The Cameron University Collegian: October 18, 2010

TH E CA M ERON UNI V ERSIT Y Monday, October 18, 2010

Volume 85 Issue 6

Informing Cameron Since 1926

CU to host OK Research Day

By Rachel Engel News Editor

Cameron University will host Oklahoma Research Day on Nov. 12 this year, marking the first time CU has hosted the event since its creation in 1999.

Oklahoma Research Day is designed to foster communication and interaction between students and faculty from across Oklahoma by allowing them to share and present their research each year at the event.

Associate Professor of Political Science and Oklahoma Research Day 2010 Coordinator Dr. Tony Wohlers said that the diverse amount of researched topics is a testament to the popularity of the event, and the interaction is what makes it unique.

“It is a state-wide conference for both students and faculty from any institution of higher education in the state to present their research, and it can be in any discipline,” he said. “This year we have business, accounting, biology, political science, history, music, genetics, forensic science, geography; you can go down the list. Every possible discipline, pretty much, will be presented. It really is a cross section of all the major disciplines you find at universities, large or small.”

Research poster presentations submitted by the participants will be set up in rows in the Fitness Center

to facilitate interaction and curiosity among students and faculty.

“Everybody is encouraged to walk around, look at the posters and ask questions,” Dr. Wohlers said. “Then, hopefully, you get this exchange across disciplines, across campuses; from student to faculty and vice versa. You’re able to learn something and you get inspired to do more research, because that’s what this is all about, basically, to show your research, to share it and to inspire others to continue with their research and to stay on that path.”

The University of Central Oklahoma traditionally hosted the event, along with Northeastern State University after 2008, until a decision at the end of last year allowed for the event to be rotated on a two-year basis among the regional universities in the state, Dr. Wohlers said.

The event has grown by leaps and bounds since its first gathering at UCO in 1999 with 233 research poster presentations by students and faculty from around the state. This year’s event boasts over 600

See RESEARCH Page 2

MCTCampus

Look it up: Students and faculty from around the state will converge on Cameron University on Nov. 12 for Oklahoma Research Day, an event meant to foster creativity and connections across campuses and disciplines by showcasing research projects and presentations from participants. This is the first time Cameron has hosted the event. CU will also host the 2011 Oklahoma Research Day due to a new rotation schedule implemented this year.

Phone-a-Thon organized to increase donations

By Rachel Engel News Editor

At many major universities, alumni donations are crucial to funding specific events, the construction of new buildings on campus and student scholarships. Cameron is no exception.

For the past few weeks, student workers have participated in a Phone-A-Thon, by calling Cameron alumni to update them on the changes to the campus landscape over the last few years, verify their contact information and encourage them to give back to CU. Director of Development Hillary Ashton said the university is attempting to increase its amount of alumni donors, and updating the alums on the drastic changes at Cameron is a way to keep the lines of communication open.

“We’re trying to build on our base of alumni who support different funds and areas of campus,” she said. “The alumni that haven’t been on campus in 25 or 30 years have no idea about some of the amazing changes that have happened in the last 10 years. So it’s an opportunity to tell the alumni what’s happening on campus, and then also ask them to give back.”

The Phone-a-Thon will run until Oct. 19, with student workers calling Sun. – Thurs. nights. Ashton said the experience will help them outside their college careers.

“It’s an opportunity to get an idea of some communication skills that are going to be excellent when you graduate from Cameron,” she said. “A big part of the conversations they have [with alumni] is building rapport by finding out a little bit about the alumni: When was the last time they were on campus? What was their favorite thing about being at Cameron?

Those are great opportunities for the students to really get a head start on some of those interviewing skills before they leave campus.”

Freshman student worker Katima Browders said she enjoys working in the Phone-a-Thon.

“We play games to keep it interesting and fun,” she said. “We try to beat the person next to us in pledges, so it’s like we’re all in competition each night.”

