November 10, 2010

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF: Texas country artist Cory Morrow shares his newfound positivity on his recently-released album, ‘Brand New Me.’

CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS: MSU runners take gold in Saturday’s Lone Star Conference Championship meet; three Mustangs place in top 10.

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Wednesday n November 10, 2010

thewichitan

your university n your voice

Rogers defends Harvey House expenditures Alyssa Johnston For the Wichitan

MSU President Dr. Jesse Rogers said he did nothing wrong in spending nearly $300,000 to renovate a donated mansion, including $94,460 on an interior decorator.

Last Wednesday, The Wichitan reported the university’s expenditures on the 8,000-square-foot home.

The Frank Harvey family donated the residence at 2708 Hamilton to the university in February 2009. The $1.1 million property had been considered for a future presidential home.

After the story broke, Rogers came under fire from angry readers. Much of the criticism was aimed at Rogers’ hiring of Lynn Moran, the interior deco-

rator. Her bills included $36,303 for a dining room table and chairs, $622 for lampshades and $4,450 to have a rug rewoven.

In an interview Tuesday, Rogers said he hired Moran because of her expertise and knowledge of homes in Wichita Falls.

“Whatever is done with a home like that has to fit with what’s in the home,” he said, “the wood, the other furniture that was left in it, things that I couldn’t do.”

Rogers said Moran, whose services have been used at MSU in the past, was a sole-source hire. According to Rogers, she was hired with a single-vendor services agreement.

“When we saw this could go on for a while, we thought we’d better specify,”

he said. “We wrote a services contract, but we never had a consultant contract with her. We hired her for her services.”

When asked why he had referred to Moran as a consultant and why she charged consultation fees, Rogers said it was just a term that she used.

“She was consulting us about what to do,” he said. “It’s a very broad term.”

What to do with the house has been a big question, according to Rogers, and since MSU’s acquisition of the mansion, it has been used for one purpose.

“We used it for the President’s Excellence Circle Christmas party last year, which was a big success,” he said. “We gave a reception for a Texas conclave

See HOUSE on page 3

Student Opinion Poll

Regents vote not to renew ‘MSU Promise’ Brittany Norman Editor in Chief

(Top) An MSU student diagnoses a simulated person at United Regional Health Care System’s laboratory. (Below) Students

shuffle through the cramped hallways of the building housing the current laboratory. (Photos by Chris Collins)

Room to operate

Nursing majors to hone skills in revamped venue Chris Collins Managng Editor

The nursing department at MSU has found a new home for its simulation lab.

The lab, a controlled area where students can practice laboratory procedures on lifelike mannequins, is moving into the old Surgi-Center building at 917 Midwestern.

It’s a welcome change, said Dr. Karen Polvado, chair and graduate coordinator of nursing.

Currently the simulation lab is located at the United Regional Health Care 8th Street campus. With the exception of the lab, the hospital is a ghost town.

“The sim lab is the only thing in there

right now,” Polvado said. “Everything thing else is vacated in there.”

This year MSU bought the old SurgiCenter property for $450,000. Another $150,000 will be pumped into the build-

ing to make it livable, said Dr. Juan Sandoval, vice president for administration and finance.

The Board of Regents voted Thursday to approve a $60,000 budget increase to fund utilities, computer connections and maintenance for the building from Jan. 1, 2011 to Aug. 1, 2011.

“This is really big,” Sandoval said. “It allows for expansion of the program. It’s going to help a lot.”

The lab isn’t being moved from United Regional by Polvado’s choice, she said.

Currently the hospital leases the property from the city. The lease is up at the end 2011. Hospital officials have already been

See NURSING on page 4

Wilson urges conservation of living world Brittany Norman Editor in Chief

According to Harvard biologist Dr. Edward O. Wilson, the key to saving the planet is conserving its creatures.

It was a full house and then some in Akin Auditorium last Tuesday evening. Every seat was filled, and approximately 100 late arrivals stood in the aisles to hear the two-time Pulitzer Prize win-

ning author speak about the importance of biodiversity.

Wilson’s lecture was part of the Speakers and Issues Series, which is celebrating its 10th year of bringing influential lecturers to campus for students and the Wichita Falls community.

Wilson’s talk, titled Darwin and the Future of Evolution, focused heavily on biodiversity – what is happening to it, why it is important, and how to preserve

it.

“The 21st century, I believe, will be known as the century of the environment and biology,” Wilson said. “We will either settle down as a species or completely wreck the environment.”

Part of the problem, he said, is just human nature.

“We have stone age emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology,” Wilson said.

He said today’s “green” move-

ment emphasizes the physical environment. The living environment is paid considerably less attention.

He calls his solution for conservation “Wilson’s Law.” “If we save the living environment, we will automatically save the physical environment,” he said. “But if you save only the physical environment, you will

See WILSON on page 5

The MSU Board of Regents voted Thursday not to renew the MSU Promise, a long-standing rule prohibiting tuition and fee increases in excess of 5 percent each year.

The MSU (or Mustangs) Promise will remain in effect through the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

University President Dr. Jesse Rogers said the economic downturn and the state’s $21 billion deficit continue to tighten the MSU budget.

Rogers assured the Board that he does not plan on “big tuition increases,” but said the MSU Promise makes it hard to keep up with rising costs in certain fields.

“We must do something about escalating costs,” Rogers

said. “The ‘Promise’ makes it difficult.”

During the President’s Report and Discussion on Friday, Rogers said he doesn’t expect the budget situation to improve in the near future.

Texas State Representative James Pitts told university presidents that a state deficit of at least $21 billion means universities should brace for significantly reduced funding.

Rogers said he believes the state will leave universities to their own devices to cut costs.

He expects another budget cut of at least 10 percent will be forthcoming.

“Every 5 percent cut means about $2 million from our budget,” Rogers said.

Rogers told the Board there are currently three committees

See BOARD on page 4

Condoleezza Rice speaks on education, offers encouragement Brittany Norman Editor in Chief

Before Dr. Condoleezza Rice fielded questions from Dillard College of Business students about the Iraq war, foreign policy and the challenges of serving as Secretary of State, she said a few words about education.

Akin Auditorium was at capacity, filled with students, faculty members and donors.

Rice served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State from 20052009. She has since returned to her roots in academia. Currently, she is a political science professor at Stanford University, a faculty member in the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a director of its Global Center for Business and the Economy.

She was welcomed with a standing ovation.

“It’s a great time when you’re in school,” Rice said. “You want to look back on this time and believe you have taken every-

Dr. Condoleezza Rice visited Midwestern yesterday to lecture and field questions from students. (Photo by Kassie Bruton)

thing you possibly can from it.

It goes by very, very fast.”

She urged students to pursue a field they are truly passionate about instead of simply settling on a career.

Sometimes, Rice said, a true calling is difficult to find.

“Sometimes your passion

See RICE on page 5

2 n The Wichitan

campusvoice

thewichitan

nour view

Donor fallout?

Last week’s article about the Harvey House expenditures has evoked a flood of reactions.

The Wichitan revealed that the university spent nearly $300,000 on the donated mansion, $94,000 of which went to an interior decorator.

Some support the university’s actions, some demonstrate indifference, and others are voicing outrage.

Loyal donors are among the angry.

Some have been calling for donations to cease.

The dust from the fallout won’t likely settle anytime soon.

In the meantime, we hope MSU’s valuable donor funds don’t dry up and wither away.

That would be unfortunate for the university’s bottom line, but it would also hurt the community and all current and future students.

MSU needs its donors.

If not for them, the university would not be what it is today.

Any alleged “problem” is not the fault of the students, but the students will suffer most if donors take their money elsewhere.

State allocations for higher education are dwindling. With a projected $21 billion state budget deficit, MSU’s baseline funding is poised for a dramatic decline.

Donors fill in financial gaps, and students often benefit directly from their generosity.

For example, 76 percent of MSU students receive some financial assistance. Many of these students receive donor-funded scholarships.

Without donations, more students would have to balance a part-time education with a full-time job, take out costly student loans or abandon the prospect of higher education al-

November 100, 2010

3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 n Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 News Desk: (940) 397-4704 n Ads: (940) 397-4705 Fax (940) 397-4025 n E-mail WICHITAN@mwsu.edu

together.

Donations also help renovate buildings on campus and get new equipment for various departments.

If donors are worried their contributions will be mishandled, they should consider earmarking them for specific departments or programs.

It doesn’t matter if the contribution is $5 or $50,000. Every bit counts, and the continued support of loyal donors is crucial to Midwestern’s continued success.

We appreciate those who donate money and volunteer their time to benefit our university, and we think most of our fellow students feel the same way.

If you feel insignificant or as if your contribution doesn’t count, rest assured that it does. Somewhere, someone at this university is thankful for your generosity.

editorial board

nEditor in Chief: Brittany Norman nManaging Editor: Chris Collins nEntertainment Editor: Lauren Wood nOp-Ed Editor: Cameron Shaffer nSports Editor: Andre Gonzales nFeatures editor: Brittney Cottingham nPhoto Editor: Hannah Hofmann nAdvertising manager: Rachel Bingham nCopy editors: Alyssa Johnston nadviser: Randy Pruitt nReporters: nPhotographers: Kassie Bruton, Damian Atamenwan

Copyright © 2010. 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. The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief (350 words or less) 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.

nLetters to the editor ‘Movember’ Letter I was very happy to read the article on Movember. I happen to be a Mo Sista on the Much Mo Better Team. Having a son that had cancer, a brother that died of cancer, and a brother-in-law that has been fighting cancer for three years I am excited that peo-

ple are putting a new face on men’s cancer. Please Google “Movember,” join, donate and let’s raise some money!

