THE CAMPUS
March 30, 2022 – Volume 115, Issue 26
STUDENT GOVERNMENT The Student Government Association Senate met March 24 and voted to fund the OCU Annual Spring Powwow. SGA elections begin next week, with three tickets vying for executive seats. SGA election voting will open April 4 at 8 a.m. and close April 5 at 5 p.m. Blake Uhlig Student Publications
ADMINISTRATION
OCU announces provost, inauguration, initiatives President appoints new provost; weather-delayed inauguration set for Thursday
Kiec
On March 29, President Kenneth Evans announced his appointment of Dr. Michelle Kiec to the position of provost. Kiec is currently serving as the vice provost for Extended and Lifelong Learning and dean of grad-
uate studies at Kutztown University. “I was drawn to Oklahoma City University by the institution’s mission to prepare all learners to create, lead and serve, the integration of liberal arts and professional programs,
and the value placed on celebrating diversity in all forms,” said then-candidate Kiec in February, as she prepared to visit the campus during the search process. She will begin serving on campus July 5.
“Michelle’s broad base of experience, notably in the spaces of online and non-traditional learning, is an ideal fit for the various enrollment initiatives now underway at OCU,” Evans said in a press release. Meanwhile, Evans’ own
inauguration has been rescheduled for next week. This includes the investiture ceremony in the Bishop Angie W. Smith Chapel at 10:30 a.m., a recessional at 11:30, and an all-campus celebration beginning at noon.
Evans
Pandemic-induced remote learning inspires new fully-online nursing programs Anna Schmidt
MANAGING EDITOR
OCU President Kenneth Evans recently announced his intention for the university to offer more online and hybrid programs. This initiative emerged as many courses moved to both formats in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although many were able to become fully virtual, some courses still required in-person activity. Others were able to become asynchronous, where students were able to work at their own pace to meet assignment and test deadlines through the online D2L course platform. “The initial launch will occur with two programs launching in August 2022,” said Dr. Helen Gaudin, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs. There are two fully online pro-
grams being offered with this initial launch, she said, both with OCU’s Kramer School of Nursing. The two initial programs are the RN-to-BSN program and the MSN program, which is a master’s of science in nursing. Both programs will be offered fully online with the initiative after it launches in August. Other academic programs are currently being examined to determine if they could be offered fully online as well, but no decisions have yet been reached. In April, promotions of the two initial programs will begin for the public. Information about coursework and online program tuition costs will also be available to the public in April along with promotional materials. Gaudin noted that tuition costs and coursework related to online programs will not affect other OCU academic programs already
in existence. The shift to online classes reflects a shift to a more commonly remote workforce after the COVID-19 pandemic, said Miriam Ortega, assistant director of OCU Career Services. When the pandemic began, many companies recruiting students canceled internships and in-person positions due to the need for quarantines and mitigation, she said. “As the world tried to get a grip of the situation, we saw an increase in remote opportunities than ever before. Our students benefited from being able to work from their homes and keep internships or positions that were not based in Oklahoma City,” Ortega said. Though many areas have begun a return to pre-pandemic life, some changes to remote operation have remained in place. “A lot of filled positions never
transitioned back to working in person and have remained remote,” Ortega said. Some of the most common career fields which have maintained remote work status include tech companies, human resources and recruitment, operations, e-commerce, insurance, graphic design, marketing, social media, legal-based work, and statistical work. Ortega also explained that many companies in varied career fields have begun promoting worklife balance, and offer hybrid work formats where employees may alternate working remotely and in-person based on personal needs. “Some companies have expressed the need for reliable internet connection and computer access that would be the equivalent to reliable transportation,” Ortega said. Asked about the largest chal-
lenges with online programs for learning, Ortega said that some students have expressed that their social skills feel limited after two years of remote learning being so common. “I foresee this to be a big challenge for some of our students,” Ortega said. Additionally, some students have felt challenged by a lack of connection to company recruiters and potential employers. Career Services is responding to these challenges by offering online networking activities, such as the Virtual Career Fair. This virtual opportunity allowed students to connect with company recruiters and learn about skills for the professional environment. “Although they can be seen as challenges, I’d like to think of them as opportunities, opportunities to keep us innovating and improving,” Ortega said.
Presidential initiative seeks to address homelessness in surrounding community Kelly Wiryen
NEWS EDITOR
OCU President Kenneth Evans is launching a volunteer task force to take on the problem of homelessness in the community. On March 2, Evans sent out a message to students expressing his concerns about the city’s homeless community. In this message, he outlined that the interconnected issues of gentrification, affordability of housing and homelessness are topics he has broached many times. Evans also said that Oklahoma City’s MAPS 4 program has taken on as one of their projects an upgrade of 23rd Street which abuts the OCU campus.
M MEDIAOCU.com
The transition and urbanization of neighborhoods around 23rd Street may cause a permanent change in the affordability of housing in the area, thus escalating the homeless population. In order to help combat this, the president has launched a volunteer task force dedicated to supporting the university’s homeless neighbors and investing in the expansion of understanding of the causes and potential solutions to homelessness. James Cooper, an Oklahoma City councilman and OCU adjunct professor, said the MAPS 4 has budgeted funds which will be directed towards the construction of permanent supporting hous-
es for the homeless. The budget allocated for this is $50 million. He says this funding will potentially leverage over $400 million in housing funding available from various other sources. This project will take place over the next nine years. MAPS 4 is part of a penny sales tax initiative which annually collects about a $100 to $120 million dollars in revenue. Projects are built as this revenue is collected. When asked how to identify the homeless of Oklahoma City, Cooper explained that annually, the City of Oklahoma City joins cities across the nation to participate in a count called Pointin-Time.
