Collegian T he Cameron University
Monday, November 18, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
Volume 89 Issue 9
Lawton Food Bank opens new doors Kaitlyn Stockton
Member Angela Spradlin next took the stage to surprise Copy Editor the organization with a check for $24,000. Mosiman said The Lawton Food Bank she was in shock from the opened its doors to its new generosity of her community location on Nov. 9. and was almost speechless at At 3 p.m., Director of the the time. Food Bank Jeri Mosiman, “It was very heartwarming,” Chair of the Lawton Food she said. Bank Board Nathan Johnson Mosiman said the food and Executive Director of bank is always looking for the Regional Food Bank of volunteers, whether helping Oklahoma Rodney Bivens families carry items to their welcomed the public to the new cars or creating a website for home of the food bank with the food bank. a ribbon cutting ceremony. “People can help in Members of the Chamber whatever way they would of Commerce, McMahon like. If people have time that Foundation, local businesses they are willing to volunteer, and other community we can always use them,” she supporters celebrated a new era said. “We always need help in in the history of the Lawton sorting food from food drives Food Bank. and stocking the shelves. We Mosiman said her are always looking for the daily organization’s move will allow drudgery of cleaning. There the members of the Lawton are people when they go to the Food Bank to feed families grocery store who pick up two more effectively and efficiently. of what they are getting and Since Mosiman became the give one to the food bank.” Photo by Kaitlyn Stockton director, she said she has seen For the holiday season, the numbers of people and Mosiman said her team plans Grand opening: Jeri Mosiman, Nathan Johnson, Nick Preston and Rodney Bivens cut the ribbon at the families who visit the food on providing additional treats bank quadruple. opening of the Lawton Food Bank’s new location. The new building opened at 3 p.m. on Nov. 9. to present families with the “We needed more space,” set up. It just seems so surreal.” just cried. I had tears streaming sees the new home of the food us with our building and best holidays. Mosiman said. “Our old Mosiman said she is not down my face. It has just been bank as evidence of the good Goodyear helped move us.” “We have decided our building had 4000 square ft. the only one ready to begin so remarkable to go from that in people and the Lawton-Fort After the reveal and ribbon gift to our families is to get Last year, we fed an average of this new adventure. Many to this in the course of a year.” Sill community. cutting, Mosiman and the additional food,” Mosiman 857 families every month. It volunteers and donors are The move would not have She said: “We are a United other members of the Lawton said. “A family of one to three was extremely difficult to do excited to begin providing more been possible without the help Way agency, so we have been Food Bank were surprised with will get 10 additional items. that in that size of building. It food to even more families. of the McMahon Foundation. receiving money from the even more kindness. If a family has five or six was challenging. This one is a “Cameron Baptist Youth Mosiman said the charitable community for the past 20 During the event, Steve family members, it will get better fit at 10,000 square ft.” was here. Last year, there was organization provided the years, but this building is a Barnes, general manager of Jim 20 additional items. Seven or Mosiman said she remains zero food in the warehouse,” Lawton Food Bank with a testament to community at Glover Chevrolet, presented more will get thirty additional in awe of the transformation of she said. “They came in the donation to purchase the new its finest. No one entity could the Lawton Food Bank with items.” her new building. have pulled this off. It is just a the gift of a check for $5,000 To donate any food or “When I took over the food other day and were amazed to building. Mosiman believes result of a community pulling to feed its neighbors in need. clothing items, books, or toys bank over seven years ago, our see all of this space and food after seeing zero food last year. individuals were put on this together for people in need. Arvest Bank Marketing Officer or to volunteer, contact Jeri lobby seated four people,” she We all held hands and prayed. I earth to help each other and The City of Lawton helped and Lawton Food Bank Board Mosiman at 580.353.7994. said. “There’s now chairs for 21
Aggie Sneak Peek brings in prospective students Kaley Patterson
Newswriting Student
Here, students could preview different departments and organizations while talking to representatives from each. The attendants also had the option to take different tours of the campus conducted by the Aggie Ambassadors. The tours varied from departmental tours to Development Jennifer Pruchnicki talked housing only or a full campus tour. to students about life on campus: getting “I like that I get to inform people involved, organizations, housing and about Cameron” Jeremyra Cross, senior more. Pruchnicki also introduced the Psychology major and third year Aggie student panel made up of four Cameron Ambassador, said. “I like showing them students. When perspective students around the pretty campus. I also like checked in, each visitor was given a bag getting them excited about becoming a with a t-shirt, information packets and potential Cameron student.” an index card. The students used the card Prospective students will have another to write down questions that were given chance to explore Cameron University to Myers to ask the students in the panel. in the spring. The Cameron Admissions The questions varied from, “What is it office will hold a series of events that are like living on campus?” to “Is the food any academically based. Myers said there will good?” be different days that are geared toward “There’s genuineness to the student different departments. panel,” Myers said. “These students are If prospective students are interested not getting paid to talk about Cameron. in attending, they can contact the They’re not up here because it’s their job. Admissions office at 581-2289. If current They’re just up there because they really CU students are interested in becoming like Cameron.” an Aggie Ambassador, they can pick up The student panel concluded the Aggie applications in the Admissions Office Sneak Peek program, but the day was not on the second floor of North Shepler. over yet. The prospective students and Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. their parents were invited to attend the on Nov. 22. organization fair in the Aggie Rec Center.