Tricia Riley Assistant to the Dean, Dillard College of Business Administration

Harvey House Letters

Adminstrative actions show little respect nSocietal Floss

It came and went. The most important vote that the student body will cast for sometime was last Tuesday and Wednesday.

Clark Student Center, facing a massive budget shortfall, was at risk for “catastrophic failures” of the electrical systems. Its roof was also in need of repair. The only solution to avoid layoffs, a cutback of all services and maybe an entire shutdown for months, was to raise fees. Pay up or watch the student center go down.

School administrators apologized to the student body when this issue was first brought to the students’ attention. Some administrators even acknowledged that students might question how this situation came about, or even if the school could be trusted with more student money. Instead, the student body was gracious, and through their voice of the Student Government Association and various other committees, focused on finding a solution and not getting mad about the problem.

Well, the solution has been met and dealt with. Now then is the time to get mad.

Students need to be asking themselves how they got in this spot. The should grill the administration on how they could be put between two painful options like that. There is no acceptable reason students have to choose between paying more or facing the student center closing because of debt mismanagement. This is especially true after tuition just shot up by several hundred dollars and it looks like it will rise again.

It is clear that after the debt on the student center was restruc-

Cameron Shaffer Opinion Editor tured several years ago (without a student vote) that the money in the savings account would not last. When the debt was redone, it would have taken total incompetence to not realize that the payments would be short by five years and $575,000. Half a million dollar errors do not happen.

When that decision was made, the administration had to have known that the student body would be forced to pay up down the road.

Is there any doubt in any student’s mind that if SGA policy and state law had not required a student body vote, there would have been no vote on the student center? The administration has found it far easier to make decisions about what students have to pay without first asking the students for their consent.

State law requires that all new fees sunset in five years unless they are tied to debt. This new fee is tied to debt. Is there any doubt in any student’s mind that if the

SGA had not demanded that there be a sunset deadline of five years, regardless of the debt, the fee would be lasting longer?

The administration seems to have lost sight of MSU’s purpose as an educational institution first and foremost. The decisions to take out unsustainable loans and leave students on the hook for them years later are foolish at best and underhanded at worst.

Getting into the business of real estate flipping is just another example of abuse of student money. While the Harvey House was donated to the university, sinking $300,000 into it to make it more appealing for the market is in no way the responsible thing to do.

Especially when the budget for the house was only authorized up to $30,000.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the money that comes in if the house is sold. It would be nice to see the student center debt paid off early and the fee terminated ahead of schedule.

Of course that will not happen.

But it would be nice to think that the administration had any sense of regard for the hundreds of dollars in tuition and fee increases they have forced upon the students.

In 2007 Consumers Digest Magazine named Midwestern the best dollar per education in the country. MSU has not held that position for several years now.

Is it any wonder that President Rogers urged the Board of Regents not to renew the “Mustangs Promise?” That promise is a guarantee that the Board of Regents will not raise tuition or fees over 5% any given year. They decided

last Thursday to let the promise expire after the 2011-2012 academic year.

Fees were also substantially raised for athletic training, dental hygiene, nursing, radiological science, and respiratory care last week.

Apparently the increase in tuition and fees of nearly 5% last year was not enough.

“Natural rights is simple nonsense: natural and imprescriptible rights, rhetorical nonsense — nonsense upon stilts.” So says the philosopher Jeremy Bentham.

Last spring Dr. Keith Williamson of the Vincent Health Center quoted Bentham in a discussion of student rights.

Most other administrators here probably do not publicly hold such low opinions on student rights. The financial decisions being made with flagrant disregard for the students makes it hard to believe that adminsistrative opinion of students is more than shoddy.

Dr. Williamson also argued in that same discussion that having students vote on pertinent oncampus issues was the equivalent of hazing. While consistent with the administration’s actions toward the student body, he may have a depressing point.

Only 424 students voted on the student center fee increase.

The last SGA meeting did not have enough members present for a quorum.

The administration might not have the best interest of the students at heart, but until students actual care to do something about their situation, they have no right to complain.

Dear Dr. Rogers, Although I have not met you personally, since the closest I’ve come is when I ride my bike past your 65-acre mansion, I’m left with a degree of uncertainty as I prepare for graduation in December.

Even though you have gems in your faculty like Dr. Charles Ramser, who transcends a mere student-teacher relationship with many of his students, I sense that you lack the downto-earth leadership style MSU deserves.

I don’t question your intentions or your leadership ability because I know you come from a totally different perspective than a senior business major like myself. But maybe that’s the problem.

The divide between student and president increases when students see an obvious lack

of spending control and are in turn asked to pay more for tuition. Up until the Harvey House incident, I was open to tuition raises and understanding of any cost increases because relative to the price we pay, our university is outstanding.

However, after reading about the Harvey House, my concern stretches beyond simply paying for a cricket table inside a university mansion. In the article (“University mansion expected to go on the market” in the Nov. 3 issue of The Wichitan), you mentioned being satisfied with the current president’s house, so I’m curious to see how long you will be able to store your cricket gear inside that one.

Brian Vestal Senior Marketing major

As a parent of two MSU students, one of whom has graduated and one who is currently attending, I want to thank you for your insight. I have often wondered why year after year the kids are voting whether or not to agree to add to their tuition a small fee to help upgrade and why we couldn’t see it.

Also, I remember a while back when building the apartments or new gym, there were comments made how they ran out of money faster than expected. What happened to maintaining the student center? They used the economy as an excuse. That didn’t make any sense to me at all.

We figured it out. That extra $270,000 should be refunded in a way to the students. At an average of 5,000 students that year, that would be a nice $54.

Not much individually, but something to get the board’s

attention. I have strongly encouraged my kids to no longer support any more upgrades until they have better control of their leaders.

If MSU is a 501(c)(3) tax deductable organization as I suspect they are, as I am sure they are aware, by law they are not allowed to block you from discovery of moneys and MUST disclose ALL information regarding where the moneys came from and where they were originally budgeted to.

That’s the other side of being a nonprofit. All books must be opened to the public. I am sure you could find a volunteer from an accounting graduate who would like nothing more than to have a look at the “REAL” books. I think it is time for a “shake-up”. They can lose their non-profit status based on these activities.

Diana Banner MSU parent

news

November 10, 2010

The Wichitan n 3

campus briefs

Calling the shots Chris Collins Managng Editor You may have seen him around campus, hanging out in the Coliseum or strolling across the football field. But if you’ve attended MSU sporting events in the last five years, you’ve definitely heard his voice.

His name is Bill Powers – the voice of the Mustangs. As the assistant athletic director for marketing, promotions and public relations, he is the official announcer of MSU athletic competitions. But he also has a laundry list of other responsibilities for the athletic department.

That’s okay with him, he said. There’s no place he’s rather be.

“College athletics – there’s just nothing like it,” Powers said.

This year he was decorated with a prestigious award for his booming delivery.

He was awarded the Lone Star Conference’s highest honor for the 2009-2010 season: the Jake Trussel award, given to Lone Star Broadcaster of the Year. This is the second time he’s taken it – he won his first in the 1988-1989 season.

Powers broadcasts MSU games on Bob FM 100.9 and www.bob.fm two or three times a week, depending on the sport.

“It takes a special kind of person to call a game,” Powers said. “It takes a little bit of training, but a love for the game.”

Even though MSU sometimes focuses on basketball and football more than other athletic programs, Powers has a passion for all sports. He even serves as an official at local sporting events.

He said working at MSU is his dream job.

“I consider it a dream to do something I love,” Powers said. “Would I love doing something at a slightly higher level? Of course. Who wouldn’t?

But I love getting the opportunity of getting to describe the action for MSU right now.”

Announcing pro sports is not on his to-do list, however.

“I love the college game,” Powers said. “I loved the atmosphere of Ligon Coliseum last year during the NCAA tournament. It was electrifying.

That’s college basketball.”

Powers has announced games for 30 years. He started when he was a high school student in Pocahontas, Ark. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in radio-television from Arkansas State in 1984. He earned a master’s in kinesiology and sports studies from Texas A&M-Commerce in 2005.

Powers played offensive lineman for his high school football team, but didn’t have much interest in playing sports after that.

“I wasn’t that good, to be perfectly honest,” he said. “But I always wanted to be the broadcaster.”

He knew from an early age his passion was for sports – but not as a player. Instead, he felt driven to work as a commentator.

“I’ve been in love with broadcasting since I was a very young person,” Powers said. “I’ve wanted to be a radio personality since I was in the fifth grade.”

We Welcome Students

He also watches for press releases and notes about teams as part of his weekly preparation process.

“I’m making sure I’m prepared for just about everything,” he said.