One day is taken to count and survey people who are experiencing homelessness in the city. The intention of this count is to provide a snapshot picture of homelessness in Oklahoma City. A large team of community volunteers from more than 25 organizations survey people in emergency homeless shelters, transitional housing facilities, hot meal sites, crisis facilities, encampments, and various street locations. The Point-in-Time count yields data to help service providers understand how many local people are homeless and the needs they have. This information aids in planning Oklahoma City’s services and programs to
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Page 6: Opinion
SGA executive candidates share their position platforms as they vie for your vote.
Page 7: Photo
Travel to Colombia for the real ‘Día de las Velitas’ celebration seen in Disney’s ‘Encanto’.
Page 8: Sports
Softball Stars enjoy 22-1 ride so far, relying on the arm of the NAIA Pitcher of the Week.
feed and shelter the population as well as to help them find affordable housing, access transportation, receive rehabilitation and counseling, find employment, improve their skills through education and training and ultimately end their homelessness. With respect to Evans’ initiative of a volunteer task force, Cooper says he encourages this idea and recommended that the task force should, first, educate themselves on the causes and effects of homelessness. This can be done by reaching out to the Homeless Alliance, taking a tour of that facility and asking to speak with some service providers so that they can learn
for themselves some of the root causes of homelessness. Second, they should visit the MAPS 4 website, watch the public presentation that was done on the homelessness project, and hear from the Homeless Alliance and the Fair Housing Authority. They will also hear success stories of what happens when they do “housing first,” which is a concept that has proven globally to be effective with respect to homelessness. Finally, they can connect with a new program the city has funded called “A Better Way.” These will help give a wider view of the homeless in the city and possible solutions to this problem.
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elections SAMPLE BALLOT EXECUTIVE CABINET
BreAuna Shaw, president (Instagram: @bremanda4sga)
“I’m a collaborator! In our campus culture, collaborators benefit the student body”
Amanda Gonzalez, vice president
“It’s my goal to make sure that each and every voice is heard!”
EXECUTIVE CABINET
Sophia Smith, president (Instagram: @smithandmoon4sga) “I am a passionate, dedicated, organized and compassionate”
Mackenzie Moon, vice president
“I will work to increase inclusivity and promote environmental friendliness on campus.”
EXECUTIVE CABINET
Brittany Wyatt, president (Instagram: @brittanyandrobert4sga)
“As VP of SGA, I have spent the past 16 months creating meaningful connections with students”
Robert Gonzalez, vice president
“I have a passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and access work”
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“I will benefit the position because of my past work in SGA and willingness to listen”
[2] No candidate filed
SENIOR-AT-LARGE SENATORS (2)
[2] No candidate filed
[2] No candidate filed
No photo available
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[1] No candidate filed
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GREEK SENATOR
[1] Jackson Seay (unopposed; declared senator-elect)
“I am a current member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, where I hold valuable positions. Not only have I made a name for myself, I have enjoyed being a part of Greek Life. I would love to contribute to the oversight of Greek Life as a whole.”
RELIGION SENATOR
[1] Emma Goins (unopposed; declared senator-elect)
“I am active in organizations including the Wesley Center, Better Together, Alpha Chi Omega, and NAS. I work closely with religious organizations and a Methodist church outside the university. As a religion major, I have a unique view on religious life here and how we can meet students’ faith needs.”
DANCE & ARTS MANAGEMENT SENATOR
[1] Madison Pivonka (unopposed; declared senator-elect)
“I am an enthusiastic team player who loves to be involved in all facets of our campus. My passion for dance has been cultivated through my years of training, involvement in organizations such as We Are Queens, and pursuit of a degree in Dance Management. My knowledge of the Ann Lacy school would serve SGA well.”
BUSINESS SENATOR
[1] Katlyn Davenport (unopposed; declared senator-elect)
“I’m a passionate and practical person who can represent the needs of those within Meinders. I am proud in that I am a very hard-working individual and love to be environments with people who are likewise. I love Meinders and its people so much and it would bring me great joy to be a voice for them.”
? ? ? ? 2
[1] Penelope Hughes (unopposed; declared senator-elect)
JUNIOR-AT-LARGE SENATORS (2) [1] No candidate filed
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SOPHOMORE-AT-LARGE SENATORS (2)
No candidates applied for the following positions: MUSIC SENATOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS SENATOR SOCIAL SCIENCES SENATOR HUMANITIES SENATOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS SENATOR THEATRE SENATOR INTERNATIONAL SENATOR ATHLETIC SENATOR GRADUATE-AT-LARGE SENATOR 1 / GRADUATE-AT-LARGE SENATOR 2 March 30, 2022
MEINDERS SCHOOL
Dean finalists named
news University relaxes almost all masking requirements Kelly Wiryen
NEWS EDITOR
Beldona
Evans
Sem
The OCU Meinders School of Business dean search committee announced Monday that it had completed its semifinalist candidate interviews, and had selected three finalists: Sri Beldona, professor and former associate dean of the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business, University of Dallas; Russell Evans, interim dean and economics professor of the Meinders School; and Daniel Sem, dean and business professor at Concordia University Wisconsin.
OCU’s communication office recently sent out emails informing students of the change in OCU masking policy. This email stated that OCU’s masking policy has been relaxed as a result of lower CDC alert level in the surrounding community and improved conditions on campus. This implies that students are allowed to move on campus (classrooms, offices,
and in the library) without any obligation to wear a mask, but the university respects the wishes of those who would like to continue wearing a mask. Masks will remain required in the campus clinic. At the beginning of this semester, OCU emailed students informing them about the administrative decision to temporarily switch to remote learning as a result of the high rate of infection of the COVID-19 virus at the time. After having a brief discussion with
a couple of students and faculty members, most were glad about the return of in-person classes for various reasons, but also seemed concerned about the change in masking policy. University officials continue to monitor CDC recommendations and campus conditions. OCU has made free masks available at the campus mailroom, and the Department of Human Resources is able to distribute masks in larger quantities on request.
