News 15th Street
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 24
Inside
Rose State College
Photo Essay
TIC group visits Telstar,
... page 5
Friday, April 10, 2009
BY J.L. MORRISSEY Assistant Editor
Senate executive board candidates, ... page 4
Suzanne Thomas, art professor and Kristen Starkey, mathematics professor entertain Telstar Elementary students from Mrs. Fisher’s class with colors and geometry to illustruate how the two complement each other. (Photo by Chelsea McIntire)
Spotlight: Dr. Mark Tippin, ... page 3
RSC brings college to Telstar kids plans for the Pre-kindergarten – 5th grade students in their various disciplines of Assistant Editor expertise. They ranged from math and sciTelstar Elementary, one of RSC’s adopted ence to photography and philosophy, but schools, welcomed a handful of professors ultimately the lessons gave the children a from Teaching in Community [TIC] Friday, glimpse into higher education and showed March 3. TIC’s purpose is “to encourage that it is attainable and fun. Event organizer and support faculty in creative exploration Stacie Mayes said, “I asked each instrucand reflection on teaching and learning.” tor to teach what they love and what they Before each Professor took to the classteach on a daily basis.” rooms they were given an “outstanding stuFor instance, inside the Telstar gym childent” guide, who took them from class to dren eagerly lined up for their turn to glide class. Shawn Tillman from Ms. Johnson’s on a hovercraft that was built by Physics fourth grade class served as one guide and professor James Gilbert and his lab assaid that he was “really happy to be out of sistant Stephen Lynch. Dr. Jamie Graham class” and enjoyed the “responsibility.” assisted Gilbert in the exercise. The device Professors prepared individual lesson was constructed from a plywood disc afBY J.L. MORRISSEY
My take on life: Quitter, ... page 2
fixed with a modified leaf blower and powered by rechargeable batteries. “The purpose of the demonstration was two-fold; to illustrate Newton’s Laws of Motion and to get students excited about science by exhibiting that science is fun,” Graham said. “The children loved the experience and thought that the hovercraft was a lot of fun. Hopefully, it showed the students that science does not have to be a hard endeavor and that it is actually a ‘hands on’ discipline,” Graham said. In an interesting turn of events, HumaniSee COLLEGE, Page 5
Go Green gets dirty to educate community, campus between Tap Water and Bottle Water: Editor 1. Cost, Tap water about 4 Go Green is a relatively new cents a gallon. Bottled water, 80 club on campus that aims to cents to $ 4.00 a gallon bring awareness of environ2. Tap water is filtered and mental issues to the forefront disinfected. Bottled water has for RSC students. Go Green is no federal or disinfection rea student spin-off of the admin- quirements. istrative Green Team formed 3. Tap water system oplast year by the Director of the erators must be state certified. Physical Plant, Ivan Quate. The Bottled water plant operators do two organizations frequently not have to be certified. collaborate to help dispel the 4. Tap water utilities must “hippie images” that plague have their water tested by certienergy conservation, recycling fied labs. Such testing is not and other environmental initia- required for bottled water. tives. 5. Tap water is regulated by “We aren’t your mother’s State DEQ and EPA. Bottled generation of tree huggers. water is only regulated by the We’re much more hip than that. FDA. These days, going green means 6. Your tap water has a chlosaving green. It’s as much about rine residual in it to protect it being economically savvy as from bacteria. Bottled water has it is about good stewardship no disinfectant present to kill of earth’s limited resources,” bacteria in the bottle. J.L. Morrissey, president of Go These are just a few things to Green said. think about when you decide to On March 30, Go Green and buy that bottle of water. Also the Green Team sponsored an remember plastic bottles last for event inside the main dining thousands of years in a land fill room that featured a viewing of and most people don’t recycle a documentary film titled “The them,” Clark said. Story of Stuff with Annie LeonHis story lent much credibilard” and speaker Bill Clark, a ity to the issues Leonard precorporate environmental trainer sented in the documentary film. at the Profession and Education According to Morrissey, LeonTraining Center. ard “is a nationally recognized Clark has over 25 years of environmentalist, who is an experience in the water and expert in international suswastewater treatment industry tainability and environmental and his speech centered on health issues with more than 20 “banning the water bottle” in years of experience investigateffort to cut down on the use of ing factories and dumps around bottled water for a more susthe world.” tainable future. “The short 20 minute film “Here are a few comparisons examines the impact of conBY RACHEAL PRICE
sumerism and materialism on part of a fundraiser for our club global economies as well as during the event,” Morrissey international health. These are said. bitterly serious topics presented Following the film Morrissey in a humorperformed an ous, palatinteractive able fashion. demonstration But in truth, that dissected it’s meant to a trash can of make Ameriits contents cans seriin search of ously reconrecyclable sider their items. shopping “Many peoand dumping ple frequently habits,” Mortoss stuff into rissey said. a garbage can In addition and do not to the film realize that viewing, Go there is value Green and in the trash the Green they throw Team gave away. Glass, out many aluminum, freebies. paper and Participants food scraps of the event can be all be received recycled or free pizza, composted.” free reus“When I able green first moved cups that here I was carry a .35 J.L. Morrissey explains how a plastic disturbed by bag can get caught in the wind, be the enormity discount in torn, and end up in the water sup- of the landthe café and ply. Morrissey recommends using a cafeteria, canvas bag as an alternative. (Photo fills here. free desk by Chelsea McIntire) They are side paper literal mounrecycling bins for employees tains of trash. The dumps along of RSC, recycling door hangers Sooner Road and near Council and stickers. and I-40 all rise up from the “Every effort was made to landscape, unnaturally. I reensure that our event was made member pointing and asking as green as possible. We used what is that?” Morrissey said. compostable foodservice items Although Morrissey advoto serve the pizza and even ofcates recycling she said that fered organic baked goods as “reducing what you consume