Browders acknowledges that the tight economy doesn’t always allow each alumni to give back, but the

See DONATIONS Page 2

For the cause: Student workers call alumni during Cameron’s Phone-a-Thon to update them on changes to the campus landscape, and to ask them to give back.

MCTCampus

News

A&E

Sports

Opinion

Martin Luther King Jr. contest begins.

Dr. Hyunsoon Whang to perform piano recital.

Cameron golf team breaks school record.

Bentley Gardens could use a little TLC.

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News

October 18, 2010

www.aggiecentral.com

MLK Jr. Day celebration contest

By Amanda Harris Newswriting Student

Entries for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Contest are now being accepted.

This contest is held by the Cameron Campus Ministries and the Cameron University Martin Luther King Jr. Committee. It is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Holiday Celebration.

The theme for this year is “Bridging the Gap: From Civil Disobedience to a Hip Hop Nation.”

Dr. Jennifer Pruchnicki, Director of Student Development, is serving on the Cameron University Martin Luther King Jr. Committee. She said the purpose of this contest is to keep Dr. King’s message of equality alive.

“Dr. King was a very influential leader and his message of equality still lives on today,” Dr. Pruchnicki said.

“The contest helps carry on this message.”

She further explained that the contest gives students an opportunity to reflect on how Dr. King’s message has influenced them.

“It is a great chance for students to express how Dr. King’s message has impacted their lives,” Dr. Pruchnicki said.

Students who would like to participate in the contest can submit work in three different categories: Art, including photography, Poetry and Essay.

Essay should be typed and consist of 1,000 to 1,250 words.

As students prepare their work for the contest, Dr. Pruchnicki encourages students

to think about Dr. King’s legacy.

“He was an advocate for equality and saw potential in individuals to help make society a better place for all,” Dr. Pruchnicki said. “I hope that students will become more aware of issues of equality and diversity and view this contest as a learning opportunity.”

All entries for the contest must be submitted by noon on Nov. 19. Students can take their art, poetry or essay entry to the Cameron Campus Ministries or submit them via email to director@ccmcenter. org.

MCTCampus

An award will be given to the winner of each category. An overall winner is selected for both high school and college.

The overall winners will receive a $300 cash scholarship.

The overall winners will be notified prior to the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration and have the opportunity to present their work at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Panel Discussion on Jan. 17, 2011.

If the winning entry is poetry or an essay, the winner will be invited to read their work to the audience. If the winning entry is art work, the winner will be invited to display their art and explain it to the audience.

Other Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration events occurring on Jan. 17 include the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, a panel discussion, and

the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Banquet.

All Cameron students, faculty and staff, as well as the community members, are invited to participate in the service project.

The panel discussion is also open to all Cameron students, faculty and staff and community members. It is a free event at 2 p.m. in the CETES conference center.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Banquet is at 6:30 p.m. in the McCasland Ballroom located in the McMahon Centennial Complex. Tickets are $30 for adults and $13.50 for students.

For more information regarding the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Contest or other events relating to the celebration, call the Cameron Campus Ministries at 357.7226.

DONATIONS continued from page 1 dialogue is still positive.

“We call alumni and ask them for donations, but we also just touch base with them and let them know what’s happening on campus,” she said. “People are in a crunch right now for money, but they do give, and even if it’s just talking to them, it’s cool.”

This is the second semester the university has attempted such a large scale operation of alumni contact. Last spring, the Phone-a-Thon raised over $20,000 toward student cash scholarships for different areas of study.

Ashton said that the need for this kind of alumni outreach is there, and growing, as Cameron’s student body increases.

“We’ve seen other universities be successful at it; the University of Oklahoma raises about $1 million, if not more, each year, and it’s just what large universities do,” she said. “So, as Cameron grows, and the student body grows, the need for scholarships and the need for alumni to give back is more important now than ever.”

Ashton believes the Phone-a-Thon is just one example of how the university can adapt to its growing student population.

