing was scheduled after Sen. Beatrize Martinez (law) formally requested via a Feb. 27 email that disciplinary charges be brought on Austin Gipson-Black, vice president of Student Senate. The email followed a Feb. 26 Senate meeting where senators passed a resolution requesting Black’s resignation after accusing him of verbally assaulting members of the executive cabinet and having sex in the Student Government Association offices. Read earlier stories on mediaocu.com for more information on the allegations. The email addressed the six SGA bylaws Martinez thinks GipsonBlack violated: dereliction of duty, violation of the SGA Constitution, breach of faith, misuse of funds, violation of the SGA Code of Conduct, and violation of the Senate’s standing rules. Martinez urged Student Court to move swiftly to bring charges against Gipson-Black. Chief Justice Ellen Roth released an official update via email to Student Publications on Saturday regarding the disciplinary hearing. Gipson-Black was charged with Dereliction of Duty and Violation of the SGA Code of Conduct in regard to his actions at the Feb. 26 Senate meeting. Dereliction of Duty is defined as “willful negligence of the obligations” of a position. This claim comes from what Martinez wrote was Gipson-Black’s inability to remain neutral or exercise the required “guidance, direction or control” during the Feb. 26 Senate meeting. “He decided to abruptly end the Senate session when discussion was going to take place,” Martinez said. Sen. David Hall (music) said Gipson-Black made it audibly impossible to stop his call to adjourn the meeting discussing the claims against him. This premature adjournment ended the discussion and left senators unable to resolve the issue, Hall said. Hall said Gipson-Black told senators during the meeting that he would willingly meet with them outside of Senate meeting to discuss the situation further, but ending the meeting so abruptly showed that he was not willing to discuss the issue, Hall said.

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became aware of the chargeable infraction or 48 hours from the time that it happened,” he said. I am not surprised by the Roth decided to hear both charges brought up against Gipson-Black. lack of diligence and the lack Sen. Martinez concluded the email by requesting the Stuof courage displayed by each dent Court to move forward with disciplinary action against member of Senate. Gipson-Black. An email was sent to all members of SGA on Friday by Dr. Austin Gipson-Black Amy Ayres, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “The SGA, in all of its branches, should be a place of profesvice president Student Senate sionalism, decorum, and courtesy,” she wrote. “While many may believe that blame can be assigned from the highest offices to the Sen. Blake Lemmons (senior at-large) said Gipson-Black was general branch members, we should all take some responsibility. We can all do better. Everyone.” following procedure when he ended the meeting. Ayres also said she cares about each member of SGA’s health “People can disagree with the way that he did that all they want, and I understand why they would disagree with it, but he also had and well-being, according to the email. “You all deserve the right to be treated with respect and dignity. to deescalate the situation at that point because people were too emotional, and we weren’t making rational decisions, which is why Don’t lose sight of the fact that there are very real human elements here,” she wrote. “From this point moving forward, I simply ask I seconded the motion,” Lemmons said. Martinez said SGA members have approached her expressing that even in the face of disagreement, hurt, and confrontation, their fear of Gipson-Black and his power over the student body that we proceed in a manner that is truly professional. My hope is that we soon return our focus to the true mission of SGA, which because he’s bullied people. Martinez said she wishes the situation didn’t come to this point, is to serve the students.” Gipson-Black responded Feb. 28 to his impeachment charges but Gipson-Black’s actions have been an ongoing concern. “As a Senate, we have a duty to make sure people are held account- in an email to Student Publications. “I am not surprised by the lack of diligence and the lack of able for their actions,” she said. Martinez wrote in her Feb. 27 email that Gipson-Black has courage displayed by each member of Senate,” he wrote. “They attempted to silence those within and outside of student government each let their campus down by refusing to be deliberative, just, and orderly. If the reaction of the senators is the best way they know to to preserve his position. “Whether it’s through a ‘firm’ handshake or verbal beratement or handle conflict; if all they know is to attack without understandfollowing someone in the restroom to end an argument, it is obvious ing; if they continue to become consumed by their own thirst for that Vice President Gipson-Black has no end to where he is willing power and recognition; then may the Lord have mercy on us all, because we can do better.” to go when he serves as vice president,” she wrote. Contributing: Nicole Waltman, editor-in-chief Martinez also wrote that Gipson-Black has misused Senate funds because she thinks organizational allotments have not been submitted to university officials. Sen. Lemmons said many charges brought up in Martinez’s email shouldn’t be considered by the court because they happened more than 48 hours before the charges were given, which also violates SGA bylaws. “They’ll determine whether it’s 48 hours from the time people