and reusing what you bought is by far more important.” “Often when people shop for items they give very little thought to its packaging which is overly excessive in many cases. I mean really, when you buy a candle does it need to wrapped in a plastic and then put into a box before you’ll buy it. You end up throwing away most of packaging. I suggest purchasing items that have the minimum packaging requirements. This simple step can have a huge impact,” Morrissey said. “As consumers we should all be concerned with the distribution of merchandise in general. Marketing practices often compelled consumers to support wasteful practices to their own environmental detriment,” Morrissey said. “It is our sincere hope that someone managed to walk away from this event to think more critically about how they spend their money and to also take responsibility for what they purchased and consumed. “The aftermath of product consumption isn’t just in the trash, it’s all around us. It’s in the oceans, aquifers and freshwater lakes we drink from, the air we breathe and the earth that grows our food to nourish us,” Morrissey said. “The Story of Stuff’ can be viewed for free online at www. storyofstuff.com. For more information about Go Green or the Green Team please contact J.L. Morrissey at jmorrissey@ rose.edu.
Page 2 • April 10, 2009
OPINION
Check your Sharpies at the sink!
E ditorial
Only in Oklahoma would you find religious and antireligious rhetoric scribbled on the same bathroom wall. This strikes us as odd. We can understand the need to read the Bible wherever you are. This makes sense, but taking the time to scribble anything while in a ladies stall in the Humanities building seems, well, out of place. A Bible verse, and a satanic response, don’t fit appropriate bathroom decor. Of course, graffiti isn’t décor. It’s crass. Let’s seriously discuss the immaturity of bathroom graffiti. Most of the bathrooms on campus have some form of student philosophy scrawled across the walls. It isn’t limited to one particular bathroom in one building, but we are waiting for the day we see a math equation and its solution scribbled there too. However, the Humanities building women’s restroom looks like the bathroom exploded in
evangelism and then, someone decided to throw fuel onto the fire. “Smile God made you beautiful,” “Jeremiah 29:11”, and “Satan is my lover,” all litter the walls. We did a little informal investigation of students and professors that frequently visit this restroom. Apparently, this has grown from a single comment at the end of the last semester to the seven or eight gems of wisdom that dot the walls now. The latest were added this week. It’s like banter. One person wrote something and then, on a whim another person added more, then another and so on. The writers probably think they are amusing and clever, but really they are disrespectful. Not everyone needs reading material when they enter the restroom. Some people would rather quote Byron while in the Humanities building restroom, us included. Not everyone wants to see the college campus defaced in this way, us included. It is disrespectful because the RSC staff will later need to paint
over it. It wastes their time having to clean up after students that are supposedly adults. If a message is important, it doesn’t belong on a bathroom wall. The best place to advertise a viewpoint or look for dating advice is not on the bathroom stall –we assure, we tried it once and it failed to live up to the services promised. If what is trying to be said is truly philosophical, the place for it isn’t where classmates will be relieving waste or fixing make up or hairdos. What can we do about this? We can certainly be more constructive. 1) The writers can simply quit writing on restroom walls. Perhaps, a notebook would be helpful. The philosophical ponderings may turn into something useful for an entire generation of people if the writer kept it close to breast. If you want to connect with other bathroom poets, perhaps, you should leave your number on a post-it note and call each other. 2) The students can take positive action. Perhaps, an art student can create a piece of sculpture meant to be used for graffiti.
At least, it could be fun for both male and female students. Chalk gardens are nice, inexpensive, and washable. 3) Perhaps we could find toilet paper that has advertisements on it, or Bible verses (although that seems weird), or Anton LaVey’s Satanic Bible (might make us afraid to use the restroom though) for students to read and amuse themselves with. Finally, advice for our potty time prophets is called for: Dear Miss “Satan is my lover”: Perhaps, you should reevaluate your taste in men because that liaison could be dangerous. Dear Miss “Jeremiah 29:11”: Could you please specify the version of the Bible you are referring to? If we are in the bathroom, then God apparently planned for us to be there? Or is he simply thinking of us? Dear Miss “Smile”: When we head into the bathroom stall, beauty, smiling, and God’s love seem to not be a priority. We suppose a thank you could be in order, but it is still weird. The point is there is a better way to get out thoughts, feelings, and problems without engaging future restroom visitors.