Powers acknowledged the Sports Information Office, headed by Trey Reid, as instrumental in helping him prepare for each coming match.

“It’s a team effort,” he said.

He has other responsibilities in each game besides announcing. Part of his job entails arriving early to games and checking microphones, making sure game programs are in the right spot and writing scripts.

“I’m wearing many hats.”

About an hour and a half before the match starts, Powers retreats to the press box to get mentally prepared.

“I go into my booth, close up the door, spread things out, and I say, ‘Concentrate. Here’s the game. Here’s this team and Bill Powers, MSU sports announcer, reviews rosters for an uphere’s this team. Have I picked coming football game (Photo by Chris Collins) up everything?’”

Chris Horgen, an anchor Powers delivered his first broadcast when he for KAUZ-TV, spends the last was a junior in high school. hour of preparation time with Powers to fine“When I was a freshman and sophomore in tune the night’s broadcast delivery. The problem high school I would be up in the stands talking with announcing is the beauty of it – anything into a tape recorder,” he said. “That’s literally how can happen, at any time.

I tried to get my craft. I’ve been broadcasting ever There are two types of announcers in sports: since.” the play-by-play man and the color man. The first Powers said all the great sports announcers are describes the action with little embellishment. masters in relating the game to the listener.

The color man elaborates on the play-by-play ac“It’s how they describe it, how they paint the tion, giving it life. picture,” he said. “It’s like you’re there.”

Powers does the play-by-play retelling while His own touchdown call is strongly influenced Horgen does color.

by Bob Barry, voice of the Oklahoma Sooners.

“We’ll make sure we’re on the same page, but One lesson he’s learned from the masters is there is no script,” Powers said. “When the ball is how to be humble. kicked, we don’t know what’s gonna happen.”

“Athletics, and certainly broadcasting, is full of “The hardest part is to try to take these itty, ego,” he said. “I’m not saying I don’t have any ego, bitty pieces all over the place and mold them into but there are guys who think quite a bit of them- a coherent broadcast.” selves.”

He said he always tries to use player names inA sporting event just isn’t the same without an stead of referring to them by numbers. announcer, Powers said. He, or she, is an essential “Everything is name-driven.” function of the sport.

He also tries to avoid speaking is the present“You wanna hear what’s going on, and the ra- perfect or future tense, such as ‘the foul will be dio broadcaster is the direct link between the fan on player XYZ.’ Instead, he says, ‘the foul is on and the team,” he said. “How the announcer sees player XYZ.’ the game, right or wrong, is how a lot of the fans Powers said he also tries to stay about half a see the game.” second behind the action of a game. The trick is Powers swears he doesn’t intentionally affect finding a rhythm between the play and the comhis voice to sound manlier while announcing mentary. games, but his family begs to differ.

“There is a cadence,” he said.

“My kids say I’ll drop it down a little bit and First and foremost, Powers represents MSU. go into my radio voice,” he said. “I try to make it “Every time the light goes on, I’m representing natural.” the university,” he said. “I represent the university, Powers begins to prepare for a game about the team and the whole athletic department.” four days before it ever happens.

On a similar note, Powers doesn’t claim to be That’s when he receives rosters an objective party during MSU sporting events. and stats for the teams.

He makes sure to remember who pays his salary.

He maps out depth charts for “If you’re listening to an MSU broadcast, you’ll each team on glossed 11 x 17 be seeing it through MSU, rose-colored glasses,” inch paper, one side for the of- he said. “You’ll know who I’m broadcasting for. fense, one for the defense. These It’s all about MSU.” charts alone can take about six He recalled talking to one of his mentors when hours a week to build. he first began broadcasting, puzzled over how

n tHURSDAY: Athletic Luncheon: the Wichita Fals Museum of Art at MSU at noon n FRIDAY: Opening Reception: Don Reitz and Student Selections: Juanita Harvey Art Gallery at 6 p.m. n Saturday: Graduate and professional school Practice Exam Day: in Dillard at 9 a.m. n Sunday: National Radiologic Technology Week: ends Nov. 13, to recognize the month x-rays were discovered

n tuesday: Journey of Hope Grief Support Group: In the Counseling Center Group room at noon.

PRIMO: Changing the way we use the university library: Moffet 212 at 12:30 p.m.

Classic Film Series: Hell’s Angels: the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at 7 p.m.

Faculty Forum Series: Ms. Connie Richardson and Dr. Terry McDonald: CSC Shawnee at 7 p.m.

Faculty Recital: Akin Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. fairly he should be announcing game.

“He said, ‘Bill, pull out your paycheck and open it up. Read the name in the top, left-hand corner.

That’s who you owe your allegiance to,’” Powers said.

But the main reason he doesn’t cut broadcasts strictly down the middle is because it isn’t what fans want.

“They don’t want to hear it totally straight,” Powers said. “My audience cares about Midwestern State University, so I’m going to tailor my broadcasting to MSU.” Still, he said he tries to remember to give credit where credit’s due – regardless of what team a player is one.

“If I see an outstanding play I’m going to say it,” Powers said.

He thinks the worldwide allure of sports mostly boils down to entertainment and a feeling of togetherness with other people.

“In some cases, it’s a man or woman looking for the fountain of youth,” he said. “They watch and think that they used to be able to do that.

The broadcast announcer can help create camaraderie between fans and the team, like ‘we’re all here together.’”

Powers’ son, Bill, Jr., helps him spot tackles during football games.

“He’s my extra set of eyes,” he said.

HOUSE.....................................................................................................................continued from page 1

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symphony supporters because many of the symphony members are donors. That’s pretty much all we’ve done with it.”

Many of the projects at the Harvey House were done hurriedly in preparation for the Christmas party.

“After the gift was given to us in February, we didn’t do

anything with it until the next October,” Rogers said. “It was about that time we decided, you know, we probably ought to use it to keep it up, so let’s fix the infrastructure and use it some.

“We replaced some wallpaper in the powder room so we could have a party, and we put new countertops on it because the laminate was rolling up.”

According to work orders, $200 was spent checking outside lights before the party along with $160 for eight crystal knobs on the cabinets in the powder room.

Severe state-level budget cuts made the Harvey House spending a touchy subject for many.

The Board of Regents voted Friday to triple fees for some students in the Allied Health fields. They also decided, on Rogers’ recommendation, not to renew the MSU Promise.

The MSU Promise guarantees the university cannot raise tuition and fees more than 5 percent per year.

Rogers has established three

committees to deal with the budget crunch across different areas of the campus. He has also set up a hotline on the MSU website for people to leave ideas on how to cut spending and create additional income.

When asked where exactly the funding for the Harvey House had come from, Rogers said he personally raised $83,000 from private donors specifically for furnishings and accessories in the home.

“That’s all my commitment was to raise. A lot of it was already in the budget,” he said.

When questioned about the private, undesignated funds, Rogers said he wanted to make clear that none of the funding came from the President’s Excellence Circle or the Annual Fund.

Further funding came from Formula Plant Funds of the university that go to paying staff, plumbers and contractors.

The remaining $200,000 came from the Midwestern State University Foundation,

according to Rogers, and he had to get permission before using those funds.

“Our intentions were good.

They’ve been portrayed as sinister or bad, and that was just never the case,” he said.

When asked about an audit, Rogers said the university was doing its own.

“I asked our internal auditor to reconstruct our expenditures because this has happened over almost two years,” he said.

Despite the fact that the home sat on the market for well over a year before the university acquired it, Rogers is unconcerned.

“At the time, we were aware that it had been on the market, and that there is probably a fairly small market for a home of that value,” he said.

The Board of Regents voted Thursday to sell the mansion.

Rogers remains confident that it will be an asset to the university, and he said he is relying on the sale of the home to justify the expenses.

4 n

The Wichitan

feature

November 10, 2010

On the Road Again

Senior commutes Mondays and Wednesdays four hours to finish her education at Midwestern State Brittney Cottingham Features Editor There’s no denying it: senior Stephanie Leatherwood is the energizer bunny.

It’s Monday morning, 4 a.m. Leatherwood is up and ready with a cup of coffee grasping in her hand.

An hour later, she walks outside of the Childress home for the two-hour drive to MSU campus in her 2007 Toyota Corolla, rain or shine.

She reaches campus with a few minutes to spare to find a parking spot and head to her day full of classes in the Education department.

Leatherwood tells her instructors that she is a commuter but has had pretty bad experiences when it comes to getting to class on time with unpredictable weather. She has driven on bad roads several times not to miss class.

“Last semester, I drove all the way to school only to be told class was being cancelled,” Leatherwood said. “This was not MSU’s decision, but our instructors -- the roads were horrible. I turned around and drove home 40 miles an hour with vehicles sliding off the road around me.” “(Instructors) tell me it is extremely difficult to work and student-teach because you have to write lesson plans every night for the next day,” Leatherwood said. “I have to work as I am the only one paying bills. I am still praying about this and what I am going to do to get through this next semester of student teaching.”

After lunch, she teaches a Diagnostic Reading at Childress High School. Her journey home begins around 2:30 p.m., but that isn’t until she fills up her gas tank. It costs about $30 every day she drives into town.