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opinion Campus community encouraged to remain accepting, regardless of church decision The United Methodist Church’s decision to maintain their traditional stance on the LGBTQ community, meaning they won’t perform same sex-marriages or allow openly LGBTQ clergy, left many students feeling upset. Read more about the decision on Page 1. With the actions being taken by political leaders to minimize the LGBTQ community this year, such as the ban on transgender military service, this decision by the UMC felt disheartening to some. It seems like the nation is backpedaling into a regressed, less accepting climate after making such progress with the legalization of gay marriage in 2015. Not only did the UMC decision come as a surprise to so many Methodists in America, it is reminding of the struggle that LGBTQ members face internationally. There are still many countries where being

openly homosexual is a punishable offense, while we may still continue to see and experience injustice in the U.S. A key component of the core belief system of the Methodist church is the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. This concept takes scripture, tradition, reason, and experience into consideration when making rulings regarding church proceedings. In the past, it was used to justify more liberal Methodist traditions, such as allowing women to serve as pastors. The latest decision goes against the past dealings of the Methodist church as a whole and goes against the system of decision-making that many American Methodist churches have used to dictate how their churches operate. What once was a safe place and a house of worship for many openly LGBTQ Christians has become seemingly discriminatory.

Talk Back “What songs should Tonal Eclipse and the Ahhx Chords record for Spotify?”

The LGBTQ members of the Methodist church have now joined the other Christians who grew up or still are a part of conservative traditions. They have joined a group of people who are forced to balance their religious beliefs with their sexual identities without support from the church. Our campus in particular has the difficult job of continuing to provide financial, religious and academic support to our diverse student body, regardless of the UMC decision. LGBTQ students continue to affirm their Methodist faith and actively serve in religious capacities on campus. We cannot ignore the UMC ruling, but, as a campus, we can stand together and continue to include all students in our activities, religious or not. Our campus must be a safe space for all students.

"7 Rings - Ariana Grande"

"Black Lipstick by Chicano Batman"

Natalia Botello music junior

Madelyn Parker English/Spanish senior

"S.L.U.T. by Bea Miller"

"Can't Help Falling in Love"

Mallory Scheidel acting junior

Kelly Pan nursing senior

"Anaconda by Nicki Minaj"

"SOS by the Jonas Brothers"

Mackenzie VanZee religion/psychology sophomore

Lysa Engle film senior

Columnist discusses improvements of Glossier makeup company Boy Brow. Gen G. Lidstar. Any of these sound familiar? They are all popular items made by the makeup brand Glossier, a company gaining highly devoted followers faster than you can swipe on a few dots of their Cloud Paint blush. With storefronts in New York City and Los Angeles, this millennial pink brand of beauty products is a frequent favorite of novice and expert makeup wearers. Glossier started as a sister company to Into The Gloss, both created by Emily Weiss. Into The Gloss is a beauty website that features product reviews, routines and interviews with consumers around the world. Into The Gloss was created in 2010. Its team

launched Glossier in 2014, starting with a small array of products and growing into the line that is commonly known today. The “About” page on Glossier’s website, glossier.com, includes the following description: “Glossier was founded on the fact that beauty isn’t made in a boardroom—it happens when the individual is celebrated. Personal choice is the most important decision a brand can never make.” The company has made significant strides in recent months to make their makeup wearable for everyone. Glossier’s Perfecting Skin Tint product, a light-coverage foundation known to even out any blemishes or discoloration, was recently

Amanda Miller is an English senior from Kansas City. She likes pop culture, glitter and iced coffee.

reformulated to double their range from six shades to include a new set of 12. The company representatives also have spoken frequently about the ethics of the products. Products are never tested on animals, and each item is dermatologist-tested, according to the website FAQs. But, is this all a façade? One of Glossier’s key products is called “Milky Jelly Cleanser,” a conditioning face

wash recognized on the website as “one face wash to rule them all.” A six-ounce bottle costs $18 through the Glossier website, but a similar-looking product retails for $9.99 on Target.com. The product has almost identical packaging to the Glossier product. Customer reviews even reference that it’s a better alternative. If an almost identical product can be found at a local Target, why buy the more expensive