Taxed out of tobacco, columnist quits smoking
Everybody hates a quitter, right? Well, too bad. Though it might be clichéd, you’re quitting smoking—just like everybody else who can’t afford the rising price of cigarettes. You sincerely wish you were doing it for the right reason: your health. But what really hurts is your wallet. You’re going broke because of your habit. Yeah. Yeah. You suppose you could call quitting another way to conform. And that’s not rock ‘n’ roll. Sure, you were cranky when at first ‘they’ took smoking in restaurants away from you. You nearly had a heart attack when ‘they’ tried to take away smoking from us—the orally fixated—at RSC. No, but seriously, at the rate you’ve been smoking since you turned 15, you probably will have a heart attack if you continue down the same old, same old path.
You have to quit, and the price gives you the perfect excuse. But to the point: what about your credibility as a rock ‘n’ roller? Are you too cool for school if you turn your back on the habit that the rock community so openly embraces? Not smoking is still rock ‘n’ roll, just in a whole other sense. Sure, you wouldn’t be rock ‘n’ roll if you weren’t self destructive, but your mouth probably would cause more trouble had you not the pacifier that is a cigarette stuck in it. So what you need is a microphone, not a cigarette. Instead of dealing with stress with the drug of nicotine, you should get your is-
sues off your chest before it caves in. Anyway, the more you smoke the more your singing voice creaks, like Bob Dylan, which is fine to some, but not to most of the listening public. His voice is like a fine w(h)ine. Pun intended. However, nobody wants to hear a 26 year old out of breath like yourself in the midst of performing a punk song. You used to laugh at those anti-smoking PSAs. You used to laugh and light up like lifting a middle finger. Smoking is the equivalent of giving yourself a finger in the mirror. So, just quit while you still have .50 in the bank.
I really enjoyed your editorial about the recent Miss RSC/MWC and Miss Black Rose State pageants. I am amazed that today’s women allow themselves to be “judged” wearing swimsuits in any kind of contest, but in a scholarship competition, it is truly absurd. I regret that an academic institution such as ours participates in this type of exploitation. Isn’t this talking out of both sides of our mouth? - “your intellectual ability is of great value, but to be completely worthy, you must have a body that is pleasing (to men) to look at, also.” This encapsulates the doublebind that women still face in our society and I think it is unfortunate that Rose State perpetuates it in our community. I also agree that the pageant rules are ri-
diculous, especially considering that a large percentage of our students are women with children, both married and not. They are often in desperate need of financial assistance, yet are prevented from participating in a competition open only to women with limited adult responsibilities. I also believe the “good moral character” clause should be stricken because it is too general and subjective. (Although I do not agree with you that wearing a swimsuit incidates anything about a woman’s moral character.) I do believe, however, that it is valuable to have a separate scholarship competition for African American women. Due to the deeply ingrained racial bias in white society, there’s too great a chance that a majority white
judges panel would not be totally objective if both blacks competed with whites. A multiracial judges panel not dominated by whites might be a solution. This also raises the question of multi-racial students - where is their opportunity to compete within these two restrictive categories?? It smacks of the old Southern standard that black is black, and white is everything not black. Your point that we are still practicing de facto segregation is well taken. As a nation, and certainly here in Oklahoma, we haven’t yet found an equitable solution to this problem. The 50s are still very much with us.
My Take On Life ... BY BRYAN MANGIERI Features Editor
Mail Call Cuskey: ‘Smacks’ the old Southern standard
Editor in Chief Racheal Price (rprice@ rose.edu)
Staff Members
Assistant Editor J.L. Morrissey (jmorrissey@rose.edu) News Editor Miranda Liming (miranda_liming@stu.rose. edu) Features Editor Bryan Mangieri (bmangieri@rose.edu)
Staff Writers Nicole Ford
Photographers Chelsea McIntire (cmcintire@rose.edu) Eric Tatom (etatom@ rose.edu) Graphic Artists Brian Allen Grant Skaggs Circulation Manager Paul Kim (pkim@rose. edu)
Tech Support Scottie Seger (aseger@ rose.edu) Secretary Carol Benefee (cbenefee@rose.edu) Coordinator of Student Publications Julie Lesko-Bishop (jlesko-bishop@rose. edu)
Carolyn Cuskey, History Professor
Policies
and
Letters
Columns, commentaries and letters to the editor are personal opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of 15th Street News or other students, faculty or administrators of the college. Editorials are written by the editorial staff. Letters to the editor may be hand delivered to FA110; sent by mail to 15th Street News, Rose State College, 6420 SE 15, Midwest City, 73110; e-mailed to the secretary, [cbenefee@rose.edu] or recorded nights on PhoneMail at 733-7400 between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Letters must include the writer’s full name, ID number and telephone number. Letters will be printed with full name and must be 500 words or less. Editing may be necessary for space, clarity or to avoid obscenity, libel or invasion of privacy, but ideas will not be altered. Publication of all materials is at the discretion of the editor. Anyone having a complaint may call the editor in chief, 733-7400, or the Student Publications Board chairperson, Towry Barnard, 733-7379. 15th Street News, a student newspaper serving the RSC community, is published weekly, except school holidays, on Fridays during the fall and spring semesters by the Office of Student Publications, 6420 SE 15,
to the
ARIES (March 21-April 20) Sometimes you have to just listen. Be hesitant on speaking today and pay attention to detail. TAURUS (April 21-May 20) This month challenge yourself and step out of the comfort zone. Sometimes you have to think outside the box. GEMINI (May 21-June 21) Now is the time to get organize and complete unfinished goals. Remember try not to put so much on your plate. CANCER (June 22-July 22) You can be your own worst enemy. Try not to be so hard on yourself. Everybody makes mistakes. Learn from your mistakes. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Someone around you needs you help. Offer support anyway you can and don’t ask so many questions. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You’ve got the whole world figured out. Don’t you? Or do you? LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Sometimes secrets make friends after all. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) You might want to rethink how you roll because that’s not how we roll. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Discipline yourself so no one else has to. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) Don’t sweat it. You’ve been hard on yourself for no reason. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19) Sophronein in Greek means “to be temperate.” You might want to watch yours. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Like the Argonauts, it is time for Pisces to take to the sea and go with the flow.
