Nov 4, 2009

The student voice of Midwestern State University

The Wichitan page 8 page 7 Piercing page turner Mustangs explode Novel tells the story of a school shooter and depicts the aftermath of tragedy

With a 4-1 win over Northeastern State, MSU clinches LSC title.

WEDNESDAY, November 4, 2009

Car accident clarifies MSU police jurisdiction Chris Collins Managing Editor

The MSU police are taking over the world!

Not really. But they do have jurisdiction over the entire Wichita County.

Bet you didn’t know that.

Chet Patterson, a 31-yearold nursing major, was made acutely aware of that fact Thursday night. MSU police ticketed Patterson after he was rammed from behind by another car at a red light.

The other driver, sophomore education major Amy Steere,

admitted blame for the accident and agreed to pay for the damage. She was also ticketed by MSU police.

Strangely enough, the incident was not on campus. In fact, it was about a mile away on the corner of Southwest Parkway and Taft.

“I think it’s bogus,” Steere said. “I shouldn’t have been ticketed at all.”

Steere said she knew MSU police had jurisdiction around the campus area, but didn’t think they operated countywide.

She said she had never heard of someone receiving a ticket

Photo by Julia Raymond Students could see the light bar on MSU police vehicles like this one flashing behind their cars even off campus. Campus cops have jurisdiction all over Wichita county.

from a campus cop outside of MSU. Both Patterson and Steere received two tickets for the accident: one for running a red light and another for not updating

their addresses on their licenses.

They both said they were amazed that they were ticketed for getting in an accident, and were even more amazed that one of the tickets was for running a

red light.

“I thought I would get a ticket for riding too close to Chet or something, but not for the light,” Steere said.

Patterson argued that if he had run the red light he wouldn’t have gotten rear-ended, and if Steele had she couldn’t have run into him. He said that was the main reason he was mystified about the whole situation.

“That’s bullshit,” Patterson said.

He said he talked to the WF police, Vice President of University Advancement and Student Affairs Dr. Howard Farrell,

Police Chief Michael Hagy and even a lawyer to get the issue cleared up.

He said so far he hasn’t found a way around paying a tickets he said he didn’t deserve to get. In all, the two tickets totaled over $300.

“I want some action and resolution,” Patterson said. “I know there are problems with the police and people that want to complain about them.”

He said he thinks there should be a system in place where students can critique the service given to them by MSU police.

See POLICE page 5

Club offers fellowship for Pagans on campus Abbie Scott Hunt For the Wichitan

Susie Hassan went skydiving to celebrate turning 21. (Photo courtesy)

Susie Hassan bypasses a pub crawl for a parachute to celebrate her twenty-first birthday Susie Hassan For the Wichitan

“No! You can die!”

It was mother speaking right after I told her what I wanted for my 21st birthday. She wasn’t happy. Neither was I. “Well, it’s my body so I’m going skydiving,” I responded hotly. Unlike mom, dad didn’t freak out. “It will be a good

learning experience,” he said calmly.

It was more than that. Since I was 16 I’d wanted to skydive. I always figured that jumping out of a plane would be the perfect way to celebrate my formal entry into adulthood. Hey, it beat having a beer.

So, my parents forked over the $295 for me to take the plunge, which included a mid-air video and still photographs. I

decided to go during the summer, because February – my birthday month – would be too cold and windy. I asked my good friend, Amy Kimble, if she would like to tag along, but she decided to jump as well. Now, that’s a friend.

June 28 finally came. Until then, I’d pushed thoughts of dying to the back of my mind. Now, they were beginning to See SKYDIVING page 5

The sun sets over the lake.

Ribbons of pink and purple clouds unfurl across the sky. In the distance, coyotes bark and play. It’s Samhain, the moon is full, and the Pagan Student Union has gathered together for their holiday celebration.

But what, exactly, is a pagan?

Adam Henson, sophomore English major and president of the P.S.U. has been a practicing pagan for more than two years.

Henson said, “I would say a textbook definition is ‘any nonJudeo, Christian, or Muslim religion—more than that…first of all, you’ve gotta be sure not to step on anybody’s toes when you do define it…a religion with earth-centered, nature-based worship that is not mainstream.

Spiritual people can find whatever personal meaning they are seeking through paganism.”

Henson started the P.S.U. this fall. He was inspired to do so when he discovered a pagan organization at a university he considered attending before deciding on M.S.U. Henson said he wanted to find a group to participate in and figured others might be interested, too.

“Being in the part of the country that we are, it’s not as easy to follow that path, so I figured there were probably other people like me, and sure enough there were. I feel we deserve our own venue as well,” Henson said.

“I’m primarily looking to establish a fairly constant group for fellowship, because that is something difficult to find in this area for any pagan or nonChristian person around here… to provide a support system for people who might not otherwise have one…and there are a few people who have expressed appreciation already for it, because there is nothing else like it around.”

The P.S.U. became an official organization in late October when the paperwork was finally approved but has been meeting once a week since the beginning of the semester.

They have already held circles for the harvest festival of Mabon and the new year Sam-

P.S.U. Logo

hain celebration, which are Celtic (or Druidic) holidays that date back thousands of years before Christianity.

In ancient Ireland, Scotland, and parts of England, the Druids were the priests and priestesses of the Celtic community.

They spent several years in school learning prayer and ritual in order to become priests and priestesses.

The Druids understood the intrinsic connection between man and nature and saw that mankind was really only a part of a much larger pattern. They kept time by a lunar cycle that determines the dates of the Celtic holidays to be celebrated today.

Henson said that a major factor in his creation of the P.S.U. was his desire to have fellowship with a community of likeminded people with whom he could celebrate holidays.

“There’s an emphasis on, as far as worshipping together goes, holidays as another main focus of the group. To be able to celebrate the holidays where otherwise we wouldn’t be able to,” said Henson.

Some of what he would like to accomplish with the P.S.U., Henson said, is to clarify for people in the community exactly what pagans are, and what they are not.

“People can be as involved as they want in it, researching See PAGAN page 5

Cut, Copy, Cross

Staff Editorial

Pastors Pilfer Sunday Sermons

Status woe To tweet or not to tweet: that is the question.

Some boring and gory details of life used to be kept private.

Now, thanks to Facebook status updates, Myspace bulletins, and tweets, overexposure is the name of the game.

It’s not so much the content of the posts as the quantity… Okay, maybe it is.

Nevertheless, there are some things random Facebook friends just don’t need to know (or don’t really care about, for that matter).

Stupid updates are being posted more and more commonly on all of our favorite social networking sites, and it’s getting real old real fast.

What was once intended for a laugh or for relaying information has turned into a daily play-by-play of boring lives and pure unfiltered nonsense.

The occasional random event or funny phrase is completely acceptable.

Even a majority of movie quotes are more than welcomed.

Some status updates are completely worth posting. Some status updates are inspiring, encouraging, or just outright hilarious.

However, not everyone cares to know every detail of every daily going-on in your life.

Who cares if you’re walking to class, or just got out of class, or if your class was boring, or if your class didn’t even happen? What’s next? Will every breath get a tweet?

Give your status bar a break!

If something exciting, random, or awesome happens, it is perfectly acceptable to let the technological world know.

However, a new Tweet every hour is a bit ridiculous. There are some things people just don’t care to know.

Your life is boring. Please, don’t share.

Keep it to yourself.

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Copyright © 2007. The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication.

Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University. First copy of the paper is free of charge; additional copies are $1. The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a telephone number and address for verification purposes. The editor retains the right to edit letters.

resignation. I haven’t read about any ministers suing for violating intellectual property This week in Crisis of rights yet. However, almost Faith: cheating, scandal, and none of these guilty parties Kim Kardashian’s ass! gave credit to the people they Wowza! “borrowed” from, and some This column is going to even published others’ works home in fakers in the pulpit, under their own names. namely the ministers who That’s textbook plagiarism, steal sermons and don’t give boss. the true authors due credit.

Let’s take a break to high We’ll explore the reasons light some of the most memopastors plagiarize, if it’s ac- rable historical liars: tually a problem and what churches should do to combat it.

How exciting!

As always, there will be more irreverence than you can shake a cross at. Hold on to your seats!

Let’s kick it off with two things I, not Moses, came up with. a) Thou shalt not steal • Hitler – he said he was a b) Thou shalt not bear false socialist but was actually

witness a dictator. Killed like 6 A few years ago, a promimillion Jews. nent pastor from Clayton’s Central Presbyterian Church near St. Louis was caught lifting sermons verbatim from another minister. Congregants heard the same sermons preached by the pastor Tim Keller of New York City’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church and started asking questions.

After he was confronted, the pastor admitted his wrong- • Nixon – the Vietnam War. doing and stepped down from Watergate. ‘Nuff said. the post.