Once the two-hour drive is over, Leatherwood switches from student to mother. She has laundry, dinner, and quality time with her daughter, Shelby, to take care of.

“Trying to get a teenager to leave her friends and boyfriend to just spend time with mom is not easy,” Leatherwood said. “I try to have a couple of

nights a week she and I sit down to eat dinner together.”

MSU is the closest university to Childress.

She said MSU has the small school feel but is still a university. Even though driving back and has pressed hard on her, she said living in Wichita Falls was never an option for her.

H e r 1 8 y e a r marriage ended a n d it was v e r y difficult for her.

She did not want to disrupt her daughter’s life anymore than necessary.

Leatherwood had been working for the same company for 11 years, but that ended abruptly around the time of her divorce.

“They walked in one day with no notice and told us we were all laid off,” Leatherwood said. “I looked for a job for six months but could not find anything that compared to the pay I had been making.”

That time in her life was tough for her family.

She was on her own and the that time and had two children living with her. That’s when she decided to go back to college and get a degree.

“I would say it was a personal and professional decision,” Leatherwood said. “Professionally I

Nursing.................................... ..............continued from page 1 notified the lease won’t be renewed.

“That whole building will go back to the city,” she said.

Polvado suspects the property will either be turned into city/county offices or a veteran’s hospital.

Still, she’s been planning to move the simulation lab out of the cramped, old hospital into a new facility for years.

“We knew it was a matter of time until we had to move out,” she said. “Our hope, initially, was that we would have more space in the new hospital. But that didn’t pan out.”

Working at a laboratory on campus would be ideal for the department, but it just isn’t feasible right now.

“There’s no space,” she said. “We would love to have something like that on campus.

But I think other things, like parking, parking and parking take precedence over that.” Dr. Karen Polvado, chair of the Wilson School of The laboratory space is shared between Nursing (Photo by Chris Collins) United Regional staff, MSU and Vernon Now, if somebody lives to the age of 90, they are College. more than likely going to have some health probPolvado said MSU uses the lab about 70 percent lems.” of the time and Vernon College uses it for the rePolvado said research has proven that using maining 30 percent of the time. United Regional mannequins to satisfy clinical requirements for personnel use it in the offseason for employee test- nurses is a good thing. ing.

“We have research that says simulation is good She sees the partnership as a benefit, not a has- and that’s there no difference between the experisle. ences a student gets in simulation lab versus with “To have it on neutral ground is a good thing as real people,” she said. far as the college and hospital is concerned,” she Almost all major campuses utilize simulation said. “It’s beneficial to have a collaborative rela- labs, she continued. tionship with the other entities involved.”

However, using mannequins shouldn’t become The Simulation Lab was initially funded by a a replacement for working with real people, she grant five years ago from the Texas Board of High- said. er Education. Part of the reason the grant was “They get more simulated experience in the beawarded, Polvado said, was because the laboratory ginning,” she said. “At the end, they get very little. would work in a collaborative aspect.

As they get safer and safer, they get little simulaThe move is an upgrade in terms of parking and tion.” indoors space. The building boasts large windows Polvado said the main benefit of using a simulawith a fair amount of natural light. tion lab is safety.

“The old lab is dark and dreary,” Polvado said.

“In order to have that, they have to have an ad“The Surgi-Center: light. It’s very nice.” equate number of experiences,” she said. “SomeThe undergraduate program in nursing was es- times students aren’t exposed to the type of experitablished in 1990. The graduate program was es- ences that will make them good nurses.” tablished in 1994. It’s been growing at a significant She said the lab helps her students practice rate every year since. dealing with high risk, low volume situations. A Altogether the program claims 450 undergrad- blood transfusion, which is rare but dangerous, is uate students and 110 graduate students. About an example of this type of situation.

750 MSU students have declared nursing as their They also practice inserting IVs and catheters major. and checking blood pressure.

“We’re the highest declared major on campus,” “All these skill-type things they can practice on Polvado said. “We’re popular.” a mannequin before they try it on a real person,” She attributes the program’s popularity to a na- she said. “That’s the reason simulation is so good.” tional shortage of nurses. Also, a degree in nursing The students also work on real people in tandem usually leads to a guaranteed job. with simulated people.

“It’s a guaranteed, good-paying job,” she said.

“We try to maximize their experience with a “There’s more of a demand for nurses now. The combination of mannequins and real people,” she baby boomer population is aging. As people live said. longer, there’s more of a need for nursing care.

knew I needed to get my degree. I needed to support my family. Personally I have always loved children and have wanted to teach for many years but never thought it would be possible to return to school.”

mester as this is all I have left to take before I student teach next semester. However, these 9 hours require a lot of work.”

Besides school and family, Leatherwood used to work at United Supermarket but says she decided to go inactive this semester. Instead, she is substituting at elementary and high schools on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

“It is difficult to have a social life while attending college and being a single parent,” Leatherwood said. “I have a very understanding boyfriend who is encouraging and supportive. He knows that my daughter comes first, school second, and he is third but for now he understands that is the way it has to be.”

H e r plan after col-

L eatherwood still h a s a daughter in junior high school who is a varsity cheerleader. She attends all football games and any activities she may be participating in each school year. She also has a two-year-old grandson.

“It is still hard to see (my grandson) as much as I would like with my schedule like it is,” Leatherwood said. “I am only taking nine hours this se-

Stephanie Leatherwood in front of her car. (Photo by Hannah Hofmann)

lege is the find a teaching job in or around Childress as her daughter continues her senior year of high school. She may look for a teaching job in Amarillo and relocate after she beings her college career.

BOARD.........................................................................continued from page 1 studying potential means of budget reduction across the university. The committees are seeking ways to cut costs without negatively impacting educational quality.

“I sincerely hope we can avoid layoffs or furloughs because we are not overstaffed,” Rogers said.

“That’s a big order, but I think we’re up to it. I’m always an optimist.”

Rogers said the university must return $1.25 million to the state this year.

“We have to be ready,” Rogers said. “There are no options.”

Course Fees The Board also voted to raise course fees in five fields, requiring students to shoulder some expenses for equipment, technology and programs from which they reap the benefits.

Rogers said the fee increases are necessary to maintain facilities and ensure that students are trained on the most up-to-date technology.

The following fee increases will take effect for the Spring 2011 semester: n Athletic Training course fees will increase from $10 to $30 per semester credit hour. n Dental Hygeine course fees will increase from $15 to $55 per semester credit hour. n Nursing (NURS) course fees will increase from $35 to $55 per semester credit hour. n Radiologic Science (RADS) course fees will increase from $11 to $35 per semester credit hour, for undergraduate classes only. n Respiratory Care (RESP) course fees will increase from $11 to $35 per semester credit hour.

Dr. Alisa White, provost, said raising course fees will allow the university to fund beneficial educational programs for those students who will directly benefit.

“Course fees provide assistance with things that help students,” White said. “Fees provide resources to hire tutors and SI (supplemental instruction) leaders. Studies show that success rates for students (who participate in) SI sessions are higher.”

The fee increases are all for programs in the College of Health Sciences and Human Services.

University Center Fee Regents authorized Rogers to pursue legislative action to increase the University Center Fee by $20 per semester.

Of students who participated in the referendum election last week, 57 percent cast their ballot in favor of raising the fee to pay for repairs and maintenance costs in Clark Student Center.

Currently, students pay a $15 University Center Fee and $20 Student Union Fee each regular semester. If the state legislature approves the increase, the two current fees will amount to $55 per semester.

According to the Board of Regents minutes, funding from the two existing fees is inadequate to cover all costs in Clark Student Center, resulting in an annual shortfall of approximately $115,000. The student center also needs an estimated $500,000 in electrical repairs, and the roof needs to be replaced within the next five years at an estimated cost of $1.2 million.

Kyle Owen, interim director of the physical plant, said the section of the student center’s roof over the cafeteria will only hold out for another 12 to 18 months.

“Our students own the student center,” Rogers said, explaining that no state money can be used to maintain or operate it.

Deferred Maintenance Plan Update On Thursday, the Board reviewed MSU’s planned deferred maintenance projects for fiscal years 2011-2015.

Rogers said campus maintenance is one of the major costs in higher education.

According to Texas Administrative Code (TAC), deferred maintenance is an “existing or imminent building maintenancerelated deficiency” from prior years that needs correction, or “schedule preventative maintenance tasks” that were postponed

because other budgeted tasks had a higher priority status.

Rogers said MSU needs “nearly $9 million” worth of deferred maintenance between 20112015. Some of the 56 projects listed on the university’s five-year plan include: n D.L. Ligon electrical: $828,000 n Clark Student Center Electrical Feeds: $367,000 n Fain Fine Arts Center wheelchair access: $85,000 n Moffett Library roof replacement: $250,000 n Bolin Hall HVAC (heating, ventilation or air conditioning): $120,000 n Fountain equipment: $125,000 n Tennis court transformers: $140,000 None of these items are considered critical. To qualify as critical deferred maintenance TAC requires that the physical conditions of a building or facility must “place its occupants at risk of harm or its facility at the risk of not fulfilling its functions.”