Editor
Midwest City, OK 73110. 15th Street News is a member of Oklahoma Collegiate Press Association, which has designated this paper top junior college newspaper six years, and Associated Collegiate Press, which has rated it All American 30 semesters. This publication is printed by Edmond Sun, Inc., issued by RSC and authorized by the Coordinator of Student Publications. Cost to the state taxpayers is $301.81 for 4,000 copies per issue and $56.40 for spot color. This paper is recyclable. RSC, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Executive Order 11246, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services.
Page 3 • April 10, 2009
CAMPUS CORNER Spotlight on ...
Briefly Speaking
DR. Mark Tippin
BY J.L. MORRISSEY Assistant Editor
Dr. Mark Tippin may be a fresh face to RSC, but he is an “old pro” when it comes to bringing an energized spirit into the classroom for his students. “I have been doing this long enough to know that students have things to do other than to come to class and be bored and go through the motions. I feel that students want someone who is energetic and has something to offer them. I want to make it enjoyable and exciting for them by talking about things that are relevant,” Tippin said. Before arriving at RSC Tippin’s gained extensive teaching experience at well-known institutions. “I was a full time assistant professor at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford for seven years. I [was an] adjunct for 15 years at Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City [OSU OKC], and I’ve been an adjunct for a couple years at the University of Central Oklahoma [UCO],” Tippin said. Additionally, Tippin has many more years of teaching experience under his belt with Edmond and Putnam City High Schools and feels that teaching is gratifying and his “mission” in life. “I love teaching. I love the interaction and everything about it. I feel that we were all given skills and abilities in different areas and I would like to think that mine is in teaching. “It is so gratifying to hear students pick up on stuff and then ask really good questions that correlate
By Willy A. Wiseman
ACROSS 1 Lead player 5 Subtle signal sound 9 Pinnacles 14 Generic soft drink 15 Samoan port 16 Expressionless 17 BMW rival 18 Rx place 19 Toss about, as ideas
with the topics that we were talking about. It makes the whole process worthwhile,” Tippin said. “Regardless of discipline there is one basic goal that I have for all my classes and that is to do something or say something that would cause them to have to think – to become independent thinkers,” Tippin said. Last year, Tippin was encouraged to apply for an open position by the “then associate dean of business, Dr. Jeff Caldwell, who is now Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.” Also another RSC business professor, Dr. Rob Winslow, who is “a very close and good friend,” of Tippin’s once told him that he thought “he had died and gone to heaven,” which made him feel that RSC “was an opportunity” that he “could not pass up.” Tippin was hired as a generalist and teaches accounting, statistics, business administration, management, production and operations management and economics courses. He also hopes to someday teach supply chain management courses, which would help students better prepare as they transition to four year degree plans. Although he likes them all, he says that enjoys statistics most. “Statistics is kind of my thing. My doctorate is in applied statistics,” Tippin said. “I have two bachelor’s degrees from UCO in Math Education and Accounting. A master’s in Management from Southern Nazarene and a PhD in Educational Psychology with a specialization in what they call REMS, Research Evaluation Measurement Statistics from OSU,” Tippin said.