Glossier product? Maybe consumers want to feel like they are a part of Glossier’s idealism that makeup doesn’t have to be perfect. They’ve created a movement because they support the idea that someone doesn’t have to be a trained makeup artist to wear one of their products. And shouldn’t beauty be about feeling your best—whether that’s a colorful lip, a prominent brow or no makeup at all? I don’t imagine many of Glossier’s followers will abandon their ways anytime soon. Glossier is constantly improving alongside their customers. After consumer comments, they expanded their Stretch concealer shades. After one too many customers broke the lid of their Gen G lipstick (me,

actually), they repackaged the popular lip color. W h a t’s n e x t f o r t h i s minimalistic brand, then? A marketing campaign recently launched Glossier Play, described as “a new beauty brand from Glossier Inc.” Beauty fans have taken to the articles and posts to speculate that Play will be Glossier’s first adventurous makeup line, complete with brighter colors, more glitter and more attitude. For a brand that’s made their name on natural beauty, this would be quite the change for the company, and it could be a really exciting time for makeup consumers who want to branch out. Play will launch sometime in March 2019, according to Glossier’s website.

Fighting with my Family makes ‘no impression on its audience’ Fighting with my Family is a biopic about the World Wrestling Entertainment Diva wrestler Saraya-Jade Bevis, also known as “Paige.” The movie follows her life leading up to her WWE fame and how it impacted her and her family. I don’t remember much other than that. Have you ever seen a movie or piece of art that honestly leaves no real effect on you? The movie ends. The credits roll. You pick up your drink and popcorn bin and leave the theater. As you walk down the hall toward the door, you think to yourself, “What did I just watch? I don’t remember.” Fighting with my Family is that movie. A movie that leaves no impression on its audience. It is the bane of a

reviewer’s existence—a perfectly okay movie. When I go see a movie, I hope for one of two things— either the movie is very bad or the movie is very good. A movie that finds a middle ground such as this one is the most boring a movie can be. With a bad movie, I can get angry about how it is destroying the fabric of cinema itself or laugh at how widely the director missed the mark on the most fundamental elements of storytelling. With a good movie, I can revel in how masterfully each choice that the director made makes the movie 10 times more unique than any other movie with a similar plot. But a movie like this, it just leaves me with nothing.

Paul Dower is a film production freshman from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He likes squishy toys, hoodies and Stanley Kubrick.

I paid $9.99 for nothing. I guess the one thing that holds the movie to a slightly higher standard is the performances. Most of the actors in this film seem well-acquainted with their characters. All the performances felt natural, and the chemistry between the characters was believable. Stephen Merchant, director and writer of the movie, had a funny little cameo that would extract a couple of chuckles from the audience.

The writing was also nice with some believable dialogue. Every time a character spoke, it felt like it would be something that would truly be said by that character. Each scene felt like it mattered to the overall story and characters. The whole movie felt believable. But is believable all I want? I understand that with a biopic, that is pretty much the goal of the movie, but it feels like all of the creativity this movie could have had was

sucked out with a vacuum hose. The whole thing was just so formulaic that anyone could predict the ending or even the next scene. This movie scares me. Seriously, I’m scared that more movies like this are being made. It seems like ever y biopic made recently (I’m look ing at you, Bohemian Rhapsody) is getting more and more formulaic. The producers making the movies are getting better at pleasing the widest audience possible with the least amount of work. It’s the same reason why people say that all pop music sounds the same. Producers are getting better at figuring out what people want and are spoon-feeding it to them. What’s wrong with giving

the people what they want? I suppose there is nothing inherently wrong with giving people what they want, but I want to be shown something that I didn’t know I wanted. I want the director to cook me up a spicy meatball of a movie, even though I ordered a hamburger of a movie, and make it so good that I leave the meal realizing that I actually was craving that spicy meatball my entire life. I want a meatball that I can devote my life to studying and analyzing, and, with every time I eat it, I notice something different. Fighting with my Family is a painfully average movie that satisfies every need in the most average and efficient way possible. This movie is one big awkward family dinner.

Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

Baseball vs USAO at 1 p.m. in Jim Wade Stadium

Campus Calendar Calendar items must be received in the Newsroom or stupub@okcu.edu by noon Friday for inclusion in the following Wednesday issue.