“Cameron is growing and expanding and becoming a very strong university,” she said, “and within that, we are taking the trends that larger schools are successful at and adding on to those.”

RESEARCH continued from page 1

Solutions on page 3

individual poster presentations, and close to 900 total participants.

After the poster presentations, participants are encouraged to attend the banquet to hear additional research presentations and a keynote speech from Oklahoma EPSCoR State Director, Jerry Malayer.

Dr. Wohlers said the benefits of hosting the event are the positive interactions afforded to the students, and the awareness it brings to CU. “You bring in faculty and students from across the state and you generate considerable attention to Cameron,” he said. “The other great benefit of hosting is for the students, and that’s probably the foremost benefit. The students can present their research and share it. It’s a good place for networking given the diversity of people who are there at the time.”

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October 18, 2010

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3

Age is not issue in public service

OU law student runs for Oklahoma House seat

By Rachel Engel News Editor

After achieving their bachelor’s degree, most students choose one of two paths: head to graduate school, or join the workforce. But, for 24-year-old Emily Virgin, public service seemed like the right choice.

Virgin is running for the Oklahoma House of Representatives in District 44, which encompasses the University of Oklahoma where she is a graduate student studying law. She comes from a family with a history of political involvement: her father was elected to the City Council in Moore, OK, when he was 19, and ran for mayor in his early twenties.

Virgin said the decision to run

came after realizing that Rep. Bill see a lot of the budget cuts that Nations (D-OK 44th District) was were taking place affect these organizations. I term-limited, and that she always said that if I saw an area might be able “At first, people just to make a where I could assume I’m a campaign difference. really make a “Right before volunteer. Then, when difference in, I started law I would get I tell them who I am, involved.” school, I had their first question is, been thinking Though she about [running] ‘How old are you?’” was the one who ultimately a little bit,” she said. “I had decided to run, — Emily Virgin Virgin needed always been involved in Oklahoma House to show her community parents that she of Representatives could balance service and District 44 candidate a balance a volunteer work, and I campaign along with her had started to graduate studies.

“It was pretty much my own decision, but my parents were skeptical at first,” she said. “Not that they though I couldn’t do it, but it is very hard and very time consuming. There’s not a lot of time for anything else other than school and campaigning.”

By scheduling her graduate classes for in the morning, Virgin is able to knock on doors, return phone calls and work on her campaign in the evening, though she is often mistaken for a volunteer.

“It’s gotten a little better because I’ve been doing it since March,” she said. “At first, people just assume I’m a campaign volunteer, then when I tell them who I am, their first question is ‘How old are you?’”

Dealing with her age and her young looks has been an obstacle, but one she’s worked through, Virgin said.

“People were very hesitant at first to believe I had any common sense or life experience,” she said.

“Then I would force them to have a conversation about the issues. I would be able to contribute and that would put their fears to rest.

I still have some people say, ‘No, you’re too young,’ but it’s gotten better.”

Virgin said that many of the people she has talked to have been excited about the prospect of having someone so young making decisions.

“People are excited that young people are getting involved,” she said. “They’re tired of the status quo. Some people are taken aback at first, but especially older voters tell me we need some new blood, some fresh faces and fresh ideas. On the whole, it’s been positive.”

Despite her campaign, Virgin has managed to maintain as much of a normal college life as she can.

“When I started law school last August, I hadn’t officially announced I was running,” she said. “I made an effort to make good

Freedom From Smoking Classes Freedom from Smoking, a program of the American Lung Association, will be offered during the second eight weeks of the fall semester, for students, faculty and staff of Cameron University, Mondays, Oct. 18 through Nov. 29, 12:30 p.m., at CETES room 206.

Joe Langley, Director of the Southwest Area Health Education Center at Cameron University, will lead the seven week, eight session program.