But Keller, surprisingly, wasn’t pissed that his words got jacked. He said the “borrowing” wasn’t even a big deal.

But this isn’t the only case of preacher’s serving the Word from a can.

For example, a North Carolina pastor was ejected from the pulpit for plagiarizing in 2004.

• Balloon Boy’s parents - lied In 2002 the rector of about being cool enough Michigan’s largest Episcofor reality TV pal Church was slapped with a 90-day suspension for the But that brings to light an same thing. important question: have we, A United Church of Christ in our Internet-drenched socipastor who had held the post ety, outgrown the current deffor 15 years resigned when inition of intellectual property his congregation called him rights? out for stealing. He admitted Who hasn’t downloaded to plagiarizing extensively an mp3 from Bit Torrent or throughout his tenure. watched an episode of The Even Martin Luther King, Office on Hulu?

Jr. has been accused of lifting Are these preachers slaves parts of his legendary sermons to the information age or are from other sources without they just petty plagiarizers? giving attribution.

I say the latter.

MLK? Shit! Who can we Let me give you a hypotrust? thetical: your professor tells These incidences usually you that you have to write a result in apologies to hearers research paper. Then he’s like, and, in some cases, a pastor’s “You can go on the Internet Chris Collins Managing Editor

The Wichitan Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief Brittany Norman

and use things other people said as your own words. No problem. Just make sure you feel extra, super-duper inspired when you hand it in.”

Take a good whiff. Do you smell the bullshit yet?

In fact, from now on we’ll use the Wichitan ‘bullshit detector test’ to catch a-hole liars in the act. But there’s a twist – every time BS is issued, you, the readers, will be graced by Kim Kardashian’s supreme booty.

Everyone wins!

Here’s one for you: “If you’ve got something that’s a good product, why beat your head your head against the wall and try to come up with it yourself?” – Church of Suncoast Pastor Brian Moon.

BUZZ!!!

work at the local Sonic. Show the other employees how to deliver food religiously!

“The expectation of the congregational leaders has gone up dramatically in the last 30 years,” said Kevin Miller, executive director of PreachingTodaySermons.com. His Web site, which is frequented by several hundred pastors, is a prime spot for lifting good prose. Pastors can “supplement” their lessons with PowerPoint, video, even other sermons – for a subscription cost, at least.

Dolla dolla bills, y’all!

This may be why he’s bandying about a can’t-do attitude when it comes to the responsibilities of contemporary ministers. Surely he isn’t biased.

“We encourage our pastors to use our sermons as a starting point in sermon preparation,” says Steve May, editor of SermonNotes.com, another site that sells the written Word like it’s a shitty Ayn Rand novel on Amazon.com. “The idea that a preacher doesn’t listen to other sermons is like a novelist who doesn’t read books.”

Like it or not, sermon cribbing is on the rise. And so are the enabling sites.

Brian Larsen, editor of Preachingtoday.com, said his subscription rates rose by about 5,000 from 2000 to 2001. They’ve skyrocketed in the time since then.

“All preachers are preaching God’s word,” Larson said.

“It’s not their idea.”

Steve Sjogren of the Cincinnati Vineyard Community Church chalks up originality in sermons to pride.

“Don’t be original – be effective,” Sjogren urged pastors. “Real plagiarism is taking stuff out of a book and putting it into another book.

Taking people’s material and putting it in a speaking forum is not plagiarism.”

BUZZ!!!

Various arguments defending preacher pilfering have abounded. One is that ministers have over-packed schedules and are just too busy to write sermons. Poor guys!

Pastor Dean M. Christenson of Clovis, California, said that pastoral demands are higher now than they have ever been before. Contemporary hearers want a sermon that’s compelling, entertaining and interesting. Congregants put too much pressure on pastors, he says, to complete standard ministry duties (like leading devotionals and visiting hospitals), all the while writing good sermons.

Those selfish, demanding assholes!

Thing is, writing a compel- ling, interesting sermon requires someone who is com- pelling and interesting. Not an easy task when most pas- tors are as engaging as a bag of used Pop Rocks.

Here’s where I stand: if you can’t write a decent sermon, you shouldn’t have gone to seminary. That’s like a journalist who can’t put a sentence together but really, really likes reading the newspaper.

Besides, you could always

Reporters Richard Carter

Managing Editor Chris Collins

Photographers Loren Eggenschwiler

Advertising Manager Jamie Monroe

Op-Ed Editor Josh Hoggard

Copy Editor Lauren Wood Jamie Monroe

Adviser Randy Pruitt

Entertainment Editor Lauren Wood Sports Editor Kaitlin Morrison Photo Editor Julia Raymond

Op-Ed

The Wichitan November 4, 2009

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CRISIS........................................................................................................................................................................................continued from pg. 2 Ben Franklin, like Sjogren, supported cribbing for practical reasons. In defense of Samuel Hemphill, a pastor of 1730s colonial America, Franklin said, “I rather approved of his giving us good sermons composed by others than poor sermons of his own manufacture.”

This probably fits in with what Solomon had to say in Ecclesiastes 1: “There is nothing new under the sun.”

Thomas G. Long, a professor of preaching at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, has a different take on the plagiarizing problem.

“There’s a difference be-

tween being a debtor and a thief,” Long said. “Every minister owes his congregation a fresh act of interpretation.”

Another Solomon quote should be referenced here: “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out,” the King said.

What would happen if Moses came down from the mountain and some other bro was like, “Hey brah, can I copy down your tablet? I was getting high over there with the Egyptians and I missed the whole thing.”

Give me a break.

Christianity may not be the only religion using cookie-cutter testimonials

to attract a larger audience.

Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and other faiths are all trying to cash in on Christ.

Rabbi Ze’ew Smason of the Nusach Hari-B’nai Zion Congregation said he frequently combs the Internet for catchy ‘pick-up’ tactics to woo potential worshippers. His efforts double around the high holidays, the time of year when people are feeling especially guilty about all the cash they’ve blown on presents.

“It’s almost as if we’re expected to put on a show,” Smason said.

Most churches, when it’s discovered that a preacher hasn’t been doing his own

homework, confront him or her.

They may need to start utilizing anti-plagiarism software such as Turnitin, like many large colleges have begun doing.

Until then, Google is probably the best detective they’ve got.

It’s more than okay to look to other preachers for inspiration and guidance in your own pieces – it’s downright necessary. But stealing is wrong, no matter what you call it.

Especially when you steal to make the collection plate fatter.

“Our churches have turned into theatres and our preachers have turned into

witty motivational speakers with a high entertainment value,” Long said.

BUZZZ!!!

While I firmly believe plagiarism is for the birds, some preachers should have left the hard work to sane people.

Wait, that’s not bullshit.

I just wanted to see that fine tail again See you next week, religio’s.

Keep it classy, Chris Collins

Letter to the editor

I enjoy a good controversy. I enjoy a good read. I really enjoy a good read that gets me to think, and fosters discussion between myself and my friends. With this in mind, I was looking forward to Chris Collins’ series “Crisis of Faith.”

When I grabbed the October 21, 2009, Wichitan, I thought I would be in for a treat.

Instead, the managing editor showed me the reason why Rhetoric and Composition I & II is needed, and perhaps changed my opposition to the required Writing Proficiency Exam that we are required to take to graduate.

It isn’t that Mr. Collins doesn’t know sentence structure, or misspells words.

It is that Mr. Collins failed to keep his article professional and to the point. What we were treated to instead is a host of angst that has much to do about nothing.

Instead of sticking to the point of comparing and contrasting various creation stories, we instead see the

degrading of women, misquotes of highly respected professionals, stereotyping, and personal jabs at people Mr. Collins seems to have a problem with.

I doubt that Mr. Collins even knows any of the people he chose to label as “assholes.” Well, maybe he does, I am sure he knows a few evangelicals “a-wads.”

I am sure after reading his Op-Ed, they probably considered him one too, not because of his opposition to their beliefs, but because he simply called them a derogatory name.

Now, I don’t know what Mr. Collins plans on doing when he leaves MSU to travel into the wide world.

However, I would like to offer some suggestions.

First, he can create controversy without adding controversy.

In other words, his article would have generated enough discussion on its own just by the very nature of it: challenging exclusive rights to creation stories by a single religion.

It didn’t need any help by adding in colorful language or degrading women.

Second, read professional newspapers out there. Grab a New York Times, Times Record News, etc., and look at their Op-Eds. While they may get pretty heated, they do not resort to degrading, colorful remarks.

The reason is because these editors are paid to be professionals, and offer their opinions in a manner that will get the point across on its own merits.

Finally, there is a slogan at the top of The Wichitan that says, “The Student Voice of Midwestern State University.”