Guest lecture explores Tulsa Race Massacre history Author: Teaching ‘what can go wrong when we do not respect, value each other’ Blake Uhlig
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The OCU School of Law and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosted a lecture titled “Greenwood: Oklahoma’s Reckoning with the Tulsa Race Massacre.” The event is part of the “Stony the Road” series. The event featured author Hannibal Johnson, and was moderated by Dr. Talia Carroll, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion at OCU. Johnson works for the 400 Years of African American History Commission and is the Committee Chair for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission. He has authored many books on the Tulsa Race Massacre. He was inducted into the Tulsa and Oklahoma halls of fame in 2021. “In all, as many as 300 Black Americans were killed, and nearly 10,000 were left destitute and homeless,” states a presidential action from the White House. Dr. Carroll said she had not learned about the Tulsa race massacre until later in life, and this made her feel guilty. She encouraged the audience to step out of their comfort zone by admitting that they had not learned of these events until they were adults. Johnson said that before the Tulsa Race Massacre, corporations were plotting schemes to relocate the Black population so that they could repurpose the land. The idea that a Black district could be filled with millionaires was unsettling for the white population, he explained. “Imagine a world in which white supremacy is the prevailing ideology, it is accepted by majority, certainly the dominant culture. Black people are inferior if not
sub-human,” Johnson said. He said that Tulsa had embraced the Ku Klux Klan and that it had permeated to all levels of society. “There were doctors, lawyers, preachers, and teachers. Tulsa had one of the first women’s auxiliaries and youth chapters of the Klan.” “Lynching is a form of domestic terrorism. The point of a lynching, which often involves the mutilation or murder of a Black person or a few Black people, the point really was not that violence against that person or that group. The point was the message that it sent to the larger group of the Black population. It is a reinforcement tool for white supremacy. The message was ‘Black folks, you need to know your place, if you step outside your place, this is what you might expect,’” Johnson said. He said that media institutions in Tulsa were actively fomenting hate against the Black community. He said that the Tulsa Tribune published a series of articles and editorials that enraged the white community against the Black community. Johnson said that referring to the events that unfolded in Tulsa as riots had been detrimental to the African American community within Tulsa.” For example, insurance companies refused to pay because of exclusion clauses on riots. “Other terms are equally if not more applicable.” Some of the applicable terms he shared were massacre, holocaust, ethnic cleansing, genocide, white riot, and assault. Johnson’s personal word of choice is massacre. He believes that everyone needs to research the event and these terms and come to their own conclusion on what they believe this event was. He also said that fixating on cash
OCU School o� Law Tulsa author Hannibal Johnson, left, and OCU’s Dr. Talia Carroll, right, discuss the Greenwood Race Massacre at the OCU School of Law lecture “Greenwood: Oklahoma’s Reckoning with the Tulsa Race Massacre” March 23.
reparations stops the conversation. Reparations, broadly speaking, include educational reform and economic incentives, he said. Cash reparations are unlikely and not feasible. He referenced a criminal case brought forward by survivors which was thrown out ultimately because of the statute of limitations. “If they had brought the claim back in 1921, It would have been to no avail. They had no chance of success back then.” However, if the statute of limitations was disregarded, it would set precedents for victims of violence across the nation to bring claims forward, he said.
“Cash reparation is one thing, but there are many other things like educational reform.” Instead of focusing on the courts, Johnson believes claimants should target the legislature. Overall, the response from officials regarding revising the educational system has been supportive. However, he says recent legislation which limits speech on certain topics may undermine this progress. “You cannot talk about what happened in Tulsa 1921 in any substantive way without talking about white supremacy, without making people feel uncomfortable.”
Johnson said that it is imperative that we teach future generations about these past events so that history is not repeated. “If we all recognized the shared humanity of others, we would not be having a problem in Ukraine, right? Slavery would not have existed, we would not have had the Civil War, the Holocaust would not have happened,” he said. When we see people as sub-human, he said, harming people does not cause us distress. “If for no other reason, teaching these examples of what can go wrong when we do not respect and value each other is reason enough to
Meinders ranked among top business schools for women Distinctives include annual Women in Leadership Conference, set for April 13 Anna Schmidt
MANAGING EDITOR
OCU’s Meinders School of Business was ranked fourth in the 2021 College Consensus list of Best Business Schools for Women. This ranking considered factors such as female enrollment numbers, female faculty positions, and women-centered events. One such event is the Annual Women in Leadership Conference. The 11th celebration of this event is scheduled for April 13, and will be hosted in the Oklahoma City Convention Center. “The annual event, now in its 11th year, provides the next generation of senior leaders the opportunity to connect with high-level business leaders through bold conversation on critical topics and move forward into a future where we’ve changed the way we interact with our world and the way the world interacts with us,” states the OKC Women in Leadership March 30, 2022
website. Melissa Cory, Director of Communications and the Executive and Professional Education Center with the Meinders School of Business, explained that a new option to attend the conference virtually will be available this year. Additionally, people can financially sponsor a student’s attendance by using funds initially allocated to the canceled 2020 conference to this 2022 conference. A press release about this conference announced that the conference will be themed ‘Lift,’ and that it “invites audiences to explore what it takes to give us the lift to propel us to the next level in our careers or personal lives.” The conference will take place at the Oklahoma City Convention Center on April 13, and currently, expected attendance stands at more than 400 participants. Participants will hear presentations from women in varied fields, discussing their experience as women in
leadership, tips on achieving professional goals, and how they found success in their respective fields. Presenters include “a professional mountain climber and leadership consultant, a coach and facilitator building high-performance teams, a dual Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology and clinical psychology who works with corporate executives and a diverse group of local business professionals.” “I am excited for all of the presentations. Each one will bring value. I am a believer in the importance of mindset and especially looking forward to lessons leading in extreme environments from keynote Alison Levine,” stated Cory. Levine is a professional mountain climber. In addition to selected speaker presentations, participants may listen to presentations focusing on “leading through inspiration, investing tips, eliminating stereotypes from workplace culture and other career-en-
hancing topics.” There will also be a panel discussion regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the workplace, and how to handle the challenges it caused. Cory, quoted in the press release, explained why the theme ‘Lift’ is valuable for the conference. “Lifting others. It’s what the best leaders do…This conference is designed to lift others. It lets others share their stories on stage, with one another – elevating their voices and sometimes their careers,” Cory stated. The conference will offer networking opportunities for attendees with other women in leadership and representatives from varied fields of business. The conference is at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Another objective of the conference is to foster community relations and build community business ties that benefit attendees long term. “I hope our guests will make new connections,
OCU School o� Business Alison Levine, a professional mountain climber, is among the speakers listed for this year’s annual Women in Leadership Conference.