Vice President of Administration and Finance Juan Sandoval said many of the items on the deferred maintenance schedule will “drop off ” the list if Higher Education Assistance Funds (HEAF) can be used. He said most of the maintenance requirements for D.L. Ligon – more than $1.7 million –will eventually come off the five-year plan because of HEAF. During the 2010 fiscal year, deferred maintenance project costs totaled $711,000. Projects included: n Bridwell Hall HVAC: $375,000 n Campus sidewalks: $27,144 n Ligon fiber: $91,294 n Ligon light ballasts: $23,000 Owen said the university completed projects that were not included on the deferred maintenance list. Some renovations are not considered deferred maintenance and are accounted for elsewhere in the budget.

news

November 10, 2010

The Wichitan n 5

Traditions and Customs African Student Organization brings diversity, fashion and dance to MSU Brittney Cottingham Features Editor

Sharon Obami models in the fashion show. (Photo by Damien Atamenwan)

Preparation for the African Student Organization’s African Mosaic required late Monday nights of planning and rehearsal until midnight with the goal of showing the mutual understanding of all the diverse and beautiful culture that makes up Africa.

“The African Mosaic is very important to our organization in that it not only helped in creating more awareness about the organization as a whole, but also helped in achieving our goal of showcasing our rich and colorful African culture while entertaining with it at the same time,” cultural officer Grace Okoronkwo said.

The event started with different dance numbers that Okoronkwo said reflects their history, different African languages, and beats, as well as the feeling and expression of the dancers.

“Dancing is a major part of African culture,” Okoronkwo said. “It is one of the main things that all 53 African countries have in common and also brings us closer together.”

The clothing showed during the fashion show reflected cultures within Africa. It ranged from the Nigerian culture with the Igbo, Yoruba and Benin attire to the Kenyan, Ghanaian,

African Student Organization celebrate their culture by representing their nation’s colors and dance for the African Mosaic held on Saturday at Akin Auditorium. (Photo by Hannah Hofmann)

Cameroonian and Congo culture.

“These different attires ranging from the head gear to the wrappers and flowing gowns acknowledges our ancestral roots and are different from the usual American style of jeans and tshirt,” Okoronkwo said.

The purpose of the African Student Organization is to educate, preserve and influence the university community about African culture and Wichita Falls community through educational

and cultural activity, such as our African Mosaic cultural show.

“It is a way the organization can exchange our culture to the community and campus,” Ajenikoko said. “Also it is a social means to help bridge the gap between the African and American culture. Some Africans are scared to show their culture, so they tend to hide it. This gives them an avenue to which they can express themselves.”

Akamnonu hopes people walked away with a feeling of

being enriched and enlightened, by being immersed in such rich African cultural music and dance. The next large event will be next semester for the 4th annual ASO weekend that will take place April 15-17th. This is a weekend jam-packed with flag parade, drama/skits, and a banquet.

“We want the MSU and Wichita Falls community to enjoy the show and be able to embrace and want to learn more about Africa,” Ajenikoko said.

WILsoN.........................................................................................................................................................................................................continued from page 1 we will automatically save the physical environment,” he said. “But if you save only the physical environment, you will ultimately lose them both.”

Wilson emphasized the smaller things in life – insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes (otherwise known as roundworms) – as crucial components of the world that people know relatively little about.

“Nematodes are the most diverse animals on Earth,” Wilson said. “They make up 4 out of every 5 animals on earth. Approximately 25,000 varieties are known; 500,000 are estimated to exist. I think (that number) could be in the millions. Consider – each of those species could be 1 million years old. Each one a little miracle in itself.”

Wilson called bacteria “the dark matter in the world of biodiversity.”

“In 1 gram of soil, you have living in that pinch of soil approximately 1 billion bacteria. They run the world, along with roundworms and fungi. They are keeping us alive.”

Bacteria often keep harmful pathogens at bay, Wilson said. Some of those potential pathogens – viruses – are deserving of attention, too.

“The number of genes that proscribe viruses outnumber the number of genes that proscribe everything else on Earth,” Wilson said.

Imagine one of the trillion cells in your body blown up to the size of Wichita Falls. Relative to your Wichita Fallssized cell, a bacterium is the size of a football field.

A virus is the size of a football.

Wilson urged students pursuing degrees in Biology to consider specializing in viruses, roundworms or fungi. Becoming an expert in one of these less popular fields would afford them the ability to become an influential authority on their subject quickly, perhaps even while still in graduate school.

One threat to the future of biodiversity is ignorance.

Wilson spoke about the Encyclopedia of Life (eol.org) and the Biodiversity Heritage Library (biodiversitylibrary.org),

two organizations working to make information about the living world easily accessible on the Web. Wilson said that in time, everything known about every species on Earth will be available, free of charge, on these websites. “(Information) will be available to anyone, anytime, anywhere for research,” Wilson said. “I think it will transform the future of biodiversity.”

Wilson stressed the importance of preserving Earth’s remaining tropical rainforests, no matter the cost.

Wilson explained that more biodiversity exists in tropical rainforests than anywhere else in the world. The diverse ecosystems are disappearing, though. He said a piece of rainforest half the size of Florida is destroyed each year.

Species disappear along with their environment.

“What are we to do? We have got to find a way to move fast and hold onto what we have left,” Wilson said.

He proposed saving biodiversity “hot spots” in areas like the Amazon, Congo Basin and New Guinea. “Putting an umbrella” over those hot spots, he said, would cost roughly 1/1,000th of the world’s domestic product. “(With that amount), we could save over 50 percent of the species,” he said. “To save half the rest of life, it can be done.”

Wilson believes for any biodiversity-saving effort to be successful, scientists need the support of religion. He said any differences in belief between science and religious should be put aside to protect the Earth.

“It’s an ethical decision. We need a religious intensity to save creation,” Wilson said. “(Any) civilization able to envision God in life will surely find a way to save the life in the world. It’s the right thing to do.”

Wilson ended his lecture with a quote by John Sawhill, former president/CEO of The Nature Conservancy.

“A society is defined not only by what it creates, but by what it refuses to destroy.”

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RICE......................................................................................................................................continued from page 1 Secretary of State.

She encouraged students to challenge themselves constantly. She urged those who excel in science and mathematics to do a lot of writing, and those skilled in writing and art to study the sciences.

“You will find that you feel more accomplished when you overcome something that is hard for you,” Rice said.

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finds you when you’re not looking for it,” she said. “If you’re fortunate, your talents and your interests will come together.”

Rice said when she began college, she planned to become a concert pianist. She began studying to become a Soviet specialist after “wandering into an international politics course.”

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“Even though I grew up in the deepest segregation in the south, in Birmingham, Ala., the most segregated big city in America; even though my family couldn’t go to a restaurant or a movie theater until the Civil Rights act passed; even in those circumstances, my parents said: ‘You may not be able to control your circumstances, but you can control your response to your circumstances. You have no reason to feel yourself the victim. If you ever feel yourself the victim, you have lost control,’” she said.

She urged students to focus instead on their potential.

“My advice to you is: I don’t care how hard it gets, remember that you are among the most fortunate people in the world,” Rice said. “You have studied at a very fine institution, you have been given a chance that many people will never get. So be optimistic, keep after it, and I’m certain you’re going to succeed.”

6 n

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The Wichitan

November 10, 2010

Cory Morrow shows ‘Brand New’ self in new album Brittany Norman Editor in Chief

In fact, the material doesn’t seem to fit on the Texas music scene at all, but Morrow’s delivery, Texas country veteran Cory Morrow is traveling down a different straightforward path in life, but he has no intention of leaving his music or fans raw emotionality and lyrical honesty bring the album behind.

Morrow’s new album, “Brand New Me,” marries the unique alt- home. Texas music is about country sound that has kept his fans hooked for 15 years with lyrics authenticity, and “Brand that reflect the love, happiness and spirituality he found while his life New Me” is as genuine as it is optimistic. changed directions.

The album may In 2005, Morrow entered dark territory when he was arrested for represent a brand new cocaine possession and drunk driving.

He was found not guilty, but that didn’t stop him from turning his Cory Morrow, but he said life around. He got clean, got married, and he and his wife, Sherry, fans haven’t skipped a beat. are expecting their first child. “(The fans) are happy “Brand New Me” is the first album Morrow has ever made sober, and he hopes the record can uplift listeners and pass on some of for me,” he said. “They the positivity he’s found. The new release bears similarities to his like the fact that I’ve past albums, but he said it demonstrates the spiritual growth he’s calmed down, that I’m not as wild. The experienced.

“I think it’s reflective of a really good time in my life,” Morrow intensity onstage at said. “It’s more a true love story album than the others have been. I’m our shows has not taking a less selfish direction (in my life). I found a much stronger changed. It’s just faith and much stronger relationships – with my wife, with God and more focused. There is a much smarter, just with myself.”

Morrow and the band are spending more time on the road than more capable, more they have in years past, trying to attract fans in smaller cities and responsible me up outside the Texas borders. He said touring is “dramatically different” there. I’m thinking about what I say now in light of his lifestyle changes.

“If I had it my way, I’d be in bed at 10 p.m. every night,” he said. and how to get into people’s “I don’t drink, really – hardly at all. I never really did anything bad hearts.”