I think that this slogan alone should make one strive to be professional. We are a campus of numerous beliefs, nationalities, races, and other diversities. The Wichitan represents the voice of each and every one of us.

Mr. Collins, whether he thought of this or not, represents all of us

Pastors Who Should Have Plagiarized

through his writing, as does anyone who puts their thoughts to ink.

Does this mean that they can’t write something that might offend someone?

Certainly not, as Mr. Collins’ Op-Ed was surely able to do on its own just from the very subject it was about.

However, care should be taken to not degrade, stereotype, or personally attack someone or group of people.

Mr. Collins should also remember that it is not just the students that pick up copies of The Wichitan, but copies are distributed to our President, VPs, and other executives as well as MSU Alumni.

In closing, I enjoy reading The Wichitan. I will continue to do so, and look forward to thought-provoking articles and opinions by our student staff. Let’s just remember to keep it professional, even when we are trying to be controversial.

-Robert J. Stewart III, Senior

Our first victim is Brother Barry. He was a Pentocostal leader in the mid-1980s (which explains a lot). With catchphrases like ‘hellll-uhhh’ and ‘dayumnationnn,’ along with Michael Jackson-esque dance moves, he’s almost too entertaining. Plus 10 points for speaking in tongues.

To most preachers, the devil gave us Original Sin. But to Rev. Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping, the devil gave us Mickey Mouse. He even has a thirty-piece choir behind him to add fuel to his anticonsumerism flames. I wonder where he bought the wig.

Get to know your audience

Letter to the editor

Can the Managing Editor write?

Let us begin with education. As defined by Webster, education is the action or process of educating or of being educated. Further, according to Webster, to be educated means that one gives evidence of training or practice.

A way of acquiring this education would be by attending a university.

Well, we are attending a university, and you are an editor of a university newspaper. Our university holds itself to a mission statement that can be found on the school’s website.

To paraphrase, it expresses a desire to explore and question ideas in an intellectual manner and with judiciousness.

That is to say, we should push the bounds with good judgment. You, sir, I believe have missed the mark of intelligence and good judgment.

Allow me to assist you in learning how to write an argument. Generally, there is one thesis in a work that is trying being presented.

Your article is entitled “Creation Explained.” In actuality, you mock and never actually explain anything. In the end, you express that “the moral of the column is that when you believe one religious sto-

ry is right, you are saying another is wrong.” I do believe you have missed the point of your own thesis.

Also, one presents an argument by using factual evidence in order to back up the opinion. I do not believe the use of the WMBA, Nickelback (spelled the correct way) and Abercrombie and Fitch as evidence against evolution is a valid argument. That is unless you were attempting sarcasm, in which case, it was to your detriment. I believe it invalidated your point of view rather than convinced any lost or staggering soul who is having issues with their religious identity.

In addition, if you are going to quote and cite from prominent figures, please read their work in its entirety before using fragments of it. You might paraphrase it correctly then.

Joseph Campbell is no ignorant man. He would never suggest that one should completely ignore and not learn their personal traditions at all. In fact, you failed to quote what he said only a sentence before. “Read myths,” he says. “They teach you that you can turn inward and you begin to get the message

of the symbols.” He merely wants people to explore the thoughts of others. However, nowhere in there does he say to cut down the beliefs of others or to try and discredit them. To him, they are symbols of the unconscious.

Another figure you chose to lash out at would be Dr. Ken Ham. You even added a profane addition to his name. Not only does this demonstrate your artless character, but it adds a positive tally to the side of creationism and religions since there is no evidence that science can teach one respect.

If you checked Dr. Ham’s background at all, you would find he holds a bachelor’s degree in applied science. I would say he has the potential to have a well rounded idea on the subject no matter how pretentious you may find him to be.

In the end, creationism and religious philosophies are touchy subjects for many people. Some do not want to explore anything beyond their own nose; while others wish to know all there is humanly possible to know about the matter. It is a difference of personality and beliefs. An article that shows differing points of view and possibly

brings them together to prove one particular thesis on the subject is a wonderful idea. Using exploration as a means to learn is a foundation of our university.

However, such an article should be presented in a manner that is appropriate to an educated realm. This is not to say that the subject should not be discussed, but instead, it should be regarded with the respect it deserves.

Please do not misunderstand this as an attack on your opinion, but rather a questioning of your professionalism in handling your case.

That is unless you plan on writing for the tabloids. Then your path is well set. Please include that piece in your portfolio.

If you are going to continue writing this series, I ask you to tread more lightly, and in particular, keep in mind your use of language. There is a difference between the necessary and the unnecessary. You are writing for a prestigious academic community and remember that current students are not the only people who read our university’s newspaper.

- Brianne Jamison

Does this look like the face of a bigot? No -- just a man who has whiffed a fierce fart.

Rev. Al Sharpton, a Baptist preacher/ civil rights activist, is no stranger to controversy.

Between hating Jews, white people and the stink of his own toots, the Sharp has little time for preaching anymore.

But you don’t have to be racist to think this guy’s a douche.

Nezareth Castillo could be an alien or a midget with a very high voice. This Latin preaching sensation salsa-ed onto the ministry scene when he was 8. He swears up and down that he isn’t an alien. How many 8-year-olds do you know who use the word ‘infallible?’

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Intramural sports

If you love sports, but you are not exactly a Division I (or II or III) athlete, that’s no reason to give up your athletic lifestyle.

Intramural sports programs offer a terrific way to meet people, stay in shape and have a great time all in one.

And even though fun is the first reason to join an intramural sports team, being involved in one also can provide broader benefits, even helping to improve your overall satisfaction with college life.

According to “The Value of Recreational Sports in Higher Education,” a study conducted by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), involvement in recreational sports provides a wide range of benefits for students, such as: � Improving emotional wellbeing � Reducting stress � Improving happiness � Improving self-confidence � Building character � Aiding in time management skills � Improving leadership skills … just to name a few.

Katherine Otten, editor and assistant director of marketing for the NIRSA, said most schools will have a main recreational facility with information on recreational sports.

“Stopping by this facility and talking with staff there is the best way of getting to know what a school offers,” Otten said. “Many have a staff member dedicated to intramural programming.”

Otten said the most popular intramural sports are typically flag football, basketball, soccer and volleyball, though these are certainly not the only sports offered at most schools.

If you want to scope out the intramural scene at your school before you arrive on campus, Otten suggests checking out your school’s Web site and searching under recreational sports.

Greek life

Greek life carries a certain stigma with it, yes — but skeptics, don’t count it out just yet. If you aren’t part of or planning to be part of any other groups, Greek life can be a great way to get involved in a group at school.

“It is a wonderful way to meet people,” said Kris Bridges, a member of the National Panhellenic Conference Executive Committee and chairman of the College Panhellenics. “It makes the college campus seem a lot smaller to make those connections and get to know people.”

The thing to keep in mind is that the experience differs greatly depending on the school. Greek life certainly may not be for everyone. If you detest being surrounded by large groups of girls on a regular basis, for example, joining a sorority might not be your first choice. If you love being involved and active and working in groups, maybe it’s just for you.

Here are a few general recruitment tips for incoming freshmen from thesororitylife. com, a Web site powered by the NPC, though these tips also apply to guys and fraternities as well: � Be yourself. � Have genuine and honest conversations. � Spend time really getting to know the members. � Expose yourself to the chapter experience. � Seek accurate information from the college or university. � Look for the group where you feel the most comfortable. � Keep an open mind. � Trust the process. � Have fun.

To learn more about whether Greek life is for you, you can visit www.thesororitylife. com or www.fraternityinfo.com for general information on sororities and fraternities, respectively.

M c C l a t c h y - Tr i b u n e

large school may spend 40 hours per week on the position and may receive monetary compensation. Meanwhile, senators can put in just a few hours a week.

The makeup of student government is different from school to school, Oxendine said.

Governments at large state schools may be full of political science majors prepping for a career in politics, while at smaller schools they might be made up of nursing majors just looking to improve the campus, he said.

Clubs and special interest groups

I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y E R I C G O O DW I N / M C T

Student groups are a good way for college freshmen to meet people, adapt to collegiate life

By Derby Cox and Dagny Leonard, McClatchy-Tribune

reshman year: a time for new beginnings, personal growth and awkward social situations.

If you’re like most freshmen, finding yourself in a sea of strangers can be jarring, and making friends is one of the most important things on your mind.

Parties are fun, but it’s hard enough to hear yourself think, let alone get to know anyone else with the music thumping. One of the surest ways to find friends who share your interests is to join student groups.

At many schools, there’s a group for nearly every interest from government to gardening. Keep reading to learn about some of the most popular choices, as well as how to find more offbeat options or start your own club. one at your school.