take what they need from the discussions and I truly hope they make a commitment to continue to lift themselves and others in the future,” Cory stated. Beginning in March, a social media contest will be launched through the @ okcwomen account. This social media contest
will allow students to potentially earn attendance to the event as a guest. Registration for in-person attendance is $225; virtual attendance is $125. Registration can be completed online, or by calling Cory at (405) 208-5540. More information can be found online. 3
arts PROJECT 21
Elizabeth Anderson P�oject 21 Project 21 members recently presented ‘Fusion,’ a production of five student compositions choreographed and performed by its members. This group’s performance premieres on the Project 21 YouTube channel tonight.
Project 21 livestreams new ‘Fusion’ production Natalie Turner
ARTS EDITOR
Project 21: Music for the 21st Century will be live streaming their production “Fusion” tonight at 6 on their YouTube channel. Past performances are also available on their channel. Project 21 is a student-run organization for all music composition students. The group was founded by Edward Knight, the director of composition. Jamie Whitmarsh, professor of composition, works with the organization along with Knight.
Knight and the Ann Lacy School of Dance and Entertainment Chair Jo Rowan are co-producers of the group. On their website, they describe the organization as “a support group for its composers [that] allows its members freedom of creativity and exploration.” The Ann Lacy School became part of the organization in 2018, and their collaboration was started by Rowan, Clint Williams, and Danielle Shipley. Alumni from Project 21 have studied at Julliard, London Royal College of Music, and other prestigious music programs. Other graduates are composing
professionally for prominent corporations or as independent artists. The group has weekly composer forums each Friday. These forums allow composers a safe, comfortable space to present their new ideas, have discussions with others, and get feedback. Professional performers and composers, including alumni, have attended these forums to share their knowledge and converse with the members. Past forum guests include David Maslanka, John Bucchino, and many others. The organization premieres new pieces written by members at
four free concerts each semester. Their concerts are collaborative and involve several departments. This year’s production is titled “Fusion” and was filmed in the Berg Theatre in February. The show was led by Edward Knight and Jo Rowan and had heavy collaboration between the Wanda L. Bass School of Music and the Ann Lacy School of Dance and Entertainment. “Fusion” will feature five original compositions written by five composition students. The composers worked with five choreographers who created original dances for their music. The choreog-
raphers then appointed 10 dancers from the Ann Lacy School of Dance to perform their choreography on the Berg Theatre stage. Project 21 Music Composition members, listed alphabetically, are: William Aceytuno, Benjamin Askren, Maroun Azar; Andy Chan, Andrew Crawford, Cameron Duncan, David Dickinson, Ashleigh Holmes, Corey Hubbard, Jeffrey Kirbas, Becca Lipshultz, Jacob McCoy, Emma Neasby, Kevin Newsome, Benjamin Rosfeld, Kiegan Ryan, Sophia Sagar, Ivan Salas, De’Andre Shufford, Joseph Tillman, Simón Gómez Villegas, Becca Wallingford.
‘Enemy of the People’ director sees parallels between 1882, 2020 and to open up casting to reflect a more contemporary demographic.
Natalie Turner
ARTS EDITOR
OCU School o� Theat�e OCU actors pause during their presentation of Ibsen’s “Enemy of the People” in the Black Box Theater in the Bass Music Center last week.
What do you love about the show?
The OCU School of Theatre presented An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen March 24-27 as part of their Stage II season. The play centers around Dr. Thomas Stockmann and his inspection of public baths where it was found that the water was contaminated. Since his town depends on the water, he attempts to get the baths shut down for repairs. He is then persecuted by the law, and his town declares him an enemy of the people. The show’s director, Hal Kohlman, spoke of the show:
This is a play about ideas but there are also incredible opportunities for actors. The depth of passion as characters follow their beliefs and fight to uphold “truth” resonates with my theatrical brain.
Did you choose the show? What made you choose it specifically?
It is a relatively large cast with freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors – I am very proud of the work they have brought to this production. I guess one notable element of the casting is that the lead role, Dr. Stockmann and the antagonistic mayor are both cast with women rather than the men Ibsen stipulated. I always looked at these characters in terms of their function – doctor/mayor – rather than their gender and was pleased to have actors available that could carry the demands of the script.
I chose the show a year ago in the midst of the COVID crisis. I was concerned about the way COVID – a public health crisis – was being politicized and used to polarize our society. “Enemy of the People,” written in 1882 in Norway has a lot to say about this situation. In addition, there are many other social and political concerns in the play which resonate with our present social concerns. I set about adapting the play from several available translations to make the language a bit more accessible
How are you using the intimate space and minimal technical elements to enhance performance?