Morrow said his favorite track from the new album is “The when I was out here on the road, but we don’t do the stuff we used to do. There’s no reason to stay out late with a bunch of kids getting in Way I Do,” which he co-wrote with Liz Rose. He said the band’s trouble. I’m more into spending my days playing golf and my nights pianist, Jeff Bryant, came up with the melody and the song grew from there into something beautiful. onstage entertaining a crowd. I think I’m growing old gracefully.”

“It just makes you feel good to hear it,” Morrow said.

Or maybe Morrow has just grown up. He still plays in honkyThe band hasn’t forgotten all the old favorites, though. He said tonks and dancehalls, but “Brand New Me” mixes the danceable country beats with something a little deeper. The band held onto “Nashville Blues” and “Beer” are two of the most common fan the sound the audience loves, but the messages in Morrow’s lyrics requests.

“I’ve been doing this for 15 or 16 years, and it’s kind of neat transcend the traditional Texas country themes. He’s not singing about drinking, fighting or heartbreak, but about hope, renewal and to have college students who were 3 years old when I first started singing the words call out for a song. They’ll tell me to play it like I true love. played it on that album 10 years ago. It’s really flattering for them

Above: Cory Morrow released “Brand New Me” in August of this year. (Photo Courtesy) Left: Cory Morrow at the Granada Theater in Dallas in February 2009 (Photo by Brittany Norman)

to be up there singing the words when I know they were toddlers when we were getting started.”

Morrow isn’t ready to say goodbye to the music business anytime soon. He said he’d like to put out an acoustic album next, and he thinks the experience of fatherhood could lead him into the world of children’s music “I want to do a children’s album,” he said. “I think there’s going to be a shift in my world and what’s important to me. Maybe I’d do some standards, “This Little Light of Mine” kind of stuff, and some songs that I write for my kid.”

Morrow said “Brand New Me” has sold well since it dropped on Aug. 31.

“It’s gotten a whole lot of love,” he said. “We’re thrilled with the way this thing is taking off.

New on DVD: CMA Awards air Wednesday ‘Charlie St. Cloud’ Adapted from the novel “The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud” by Ben Sherwood, Zac Efron stars in his first serious role as an accomplished sailor Charlie St. Cloud. He has the adoration of his mother Claire (Kim Basinger) and his little brother Sam (Charlie Tahan), as well as a college scholarship that will lead him far from his sleepy Pacific Northwest hometown.

But his bright future is cut short when his brother dies in a terrible accident and takes his dreams with it.

Charlie is overcome with grief so much so that he takes a job as caretaker of the cemetery in which his brother is buried. Charlie has a special lasting bond with his brother though, as he can see him.

Charlie meets up with his brother (Sam) each night to play catch and talk.

After his high-school classmate Tess (Amanda Crew) returns home unexpectedly, Charlie grows torn between honoring a promise he made four years earlier to his brother and moving forward with newfound love.

And as he finds the courage to let go of the past for good, Charlie discovers the soul most worth saving is his own.

Lauren Wood Entertainment Editor

DVD released: November 9, 2010 Genres: Drama, Romance, Science Fiction/ Fantasy, Adaptation Running Time: 1 hour 49 minutes Rating: PG-13 for language including some sexual references, an intense accident scene and some sensuality Starring: Zac Efron, Charlie Tahan, Amanda Crew, Kim Basinger

Zac Efron and Charlie Tahan star in the film “Charlie St. Cloud” as brothers. (Photo Courtesy)

The DVD includes: Deleted Scenes - On Location with Zac Efron - Zac Efron, Leading Man

- The In-Between World - Feature Commentary with Director Burr Steers

The 44th Annual CMA Awards airs live Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. on ABC. Country superstars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood preside over the evening, returning as hosts for the third consecutive year.

CMA Awards winners are chosen in three rounds of voting. Votes are cast by industry professional members of the Country Music Association – meaning Awards winners are honored by their peers in the m u s i c industry.

Awards criteria, rules of election and balloting procedures are established by CMA’s Board of Directors. Singles, albums, music videos and qualify music products for the musical event must have been first released during the eligibility period.

The three rounds of voting consist of: Ballot 1: Each CMA member may nominate one act in each category on the first ballot. The top 20 qualified vote recipients in each category become official nominees on the second ballot.

In the Entertainer of the Year category the top 15 qualified nominees will advance to the second ballot.

Ballot 2: On the second ballot, CMA members must vote for up to five nominees in each category. The results are tabulated. The top five vote-getters in each category are the final nominees and appear on the third/final ballot.

Ballot 3: On the final ballot, members vote for one nominee in each category to determine the winners.

This year’s ballots consist of a multitude of talent, especially Miranda Lambert, who is nomi-

nated for nine awards, the most of any artist on the ballot.

Every year the top honor of the night is Entertainer of the Year.

The past winners through the last nine years include Taylor Swift (2009), Kenny Chesney (2004, 2006-08), Keith Urban (2005), Alan Jackson (2002-03), Tim McGraw (2001) and the Dixie Chicks in 2000.

Nominees this year include Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band.

Who has won the most CMA Awards?

Top 3: George Strait (22), Brooks & Dunn (19), Vince Gill (18) Who won the first Entertainer of the Year trophy?

Eddy Arnold in 1967 Who has won Entertainer of the Year most often?

Tie: Kenny Chesney (4), Garth Brooks (4)

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host the Awards on Wednesday night. (Photo Courtesy)

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November 10, 2010

The Wichitan n 7

Road trip comedy falls short of its ‘Due Date’ Lauren Wood Entertainment Editor

“Due Date” is an occasionally desperate road trip comedy that stars Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis.

The film is directed by Todd Phillips, who also directed the 2009 hit film “The Hangover.”

“Old School” in 2003 and “Road Trip” in 2000 are amongst the other many films on this director/ producer’s resume.

Downey plays Peter Highman, a short-tempered architect who has been thrown off his plane to Los Angeles when he and a fellow passenger, Ethan Tremblay, played by Galifianakis, are mistaken for terrorists.

They are both placed on the no-fly list and forced to drive to Southern California fast enough for Peter to see his wife (Michelle Monaghan) deliver their baby, and for Ethan to start an acting career.

“Due Date”has some hilarious moments, but unfortunately those aren’t enough to support the lack of plot and storyline.

The two men come across some outrageous scenarios that are most likely not going to happen during a road trip.

For example, getting beat up by a handicapped war veteran at a Western Union or taking

Released: November 5, 2010 Genres: Comedy Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes Rating: R for language, drug use and sexual content Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx

a wrong turn, ending up at the Mexico border and getting held captive.

Besides carrying his usual luggage and a small masterbating pooch, Galifianakis is also carrying a coffee can full of his father’s ashes. His plan is to distribute them at the Grand Canyon, but has to learn to let go of him first.

This addition to the film adds more drama and feeling than “The Hangover” had and was a bit unexpected.

This added a little depth to the movie, but is a little odd to have a random serious moment in amidst the comedic atmosphere.

The two main actors are like oil and water in the film and with their other major films as well.

Where Galifianakis has worked with director Phillips before in “The Hangover”, Downey doesn’t do too many

of the major comedy films. His latest performances are “Iron Man 2,” “Sherlock Holmes” and “The Soloist.”

They form an interesting bond in the film, subconsciously trying to make each other better people, but doesn’t come off as too believable.

Jamie Foxx has a short entrance and exit in the film, adding little to the comedy.

Overall, the trip consists of destroying several cars, some friendships, and ultimately, Peter’s last nerve.

The film didn’t hold up to the hype it was given, and disappointedly has all the funny scenes in the previews.

Galifianakis is definitely making a name for himself in the movie circuit, and adds a lot to the comedic relief of the film, but the film still falls short of its long awaited due date.

the feed

Orlando Flores, Jr For the Wichitan

The best way to discover what’s new in music.

Jason Aldean My Kinda Party

In the track “Country Boy’s World” Aldean ditches the “Big Green Tractor” for...a dirty pickup? Needless to say, nothing here is different.

The Verdict: ¼ - Don’t waste your time

Cee-Lo Green The Lady Killer

The voice of Gnarls Barkley stands on his own to deliver an electronic album that solidifies him as one of the last real soul singers alive.

The Verdict: 3.5/4 – Don’t sleep on this one

Kid Cudi Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager

Kid Cudi travels to the dark side of the moon and reveals more of himself through melancholy songs that are less dreamy and more realistic.

The Verdict: 3/4 – Deserves a listen

Matt & Kim Sidewalks

A more polished sounds leads to a less enjoyable experience than “Grand,” however, Matt & Kim still deliver their brand of sunny indie-pop.

The Verdict: 2/4 – Questionable

N.E.R.D. Nothing

Pharrell, Chad and Shay continue to blend hiphop, rock and funk together to produce another great party record to play in the background.

The Verdict: 3/Deserves a listen

Underoath Ø (Disambiguation)

If none of the original members are in the band, are they still considered the same band? This has “new direction” written all over it.