TODAY Faces Places Free Screening from 7:30-10 p.m. in Norick Art Center OCU Brass Chamber Student Ensemble Recital from 7:30-9 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

Out of the Box Miscast Cabaret at 9:30 p.m. in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center THURSDAY Weekly Play Club meeting at 7 p.m. in the Honors Lounge in Gold

Star Memorial Building American Spirit Dance Company's Broadway Revue from 8-10 p.m. in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center Ad Astra and University Chorale

Concert from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center FRIDAY American Spirit Dance Company's Broadway Revue from 8-10 p.m. in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in

THE CAMPUS

Web Editor: Jessica Vanek Staff Writers: Luke Barrett, Callie Dewees, Erik Hamilton, Dru Norton, Hope Melton Columnists: Caroline Hawthorne, Amanda Miller Photographers: Carolann Stout, Kylie Sullivan, Hope Melton, Clara Foster

MONDAY Spring Break- Campus closed TUESDAY Spring Break- Campus Closed

The Campus has served the Oklahoma City University community since 1907. It is published Wednesday during the academic year, with the exception of holidays and exam periods.

March 6, 2019, Volume 112, Issue 20

Editor-in-chief: Nicole Waltman Associate Editor: Emily Wollenberg Copy Editor: Chandler White Associate Copy Editor: Paul Dower Photo Editor: Elina Moon Community Manager: Maddie Bowes

SATURDAY American Spirit Dance Company's Broadway Revue from 2-4 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and let-

Videographer: Emily Haan Ad Director: Emily Jones Faculty Adviser: Kenna Griffin

ters to the editor. All letters must be signed and include the writer’s phone number, address, major, and classification. The staff reserves the right to edit all letters. The staff also reserves the right to refuse letters without explanation. Letters can be sent online at mediaocu.com, emailed to stupub@ okcu.edu or dropped off at the Newsroom in Walker Center for Arts and Sciences. Submitted items may appear on MediaOCU and in the print edition.

March 6, 2019

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Carolann Stout Student Publications

Three cheers for Fritz!

Left: Josh Kelley, vocal performance junior, gives money to Danielle Petersen, violin graduate, in L’amico Fritz. The spotlight opera had performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday in Burg Theatre in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. Above: The ensemble of L’amico Fritz haunts Kelley as he laments his inability to receive love, representing the inner thoughts of Kelley’s character “Fritz.” The next Wanda L. Bass School of Music show will be Crazy For You from April 12-14 in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.

Campus acappella groups record professional EP Erik Hamilton

STAFF WRITER

The university’s two acappella groups, Tonal Eclipse and The Ahhx Chords, soon will have professionally recorded music on Spotify. The two songs the groups recorded are expected to release by the beginning of April. Each piece was recorded by one of the two groups, and those two songs will constitute the entire joint EP. Josh Kelley, vocal performance junior, music director of Tonal Eclipse and member of The Ahhx Chords, said the songs are already recorded. He said they hired Voices Only, a recording company in Michigan, and recently flew a sound engineer to Oklahoma City to record during a weekend. “We basically spent about eight hours in a recording room on Saturday for Tonal Eclipse, and about eight hours on Sunday for Ahhx Chords,” Kelley said. “I had to sit there for all of it because I arranged both pieces we did.” Tonal Eclipse recorded an arrangement of Sober by Childish Gambino, and The Ahhx Chords recorded a mashup of Poker Face

It's less a matter of, 'we're a bunch of friends doing this for fun,' and it's more so, 'we're professional musicians in training.' Jeffrey Laughrun

music theater senior

by Lady Gaga and In My Head by Jason Derulo. “Up until now, Tonal Eclipse, and formerly OCUpella, has pretty much exclusively done live performances, so this was a new experience for everyone,” said Jeffrey Laughrun, music theater senior and managing director of Tonal Eclipse. “We recorded each individual person on each individual voice part separately. And then the guy who did the recording and the editing and such took all those tracks and tuned them and got

them timed together and put some cool effects on them, and it sounds really great.” Kelley said the groups paid for the EP through Tonal Eclipse’s gigs, Ahhx Chords T-shirts, and other fundraising activities. Kelley said he thinks the EP will be a good recruitment tool for both groups and the university. The EP will be listed under two separate artist profiles, one for each acappella group. Kelley said he plans to have them released by April 1. Laughrun said the EP professionalizes the groups. “I think it, in a way, legitimizes the groups,” Laughrun said. “Not that we haven’t been making good music this whole time, but in a more official, on-paper sort of way. It’s less a matter of, ‘we’re a bunch of friends doing this for fun,’ and it’s more so, ‘we’re professional musicians in training.’ I mean, we’re still friends and we still have fun, but it’s a step towards the professional world and perhaps the competitive world at some point.” Kelley said the groups hope to hire Voices Only again in the future.