20 Calming look? 23 Taiwan currency 24 Florida raptor 28 Boxer’s stats 31 Uneasy 34 Actress Gabor 35 Prank 37 Part of USNA 38 Small barracuda 39 Organs purchased on the sly? 43 Slick 44 Chemical
suffix 45 Beethoven dedicatee 46 PAT value 47 Perk up 50 Silver or Leibman 51 Noble Italian family 53 Chinese secret society 55 Kenny Loggins’ rhinoplasty? 61 Pariah 64 Actress Washbourne
Identity Theft The FAA Credit Union will host a free Identity Theft Seminar 2 p.m. Thursday, April 16 at 10201 S. Western in Oklahoma City. The credit union will share information on how to prevent identity theft and the warning signs. Space is limited to 50 attendees. To reserve a place call 682-1990 extension 1102 or email jamie@faaecu. org. (Photo by J.L. Morrissey)
Although Tippin jokes that the many hours spent pursuing his own higher education taxed his eyesight, he still sees the intrinsic value of it. “I am a person who believes that our world is getting much more complex by the second and the only way were going to survive as a society and as a civilization as a whole is if we are better and better educated,” Tippin said. Tippin will celebrate 30 years of marriage in November to wife Robin, who is a national board certified French teacher at Edmond Santa Fe High School. They enjoy traveling and recently returned from Paris, France over spring break. They have one son, Daniel, who is currently a senior at OU and studies sociology and political science. Outside of the classroom Tippin enjoys playing golf, though he “wishes” he “played better” and is “very committed” to his “faith.” “Jesus has been very, very good to me. Better than I deserve,” Tippin said.
65 Son of Eve 66 Driving maneuver 67 Any part of EAP 68 Spelling of “Trick” 69 Tierney and Tunney 70 Speed contest 71 Spots DOWN 1 Jazz singing 2 Professional golfers’ circuit 3 “Paper Lion” star Alan 4 Wet out 5 New Guinea language 6 Man-lion figure 7 Continental crust 8 Grain-field weed 9 Convent head 10 Necklace fastener 11 Isle of __ 12 Put a stop to 13 Kite backdrop 21 Sham doctor 22 “__ Got Mail” 25 Mend 26 Very much 27 China’s Sun __ 28 Explosive sound 29 Surfing the web 30 Became old hat 32 Legal phrase 33 __ Ridge Boys
36 Frozen over 38 Poivre companion 40 Small portion 41 Colonial blackbird 42 Diminutive 47 Squirrel’s stash 48 Not accented 49 Thus far 52 Val d’__, Fr. 54 Pesky insects 56 Abu Dhabi ruler 57 __ fide 58 Hautboy 59 Very dry 60 Yale alumni 61 Earlike part 62 Pierre’s summer 63 Play on words
Solution 4/3/09
Brighton Beach Memoirs RSC’s theater department will perform Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs” 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16 - Saturday, April 18 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19 in the H.B. Atkinson Theatre. Dinner theater will be offered 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16. To make reservations for dinner theatre call 736-0313. Tickets to the show can be purchased at the door. Seniors 62 and older, students, faculty and staff are free with ID. Non-RSC students with ID are $2 and general admission is $3. For more information about the production call 7337430. Visual Arts Series RSC will host a Student Art Exhibit April 20 - May 7. For more information call 7360313. Pegasus RSC’s annual literary and art magazine, Pegasus, will be unveiled Tuesday, April 28. A reception honoring the students will be held as well. For more information call 7360313. Earth Day The RSC Go Green Club and Green Team will sponsor several activities in honor of Earth Day Tuesday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 22. On Tuesday, the organizations will host several speakers 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Student Center Raider Room. Wednesday will mark the grand opening of the RSC Monarch Butterfly Waystation. Refreshments will be provided at all events. Springfest! In conjunction with Springfest, the Student Senate executive officer elections will be held 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15 inside the Student Center. Free pizza will be served 11 a.m., noon, and 4 p.m. to allow a greater number of students to participate than in the past. Additionally, there will be several interactive activities including entertainment, a rock wall, a dunk tank and volleyball intramurals.
Page 4 • April 10, 2009
NEWS & FEATURES
Who’s Who?: Student Senate Executive Candidates
Major: Secondary Education Candidate for: President Campus Affiliations: Student Senate, Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Vice President of Republican Club, Ethics Club, President’s Leadership Class Personal message: “I’ve been very fortunate in having a large amount of leadership experience with other organizations, and honestly feel a strong passion for leadership. I’d love the chance to be a part of the leadership in senate, and help lead us back to the overall involvement we need.”
Phillip Cox III
Major: Business Administration Candidate for: President Campus Affiliations: Student Senate, Republican Club, Go Green, Vocal Oklahomans In Civic Engagement, Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, Black Students Association Personal message: “I feel confident that I can make some changes that will help the student senate better serve the student body. I would like to make RSC a more representative campus. Currently, the ideas of change are represented by a select group of people and not the student body. I will change that if elected to office.”
J.L. Morrissey
Tracy McDade
Kole Tidwell
Christina McDade
Kelsie Tucker
Amanda Walters
Gavin Hart
Major: Radiologic Technology Candidate for: Secretary Campus Affiliations: President’s Leadership Class, Republican Club, Music Club, Drama Club, Student Senate Personal message: “I’ve been involved with several organizations here on campus and I want to further my involvement by improving the student senate’s organizational capabilities. I want to streamline the dissemination of information so that I can get the students better informed on what we are attempting to accomplish.”