The Verdict: 2/4 – Must Have

(Photo Courtesy)

Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galidianakis star in the newest comedy “Due Date.” (Photo Courtesy)

‘Conan’ premiered on TBS Robert Lloyd MCT

to O’Brien, but it made him interesting and topical in ways that he would not have been had Conan O’Brien’s contractually he stayed on NBC. He toured mandated wandering in the like a rock star, graced the cover wilderness that is Everything of Rolling Stone, gathered close That Is Not Television came to 2 million followers on Twitter, to an end Monday night with and, as a victim of corporate the premiere of his new TBS incompetence, became a most late-night show, “Conan.” unlikely thing for a person in Technically, it came to an end his line of work: heroic. This the previous week with a three- is something of an illusion, of minute walk-on to new late- course - just as it should be night neighbor George Lopez’s impossible to regard as a victim “Lopez Tonight,” which “Conan” any man given more than $30 has bumped to midnight; a sexy million not to host a talk show mock-sexy promo involving a - but it is by such illusions that garden hose; and an impressive we participate in our culture, American Express commercial that greater illusion that looks in which O’Brien travels to India like life.

“Conan” opened strong, with to buy, weave and dye the silk for the curtain for his new show. a filmed piece tracing his journey But those were just appetizers: from NBC to TBS, although in This remains, for the indefinite this “Godfather”-inspired version moment, the story of a talk-show it involved being shot by men host and his still unpredictable in black suits, and a bottoming out in which he applies to Jon future.

The first lines of this new Hamm’s Don Draper for a chapter were promising, if not job (“You have no advertising quite the fulfillment of his last experience; plus, it’s 1965 and wild nights at NBC, when you’re 2 years old”) and is saved caution was thrown to the from suicide by an angel-winged wind. And except that it was a Larry King: “I have two words constant subject of discussion for ya. Basic. Cable.”

“Thank you and welcome to and scripted humor, the shift from broadcast to basic cable my second annual first show,” had no obvious effect on his said O’Brien (still wearing his presentation; it neither inhibited hiatus beard), when he finally nor liberated him. (They do still appeared after an ovation that bleep the bad words.) His new “lasted longer than my last job.” set, which is dominated by a The monologue contained (only) background seascape and a big moon that O’Brien can move by remote control (“It cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars and we’re using up a lot of fossil fuel”), is actually better looking than his “Tonight Show” set, and the smaller size suits him - less a comedown than a welcome adjustment. The last frame felt too big for the picture.

It is probably too much to say that leaving “The Tonight Show” - which is to say, appearing to have been fired from “The Tonight Show” - was the best thing that could have happened (Photo Courtesy)

a couple of swipes at NBC, including a film clip involving the intellectual property known as the Masturbating Bear. Ricky Gervais appeared in a taped segment that predicted O’Brien’s further downward progression to the Food Network, a Dayton, Ohio, morning show and satellite radio. The host displayed a Conan O’Brien Halloween mask, identified on the package only as an “Ex-Talk Show Host” mask; “Inside it smells like tears,” said sidekick Andy Richter, who remains the person who brings out the best in O’Brien.

A youth-friendly troika of Seth Rogen, Lea Michele and Jack White comprised the night’s guests. These segments, though they were a little giddy, as befitted the night, were also fairly standard talk-show exchanges, built around a few clearly prepped subjects, with effusive expressions of mutual regard. Rogen discussed his engagement, Proposition 19 and getting in shape to play the Green Hornet; Michele commented on her controversial GQ photo shoot. White and O’Brien - inaugurating his new show, as he closed down his last one, with a guitar in his hand - played Eddie Cochran’s “20 Flight Rock,” from an album they made together.

“That was fast,” O’Brien said at the end of the hour.

8 n

sports

The Wichitan

November 10, 2010

Men’s soccer set to host playoffs

Mustangs have high hopes of advancing to nationals with flawless 16-0 record Andre Gonzalez Sports Editor

File photo from the game Oct. 31 against St. Thomas. The team came out on top 1-0. (Photo by Hannah Hofmann)

Football scoreboard Texas A&M-Kingsville

27

Midwestern State University Next, MSU takes on Northeastern State this Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

7

As cliché as it has become, the MSU men’s soccer team came back with yet another successful weekend to improve 16-0 on their regular season and advance on to postseason play.

First, the Mustangs trampled the Greyhounds of Eastern New Mexico at the ENMU soccer field with a score of 3-2.

MSU drew first blood in the game.

Junior midfielder Nathan Fitzgerald went for his fifth goal of the season unassisted by shooting the ball 40 yards out.

Freshman forward VcMor Eligwe caught an assist from junior midfielder Chris Dwyer for his ninth goal in the 31st minute of the game.

This gave MSU a commanding lead of 2-0 at the end of the first half.

However, the Greyhounds soon put numbers on the scoreboard after Dreaux Plair took Kal Herbert’s missed attempt and notched in a goal.

In the 71st minute, Jehmaine Brooks assisted Michael Stewart, giving the Greyhounds another goal and tying the game at 2-2.

The Mustangs eventually came out on top in the 86th minute when junior midfielder Dean Lovegrove made a through pass to junior midfielder David

Freeland, securing MSU with the victory.

MSU completed the game with seven shots on goal, while ENMU finished with only two shots on goal.

Next, the Mustangs took on West Texas A&M Sunday afternoon in Canyon.

They came out on top, 2-1, with an impressive second-half performance.

Early in the game, the Buffalos made the first goal when Alfredo Chavez made a through pass to Martin Fuentes in the 6th minute.

Senior goalkeeper Raul Herrera had to come out early in the game when he and junior defender Jack Robertson collided in the 7th minute.

Junior goalkeeper Michael Wood stepped up to the plate as substitute and proved his performance was well played with two saves during 84 minutes of play.

“We had a lot of confidence in Michael. He works hard in practice, but our defense doesn’t usually allow a lot of shots,” sophomore midfielder Mahmoud ‘Moody’ Ihmeidan said. “We felt bad for Raul, hopefully he’ll be back for us soon.”

Senior midfielder Paulo Teixeira scored unassisted, tying the game up, 1-1.

“We took control of the game in the second half to where I could close in that goal at the 68th minute,” Teixiera said.

Eligwe came through for the

Mustangs after notching in an unassisted ball 10 minutes after Teixeira’s goal.

“They were pretty good wins for us,” Ihmeidan said. “We’re going into the playoffs with a lot of momentum.”

MSU’s soccer team had a lot to say about the past weekend and their advancement to playoff status.

“My mind-set is for us to win.

We’re pretty good at coming together as a team,” Teixiera said.

“Everyone’s usually on the same page.”

The past seasons’ wins have qualified the Mustangs for their fourth consecutive NCAA Division II postseason play as they go in as the No. 1 team in the South Central Region.

“We’re going to the playoffs pretty confident,” Lovegrove said. “We’re going to concentrate on what we do well. We’re pretty excited.”

MSU will face No. 2 Truman State (Mo.) Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the MSU Soccer Field for bragging rights as well as advancement on to the final round held Sunday afternoon at MSU. Truman will come into the tournament with a 12-game winning streak.

They average 2.4 goals per game and allow only one tally a contest.

They are led by Matt Kimball and Bobby Larkin.

Good luck to our MSU men’s soccer team!

November 10, 2010

On Deck This Week n tHURSDAY: Nov. 11 volleyball: lsc tournament vs. tarleton state, @ canyon, tx. 5 p.m. soccer: men’s lsc tournament vs. truman state. 7 p.m.

n FRIDAY: nov. 12

soccer: women’s ncaa

tournament vs. truman

state, @ warrensburg,

mo. 1 p.m. basketball: men’s south central regional challenge, bartlesville, okla. women’s st. edward’s shoot out, austin.

n Saturday: nov. 13 basketball: men’s south central regional challenge, bartlesville, okla. women’s st. edward’s shoot out, austin. football: vs. northeastern state 1 p.m.

n Sunday: nov. 14 soccer: men’s lsc tournament final round. tba

sports

The Wichitan n 9

Lady Mustangs make school history Andre Gonzalez Sports Editor The Lone Star Conference Championship tournament kicked-off this past weekend as six teams battled it out for LSC glory.

The tournament started Thursday afternoon with Angelo State beating Texas A&MCommerce, 2-0, in the opening round.

Right after the Rambelles trampled the Lions, the University of Central Oklahoma faced off against Incarnate Word, defeating them, 3-1.

The results of Thursday night’s games decided on who would play ACU and MSU the following Friday.

That Friday night ACU took on ASU, only to roll past them with a 2-0 win and advance on to the final round.

Next, MSU played their first game of the tournament against UCO and came out on top with an overtime victory of 1-0.

The Mustangs called the shots on the game while holding 18-5 in total shots and 4-1 with shots on goal.

With both halves remaining scoreless, it was going to take a huge amount of effort for either one of the teams to come out on top.

Junior forward Kelsey Hill came through for MSU when she knocked in her tenth goal of the season in the 99th minute after freshman forward Mickey Brown had a breakaway that landed off the UCO goalkeeper’s arms and right into Hill’s sights.

“That game was real good. I expected them to play us real tight, and I’m happy our girls responded,” head soccer coach Jeff Trimble said.

The win over UCO advanced the Mustangs on to the final round, which was held on Sunday afternoon against Thursday and Friday’s winner, ACU. The Wildcats ended up coming out on top with a 2-0 victory over the No. 19 Mustangs.