Butch Oxendine, executive director of the American Student Government Association, said his organization tracks about 5,000 institutions — about 4,500 of which have student governments.

College students often complain that student government has little ability to change the school, but Oxendine says the key is to

adding a copying machine or extending library hours, he said.

“Stuff like that, it sounds silly, but for a lot of students, it really matters for their lives.”

Although officer elections are typically held in the spring, many schools elect senators in the fall, he said. The difficulty of winning an election depends on the school.

“Some schools go begging for candidates, and you can get elected by being alive,” he said. “But at other schools, it’s much harder and you have to campaign aggressively.”

If you want to get a taste of student government before running for office, you may

If Greek life is not for you, you don’t like sports or have no big dreams for your student political career, don’t worry — you have not exhausted all your options.

Special interest groups and student clubs are a great way to meet people that share your interests that you might not otherwise run into.

“The best thing to do is to go to a student org fair at the beginning of the year,” said Tatum Enslin, a junior at the George Washington University and student employee for undergraduate admissions.

There you can find anything from chess club to various religious groups to ballroom dancing societies—the bigger the school, the more groups they are likely to have.

“The first week or two of freshman year just go to the first meeting of any and all clubs that you might be interested in, then choose the ones you really want once you experience it all,” Enslin said.

And what if you can’t find a group that fits your niche?

If somehow you are the only one brilliant enough to realize that what your school really needs is a cheese tasting club or a bird watching group, then you can always take control and start your own.

The process will not be exactly the same at each school. Enslin suggests that those interested in starting their own group visit their school’s student activities center to learn about the proper steps.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to branch out. Let’s face it, college might be your only chance to assemble your own personal army of cheese-tasters — so take advantage of it while you can!

Campus media

For motivated students, working for campus media can provide a unique thrill.

“Breaking a story or turning around a great newspaper creates a feeling that does not compare to anything else,” Emily Glazer, editor in chief of The Daily Northwestern at Northwestern University, wrote in an e-mail.

Whether you’re interested in standing in front of a television camera, sitting behind a microphone at the radio station or grilling sources for the newspaper, campus media give you the chance to develop your communication skills and pick up some valuable professional experience.

Campus media come in a variety of flavors.

Some college newspapers print daily; others print weekly or monthly. Some media organizations receive school funds and oversight, while others are completely independent.

One of the benefits — and one of the challenges — of working for campus media is a learning experience that can’t be replicated in the classroom.

“No amount of classroom instruction can truly prepare someone for the experience of being on the mic and ‘on the air,’” Scott Maxwell, general manager of the University of Maryland’s radio station, wrote in an email. “It’s trial by fire — you have to sit down and simply do it — and that’s how you learn.”

The work can be time-consuming. Allie Grasgreen, editor in chief of the Oregon Daily Emerald at the University of Oregon, estimated the average staff time commitment is about 25 hours per week. Some media organizations pay their staff, but don’t expect to rake in the cash — most students do it for

News

Campus briefs Wednesday

• MSU/ Sheppard Air Force Base Thanksgiving Food Drive in the residence halls from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Counseling Center: Grief Support Group in CSC Atrium at 3:30 • Academic Recovery Group in the CSC 108 at 4 p.m.

Thursday

• Hispanic Heritage Month events in the CSC until Nov. 5 • Athletic Luncheon and Update at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU at noon • Gallery Talk: Rene Alvarado in the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU at 6 p.m.

• Foreign Film Series: Made in the USA at the Kemp Center for the Arts at 7 p.m.

Friday

• Alpha Phi Reunion ends on Saturday • Education Career Fair for MSU Students in the Don Flatt Gym

Saturday

• Holiday Food Drive • Mustangs Rally

Monday

• RHA Blood Drive in the CSC Wichita at 11 a.m.

• Faculty Forum Series: Charles Darwin at 200 in CSC Shawnee at 7 p.m.

The Wichitan November 4, 2009

5

SKYDIVING...............................................................................................continued from page 1 the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, we got lost. We ended up being 30 minutes late for our appointment.

This made me more anxious and, at the same time, scared. First, I had to literally sign “my life away” before I got to put on the parachute. The contract stated that North Texas Skydiving was not liable for any accidents. The owners made us watch a video of a girl who went skydiving. I started to relax a little after I saw that she survived her jump.

Most people’s first jump is called “tandem,” because they’re strapped to the instructor. This makes things safer in the event you black out or forget to pull the ripcord that opens the chute. “ Are you ready?” the instructor finally asked.

The only thing that came to mind was, “No!” but at that point there was no going back. A refund would have been out of the question, not to mention embarrassing. The next thing I knew, I was strapped into a harness by my instructor. It had so many loops and clips I was a bit lost on exactly what was going where.

Gear on, we lumbered to the plane so he could teach me how to exit it during the jump. He reeled

off a lot of information. I was beginning to get really uneasy even though we were still on the ground. What if I forgot something important? I had a queasy feeling it was all important and I was forgetting most of it.

The next thing I knew I was in the plane, waiting for takeoff.

When the wheels lifted off the ground my stomach dropped. I was never scared of flying but it’s a little different when you’re actually planning on staying in the aircraft.

I ventured a glance at the altimeter. It read 5,000 feet. That’s almost a mile.

T hen 6,000 feet. Why am I doing this?

7,000 feet. Is there anyway to back down?

8 ,000 feet. Is there a bathroom up here?

9 ,000 feet. Shiiiiiiit!

A t 10,000 feet, the instructor yanked my hair band off so my long locks could fly freely once we were airborne. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach while a jolt of adrenaline coursed through my veins.

“Have fun!” the pilot yelled out. Wordlessly, I stared at him.

At that point the door swung

open and a gust of warm wind slapped me in the face. Famous last thought: I should have put on more deodorant.

S uddenly, my foot caught on something and didn’t want to move. I guess not all of me was ready to go. The instructor nudged me forward.

Now, I was clutching the side of the plane, nothing but the ground below me. I saw the earth as my enemy. All I could see was me splattered on it.

M y instructor started shouting, “1…2…” Bam! A powerful tug. It was a quick thing, as if we’d been sucked out of the plane. Our bodies were tumbling over and over. One back flip. Then another one. I couldn’t make heads from tails. My head or my tail as I somersaulted end over end.

Soon, we leveled out and in the freefall a beautiful Dallas skyline popped into view. My cheeks flapped in the wind. My limbs flailed wildly.

I n that wild, watery-eyed moment I spotted the cameraman ahead signaling to me. That’s when the parachute popped open and jerked me for all I was worth.

I found myself dangling in the

blue sky.

We glided steadily downward, everything below ant-like and insignificant.

I heard my instructor ask if I wanted to perform a trick. I don’t know why he asked. He did it anyway. A pull on the canopy put our parachute at an angle. We drifted from one side to other side to soar across the heavens.

B reath-taking.

The setting sun, a big orange blob on the horizon, provided a spectacular bonus.

My heart began to pound harder as we closed in on the drop zone. It was coming up fast.

Am I going to land on my feet?

I wondered. Or fall on my face?

With every second, the ground grew ever larger.

A tap on my shoulder, a loud voice in my ear. “Pull!” It was my cue to pull on the canopy as hard as I could so we land safely.

My arms strained under the load as we rapidly decelerated.

We landed with a thud in a grassy field next to the airport. I know it’s a cliché, but the first thing I did was kiss the ground. What a birthday!

POLICE......................................................................................................continued from page 1 handbook states in Sec 51.203 that “The primary jurisdiction of a peace officer commissioned under this section includes all counties in which property is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise under the control of the institution of high education.”

Hagy said MSU police jurisdiction is countywide so that of-

ficers can help stop crime that they might see while driving to get food or supplies.

“We have a responsibility to take appropriate action,” Hagy said. “We’re all trying to do the same thing.”

He said all of his officers have worked in other places than MSU. Most are retired city officers that

just enjoy the line of work. Hagy mentioned that Wichita Falls police often cooperate with campus cops, and many times it can work in students’ advantage.

MSU cops may be able to talk WF police out of giving students tickets, he said.

“It’s not just a one-way deal,” Hagy said.

Hagy said he doesn’t tell his officers how to delegate their time when they’re on the clock.

They’re experienced officers and expects them to use their time wisely.

“This is like a small town,” Hagy said. “The police officers are tasked accordingly.”

PAGAN.......................................................................................................continued from page 1 it, practicing it, there are no obligations other than accepting everybody,” Henson said. “Personally if you are interested, we’re open to anyone who wants to research the idea.”

He would like for the group to help people understand pagan-

ism.

“Not just to focus on us but to integrate us into the community.

To answer questions, because we have the resources to answer those questions, and to display that we’re not just a bunch of weirdos, and our views are just as

valid as any,” Henson explained.