Major: Multi-Media/Web Design Candidate for: Secretary Campus Affiliations: Student Senate, President of Black Student Association, Student Ambassador, Library Club Personal message: “Serving on senate has given me the chance to learn a great deal about the campus, as well as interact with many students. My greatest concern is that many students don’t know that there is help available to them, free of charge such as, financial aid, tuition waivers, tutoring, job placement, as well as counseling. Having this information could help a lot of frustrated students and give them the chance to continue their education.”
Major: Aerospace Logistics Candidate for: President Campus Affiliations: Student Senate, Go Green President and Founder, 15th Street News Assistant Editor, Black Students Association, Phi Theta Kappa Personal message: “In the year and a half that I have served on student senate I have brought forth innovative ideas that address real world issues such as sustainability and the rising costs of textbooks. I am committed to making this institution accountable to the community and to the students that attend it. As your student senate president, I will continue to knock down the ivory towers of higher education.”
Major: Radiologic Technology Candidate for: Vice President Campus Affiliations: President’s Leadership Class, Student Senate, Republican Club, Hispanic Student Association Personal message: “I have a strong passion to see an increase in student involvement and I want to see a change in student senate. I want student senate to become more involved with the students and do more for the student body opposed to just serving ourselves. I want to know about the changes the student body wants and I want to make that happen.”
Major: Criminal Justice Candidate for: Treasurer Campus Affiliations: Student Senate, Black Students Association, Tinker Federal Civic Leaders Personal message: “I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in many leadership programs and would like to see other students benefit from the same experience. The programs have offered me a chance to gain more knowledge and become a better leader. If elected, I would ensure that all RSC students have the same opportunity.”
Major: Nursing Science Candidate for: Vice President Campus Affiliations: Step Club, Non Traditional Student Organization, Student Senate Personal message: “I’ve served as club liaison. I’ve seen a lack of communication between student senate, the clubs they sponsor and the student body that we are here for. I think I would be the best person to facilitate communication between the [parties].” This may not be reflective of all students on the final ballot. 15th Street News staff made an effort to contact every student that had announced candidacy prior to press time.
Professor offers historic look into the origins of Christianity in America BY NICOLE FORD Assignment Editor
Some people may have heard “never discuss politics or religion,” if they wanted to keep a healthy relationship with anyone. Contrary to this advice, RSC Professor Alan Ball, teaches students that it is not a problem to discuss religion when they enroll in his class, “Christianity in the United States.” Even though, America was not founded upon Christianity, the religion, even today, plays a major role in the world in which we live. Professor Alan Ball teaches the specialty course online utilizing a textbook by Mark Noll. Ball stated, “something that America has done that is ‘outside of the box’ is our Constitution doesn’t mention God.” Part of the reason he wanted to teach this class is he wanted students to have a blank slate. He wanted to challenge them because a lot of people believe the myth that America was founded for reli-
freedom and not anyone else’s. He talked about men such as Roger Williams, who was exiled from the Massachusetts Bay colony because of his religious beliefs including tolerance for all religions and fair dealing with the Native Americans. Ball said, “I wanted students to Professor Alan Ball (Photo by Andrew Wynn) kind of get an understanding of that.” gious reasons and in fact it was not. “Students can appreciate how Christi“Our first colony was Jamestown, and anity in America is unique and different it was started by a company of investhan other places in the world, and how tors,” Ball said. [American] Christianity has evolved.” He mentioned that the Puritans came “We throw off the old world Christian to America for religious freedom, when ideas, like churches being supported by in fact they came for their own religious the state,” he said.
He mentioned the idea of paying taxes to the state and then using that money to support a particular church. The idea was counter intuitive to the Founding Fathers, who believed the church would thrive in the hands off approach from the government. To be fair to all, an approach that favored one was necessary. The professor proclaimed, “religion has been a critical factor in our elections and in our politics.” Ball commented,“Think about it, America has voted for one Catholic to become president,” referring to former President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy had to give a speech saying that the Catholic Church would not have an impact on his presidency before he could be elected president. Ball’s objective is for students to see the importance of religion in our country, and Ball loves doing this. This course is for all students seeking knowledge and history of Christianity, as viewed by American scholars.