At 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 2, Cameron Admissions hosted Aggie Sneak Peek for prospective students who are interested in attending Cameron University. The event was held in the MCC. “Aggie Sneak Peek is Cameron’s fall preview day” Associate Director of Enrollment Management Frank Myers said, “It is the opportunity for prospective students to come visit our campus, see our facilities, learn about the admissions process, scholarships, and financial aid, and meet with professors, student organizations and student services.” Students and their parents began flooding the east entrance of the MCC an hour before the program was scheduled to start. They were greeted by Cameron’s Aggie Ambassadors. The program took place in the MCC Ballroom. To start the event, President McArthur greeted students and their parents. He informed the guests that Cameron is a wonderful place for students to receive their higher education. Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Jamie Glover then explained CU’s admissions process, how students can enroll and how they can also apply for scholarships and financial aid. Glover also spoke about CU’s mission for southwest Oklahoma. For a break from all the information, the Aggie Ambassadors came out on stage to introduce and explain the top five important things students need to know to be an Aggie: school colors black and gold, the pick axe symbol, Black and Gold Fridays, Ole Kim and the fight song. The ambassadors sang the fight Photo by Kaley Patterson song and then encouraged those in the audience to stand up, clap and try to sing Preview: Assistant Director of Financial Assistance Robin Lee talks to along. possible CU students at the Aggie Sneak Peek. The event took place Nov. 2. Next up, the Director for Student
Taylor Thompson selected as Miss Black Oklahoma Kaylee Jones
Assistant Managing Editor Taylor Thompson, CU’s Coordinator of Diversity Affairs, is officially Oklahoma royalty. Thompson was selected as Miss Black Oklahoma USA 2014 in September. “It has been a long time coming,” Thompson said. “I first competed in the state pageant in 2007; I was first runner-up, so to finally reach that goal was awesome.” After completing the evaluation process, which included a phone interview with the national pageant office, Thompson was named a Delegate-at-Large, which Thompson explained means there was no state pageant. Thompson will represent Oklahoma at the national Black USA Pageant in Washington, D.C. in August 2014. “We will have a panel interview with our judges, and we will also compete in a fitness wear segment, a talent portion, then evening wear, and then the awesome onstage question and answer,” Thompson explained. Thompson first competed in the Miss Lawton Pageant in 2005, placing as 4th runner-up. After her first attempt at the state title, Thompson became Miss Black CU in 2008.
“I’ve had nothing but good experiences,” Thompson said of the pageant environment. “I think I’ve been lucky, but I think [pageants] have definitely taught me a lot, everything from public speaking to interview skills. I don’t think there is a much harder interview than a pageant interview.” Thompson said she started competing in pageants because she loved to sing. “Pageants were kind of my way to be able to get out on stage and sing in front of people,” Thompson said. “That’s really my draw, definitely the talent portion.” As Miss Black Oklahoma USA, Thompson said part of her year of service would include speaking to women about keeping their hearts healthy, as the pageant has a national partnership with the Heart Truth Campaign. While her platform is mostly about building selfworth, Thompson added that her message to girls looking to compete would be to have a goal and mind and keep striving toward it. “I think very early on I learned the art of perseverance,” Thompson said. “Everything is not going to go according to plan the first time around, but you definitely have to stay on the right track, stay positive, keep the faith and you’ll get there.”