Though there are only eight “official” members on the roster, there’s between 12 and 20 people who are considered members but have not been able to attend regular meetings or events.

The Pagan Student Union

meets every Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.

If students are interested in finding out more information about the P.S.U., they can visit the organization’s website at psumwsu.webs.com.

6 Entertainment iTunes store offers new tunes for fall The Wichitan November 4, 2009

Cora Kuykendall For the Wichitan

The other day I made a remarkable discovery while browsing through my iTunes library: the most recent song I had downloaded was from September.

Since moving here from Fort Worth and living without my radio, I’ve realized how disconnected I’ve become from the music scene.

Once the initial shock of my out-of-date music collection set in, I decided to peruse the iTunes music homepage, but I kept getting more and more upset when I didn’t know any of the songs on the Top 10 downloads and had no clue that some of my favorite artists were putting out new albums.

For those who love Michael Jackson, but didn’t make it to

theaters to see the documentary “This is It,” iTunes has you covered with the soundtrack. The soundtrack includes all of the classics and his latest singles.

Taylor Swift junkies are getting their fill this week with Taylor’s release of “Fearless Platinum Edition” complete with five

new songs and a piano version of the “I hate Joe Jonas song,” also known as “Forever & Always.” Also in T-Swift news, she teamed up with the band, Boys Like Girls to record a song called “Two is Better than One.” Being a true Taylor fan, I highly suggest the splurge and purchase all seven new songs.

I’m sure there are some of you who are into music that elevenyear-olds listen too, and if you are, I’m not here to judge, I’m here to give you new music.

There’s a new version of Aaron Carter who just stepped onto the scene.

His name is Justin Beiber, in his song “One Time,” he sings about love (naturally) and just might prove to the world it will only take one time to serenade the ladies with his high pitched voice.

High School Musical star

Ashley Tisdale has a new single “Crank it Up.” She even did a music video for it, complete with Ashley Tisdale in angel wings and Disney’s version of skimpy clothing.

There are also some “under the radar” artists that are worth checking out out.

First, there’s sister duo Tegan & Sara who just released their new album “Sainthood.” Dallas native Bryce Avary of The Rocket Summer had a new EP put out just last week titled “You Gotta Believe.”

If you enjoy Christian alternative, I suggest listening to Phil Whickham.

But if this music isn’t your scene there are also new songs from Jesse McCartney, T-Pain, Puddle of Mud and a new single from Britney Spears that might tickle your fancy.

iTunes Top Five Downloads 1. “Fireflies” - Owl City 2. “Replay” - IYAZ 3. “Party in the U.S.A.” - Miley Cyrus 4. “Empire State of Mind” - Jay Z 5. “3” - Britney Spears

Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ a hit in the box office Rafer Guzmán MCT

When the weekend’s boxoffice grosses were revealed in Monday’s papers, we know - as if there were any doubt “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” hit No. 1 with $23 million.

There isn’t much competition. The Sony/Columbia film, which was released last Wednesday and shows the King of Pop rehearsing in Los Angeles for a series of comeback concerts shortly before his death, scared away most other studios from releasing their own products. Once again, Jackson has the field to himself.

At a pre-release screening in Manhattan, however, the audience initially seemed unsure how to react. “This Is It,” directed by Kenny Ortega, Jackson’s concert director and creative collaborator, is not a polished final product. While rehearsing, Jackson often runs at low gear to conserve his energy. Songs stop and start without the usual smooth segues. And one sound is noticeably absent: the roar of an excited crowd.

But as the film progresses, it becomes clear that these raw images of Jackson would nev-

Photo Courtesy “This Is It” grossed over $23 million this past weekend.

er have been made public had the concerts come to pass. “This Is It” shows how rigorously and tirelessly the entertainer worked to create the facade he presented to the public.

Though not entirely free of music-industry puffery - Jackson’s death is never explicitly mentioned - “This Is It” makes the man seem human for the first time in a long while.

Photo Courtesy Sony/Columbia has Michael Jackson lives on his promised a limited, twonew film “This is It.” week run, perhaps hoping to create the kind of seehim-now urgency that would over for a while, “This Is It” have surrounded the actual con- probably will be watched by certs. music fans for years to come.

Whether the film gets held

Updat e: Dashboard Confessional cancels tour Music

Lauren Wood Entertainment Editor

Dashboard Confessional has some bad news.

Due to a family situation that is beyond their control, the band is canceling their upcoming tour with New Found Glory, Never Shout Never, Meg & Dia and Single File.

They are, however, still playing with the Louisville Orchestra on Nov. 7.

According to the band’s Web site, “we don’t take this lightly but family has to come first. As this is a last minute development, we are still figuring out what we will do- as soon as we know, you will know.”

The band apologizes and says they will find a way to make it up to all their fans.

Despite the tour setback, Dashboard still plans to release their new album “Alter the Ending,” on Nov. 10.

This is the band’s sixth album, but will be offered in two different versions.

Both albums hold the same songs, except one will be more powerful electric rock, where as the other deluxe version will also contain a more acoustic sound of the same songs.

Fans will be able to purchase both versions of this new release, however, the deluxe edition will cost an adPhoto Courtesy ditional $3.

Chris Carrabba will release his new album, Nov. 7 to stores.

Photo Courtesy Twitch, Katee, Courtney and Joshua were the top four contestants of “So You Think You Can Dance” during season four.

So you think you can’t dance Lauren Wood Entertainment Editor

Another season of Fox’s reality dance show “So You Think You Can Dance” has begun dancing its way into viewer’s living rooms, however not into everyone’s hearts.

For those unfamiliar with the show, it is pretty much the dance equivalent of “American Idol.”

This is the show’s sixth season, but it’s first to air during the fall. It usually consumes Tuesday and Wednesday nights during the summer.

The season begins with a couple of episodes of the audition period, then the Top 20 selection where ten guys and ten girls are chosen.

The Top 20 dancers are paired into ten couples and each dance one of the many styles. It ranges from hip hop to disco to the waltz. Last week aired the first of the elimination rounds, where one guy and one girl was cut from the show.

All of this is usual. The talent and quality of dancers however, is not.

For the first time, the show has a krumper, three tap dancers, a married couple and some really young (and annoying) contestants.

Personally, season four was the best season, and since it aired, nothing seems to match that quality of dancing.

For those who tuned in, it was when Joshua and Katee were the top contenders. It had memorable dances, four of which were nominated for Emmy’s.

It had amazing talent, a variety of dances and overall downto-earth contestants who were generally likeable.

Last season, however, was a little disappointing. The top four

dancers were not all that great.

Yes, they were talented in their own style, but were not very versatile.

Evan especially struggled throughout the season with the dances, but somehow remained in the competition.

Toward the end of last season, especially when it was down to the top four, it was obvious who was going to take home the title.

This time, even though it has only just begun, it feels like it is going to be another disappointing season.

There are some really talented dancers, but a rare few.

One of them turned up absent on last week’s episode, forcing him to leave the competition for good.

They have a couple of 18-yearolds who need to mature and dance in a more advanced fashion than like a sixth grade dance team members they portray.

Specifically, Molly.

She acts like she is in grade school and can not portray sexy at all.

We are not asking her to dance

in an obscene manner or anything, but dance like an experienced performer.

The tappers are extremely gifted in their own style, but struggle to excel in other dances and it is not too certain they will advance too far in the competition.

However they seem to have a lot of personality, which seems to carry contestants far in this compeitition.

The show however, is in search for America’s favorite dancer, not the best dancer.

Again, last season reflected that greatly when Evan was in the top four, but when Joshua and Katee won the season before, they were the best dancers as well as the favorites.

Hopefully, as the show progresses, the dancers will grow each week, proving to America why they deserve the title of America’s Favorite Dancer, advancing in talent as well as showing America they actually have personalities, not just flexible bodies.

But let’s not hold our breaths.

Photo Courtesy

“So You Think You Can Dance” airs on the Fox network on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7.

Entertainment

Book Review:

The Wichitan November 4, 2009

7

Picoult’s ‘Nineteen Minutes’ fires out a tale of a high school shooting

A Conversation with Jodi Picoult about “Nineteen Minutes”

Jodi Picoult, who also wrote “My Sister’s Keeper,” has again created a complex, yet compelling story in her 14th novel, “Nineteen Minutes.”

This book takes an emotional topic and creates a story that allows the reader to experience and feel for every character – even the person who goes from unknown child to notorious murderer in 19 minutes.

In the first pages of the novel, Picoult introduces the reader to a handful of characters including a secretly depressed girl, her oblivious and struggling mother and an unhappy and troubled boy.

The story then transforms into a page-turning tale where Picoult ventures to discuss the serious and sensitive issues of bullies and the consequences of high school humiliation.