The smaller theatre allows a more relaxed acting style – people don’t have to shout at each other in order to convey intensity. A wealth of character information can be conveyed in a simple glance or raised eyebrow rather than a full body gesture.
What does the cast look like?
Do you have a moment or line that
stands out or is your favorite?
Act 4, the first of the acts after intermission is particularly interesting and one of the first places I started when conceptualizing the look of the play.
What challenges did you face in the rehearsal process?
For some of the actors, the line load is incredible. They have all lived up to the challenge. Also, we had spring break interrupt the rehearsal process: rehearsed four weeks, went away for ten days, then came back and went right into tech.
What do you hope audiences take from the show?
This is a plate of ideas, and there are a lot of ideas presented – I would hope it would spark some debate about the nature of our society and the direction we want to take it.
What was the creative process like?
This show was not really rehearsed from the top down – I did not make a lot of choices for actors – I was open to what they discovered and brought to rehearsal. The overall concept – props, blocking, set design, of course were my responsibility and I know I communicated a lot of my inspiration from events of the past two years which may have led to particular choices among the actors, but I would say it was a very open process.
Award-winning flute composer-performer shared work with OCU Tara Fritts
STAFF WRITER
OCU’s Wanda Bass School of Music welcomed Dr. Amanda Harberg for a guest artist residency on March 24- 27. Harberg is a composer, pianist, and flutist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Harberg has her bachelors and masters of music composition from Juilliard. In 2019, Harberg continued on her education journey to get her Ph.D. at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Jersey, where she now teaches music composition. Harberg started her teaching career through 4
Juilliard’s Morse Fellowship program. This fellowship program sends Juilliard students to teach classes in New York City public schools, giving Harberg her first taste of the music education field. Post-grad, she worked with students as a faculty member with Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program–an intense music program for students from backgrounds that are heavily under-represented in classical music. Harberg has written an extensive number of compositions, receiving numerous accolades for her work. Her work has been awarded a Fulbright Hays fellowship, Juilliard’s Peter Menin prize, New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowship, a New York State Council on
the Arts Grant, among others. In addition to the accolades, her compositions have been presented at notable music institutions, such as the Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center. On March 25, Harberg hosted a flute concert at the Bass Music Center, featuring OCU community performers showcasing her chamber compositions. The compositions performed have been awarded four Newly Published Music Awards from the National Flute Association. Harberg also spoke to various classes and groups during her residency, including “Project 21: Music for the Twenty First Century” students and the Oklahoma City University Flute Studio.
OCU School o� Music
March 30, 2022
life
Stars springtime scenes
Sofia Granados Student Publications Above, the Black Student Association hosts an event to celebrate Black History Month in the Great Hall. Below left, Esther Ara grabs a snack at the SGA Ice Cream Social on March 2 outside the Cafeteria. Below right, students celebrate and learn about Women’s History Month with pizza from the woman-owned business- Empire Slice House in Methodist Hall on March 7. Bottom left, Jaqueline Guajardo and Delaney Schneider pose for photos at the Kappa Phi Banquet for Beauty Week. Anthony Giordano plants a succulent in a jar for his girlfriend as part of a Student Activities Council event next to the cafeteria on March 10. Ashley Nguyen distributes paint-by-number kits of three famous women for Women’s History Month for a Student Activities Council event near the cafeteria on March 23.
Have we got a show for you: Binge-watch a new series! Ava Karas
LIFE EDITOR
Are you in search of some new TV content to get you through the rest of the semester? Here are some of the Student Publication staff’s unique picks to help you find your new binge watch. Valeria Set in Madrid, Spain, “Valeria” features a novelist in a bout of intense writer’s block and imposter syndrome. As Valeria scrambles to finish her book amid marital doubts, financial struggles, and a lack of inspiration, she finds herself in the middle of a love affair that changes the course of her life. Complete with vivid colors and scenery, and a fabulous group of friends that are immersed in dramas of their own, “Valeria” is perfect March 30, 2022
for anyone who is searching for an extra bit of s p a rk l e i n t o their lives. You can find “ Valeria” on Netflix.
Karas Broadchurch When the body of an elevenyear-old boy is found in a quaint Dorset beach town, the tight-knit community becomes the center of a police investigation and subsequent media craze. As the family grapples with the sudden death of their son, the police are baffled by the brutality of the murder of the boy, and are quick to discover that everyone, including the people that are closest to them, must be treated as a suspect. Complete with superb acting, a captivating story, and moral
enigmas regarding the role of the press, “Broadchurch” is a show that will keep you on your feet and profoundly move you. You can find it on Netflix. Killing Eve Eve Polastri is an MI6 agent who is bored with her job. When she is assigned to investigate the murder of an important international figure, she soon finds that a female assassin is responsible. Villanelle, said assassin, is a very talented killer, with a taste for dark humor, romance, and fashion. When the two cross paths, they form a very complicated relationship of cat and mouse and discover that they are not so different from each other after all. Complete with an intriguing plot, unexpected comedy, and resplendent filming locations, “Killing Eve” is the ultimate show to
binge, and subsequently stay up all night gawking over. You can find it on Hulu or YouTube TV. Somebody Feed Phil Phil Rosenthal is best known for writing the hit TV series “Everybody Loves Ramon”, but in this series, he takes a step on the other side of the camera to show viewers the best food from all around the world. Phil goes to places such as Singapore, Rio de Janeiro, Venice, Marrakesh, and Cape Town just to name a few, and displays the best eats and traditions in each city. Funny, and the ultimate cure for all wanderlust, “Somebody Feed Phil” is a must for any broke college student who wants to travel, but must placate themselves for fear of decimating their fragile bank accounts. You can find it on Netflix.