“As the university approaches becoming a tobacco free campus next August, this is an opportunity for those who smoke to quit now,” Langley said. “The university has offered this program, free of charge, to make the transition a smooth one for students and personnel.”

Photos courtesy of Emily Virgin

Emily-of-all-trades: Oklahoma House of Representatives District 44 candidate Emily Virgin stares intently at the replay screen at an Oklahoma Sooners football game. Virgin was the Equipment Manager for the team while she completed her undergraduate degree in political science at OU. friends before I told them I was doing this so they would still see me as a normal person. It turned out the friends I made are very politically involved and supportive.

I do make a big effort to try not to look like a candidate at school, though.”

Virgin has not decided on a lifelong career in politics; she’s focused on earning her law degree, and eventually pursuing private practice when the House is not in session if she is elected.

According to Virgin, balancing

school and running for public office can be done with the right amount of organization, and feels the experience is worth it.

“Through all the bad things, through people being rude, it really makes it worth it when people come up to you and say, ‘That issue is a huge issue for me, thank you for understanding and being aware of it,’” she said. “That really makes it worthwhile. I could be a normal student right now, worrying about normal student things, but I am lucky to be able to do this.”

Opinion

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October 18, 2010

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Bentley Gardens: In need of TLC

The Bentley Gardens is the best addition to campus in recent years.

I mean no disrespect to the other additions around campus.

The CETES Conference Center continues to host numerous conferences and other pertinent events on campus. The Business Building serves as an excellent display of Cameron’s commitment to providing students with a sound academic environment. The beloved McMahon Centennial Complex is an all-encompassing facility where one may eat, buy books, pay tuition and enjoy the company of friends.

All of these buildings greatly benefit Cameron, but the Bentley Gardens offer a more tranquil setting to socialize and relax from the grind of campus. As the THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Editorial Staff

Managing Editor - Jim Horinek News Editor - Rachel Engel A&E Editor - Michael Faggett Sports Editor - Amanda Cantu Variety Editor - Rashmi Thapaliya Copy Editor - Taylor Brunwald Aggie Central Editors- Rachel Engel, Michael Faggett, Kyle Luetters, Ron Phillips

Newsroom Staff

Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Alyssa Knerr, Dianne Riddles, Elizabeth Nagel, Jessica Goodman, Rebecca Craft Circulation Manager - Clayton Gould Advertising Manager - Jim Horinek

Newswriting Students

Megan Bristow, Shaniqua Brown, Jarred Burk, Maria Cepeda Pilataxi, Ashley Del Ciello, Terry Dixon, Ippi Elliott, Ashleigh Fletcher, Chaney Gibson, Nicole Grzecki, Amanda Harris, Tiffany Martinez, Elijah Morlett, Ronald Phillips, Ishia Saltibus, Amber Spurlin, Brandon Thompson, Ricardo Thompson, Ricky Warren, Jeffrey Williams, Brittany Wolfe, Lana Ochilien

Faculty Adviser

Dr. Christopher Keller

About Us

The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Edmond Sun via the Duncan Banner.

Letters Policy

Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length.

Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification.

Letters can be sent by regular mail or e-mail to collegian@cameron.edu, or they may be dropped off at our office Nance Boyer 2060.

Our Views

The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author.

The unsigned editorial under the heading “Our Voice” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board.

The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma.

Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content.

Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.

Michael Faggett A&E Editor

focal point of the beautification movement on campus, the gardens are a well-let, spacious terrain which offers enough seating to accommodate everyone. They are so peaceful that they could turn the Incredible Hulk into a jolly green giant.

Just recently, I took an evening stroll in the gardens and looked at its scenery. Soothing waters flowed in rhythmic fashion.

Gentle breezes caressed the air.

The lights around the garden beamed with a soft glow. However, the highlight of the whole stroll was the parade of crickets jumping for joy and chirping with cheer around me as the sprinkler system spewed water like fireworks on the fourth of July.