Page 5 • April 10, 2009
COLLEGE LIFE College - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ties professor Caryl Gibbs turned over her philosophy lesson to RSC student Racheal Price. According to Gibbs, they “utilized the curriculum that Price developed last year as part of her honors project to teach philosophy to young children.” Price taught “Plato’s Myth of the Cave” and encouraged them to “think beyond their immediate experience,” Gibbs said. “I had a great time, it really showed me how passionate I am about teaching philosophy to children and made my mind up on the career path I want to follow,” Price said. The experience enlightened both professor and student. “Racheal was amazing. She brought a very high level of energy to the classes, and the children really responded to her,” Gibbs said. “One student from 2nd or 3rd grade raised his hand and commented that he thought when he got to come to RSC, Racheal would be a teacher here!” Gibbs added. “Elementary school teachers are some of the bravest and most amazing people on the planet. I am in awe of them,” Gibbs said. Meanwhile, Math professor Kristen Starkey and Art professor Suzanne Thomas teamed up to present their lesson plan for the Telstar children. According to Thomas, she wanted to “help kids understand that math and art work very well with each other” and that the combined lesson would “help teachers be able to incorporate both disciplines in one lesson.” “The younger kids really enjoyed themselves the most. We had 20-25 minutes with each class. I know that the kids were probably happy just to be out of their normal routines. Professor Starkey and I both enjoyed working with each other. This was a different experience for me to team-teach, and maybe this is something interdisciplinary that could definitely benefit our students at RSC,” Thomas said. Photography professor Cherry Aguilar offered the most mystical lesson with a giant camera obscura that gave children the opportunity to see what the inside of a camera looks like. The optical device was constructed from refrigerator boxes and all light was blackened except for a tiny pin hole of light that was allowed to enter the box and project onto a white piece of paper. This resulted in a projection of light that showed the outside scene in color, but upside-down. In another classroom, accounting professor,
Stacie Mayes presented a financial predicament for a fourth grade class. She gave the children the choice of being given one million dollars flat out or one penny the first day that doubles the next day then doubles the previous day’s pennies and so on for a month. Many of the children leapt at the million dollars but had they selected the doubling penny they would have ended up with $10,737,418.23. “The next time someone tells you that a penny is not important, what are you going to tell them,” asked Mayes of the class. “You tell them that they don’t know what they are talking about because pennies are very important,” Mayes said. After the exercise, Mayes distributed the “Ticket to College” along with a one-page summary of Oklahoma Promise.” “I wanted to make sure their families knew that if they start planning now, the children can have great success in college,” Mayes said. At the end of the day, both students and teachers had walked away from the experience with new knowledge and understanding.
Telstar Elementary third grader Breynna Childers enjoys a ride on Professor Gilbert’s hovercraft. (Photo by Chelsea McIntire)
“Miss Fischer’s class learns how math and art go hand in hand through shapes and colors in a presentation given by professors Kristin Starkey and Suzanne Thomas. (Photo by Chelsea McIntire)
Stacie Mayes explains the value of a penny to students. (Photo by Chelsea McIntire)
Telstar Elementary PreK students Brandon Garrison and Tre’ Bennett zoom across the gym floors as they try out professor Gilbert’s hovercraft. (Photo by Chelsea McIntire)
Ukiah Hall, Aaliyah Johnson, Camarion Cudjo and Jamall Johnson learn how math and art go hand in hand through shapes and colors in a presentation given by professors Starkey and Thomas (Photo by Chelsea McIntire)
Blasko honored as ‘Accounting Student of the Year’ by business division
PASA luncheon brings together new and old faces
BY BRYAN MANGIERI
BY BRYAN MANGIERI
Sherry Blasko, accounting major, was recognized as RSC’s Accounting Student of the Year, Apr. 6 in the Business 101 classroom. “The accounting professors nominate top students and then we select the best one from those nominations,” Jerri Tittle, accounting professor, said. “She was an unanimous choice.” Tittle said Blasko keeps her grades high, works very hard and helps other accounting students with their homework. These are all reasons why she was chosen. Dean Art Zenner presented her with a plaque from the Oklahoma Society of CPA’s. “Sherry is one of the best accounting students we’ve ever had,” Tittle said.
The Professional Administrative Staff Association’s (PASA) spring luncheon meeting April 1 in the Professional Training and Education Center saw the election of new officers and the return of RSC’s fifth president, now president emeritus, Dr. James Cook. Cook brought stories from his decades in administration, providing laughs for those who gathered. His anecdotes included a professor he formerly worked with at another school, caught naked, doing bench presses at 3 a.m. in the weight room. Cook reiterated during the meeting “a sense of humor is always important.” It helps us to “overlook the unpleasant.” Pam Emmons handed over her post as PASA president to Kim Delk. Other newly elected positions included Sherry Alexander, vice president; Carla Robison, secretary; Bob Pierce, treasurer; and Jason Charlow, parlimentarian. During the luncheon, Emmons encouraged PASA members to share jokes. She had also asked members donate goods for the troops in Iraq. Lisa Pitsiri made a call for donations to the Foundation. “Every single scholarship makes a difference,” Pitsiri said. As part of the fun, there was a door prize drawing for a trip for two. Robison won the prize, which wound up being a pair of shoelaces.