What We Do in the Shadows Is Halloween your favorite holiday? Or, do you just have an outrageous sense of humor? If either of these is the case, then “What We Do In the Shadows” is the perfect show for you. Set in Long Island, New York, “What We Do in the Shadows” tells the story of three idiosyncratic vampires and their familiar, Guillermo, trying to adjust to the modern world as best as they can. Complete with genius characters, outrageous humor, and scintillating plot lines, “What We Do in the Shadows” is ideal for anyone who is slightly broken and just needs a good laugh. You can find this on Hulu. Have a recommendation that you didn’t find on this list? Feel free to email me with your suggestions. 5
opinion IN OUR VIEW
SGA must represent the student body Small elections like these have a big impact on our lives Legislative and executive institutions in our country are instrumental because of their democratic nature. Elections guide political, financial, and infrastructural change. Our democracy, as great as it is, has perpetuated discriminatory practices. Universal suffrage is vital for any functioning democracy. Election systems exist to ensure that the power resides in the people. Therefore, the disenfranchisement of people is an attack on elections and an attack on democracy. The involvement of the masses in elections is essential to be sure that individuals elected by us are representative of us. Student government represents this larger democratic process and the microcosm of our campus. While the power of the student government is limited, the power they wield in our lives is significant. Our student government has the power to grant funding to organizations and lobby the university administration to make substantive
changes. Students must be involved in the democratic process at our university. We need students that are passionate about our university and improving our campus to represent us in the student senate. SGA must be representative of our campus community. A position in student government is something honorable. Student engagement in elections is vital. These elected officials are representatives of the student body. We must elect a student government that will stand for our interests, during their campaigns and after. The fact that a quarter of the senatorial openings were unopposed and the remaining three-fourths were left without any applicants is disappointing. The student body must have a senate that it supports. Although the elections will be limited, we call on all students to participate.
Elizabeth Heffernan Student Publications
SGA ELECTIONS
Smith, Moon: ‘Stars, shoot for the moon’ With over two years of experience in student government, we have worked hard to create a responsive, inclusive, and creative student government. We recognize the need for more policies regarding sustainability, inclusivity, and mental health resources on campus. That is why we decided to run for student government president and vice president. Together, we will introduce policies exhibiting change, opportunities, mental health awareness, environment sustainability and teamwork, COMET. “Change” is our commitment
to promoting up to date and responsive legislation. We will meet regularly and work closely with fellow students to keep up to date with student concerns. “Opportunities” is our commitment to improving on campus resources. OCU has given many students an opportunity to shine, but some campus resources are
inhibiting prosperity. Through better athletic technologies, more vegan options in the cafeteria, and enhanced tutoring systems, we will make sure you can make use of your opportunity here at OCU. “Mental health” is our commitment to supporting the health of our students. Now that we are transitioning into a post-pandemic world, we want to acknowledge the trauma and difficulty of returning to normal life after a pandemic. If elected, we will launch a support group specifically dealing with pandemic trauma and returning to normalcy. We will also increase support for ongoing mental health
resources. “Environmental sustainability” is our commitment to reducing waste and improving resourcefulness on campus through investing in better water fountains, decreasing excess plastic consumption, and increasing the number of recycling bins on campus. We would also work closely with ongoing campus groups regarding better sustainability efforts on campus. “Teamwork” is our commitment to work closely with fellow students on campus. The student government should be a team. With you, we will make the changes necessary to improving student
life on campus. First, we would like to say thank you to all OCU students and faculty. Thank you stars for working to make this school a better community. We have been involved in leadership and groups all over campus, and we believe that with this diversity in experience, we would be perfect to lead student government and we would love to work with you to further these efforts. You are a star, now shoot for the moon. Sophia Smith / Mackenzie Moon
SGA executive ticket
Wyatt, Gonzalez: ‘Be together, rise together’ We are Brittany Wyatt and Robert Gonzalez and we are running for SGA president and vice president. Brittany is a junior political science major who currently serves as the vice president of SGA and has been involved with SGA since she was a freshman. Robert is a junior music education major who currently serves as the junior-atlarge senator. This is his second year being a part of SGA. During our time in SGA, we have worked with and for the students at OCU. We hear the needs of the students and we have
come up with real solutions to real problems that exist on our campus. This is why we hope to be your next SGA president and vice president, to continue making needed changes. We have a passion to serve others and the experience to be the next student leaders of OCU. Running on
what we like to call our, “TripleA,” platform; accountability, advocacy, and accessibility, we are dedicated to making OCU a place that everyone knows they belong at. Be together (estar juntos), rise together (aumento juntos), is not a saying we came up with overnight. It is a task that we do not take lightly. We know the impact that collaboration and transparency have on stewarding deliberate and meaningful change. We understand that students needs are urgent and continuously evolving. Some ideas we have come up with to meet the needs we see on
our campus are: Spanish-inclusive signage on campus, more transparency from the university on communication with the students, creating a Campus Development Committee that is committed to partnering students with university officials to find solutions to areas of concern, urging the university to hire a crisis counselor, installing a mental health/wellness week for students to help ease burn-out and improve overall student experience, and hosting and bringing in educated officials to lead consent talks to equip our students with the tools to understand this topic.
These are just a few of the ideas we bring to the table. We have already begun this work towards these goals, but in order to finish it, we need the students’ vote. We know that in collaboration with a new student senate and SGA executive board, the voices of the student body will be heard and action will be taken. OCU students, you are our why. You are the reason we do what we do.