The main character is Peter Houghton, a teenage boy who has struggled to overcome bullying his whole life. People have never understood him and he has always been a target.

This inability to overcome teasing leads to Peter’s split-second decision to pack a gun, a terrifying 19 minutes of fight and a lifetime of torture for those left behind.

In those 19 minutes of struggle, ten are dead and 19 are injured. The quaint town of Sterling, New Hampshire will never be the same.

Through flashbacks, conversations and some narration, Picoult spins a world of uncertainty, Lauren Wood Entertainment Editor

• What drew you to the subject of school shootings for the premise of a novel?

As a mom of three, I’ve seen my own children struggle with fitting in, and being bullied. It was listening to their experiences, and my own frustrations, that led me to consider the topic. I also kept thinking about how it’s not just in high school where we have this public persona that might be different from what we truly feel inside…everyone wonders if they’re good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, no matter how old they are. It’s an archetypical moral dilemm do you act like yourself, and risk becoming an outcast?

Or do you pretend to be someone you’re not, and hope no one finds out you’re faking?

• Did you have the surprise ending in mind when you began writing “Nineteen Minutes,” or did it evolve later in the process?

As with all my books, I knew the ending before I wrote the first word.

• You’re the author of fourteen novels. As you write more and more books, is it harder to come up with ideas? How do you know when an idea is the right one?

The right idea is the one you can’t stop thinking about; the one that’s in your head first thing in the morning. The ideas choose me, not the other way around. And as for a shortage (I’m knocking on wood, here) I haven’t faced that yet. I could tell you what the next four books I’m writing will address.

• You once remarked about your previous novel, “My Sister’s Keeper,” that “there are so many shades of gray in real life.” How might this statement also apply to “Nineteen Minutes?”

It’s funny you should compare “Nineteen Minutes” to “My Sister’s Keeper” because I see them as very similar books – they are both very emotional, very gut-wrenching, and they’re situations that every parent dreads. And like the moral and ethical complications of MSK, you have a kid in “Nineteen Minutes” who does something that, on the surface, is absolutely devastating and destructive and will end the lives of others. But – given what these characters have endured – can you blame them?

Do I condone school shootings? Absolutely not. But I can understand why a child who’s been victimized might feel like he’s justified in fighting back. I also think it’s fascinating to look at how two good parents might find themselves with a child they do not recognize – a child who does something they can’t swallow. Do you stop loving your son just because he’s done something horrible? And if you don’t, do you start hating yourself? There are so many questions in “Nineteen Minutes” – it’s one big gray area to wallow in with your book group!

• In the Acknowledgements section, you write: “To the thousands of kids out there who are a little bit different, a little bit scared, a little bit unpopular: this one’s for you.” What might readers, particularly younger readers, take from this book and apply to their own lives?

If I could say one thing to the legions of teens out there who wake up every morning and wish they didn’t have to go to school, it would be this – and I’m saying it as both a mom and a writer: Stay the course. You WILL find someone like you; you WILL fit in one day. And know that even the cool kids, the popular kids, worry that someone will find out their secret: that they worry about fitting in, just like you do.

Source: Jodi Picoult Web site

intolerance, panic, and relief from the perspective of Alex, a mother, who is also a judge, Josie, a student, who wants to be a friend and Peter, the shooter, who just could not belong.

Picoult also allows the reader to see inside Peter’s life, including focusing on his mother, and all she must go through in the court process.

This novel permits the reader to see how people are affected in a situation of this magnitude.

It makes one think of Columbine and what those students went through. It also makes one ponder the thought of what you would do if it happened to your school.

Most of us will be fortunate enough not to have to face such moments of horror as the characters do in this novel, however, some know exactly what some of the characters went through.

We are able to understand a little more about the psychology of depression, rage and isolation involved in a school shooting thanks to Picoult’s extensive research and the story she puts together with care and sensitivity. It allows the reader to become more aware on a topic that, unfortunately, is rarely discussed.

I highly recommend “Nineteen Minutes” for every Picoult fan. It is also a great book to introduce a new Picoult reader to.

This novel does an amazing job at portraying vivid imagery, using character development, and exhibiting research typical of this author’s work.

Other Jodi Picoult Novels: “Second Glance” A developer has slated an ancient Abenaki Indian burial ground for a strip mall, and now strange happenings have tiny Comtosook, Vermont, talking of supernatural forces at work. Ross Wakeman is a ghost hunter who’s never seen a ghost-all he’s searching for is something to end the pain of losing his fiance Aimee in a car accident.

Searching the site for signs of the paranormal, Ross meets the mysterious Lia, who sparks him to life for the first time in years. But the discoveries that await Ross are beyond anything he could dream of in this world-or the next.

“Change of Heart” “The Tenth Circle” “Handle with Care” “Vanishing Acts” “Perfect Match” “Plain Truth” “Keeping Faith” “The Pact” “Salem Falls” “Mercy” “Picture Perfect”

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“Harvesting the Heart” “Songs of the Humpback Whale” “My Sister’s Keeper” Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate - a life and a role that she has never questioned… until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister - and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable… a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.

8

The Wichitan November 4, 2009

Sports

Mustangs pummel Eastern New Mexico, 50-17 MSUMustangs.com For the Wichitan

Zack Eskridge passed for a career-high 356 yards and a touchdown to lead 13th-ranked Midwestern State to a 50-17 win over Eastern New Mexico Saturday night at Greyhound Stadium.

The Mustangs, who improved to 8-2 on the season and to 3-2 in the Lone Star Conference’s South Division, scored on seven of their last eight possessions to turn a 10-10 contest into a 33-point blowout.

“It was one of those games that we had a ton of mistakes,” MSU coach Bill Maskill said.

“We somehow found a way to overcome them. For that, I’m excited for our football team.”

The Mustangs play host to Abilene Christian in the regular season finale Saturday night at Memorial Stadium with a likely berth in the NCAA Division II postseason on the line. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Midwestern committed 15 penalties for 173 yards and turned the ball over on two fumbles in-

cluding once inside the red zone early in the second half.

Eastern New Mexico managed 458 yards of total offense as sophomore quarterback J.J. Harp passed for 403 yards and two touchdowns including a 2-yard connection with Chase Keyser 3:55 before halftime to knot the game at 10-10.

It was all Midwestern after that as junior running back Neal Carr gave the Mustangs a 17-10 halftime lead after linebacker Matt Ellerbrock sacked Harp and forced a fumble with 1:22 remaining.

The Mustangs kept momentum as Eskridge connected with Sheldon Galloway on a 16-yard scoring strike to cap a six-play, 67-yard drive to start the second half and push the advantage to 24-10.

Midwestern was on the way into the end zone again on its next, but ENMU’s Tillman Stevens forced Eskridge to fumble on the 4-yard line giving the Greyhounds life.

But the Mustangs forced the ‘Hounds into a three-and-out and MSU score on the next six

possessions.

Junior Jose Martinez connected on a 34-yard field in the first half, and then connected on field goals from 40 and 32 yards out in the second half.

Carr added his second TD run of the game with a 2-yard score with 12:46 remaining in the fourth quarter before Eskridge dove in from 2 yards out with 10:29 go after senior cornerback Micah Hill intercepted Harp and returned the ball 65 yards to the ENMU 5-yard line.

Brandon Kelsey close out scoring with a 73-yard burst as time expired.

MSU pounded out 300 rushing yards to help the Mustangs control a 38:13 to 21:47 advantage in time of possession as Midwestern limited the Greyhounds to just 10 points despite surrendering 458 total offense yards.

Senior BeeJay Mathis paced the ground game with 100 yards on 14 carries and added 65 more on five receptions, while Kelsey added 69 more on two carries and Eskridge had 50 yards on

eight attempts.

It was the first time MSU eclipsed 300 rushing yards since running for 467 yards against Abilene Christian in the 2007 season finale.

The Mustangs also rolled up a season high 656 yards of total offense which were the most since the 2007 squad went for 666 yards against East Central on Sep. 22, 2007. The offensive explosion rates as the sixth-best in program history.

Senior wideout Andy Tanner turned in his fourth 100-yard receiving game of the season with 105 yards on six receptions, while Galloway finished with 85 yards on seven receptions.

Safeties Antwon Dixon, Ryan Craven and Danny Jackson led the defense with eight tackles each, while senior defensive end Stephen Turner had a pair of sacks and pass breakup.

The loss extended Eastern New Mexico’s skid to six games as the Greyhounds fell to 2-8 on the season and 0-6 in the LSC South.