Award-nominated alumnus, novelist to revisit campus for book reading Dru Norton

STAFF WRITER

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Carolann Stout Student Publications

Let's dance

Dancers from the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment rehearse “Knock On Wood,” choreographed by Tiffany van der Merwe. The Broadway Revue will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.

National Book Award finalist and alumnus Brandon Hobson is returning to campus to speak about his book. The event is called “An Evening with Novelist Brandon Hobson.” It is planned to be a reading, Q&A and book signing of Hobson’s book, Where the Dead Sit Talking. It will be at 7 p.m. March 20 in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. All students are welcome to attend. Where the Dead Sit Talking was published on Feb. 20, 2018. It was a top five finalist for the 2018 National Book Award for Fiction. The book won the In the Margins Book Award, which is an award for books that deal with social issues. Hobson also won the Pushcart Prize in 2016 for his short

fiction work. The book deals with finding yourself, Hobson said. “It’s often labeled a Native American novel, but it’s about Native American teens in foster care,” Hobson said. “It’s a book about finding your identity, and answering the question, ‘What is home?’” Ho b s o n’s o t h e r w o rk s include The Levitationist, Deep Ellum and Desolation of Avenues Untold. Hobson graduated from OCU in 1992, with a degree in English. Dr. Terry Phelps, professor of English, is a former professor of Hobson. “Brandon was always very serious about writing. He was a great class participant, critic and tutor,” Phelps said. “It was obvious that this was somebody that was going to do well as a writer.” Phelps said he looks forward to the event. “One of the things I always tell my students is that we learn

from models. From the bad models you learn what not to do, and you learn what to do from good models,” Phelps said. “Brandon is an example of a good model for students to aspire to write well, have a good work ethic and be a good person.” Hobson teaches language arts at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma. He is working on a new novel. Hobson said he is eager to return to OCU. “I like to talk to students about writing, and I have good memories of OCU,” Hobson said. “I’m excited to return there and hopefully be able to engage in a nice discussion of the book and writing in general.”

Organization formed to fund theater program’s overseas studies Hope Melton

STAFF WRITER

A new organization on campus has the goal of fundraising for theater and performance students’ study abroad trips. Global Cascade was formed to help theater and performance students pay for the required study abroad trip that students in the major must take spring semester of their junior year. Emily Fruendt, theater and performance sophomore, is the group’s president. She said Global Cascade is trying to become more active on campus. “It started in the class before mine,” Fruendt said. “Last semester we tried to kind of piece it together, and we didn’t really do a whole lot, so this semester we immediately elected a new board. Basically we wanted to make sure that we had a chance and a voice on campus with the student organizations.” Fruendt said the term “Global Cascade” comes from the international component of the program and is also a juggling term. “We picked ‘global’ because, obviously, it’s for study abroad, and then ‘cascade’ because a term for three-ball juggling is a cascade, so we called it ‘Global Cascade,’” Fruendt said. Fruendt said those wishing to get involved can follow their March 6, 2019

Since it is required for our major, it can be really stressful if a student can’t afford to study abroad. Sierra Paul

theater and performance/education junior

Facebook page @ocubatapstudents and come to their events. “You can get involved by following our Facebook page and just showing up to the BA’s events where we always offer a show or food or something,” Fruendt said. Sierra Paul, theater and performance/education junior, is studying at the University of Roehampton in London this semester. She said the study abroad requirement allows students to see the differences in theater across the world. “It really allows you to see how they do theater differently in different parts of the world and gives you new perspectives,” Paul said.

Paul also said it can be stressful for students who are unable to afford it. “Since it is required for our major, it can be really stressful if a student can’t afford to study abroad,” Paul said. “The fundraising really takes away some of that financial burden and allows us to just enjoy our time here.” Shelby Parker, theater and performance freshman, is the group’s event coordinator. She said the fundraising is important because it exposes students to new experiences and helps their art. “The BA is focused on new works because we are the next generation of theater,” Parker said. “That involves not just staying in our bubble. We are everywhere, and we want to learn about everything. When you go to another country, you can see how theater is done in other places, and not just theater, but you can experience life somewhere else, and theater is just life on stage. If you’re an educated person and you have a lot of experiences, then you can make good art and tell true stories.”