While the crickets do not actually appear as pleasant as

Photo by Rashmi Thapaliya

previously described, the nature of their presence, in conjunction with the omnipresent, constantly running sprinkler system and the beautiful ring of cut grass surrounding the McCasland Pond, really raises a red alarm in my mind.

Granted, crickets can’t be controlled. However, while the garden is kept like a condominium for crickets instead of a habitat for humanity, the bug population will vastly increase around the grounds of the gardens.

While the Bentley Gardens

is the best addition to campus in recent years, I am concerned about its level of maintenance.

I understand that the garden is still in its infant stage, and that the trees, grass and other landscaping need time to develop and better accentuate its beauty. However, watering the soil at least twice a day to the extent that the ground is being turned into a prime location for mud volleyball is taking it to the extreme.

It is great to see the garden being landscaped well, with the mowing of grass and edging of

the pond’s perimeter, but the remnants of such work does not necessarily have to be seen inside the pond.

Wet grass in ponds yields more room for crickets and other creatures to roam, which could turn the McCasland Pond into Cameron’s own fishing hole.

Although these may be minute details, attending to them gives an indication of good stewardship of our recent additions to campus.

I am not asking for an extreme makeover, but a touch-up to better exhibit the beauty of campus.

Colleges: Where the money goes

By Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus Los Angeles Times (MCT)

At Pomona College, a top-flight liberal arts school, this year’s sticker price for tuition and fees is a hefty $38,394 (not including room and board). Even after adjusting for inflation, that comes to 2.9 times what Pomona was charging a generation ago, in 1980. This kind of massive tuition increase is the norm. In New England, Williams College charges $41,434, or an inflation-adjusted 3.2 times what it did 30 years ago. Southern Cal’s current tab of $41,022 is a 3.6 multiple of its 1980 bill. Tuition at public universities, in a time of ailing state budgets, has risen at an even faster rate.

The University of Illinois’ current $13,658 is six times its 1980 rate after adjusting for inflation. San Jose State’s $6,250 is a whopping 11 times more. If you look at how that added revenue is being spent, it’s hard to argue that students are getting a lot of extra value for all that extra money.

Why? Colleges aren’t spending their extra revenues, which we calculate to be about $40 billion a year nationally over 1980 revenues, in ways that most benefit students.

One thing colleges are spending more on is athletic teams, which have become a more pronounced and costly presence on campuses everywhere.

Even volleyball teams travel extensively these days, with paid coaches and customized uniforms.

Currently, 629 schools have football teams 132 more than in 1980.

And all but 14 of them lose money,

including some with national names. It’s true that alumni donations sometimes increase during winning seasons, but most of those gifts go specifically to athletics or other designated uses, not toward general educational programs. And meanwhile, the cost of sports continues to rise.

The average football squad has gone from 82 to 102 players, due to sub-specialties required by esoteric coaching strategies. The number of women’s sports teams has also risen sharply. Since 1980, for example, the number of women’s soccer programs has soared from 80 to 956. And teams cost money, often lots of it.

Varsity golf at Duke, open to both genders, costs an estimated $20,405 per player per year.

Because there are no revenues for most sports, the deficits often have to be covered by tuition bills. Another source of increased expense is administration.

Since 1980, the number of administrators per student at colleges has about doubled; on most campuses their numbers now match the number of faculty.

Here are some of their titles: senior specialist of assessment; director for learning communities; assistant dean of students for substance education; director of knowledge access services. Needless to say, these officials claim that they offer needed services. Who can be opposed to ensuring access and assessment? But let’s not forget that tuition pays for all these deans and directors;

MCT Campus

having more of them means higher bills for students.

Added tuition revenue has also gone to raise faculty salaries. Yale’s full-time faculty members now average $129,400, up 64 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars from what they made in 1980. (Pay in other sectors of the U.S. economy rose only about 5 percent in this period.) Stanford’s tenured and tenure-track professors are doing even better, averaging $153,900, an 83 percent increase over 1980. We’re told such stipends are needed to get top talent, but we’re not so sure. Faculty stars may raise prestige, but they are often away from the classroom, having negotiated frequent paid leaves and smaller teaching loads underwritten, of course, by tuition.