Men’s Soccer clinches LSC title with 4-1 win over Northeastern Kaitlin Morrison Sports Editor

Craig Sutherland scored his second and third goals of the season Friday to lead MSU to a 2-0 win over St. Thomas. (Photo by Patrick Johnston)

Senior running back BeeJay Mathis rushed for 100 yards and caught five passes for 65 more Saturday night against ENMU. (Photo by Patrick Johnston)

Craig Sutherland’s two goals was all it took as MSU went on to beat St. Thomas Friday night at the MSU Soccer Field.

After missing much of the first half of the season with an injury, Sutherland has now recorded points in six-straight matches, including three goals in his last two matches after dishing out assists in four-straight games. Last season he led the South Central region with 17 goals and five assists as a redshirt freshman.

“If Craig gets focused and blocks out officiating calls and bad passes and is a team player, he can be special,” MSU coach Doug Elder said. “When’s he’s about to get his head straight and coming out concentrating on what he needs to do for us to win, he’s awesome. He’s definitely done that the last two games.”

Sutherland scored on a

through ball from Kyle Hyden in 8th minute and then converted a direct kick at the top of the 18yard box in the 76th minute as he accounted for all of the Mustangs scoring against the Celts.

MSU dominated the match by outshooting St. Thomas 23-5 including a 12-0 edge in shots on goal.

Junior goalkeeper Raul Herrera picked up his 11th shutout of the season.

Midwestern improved to 121-2 on the season and extended its unbeaten string to 20 matches as they have posted a 17-0-3 mark since falling to West Texas A&M in the final game of the 2007 regular season.

On Sunday, the Mustangs celebrated Senior Day with a 4-1 win over Northeastern State at the MSU Soccer Field.

The win clinches at least a share of the Lone Star Conference championship for the Mustangs, who finish the regular season at 13-1-3 overall and 4-0-2

in conference.

MSU, who doesn’t play next week, with take its fourthstraight conference title outright if Northeastern State can pull out a victory over West Texas A&M on Sunday in Canyon.

The Mustangs will then await the NCAA Division II Selection Show which is set for Monday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m.

The top two teams from the South Central Region and the top two sides from the Central Region (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) will meet at the site of the Central Region’s top-ranked team on the weekend of Nov. 13.

Senior Tyler Murphy tapped in a rebound in the eighth minute after Bryan Sajjadi blasted a shot off NSU goalkeeper Matt Murrell to give MSU a 1-0 lead.

Then Nick Auditore completed a nice combination in the midfield as Kyle Hyden threaded a pass to Reid Schmitt who fed it to Sajjadi at the top of the box.

Jordan’s performance was easily the best in the Lone Star Conference this season best Texas A&M-Commerce’s Lauren Flynn’s 40-dig effort against Central Oklahoma last Thursday.

Jordan easily outdistanced Tina Bradford (Nov. 11, 1995 vs. Harding (Ark.)) and Beth Sadler (Oct. 31, 1996 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce) for the school record.

Jordan had 16 of her digs in the opening set as the Mustangs rolled out to wins in the first two sets before the Lions roared back to take the last three to claim the victory.

Jordan was named Lone Star Conferece Defensive Player of

the Week after her historical performance. This is Jordan’s third Defensive Player of the Week honor this season.

Sophomore outside hitter Miranda Byrd led the MSU attack with 18 kills, while Hillary White finished with 13 and Sesley Graves added 10 kills of her own.

Lauren Bayer finished the night with seven total blocks, while White added four.

Four different players posted double-doubles for the Mustangs, including sophomore setter Dimery Michaels (26 set assists, 16 digs), freshman setter Kimberly Jeffrey (21 set assists, 10 digs), Byrd (18 kills, 12 digs) and White (13 kills, 13 digs).

Volleyball needs one win for third trip to LSC Tournament Kaitlin Morrison Sports Editor

The Midwestern State volleyball team took to the court for two games this weekend that could make or break their postseason hopes.

On Thursday the Mustangs

played Texas A&M Commerce, but fell short in a heartbreaking, five set loss- 21-25, 20-25, 2523, 25-17, 16-14.

Despite the loss, sophomore libero Kiara Jordan had a record setting night. She dug her way into the MSU record books when she finished the game with

50 digs.

The 5-4 Gilmer, Texas native posted the second-best dig performance in NCAA Division II this season falling just two shy of Central Arkansas’ Crystal Roberts, who posted 52 digs against East Texas Baptist on Sep. 8, 2009.

It was the fourth most in NCAA Division II since rally scoring was adopted in 2001 as Central Missouri’s Katie Tarka had 57 against Drury on Oct. 3, 2003 and Washburn’s Erica Cowhick had 51 against Pittsburg State (Kan.) on Sep. 13, 2006.

$385

42

Percentage of MSU students from Wichita County.

* Free Wi-Fi

Sports

The Wichitan November 4, 2009

9

Men’s Soccer stays at No. 2 Midwestern State remained at No. 2 in the South Central Region Tuesday when the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Committee released its final weekly rankings.

Championship selection is set for Monday, Nov. 10 and will be broadcasted live via Web streaming on NCAA.com beginning at 6 p.m.

The top two teams from the South Central Region and top two sides from the Central Region will meet at the site of the Central Region’s top team on the weekend of Nov. 13.

The winner will then advance to the NCAA II national quarterfinals the following weekend against the West Region winner for the right to compete in the

Final Four.

The Mustangs (13-1-3), who are currently riding a 16-match unbeaten streak, stayed second in the region claiming a 2-0 win over NAIA St. Thomas last Friday before clinching at least a share of their fourth-straight conference title with a 4-1 win over Northeastern State Sunday at the MSU Soccer Field.

Midwestern State is idle this week, while the South Central Region’s top-ranked West Texas A&M Buffs (12-1-2) close the regular season by playing host to Northeastern State Sunday in Canyon.

Truman (Mo.) (10-2-1) and Incarnate Word (Texas) (7-7-2) fill out the South Central rankings at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively.

Fort Lewis (Colo.) (17-1-0) tops the Central Region followed by Colorado Mines (14-2-

3), Metro State (Colo.) (11-5-2) and Regis (Colo.) (8-5-4).

The West Region is led by Cal State-Los Angeles (17-21) followed by Sonoma State (Calif.) (12-3-4), Cal State-San Bernardino (14-4-1), Cal StateDominguez Hills (13-5-1), St. Martin’s (Calif.) (9-3-0) and Seattle Pacific (Wash.) (10-5-3).

Midwestern State will most likely begin the NCAA Division II postseason on Thursday, Nov. 12 at the site of the top-rated team from the Central Region.

This week Midwestern State also jumped ahead in the national polls to No. 9.

They are behind their nemesis West Texas A&M, who is ranked in the No. 5 postition.

MSU is idle this week awaiting the results of the Championship selection show.

Despite three-straight blowout wins, Midwestern State slipped three spots to seventh in the latest Super Regional Four Rankings released Monday afternoon by the NCAA Division II National Football Committee.

Despite obtaining the program’s best national ranking since entering NCAA Division II in 1995, the Mustangs would miss the playoffs if the season ended today.

As a consolation, MSU would most likely be playing in the inaugural Kanza Bowl on Dec. 5 in Topeka, Kan. against a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

The rankings determine postseason seeding as the top six teams in each of the four super regions advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Super Region Four is comprised of the Lone Star Conference, Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Central Washington (10-0) and Northwest Missouri State (9-1) maintained the top two positions, but the rest of the rankings were in complete flux.

Tarleton State (9-1) moved from sixth to third followed by Abilene Christian, who moved from seventh to fourth, while Missouri Western dropped from third to fifth and Central Missouri jumped from No. 9 to No. 6.

That group of six teams would advance to the playoffs if the season ended today.

Central Washington and Northwest Missouri would re-

ceive first-round byes, while Central Missouri would travel to Tarleton State and Missouri Western would play at Abilene Christian.

Midwestern State (8-2), Texas A&M-Kingsville (8-2), Washburn (Kan.) (7-3) and Angelo State (6-4) hold down the Nos. 7-10 spots, respectively.

MSu claimed it’s highest national ranking when it reached No. 9 in the American Football Coaches’ Association.

The Mustangs have received at least a vote in 43 of the last 44 AFCA polls dating back to the 2006 season and have carried a ranking in each of the last eight weeks this season.

The Mustangs host Abilene Christian in the regular season finale Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Erik Broland MCT

Game 5 to give him five in the Series, tying Reggie Jackson’s record set in 1977. His first one was a three-run shot in the first inning that erased any good feelings the Yankees might have had about getting an earned run off Lee in the top of the first.

Burnett, pitching on three days’ rest, was gone after facing four batters in the third without recording an out. He went two innings-plus, allowing six runs, four hits and four walks.