news

The men's basketball team celebrates a victory with their coaches and President Martha Burger on Saturday in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. The men won the Sooner Athletic Conference by one point against John Brown University. The final score of the game was 74-73. The women's team lost, 68-62, to Wayland Baptist University on Saturday. Cou�tesy o� OCUspo�ts.com

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Men's basketball team wins Sooner Athletic Conference Jessica Vanek

WEB EDITOR

The men’s basketball team won their conference championship game with seconds to spare. The Stars played against John Brown University in the final game of the Sooner Athletic Conference. The conference tournament was Friday and Saturday in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. The Stars won 74-73 with less than five seconds left in the game. The Stars qualified for the final match after a March 1 game against Oklahoma Panhandle State University. The Stars won 73-69. Senior Guard Chris Williams was named Most Valuable Player of the season. Williams scored 22 points in the game against JBU. “I’m just happy,” Williams said. “I love playing with this group of guys, and I’m just happy we came out with the win. For everybody, for the coaches, for all of us. We worked hard for this.” The Stars were down by one point when Junior Guard Trae Bryant made a last-minute charge toward the goal and scored a lay up with 4.6 seconds on the clock. Junior Guard Kealon Clayborne said the team played hard until the end. “It really came down to the wire,” Clayborne said. “We had to scratch and fight a little bit, but we got the win, and we’re conference champs.” Assistant Coach Ryan Litzinger said the game involved a lot of preparation.

We played them here, and we beat them by one point. Kind of déjà vu a little. Basketball gods are crazy sometimes. Ryan Litzinger

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assistant coach men's basketball

“We went back and watched both of our games from this season that we played against JBU,” he said. “You can only do so much when you have that quick of a turn around. When you’re playing in the evening one night and then suddenly the next afternoon, so you just try to keep it as simple as possible.” Litzinger said March Madness gives the team the opportunity to really play. “That’s how it is in March with all of these tournament games; you’re playing so quickly and you can only do so much,” he said. “That’s the fun of it, though. These guys can just go out and play ball. Whatever we did, I guess it worked out alright.” The Stars played against JBU on Feb. 2, and the results were similar to the championship game, Litzinger said. “We played them here, and we beat them by one point in the last second,” he said. “Kind of déjà vu a little. Basketball gods are crazy sometimes.”

Athletic Director Jim Abbott said the Stars have about 10 days to prepare for the NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship. “You work and you work and hope that you get the opportunity to deliver,” Abbott said. “It’s just seeing students get to do what they love to do. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t, but fortunately, tonight we got the win.” Loren Matrone, cellular and molecular biology sophomore and women’s golfer, said she attended the game to support her fellow athletes. “It was so fun to be able to watch our team, especially because they weren’t even expected to make it past the first round,” Matrone said. “This is a big win for everyone in the athletic department as well as the men’s basketball team, and we’re so proud of them for how hard they’ve worked all season.” The championships will happen March 20-26 in Kansas City, Missouri. The women’s basketball team will compete in the NAIA Division I National Tournament in Billings, Montana, on March 13-19. Litzinger said he is excited for the future of the men’s team. “I’m just proud of them. They fought really hard,” he said. “We’ve been here since August prepping for this, and I’m really happy.”

SHINING STAR

Economics senior to spend year teaching in South Korea An economics senior is spending a gap year teaching English in South Korea before attending graduate school. Elizabeth Edem plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in international and comparative education. But first, she will spend a year in South Korea teaching English to underprivileged students. “Eventually, I want to help restructure school systems so that more students are given the chance they deserve,” Edem said. It will not be the first time Edem has traveled overseas. She attended the OCU Doers Cultural Exchange trip to Taiwan in 2017. There she spent two weeks teaching middle and high school-aged children and teenagers about advancements in technology. “There was a typhoon our last few days in Taiwan,” Edem said. “Instead of staying in our hostel, a few of us went out to make the most of our time. We ended up on gondolas with the winds blowing and the rain pouring down on our cable car while it was suspended in the air. It was terrifying, amazing and so worth it.” Janelle Warlick, director of academic operations in Petree College of Art and Sciences, attended the trip to Taiwan with Edem. “Elizabeth is an incredibly hard worker,” Warlick said. “She dove in head first and worked on things for the kids, even when everyone else headed to the beach. She is very driven