Features Editor
Art Zenner and Sherry Blasko (Photo by Paul Kim)
RSC student Racheal Price teaches philosophy to Miss Fisher’s Pre Kindergarten class. (Photo by Chelsea McIntire)
Features Editor
Page 6 • April 10, 2009
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Adventureland’ so-so effort for writer of ‘Superbad’ BY BRYAN MANGIERI Features Editor
“Adventureland,” the new comedy, simply tells a story well with a few laughs along the way. The key word is “few.” Set in 1987, James Brennan, played by Jesse Eisenberg, faces a setback when his father is demoted at work, so the college graduation present his parents initially promised—a trip to Europe—is now out of the question as well as the financial help James needed to pay for grad school in New York. Without much prior work experience, he finds a job at what seems to be the only place hiring in Pennsylvania, Adventureland, an amusement park. James’ job is remedial. His bosses are clueless. His co-workers are party animals. The film makes no statement, no substantial message, nothing of the sort. That would have been fine if there were more comedy thrown in, but in the end what we get is sappy, clichéd and just sort of satisfying. No, what we get is the standard story: boy meets girl, boy loses girl and we won’t ruin the rest, but you get the picture. The actors, however, give their best despite a less than stellar script by Greg Motolla, who also co-wrote “Superbad.” The girl in question, Em Lewin, played by Kristin Stewart (Twilight), is just distant enough to capture your attention and make you wonder what’s going through her head. Unfortunately, it’s not a lot once unraveled. Perhaps, the best part of the film is the comedy team of Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig as the bosses of Adventureland. They shine, but only appear in the movie at points few and far between. The direction, also by Motolla, gives this film a truly 80s vibe. Motolla obviously wanted to present a piece of nostalgia that would fit in with classics like “The
Jesse Eisenberg pines after Kristen Stewart’s character Em Lewin in Miramax Films’ comedy, “Adventureland,” which is more like “Garden State” than “Superbad.” (Abbot Genser/Miramax Films/MCT)
Breakfast Club.” So if you’re a fan of that type of affair, you might like this movie. However, if you want to pee your pants laughing, skip this flick until you can rent it.
Hungry? PTK offers place at their table Oxfam Banquet slated Thursday, April 30 BY J.L. MORRISSEY Assistant Editor
The goal of Oxfam is to provide lasting solutions to poverty and hunger through education. (Photo provided by MCT Campus)
enlightening,” said Price. Tens of thousands of people take part in Oxfam America’s Fast for a World Harvest campaign every year at their churches, schools, colleges and community groups. “The event is free to attend, but we will be accepting donations for Oxfam,” Price said. Money raised from the event and on campus will go to Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Members of PTK, as well as NTSO, BSA and Go Green will be recruiting for the event and collecting donations throughout April. “We will also be collecting canned foods for the local food bank as well,” Price said. “At any given moment, there are 854 million people in the world suffering from hunger, and every day 30,000 children under the age of five die of preventable causes including
malnutrition,” said Price. “By participating in Oxfam America’s Fast campaign, we’re doing our part to try to raise awareness and change the reality faced by poor people across the world,” she said. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to reserve their place at the banquet 6 p.m. Thursday, April 30 in the Student Center Main Dining Room. For more information or to “reserve a seat at the table” call Racheal Price 922-8014 or email her at rprice@rose.edu.
S U D O K U
Each smaller square, called a cell, is to be filled in with a numerical figure from 1-9. These numerals are not to be repeated within horizontal or vertical rows or within a large square.
Solution from 4/3/09
RSC students are poised to take a stand against hunger Thursday, April 30. RSC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is inviting community members, RSC students, faculty and staff to join the nation’s oldest and largest anti-hunger movement to raise awareness on the global food crisis and its relation to climate change. Oxfam America’s Fast for a World Harvest brings home the experience of living with poverty that is shared by millions in the US and overseas. Organizers of the event hope to bring together at least 100 people for the event. Participants will get a chance to experience a meal as a low income, middle income or upper income global citizen. This event is one of the thousands of events taking place across the country. “Participants will draw lots to determine what kind of dinner they will be served. What is interesting about the meals is the food is determined by the world’s average income. So, a low-income diner will expect to be served the equivalent of what an impoverished individual in Mexico or Ethiopia would be eating. The middle income diner will have a meal that is more like the poor in America,” said Racheal Price, vice president of leadership for PTK and Oxfam event organizer. “The event is part education and part dinner theater. We expect it to be fun, as well as
Norman Music Festival ent stages and venues around Norman. Most of the events festivities are to take place BY CHELSEA MCINTIRE on three full blocks of Main Staff Writer Street just east of the RailThe city of Norman will be road tracks. Main Street is to hosting their second annual be loaded with food vendors, music festival. The event art exhibits, and the site of th will be held April 25 from the four main stages of the 10:30 a.m. until midnight. In event. tradition the festival will be Of Montreal is to be headopen to all ages and is com- lining act of the festival. The pletely free to the public. band consists of front man This year’s festival will be Kevin Barnes, Bryan Poole, filled with multiple genres Dottie Alexander, Jamey of music and over 80 acts Huggins and Davey Pierce. performing on twelve differ- Of Montreal focuses on Indie
Music Stand
pop beats and other forms of experimental music. Stylistically the band focuses on creating songs that either includes true often thought as humorous narratives about themselves or fictional characters. It is assumed that the band is to play music from their latest album “Skeletal Lamp” as well as new experimental songs. Another band that will be performing on the main stage is Man Man. Man Man is a all male group that features a large array of musical in-
struments in the songs. They have a heavy jazz and vaudeville experimental sound to each song. Members sing, hoot, holler and scream throughout each song. The group is also known for their very lively shows featuring lots of movement and dances. For a complete list of the events and performers for the festival one could visit the Norman Music Festival Web site at normanmusicfestival. com.