Andrea Carpenter scored her 19th goal of the season in the 51st minute of the game for

ACU with an assist by Ashley Holton.

Then Katherine Garner caught an assist, through ball from Carpenter in the 69th minute letting MSU feel the Wildcat’s scratch for good.

Junior forward Lindsay Pritchard and Hill made for a combination of MSU’s shots with eight of the nine.

“Abilene Christian played a good game, and I don’t think we played really well,” Trimble said. “You do that against a good quality team, you’re going to run into some problems.”

ACU improved 16-3 on their seasonal record with an automatic bid into the NCAA postseason.

MSU also had the same 16-3 record, and after losing, potentially lost their chance at official selection into the NCAA Division II postseason.

“We didn’t accomplish what we had hoped to accomplish, which was to win the tournament.” Trimble said. “It just shows the quality of teams in the LSC, you’ve got to be ready to play every game.”

However, Monday night brought good news to the Mustangs when they found out they were chosen as the No. 3 team in the division and will be playing against the No. 6 team, Truman University in Warrensburg, Mo. Friday at 1 p.m.

“We need to take care of our stuff and play better soccer than what we did on Sunday,” Trimble said.

This is the first time in school history that MSU women’s soccer has been chosen for the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championships.

If the Mustangs pull out a win, they will move on to the second round against No. 2 Central Missouri (16-0) Sunday at 1 p.m. If the Mustangs win that game, they will earn a deserved advancement to regionals the following week.

“To be able to play them is going to be a challenge.” Trimble said. “It’s an opportunity we’d love to have and a win to shock some people.”

Senior midfielder Brandy O’Neal tries to catch up to a UCO player. (Photo by Hannah Hofmann)

‘Qdoba’ and ‘Qdoba Mexican Grill’ are registered trademarksof the Qdoba Restaurant Corporation ©2010.

November 10, 2010

10 n The Wichitan

Volleyball has rhythm, yes they do!

Andre Gonzalez Sports Editor The MSU volleyball team wrangled up the Tarleton State TexAnns this past Thursday night for senior night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. The score was 3-1 (25-10, 20-25, 25-19, 2522).

MSU put in nine blocks during the match and limited TSU to just four and a .066 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter Hillary White notched in 11 kills for MSU. Sophomore outside hitter Shelbi Stewart put in 10.

Sophomore and freshman setters Kimberly Jeffrey and Zowie O’Neal led the offense with a .238 hitting percentage for the Mustangs.

Junior libero Kiara Jordan led the back row with 18 digs, and following her was White with 12.

Senior opposite hitter Karolina Damjanovic also put forth an impressive performance with eight digs, seven kills and three blocks.

“I was real happy with the showing for our senior day, giving those seniors a good send off,” Head Volleyball Coach Venera Flores-Stafford said.

The win also put the Mustangs at the No. 4 spot for the LSC Volleyball Championships.

It will be held this weekend at West Texas A&M in Canyon.

“We really look forward to going to the tournament this year, and achieving above the expectations of my peers and everyone

else who voted us to be seventh,” Flores-Stafford said.

MSU will once again play against No. 5 Tarleton on Thursday night at 5 p.m. TSU holds an overall record of 22-9, while the Mustangs are at 15-13.

“Preparing to face Tarleton again will be a big match in itself,” Flores-Stafford said. “It’s hard to beat a team twice in a row.”

MSU and TSU’s match, along with all other games in the tournament will be video streamed online at LoneStarConference. org Sophomore setter Kimberly Jeffrey prepares to spike as senior middleblocker Lauren Bayer sets the ball.

(Photo by Hannah Hofmann)

Phillips out, Garrett in Todd Archer MCT

Less than 10 months after he was given a two-year contract extension, Wade Phillips is no longer the Dallas Cowboys head coach, according to sources.

For the first time in team history, the Cowboys have made an in-season coaching change with owner and general manager Jerry Jones handing the interim job to their assistant head coach Jason Garrett.

Phillips’ job security has been a consistent question even after winning two NFC East titles in three seasons but the Cowboys’ 1-7 start forced Jones to do something he has never done before and consistently said this season he would not do.

The last straw was the 45-7 loss Sunday night to the Green Bay Packers, in which the Cowboys rushed for 39 total yards, allowed 28 second-quarter points and turned the ball over four times. The Cowboys lost 35-17 to Jacksonville the week before at Cowboys Stadium.

Phillips’ defense allowed Jaguars quarterback David Garrard to throw four touchdown passes, Maurice JonesDrew to rush for 135 yards and wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker to gain 153 Cowboys fire head coach for the first time in history in-season. (Photo by MCT) receiving yards.

The Cowboys entered 2010 with the hopes of being the first team to play in a Super Bowl in its own stadium only to see dreams of a spot in Super Bowl XLV crash. The only team with a worse record than the Cowboys is winless Buffalo.

Phillips finished with a 34-22 record, but his time will be remembered more for what the Cowboys were unable to accomplish.

In 2007, the Cowboys finished with an NFC-best 13-3 record but were knocked out of the divisional round of the playoffs by the New York Giants, 21-17, at Texas Stadium. The Giants ended up winning the Super Bowl. In 2008, the Cowboys missed the playoffs altogether with a 9-7 mark that culminated with a 44-6 embarrassment at Philadelphia to close the regular season.

Last year the Cowboys rallied to finish 11-5 and ended their playoff-win drought with a 34-14 win against Philadelphia in the wild-card round, but they were crushed the following week

by Minnesota, 34-3.

The Cowboys hired Phillips on Feb. 8, 2007 after an exhaustive search to replace Bill Parcells, who went 34-30 in his four years as coach. Phillips’ easygoing manner and success in running the 3-4 defense was viewed as the per-

fect antidote to Parcells’ strict regime.

It worked at first with the 13-3 start, but the Cowboys were among the most penalized team in the league during his tenure and could not create enough turnovers defensively. The Cowboys marked Phillips’ third full-time head coaching stops (Denver , Buffalo) and including two interim jobs (New Orleans, Atlanta), he has an 82-60 record but went just 1-5 in the postseason.

Garrett, 44, was viewed as a head coach in-waiting in part because he was hired before Phillips. The former backup to Troy Aikman has called the offensive plays since 2007 and while the unit has piled up yardage it has not always led to points.

After the 2007 season Garrett had the chance to become the head coach in Baltimore and Atlanta but chose to stay and became the NFL’s highestpaid assistant coach at $3 million per season. After the 2008 season he nearly became St. Louis’ head coach.

Garrett does not have head coaching experience, but Jones has long admired Garrett’s organizational skills and offensive mind. His father, Jim, was a long-time scout for the Cowboys and his brothers, John and Judd, are the team’s tight ends coach and director of pro scouting, respectively.

Cross country takes LSC title despite shortened race Andre Gonzalez Sports Editor

A confusing Saturday morning struck the MSU cross country team when they ran for the Lone Star Conference championship title at Sherrod Residential Park in Abilene.

The confusion culminated from the lead cart in the race directing the runners off course and

in the wrong direction. However, it was not enough to bring down the No. 17 Mustangs as they took first place and their third consecutive championship.

“When I saw them (the cart) going in the wrong direction, I was getting pretty nervous because shortening the course brings things into play,” Head cross country coach Koby Styles said.

It makes it difficult for distance runners to make them run on a much shorter course.

“The way our training is set up, we do better in the longer distances,” Styles said. “So when you take a whole mile off the course, it starts leveling the playing field.”

MSU finished with 46 points in what was supposed to be a 6K run (3.7 miles), but with the cart

run off, was shortened to 4.5K (2.8 miles).

The Mustangs finished with three of their runners in the top 10, including junior Brissia Montalvo (2nd/ 16:19.77), senior Sydnee Cole (6th/ 16:40.82) and freshman Ashley Flores (9th/ 16:52.49).

Flores also earned LSC’s Freshman of the Year title.

Following after her for MSU

were freshmen Janel Campbell, Cara Mack who finished at (13th/ 17:04.59) and (16th/ 17:12.35), respectively.

Junior Lindsey Pate (21st/ 17:28.38), senior Bailey Dulaney (53rd/ 18:26.15) and sophomore Melody Caldwell (57th/ 18:32.39) finished the pack of Mustang runners.

“We knew going in we were one of the better teams, and it

takes a lot to knock us off our pedestal,” Styles said.

Now, MSU has the chance to qualify for its second NCAA Division II national appearance if they finish in the top three at the South Central Region championship meet on Nov. 20 in Warrensburg, Mo.

Athlete Spotlight

Ashley Flores. Freshmen Cross Country

VcMor Eligwe. Freshmen Soccer

- Distance 4.5k at 16:52:49

- MSU’s top producer with 10 goals and five assists this season.

-2010 All-Lone Star Conference Runner

-Raised in Nigeria, but moved back to U.S. in 2004.

- Undecided major from Haltom City, Texas

- Art major from McKinney, Texas

- Ashley earned Lone Star Conference Freshmen of the Year honors after placing ninth at the conference championships on Nov. 6, 2010.

- VcMor was named the Lone Star Conference Offensive player of the week .