that take place in seminar courses because they usually help me rethink a concept or go more in depth on a surface-level I'm proud of what I've accomopinion, so those two courses have stayed with me and will plished here, and I hope that I likely continue to stay with me long after I’ve left OCU.” Edem said she is grateful for the opportunities she was can be an alum OCU is proud of. given at OCU. “I can’t help but remember that I almost ended up in California for university,” Edem said. “I’m glad I stayed in Oklahoma,” she said. “I learned a Elizabeth Edem lot about myself and made some great friends along the way. economics senior There are a lot of things I don’t think I would have done had I not gone to OCU.” and prepared, just a really kind soul.” Dr. Jonathan Willner, professor of economics, said Edem Edem is involved with many on-campus organizations, includ- will continue to do great things long after graduation. ing the National Society of Leadership and Success, Meinder’s “Whatever you may know about her abilities and perforSchool of Business Undergraduate Investment Team, Meinder’s mance undoubtedly understates what she has, can and will School of Business DECA Collegiate Chapter, and a brief stint on accomplish,” Willner said. Edem said she is excited about the future. the Student Ethics and Debate team. “On one hand, it’s kind of weird to think about graduating, In her spare time, she enjoys making lo-fi music, writing novels and coaching volleyball at Rosary Catholic School in Oklahoma but on the other hand, I’m looking forward to starting the next chapter in the magnum opus that is my life,” Edem said. City. “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished here, and I hope that “I write at least one novel a year,” Edem said. Edem said her favorite thing about OCU is the liberal arts I can be an alum OCU is proud of,” Edem said. seminar and the honors junior-senior seminar. “I know it’s probably weird that my favorite part was those specific classes,” she said. “But I realized I really love the discussions By Staff Writer Dru Norton

Cross country teams win academic honors Luke Barrett

STAFF WRITER

The men’s and women’s cross-country teams have received academic distinction from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The men’s team received the Scholar Team of the Year award, and the women’s team received a team All-Academic honor, according to ocusports. com. The association also recognized four students from each team with All-Academic honor awards. To qualify as an All-Academic team, a team’s cumulative GPA must be above 3.00. To receive an individual honor, one must have a GPA above 3.25. The men’s team had the highest GPA and won nationals in November, earning them the Scholar Team of the Year recognition. Matt Aguero, head crossMarch 6, 2019

country and track coach, said the team was excited. “It’s always an honor. Last spring both our men’s and women’s team were scholar teams for the track season and our women won the outdoor track Scholar Team. We’ve been in this area before, so it’s always good for us to kind of keep that academic standard high,” he said. “They’re students first and athletes second, so it’s good to be recognized both as a student and then also as they were athletically at the national championships during November.” Aguero said one way the coaching staff assists students academically is by hosting a study hall once a week for two hours. This is mandatory for one semester for all incoming students, and students are required to attend less or more study halls based on their academic performance. He said the coaches get updates from athletes’ profes-

sors every four weeks and communicate with the professors if someone is struggling in a class. Tyler Berge, Sheridan Hoyer, Anna Palacios, and Alexas Vargas from the women’s team received the individual All-Academic honor, as well as Max McNeill, Oscar Kipkoros, Oaklin Davis, and Michał Roguski from the men’s team. Oaklin Davis, business administration graduate, said he appreciated the sense of comradery the team study hall provided and likened the team to a support group in academics. “For future students, I think it’s impactful that you come into a program that has that reputation, that they know they have to do the same thing and do well. Kind of create that kind of history of success. I think we’ve done that in competition, but I think doing that in academics is going to be equally impactful in our success,” he said. Tyler Berge, accounting

senior, said she was excited to receive the All-Academic honor and said being busy and participating in study hall helped her stay productive. “Academics are really important on the team, and school is just as important as running,” she said. Oscar Kipkoros, criminology/nonprofit leadership graduate, said he had a GPA of 3.75 and never expected to receive this recognition. He said a large part of his work in maintaining his GPA was time management, knowing when to speak to professors and doing assignments early. “It’s one of the best things that have happened in my life. I wanted to be on the best of teams that achieve something good,” he said.

Elina Moon Student Publications

Money matters President Martha Burger addresses the students at Financial Matters with President Burger on Friday in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. The event was a part of Sponsors Making a Change Week hosted by the Student Philanthropy Committee. Student Government Association partnered with them for the event. During the discussion President Burger answered questions about the tuition increase approved in December and the budgeting process. About 20 people, both students and faculty, attended the event. Watch a video of the event on MediaOCU.com.