Brittany Wyatt / Robert Gonzalez
SGA executive ticket
Shaw, Gonzalez: ‘You have a seat at our table’ BreAuna Shaw and Amanda Gonzalez are both junior marketing majors and social media minors with plans to graduate in Spring 2023. Both candidates are current RAs on campus and plan to utilize their skills to bring more programming and student life development to SGA. The Shaw-Gonzalez campaign believes in prioritizing trust and transparency. This means relationships must be built and voices must be heard. Vice Presidential Candidate, Amanda Gonzalez, has served on SGA for one semester with her current position as the juniorat-large senator. Amanda is also involved in Phi Mu sorority. Although relatively new to
SGA, Amanda’s personable and positive skills will promote change on campus. She plans to conduct legislative ideas that will benefit the well-being and longevity of OCU. “Everyone has a voice, as vice president, I will ensure that the voice of the student body is heard by connecting students to their senators and by helping those relationships be built on trust. By further publicizing senators and SGA legislation, I will create
THE CAMPUS March 30, 2022 • Volume 115, Issue 26 Editor-in-Chief: Blake Uhlig Managing Editor: Anna Schmidt News Editor: Kelly Asheri Sports Editor: Elizabeth Heffernan Arts Editor: Natalie Turner Life Editor: Ava Karas Visual Editor: Laura-Sofia Granados Business Manager: Samuel Usaide
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Photographers: Annie Bragg Staff Writers: Tara Fritts William Peetoom
campaign works to include and empower students to collaborate and voice their opinion in unity. In their core values advocate, challenge, and tackle, the two candidates advocate for the student body by first prioritizing student groups that are often unheard, challenge OCU to be curious and open-minded, and tackle issues and barriers head-on and without fear. Between Amanda, a new senator and transfer from OCCC, and BreAuna, serving SGA for years as a traditional student, the two candidates bring two unique perspectives to SGA.
more opportunities for students to “bring things to the table.” SGA cannot move forward without the innovative ideas and collaborative efforts of the student body.” Presidential candidate BreAuna Shaw has served on SGA for two years, with her current executive position in SGA being secretary of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She has experience as a senator, chief-of-staff, and SGA executive member. BreAuna also has experience serving in a presidential role. She just completed her transition from president of OCU’s Black Student Association. BreAuna seeks to collaborate with students by first creating an environment of trust and transparency between SGA members and the overall OCU
student body. “This will build a strong sense of unity. If we present our ideas, questions, and concerns to university faculty/staff/leadership in unity, we will begin to see true results! To actually see action, students need to be unified in that voice.” The Shaw-Gonzalez campaign understands that collaboration and service are required when representing a student-body of various backgrounds and personalities. Members of marginalized communities have historically and in some spaces, still do not have a voice or a “seat at the table.” With their campaign slogan, “You Have A Seat at our Table,” this campaign promotes a sense of unity with the word “our.” This
Corrections & Clarifications
The Campus has served the Oklahoma City University community since 1907. It is published by the Student Publications staff online at MediaOCU.com, and printed monthly during the academic year.
An SGA candidate statement published on MediaOCU was erroneously attributed to Senator-elect Katlyn Davenport. The story has been updated with the correct statement.
BreAuna Shaw / Amanda Gonzalez
SGA executive ticket
The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and letters 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 editor@okcu.edu or dropped off at the Newsroom in Suite 121 of the Walker Center for Arts and Sciences. Submitted items may appear on MediaOCU and in the print edition. The first copy of The Campus is free. Each additional copy costs 25 cents. All contents copyright © Oklahoma City University Student Publications, 2022. All rights reserved.
March 30, 2022
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¡Día de las Velitas! ¡Christmas candles in Colombia!
Sofia Granados Student Publications
Día de las Velitas (Little Candles Day) is a traditional holiday in Colombia where people celebrate the unofficial start of Christmas and ask for blessings with every candle they light. As portrayed in Disney’s “Encanto,” real-life families in Colombia are big, close, diverse and multicultural. Mirabel’s mom even had the power to heal people through traditional dishes such as arepas, representing Colombian cuisine’s rich tastes. Colombia enjoys a tropical climate and is the second most biodiverse country in the world.
Walt Disney Animation
March 30, 2022
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sports OCU SOFTBALL
STAR pitcher
OCU Athletics Shelbey Cornelson pitches towards the camera. Cornelson was selected as NAIA pitcher of the week for NAIA for the week of March 7.
Cornelson named NAIA Pitcher of the Week
Softball rides 22-1 record, 4-game win streak on Shelbey’s arm, experience Elizabeth Heffernan
SPORTS EDITOR
OCU’s softball team is now 22-1 for the season, after remaining undefeated through their first 18 games. After their sole loss March 15, the women are now on a 4-game winning streak. A major part of this run is OCU’s star pitcher, Shelbey Cornelson, who was recognized as NAIA Pitch-
er of the Week last week. The basis for this recognition relies on the success of a player’s team, any records that they’ve broken, and their playing statistics. Cornelson, a junior from Tuttle, Oklahoma spoke on her recognition as pitcher of the week. Cornelson was unexpecting of her recognition. “I was surprised and excited to learn that I was recognized as pitcher
of the week,” Cornelson says. Cornelson tells of how she practices performing at a high enough level to receive this achievement. “There are multiple components in my training. I practice pitching several times a week along with throwing batting practice to my teammates. In addition, I do what I need to do to keep my arm in shape and to stay healthy,” Cornelson says. Cornelson has played softball
for a long time in order to perfect her craft. “I began playing softball at the age of four,” Cornelson says. Cornelson says that her team motivates her to do well. “My team is my motivation. I know they have my back every game, so I try to do my best for them. I couldn’t be successful without the help of my teammates and coaches.”
Cornelson has played 14 of the first 17 games this season and has started at least 12 games for the Stars. She has had one batting appearance for the season. It should be interesting to see if the Stars softball team will maintain their near-perfect winning streak for the season in their remaining games moving forward to the conference game on May 5.