“I had a chance to do something special tonight and I failed,” he said. “I let a lot of guys in here down and I let a city down. The positive thing you take from tonight is these guys, they don’t stop. They played their heart out tonight for nine innings. Unfortunately, I didn’t give us a chance to win from the first inning.”

Said Girardi: “Well, if we would have pitched today, we probably would have won. A.J. struggled today. That’s something that happens in the game of baseball.”

Lee entered the game 3-0 this postseason, having allowed two earned runs in 33 1/3 innings, a 0.54 ERA. He had given up 20 hits and three walks for a 0.69 WHIP, with 30 strikeouts.

Lee had held the Yankees to six hits, no walks and no earned runs in nine innings in Game 1, a 6-1 Phillies victory. The Yankees were 6-for-32 and struck out 10 times against him in that game, and they didn’t do much better through seven innings in Game 5, going 4-for-25.

Then, with the Phillies leading 8-2, Damon led off the eighth with a single and Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez followed with doubles on consecutive pitches to make it 8-4. A-Rod’s two-run double off Lee gave him a franchise-record 18 RBIs in 14 games this postseason. He wound up scoring on Robinson Cano’s sacrifice fly off Chan Ho Park.

Jorge Posada led off the ninth against Ryan Madson with a double off the rightfield wall and went to third on pinch hitter Hideki Matsui’s single to left.

But Jeter grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, with a run scoring.

Damon singled to keep the inning alive, but Teixeira struck out swinging.

With Damon on first and two outs in the first inning, Rodriguez doubled down the rightfield line to make it 1-0, giving him his fifth two-out RBI hit of the postseason.

MSUMustangs.com For the Wichitan

MSU drops despite big win Sophomore Kelsey Hill scored two goals to lead Midwestern State to a 3-0 win over Abilene Christian Friday night at the MSU Soccer Field. (Photo by Patrick Johnston)

Angelo State spoils Mustangs’ Senior Day Kaitlin Morrison Sports Editor

Midwestern State played a must-win game against Abilene Christian Friday night at the MSU Soccer Field.

The aggressive Mustangs scored two goals in the opening five minutes of the second half to get a big 3-0 win over ACU. “We made a few adjustments trying to get our midfield pinching in,” MSU coach Jeff Trimble said. “That and the increase in intensity was the difference in the game.”

Kat Bernick headed in a corner kick off of the boot of Kari Bristow as she set te new program record for career assists with 22.

“That was a great goal to start it off,” Trimble said. “She played a great defensive game and for her to get that goal was special.”

After that, sophomore forward Kelsey Hill took over ad scored seventh and eighth goals of the season in the 56th and 65th minutes. ‘ Hill took control of the ball in

the midfield and tucked a shot just under the cross bar in the upper corner past a diving ACU keeper.

She then converted a nice serve by Brittany O’Neal for a sliding goal in the 65th minute to give MSU the commanding lead.

All of this was after ACU held Midwestern without a shot in the opening half.

In the second half, the Mustangs had 12 shots with nine on goal.

Abilene Christian fell to 10-62 and 5-3-2.

On Sunday, MSU celebrated Senior Day and was hoping to celebrate a win after the game.

But despite a dominating performance by the Mustangs, Angelo State spoiled their hopes and left the MSU Soccer Field with a 1-0 win.

“We expect to get shutouts and we expect to score goals,” MSU coach Jeff Trimble said. “If we would have done either of those things, there would have been a different result.”

Midwestern State outshot ASU by a 22-6 margin and had a

goal waved off in the 33rd minute after Lindsay Pritchard tapped in a rebound to give the Mustangs an apparent 1-0 lead.

But Pritchard was ruled offside to delete the goal.

Midwestern kept solid possession throughout much of the 90 minutes of play, but the Rambelles were able to piece together a counterattack in the 60th minute.

ASU senior Skylar Searles fed a ball forward to Brandie DeBacker, who found Lauren Carnes for her first collegiate goal to provide the difference. breaking free on the left wing The Rambelles end the season with a 10-9 record and to 4-6 in the LSC. he Mustangs (12-4-2, 6-4) slipped to a No. 4 seed in this week’s Lone Star Conference Women’s Soccer Championship which will be played The Pitch on the campus of West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas beginning on Thursday.

MSU will face Abilene Christian in the opening round Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

Can Utley be Most Valuable Player if Phillies lose Series?

Time to hop back on the New Jersey Turnpike. Or Amtrak.

Whatever. This World Series is headed back to New York.

With A.J. Burnett failing to get an out in the third inning, Chase Utley continuing to terrorize pitchers and Cliff Lee just good enough, the Yankees couldn’t close out the Series on Monday night, rallying late before falling to the Phillies, 8-6, in Game 5.

The Yankees trailed 8-2 after seven innings but scored three times in the eighth and twice had the tying run at the plate in the ninth. But Derek Jeter hit into a double play, and after Johnny Damon singled, Mark Teixeira struck out to end it.

Joe Girardi said after the game that if Andy Pettitte feels up to it physically, he’ll take the mound on three days’ rest in Game 6 and try to help the Yankees _ still with a three-games-to-two lead _ win title No. 27. He’ll go against Pedro Martinez, who allowed three runs in six inningsplus in taking the Game 2 loss.

It will be the first Game 6 of a World Series since 2003.

Utley, who drove in four runs, slammed two home runs in

10

The Wichitan November 4, 2009

On Deck this week...

Mustangs open up exhibition play with a 90-68 win Alex Nixon For the Wichitan

Thursday November 5 Women’s Soccer vs. Abilene Christian* 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday

Volleyball @Southwestern Oklahoma 6 p.m.

Saturday November 7 Cross Country NCAA South Central Regionals (Abilene, TX) Football vs. Abilene Christian 1 p.m.

Men’s Basketball @UTSA (Exhibition) 7 p.m.

Volleyball @UCO 7 p.m.

Saturday October 17

Craig Green had 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to lead MSU to a 90-68 win over Wayland Baptist. (Photo by Patrick Johnston)

Midwestern State’s Tyler Murphy was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 6 team as released Monday by the College Sports Information Director of America.

Murphy, a biology major from Winfield, British Columbia, carries a 3.96 grade-point average.

The two-time Southwest Soccer Conference Academic Player of the Year has tallied six goals and eight assists while appearing in 70 matches as a midfielder and defender during his four years at MSU.

@Lone Star Conference Championships (Canyon, Texas)

Midwestern State’s Jose Martinez garnered Lone Star Conference South Division Special Teams Player of the Week honors Monday morning when the league announced its weekly awards.

The junior kicker tied a school record with three field goals and accounted for 12 points to help No. 13 Midwestern State to a 50-17 win over Eastern New Mexico Saturday night at Greyhound Stadium.

The Wichita Falls Hirschi High School product connected on field goals of 34, 40 and 32 yards and was perfect on his three PAT attempts.

Martinez is MSU’s career leader in field goals made (30), PATs made (116) and kicking points scored (206).

Football vs. Texas A&M Kingsville 8 p.m.

Home Events are bolded * LSC Women’s Soccer Championships (Canyon, Texas)

thru in the second half, led by newcomer Jason Ebie who had four of his five steals in the second half, as MSU held WBU to just 38.5% from the field in the second half.

Midwestern continues exhibition play on Saturday, when they travel to the University of Texas San Antonio. They open the season on November 15th against Trinity College at the Recreation and Convocation Center on the campus of St. Edward’s University in Austin.

The Mustangs are the favorites to repeat as Lone Star Conference South Division champions after going 25-7 last season which included a trip to the South Central Regionals.

Newcomer Josh Hagan finished with 14 points in MSU’s exhibition win Monday night, (Photo

by Patrick Johnston)

Men’s Soccer

Football

vs. West Texas A&M 2 p.m.

The Midwestern State University Mustangs basketball team had a balanced team effort in a 90-68 win over Wayland Baptist in exhibition play Monday night at D. L. Ligion Coliseum.

All five starters were in double figures, led by senior Craig Green who had 17 points to go with his seven rebounds and seven assists.

Senior Michael Godwin added 15 points and seven rebounds, while senior transfer Rashad Austin added a double-double by finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds after scoring only two points in the opening half. Junior Charlie Logan had 14 points and

five rebounds off the bench.

MSU got off to a hot start in the first half as the built a 30-15 lead on a Green three-pointer with 8:15 left to play.

But WBU came storming back and finished the half on a 20-10 run to make the score 40-35 at the half.

The Mustangs erupted for a 20-2 run at the beginning of the second half fueled by the big man trio of Austin, Godwin and Logan.

Austin, a senior transfer from Bradley University, kick started the run with a turnaround jumper in the lane before senior guard Chris Hagen canned a trey from the left wing to push the advantage to 45-36.

The Mustang defense came

Mustangs to watch...

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