OCU alumna joins World Golf Hall of Fame Elizabeth Heffernan
SPORTS EDITOR
OCU A�chives Susie Maxwell Berning shows off her iron skills in this file photo from 1973, the year she won the U.S. Open for the third time. Berning, an OCU alumna, was recently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Susie Maxwell Berning, an Oklahoma City University graduate, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on March 9 after a two-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Berning was born in 1941. She began playing golf when she was 15 years old. Berning was inducted into the OCU Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. During her time at Oklahoma City University, Maxwell was the first woman to receive a golf scholarship on the team. At the time, she played on the men’s team, since the women’s golf
team had not yet been developed. She also won three Oklahoma City Women’s Amateur Championships between 1959 and 1961. Berning became a professional golfer in 1963. Since then, she has been named LPGA Rookie of the Year in 1964, and won the Muskogee Civitan and the Western Open in 1965, the Louise Suggs Invitational and the Milwaukee Open in 1967, the U.S. Women’s Open in 1968, the Lady Carling and the Pabst Classic in 1969, the U.S. Women’s Open for a second time in 1972 and again in 1973, the Lady Keystone Open in 1976, the Marilynn
Smith Founders Classic in 1989, and the Sprint Senior Challenge in 1997, among other victories. Berning is among a few golfers to win the U.S Open three times. The first time she won the U.S. Open was only seven weeks after she had married to her husband, Dale Berning. Female golfers who have also won the U.S. Open at least three times include Hollis Stacy, Mickey Wright, Annika Sorenstam and Betsy Rawls. Male golfers who have won the U.S. Open at least three times include Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Babe Zaharias, Tiger Woods, and Hale Irwin.
OCU track Stars place four in top 6 at OBU
Previously, Talbi records NAIA No. 1 time for indoor 3k and 5k at Boston University Samuel Usiade
BUSINESS MANAGER
Oklahoma City University ended up with four top-six finishers in the outdoor season-opening games March 26 at the Oklahoma Baptist Invitational in Shawnee. With a time of 15 minutes, 01.74 seconds, Jaquavious Harris placed second in the 5,000-meter run. Halen Biggs took sixth place in that event with a time of 15:27.64. Others who performed at the meet included Tate Smithhart, who finished third in the 800-meter run at 1:57.33; Fares Marrouf, who finished fifth in the 800-meter run at 1:57.64; Byrce Connell, a senior at OCU who completed the 200meter dash at 22.28; and Jordan Iwuchukwu, who finished 8th in the shot-put event. Speaking to MediaOCU in an interview, Jaquavious described how he is preparing himself to be a better player, as well the positive roles running has played in his life.
How did you feel competing at the outdoor season-opening games? “I had a montage of emotions!
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Happy, excited, nervous, anxious, hungry to perform well, and I was constantly praying to God for help.”
What strengths do you think you have that have made you a better athlete?
“I think innately, my willingness to be humble, learn and be teachable has helped me; Zouhair, our Olympian runner on the team, just days before nationals privately gave me advice and helped me with my running form. “We practiced together and we did strides, and we took turns running up and down the streets to strengthen me as a runner. He gave me advice about my shoulders and the power behind relaxing whilst running.”
How do you train effectively?
“I train effectively by following a simple rule. Consistency before intensity. The more consistent I am, I see better results, as opposed to being intense. Also, just learning to have fun with it, regardless of the nerves and the pain of improving.”
What are your plans going forward as an athlete?
“My next plans so far are of course to spike up for outdoor season, we have our first race next Saturday, along with coach is striving to get a few of us to qualify for the Stanford Invitational in California later this summer to run the U.S. Standard so we can hopefully qualify for the US Championships, World Championships and then Olympic trials. “Of course, I want to go pro; however, I am taking it one blessing at a time. To God be the glory!” Previously, Zouhair Talbi, a junior, recorded a top time among the NAIA No. 1 indoor marks in the 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters this season at the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational Feb. 12 at the Boston University Track & Tennis Center. In the 3,000 meters race, Talbi executed a split time of 7:53.66, ranking as the No. 1 time in the NAIA this season. Talbi also stormed a record-breaking time in the 5,000 meters race at the invitational. He ran an unparalleled time of 13 minutes, 18.17 seconds, thereby ranking as the fastest time in the NAIA all-time
event and eighth best time run by a college athlete. Speaking with OCU’s Student Publications, Zouhair Talbi shared his training strategy, experience on the day of the meet, and his future expectations as an athlete.
I have trained for a long period of time. It has taken years for me to get to where I am today. And my goals keep me motivated to continue my training.
How did you feel on the day of the event?
Both the 3k and the 5k required a lot of speed. For me, the 5k was more difficult than the 3k because there were so many fast runners that kept the pace honest and fast.
“I would say this season I had a good training with coach Frezer preparing for the indoor track. “My opener was breaking the 4-minute barrier in the mile, which gives me the motivation to chase fast times in long distance, since I specialize in distance events like 10k and 5k. “Going to run the 5k in Boston I had some confidence in my speed. The meet was great, we had a pacer and top elite runners in this event which led to run a fast time and was my personal best that I am happy with. “One week later, I needed the qualifying time in 3,000. My coach did (a) great job to find me a race with a very good field.
How do you train for such insane times?
How did you feel about the 3,000 and 5,000 meter race?
How do you feel about setting such a record?
It feels great to have set these records. It’s a sign that everything that I’ve worked for has been worth it and is a good motivation for what (is) coming next.
What are your next plans going forward as an athlete?
Going forward I have the national championship in less than two weeks. And hopefully I will be selected to run the indoor world championships in Serbia in late March. “The big goal for the year will be the world championships in July in Eugene, Oregon. March 30, 2022