At Williams College this year, for example, three of seven religion professors are taking off all or part of the academic year. Complete data on college presidents’ pay is easily accessible only back to 1991. Yet even in that relatively short span, many college leaders have seen their salaries double in inflationadjusted dollars.

Carleton’s president today gets 2.4 times more than the president did 19 years ago; at NYU, pay has risen by 2.7 times. Measured another way, it takes the tuitions of 31 Vanderbilt students to cover their president’s $1.2 million annual stipend.

We have yet

to see evidence that lofting more money to the top enhances the quality of instruction.

In theory, all this extra tuition money should permit the hiring of more junior faculty, which might mean smaller introductory courses. But on many campuses, huge classes remain the norm.

One reason is that most teaching budgets are consumed by senior professors. Amherst’s full professors absorb 77 percent of the cash available for full-time faculty. At Berkeley, they sop up 73 percent. At Northern Arizona, it’s 75 percent. The little that’s left is parceled out among junior professors and underpaid adjuncts, who despite rising tuitions are doing an increasing portion of the teaching.

The cost of room and board has gone up sharply too, with charges often double or more in inflationadjusted dollars. At Bowdoin and UCLA, they have gone up three times. Most college tours will show that student living standards have risen too. Rooms once had only iron cots, military mattresses and battered desks. Now suites are wired for electronic gear, with fully-equipped kitchens down the hall. Penn State enables students to legally download music at last count about two million songs a week.

The travesty of high tuition is that most of the extra charges aren’t going for education.

Administrators, athletics and amenities get funded, while history departments are denied new assistant professors. A whole generation of young Americans is being shortchanged, largely by adults who have carved out good careers in places we call colleges.

A&E

October 18, 2010

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5

Students on campus pursue music dreams

By Rebecca Craft Newswriting Student

Ever since elementary school, teachers and parents have told students to dream big. For a few Cameron students, these big dreams are becoming a possibility.

Members of rock band Lancaster and rap artists Brian Phillips and SanTrell Smith each produce and perform their own original music. Though they have different goals for their art, each share the same mission: to express themselves through their art.

“I think music is a language that everyone speaks,” Phillips said. “I also look at it as a tool. I can put out songs that people can relate to but can’t pick the feelings out themselves.”

Phillips’ primary desire is to motivate his listeners to follow their own passions and dreams.

“I like making songs about dreams that motivate and inspire people, and songs that make people feel good about themselves,” he said. “It’s challenging, but anything that’s challenging is worth doing.”

For Lancaster, one significant challenge is the distance between lead guitarist and vocalist Justin Styer and the rest of the band.

Styer lives in Lubbock, Tx, while the rest of Lancaster resides in Lawton.

“So far, we’ve tried to get together with each other once a week and get together with him once a month,” drummer Keaton Lamle said. “If we can practice with him three or four days in a row, that’s almost as good as practicing once a week with him.”

The members of Lancaster each started out as friends with individual music goals.

“It just kind of made sense,” guitarist and vocalist Jarod Grice said. “We were all living in the same area doing music individually so we thought, ‘why would we not just do music together?’”

After deciding to form the band, the members of Lancaster began writing songs as a group.

“It’s very collaborative, which is surprising to me because I think that it’s so different from other things,” said Grice. “Typically in a band, one guy is primarily the songwriter, and then there’s the rest of the band. It’s not been that way for us at all. We all contribute something significant.”

As a music artist writing and producing his own work, Smith feels that his songwriting is best developed by pressure.

“Nine out of 10 times the pressure causes me to write much better and a lot more,” Smith said.

“I really focus and arrange my thoughts together, almost like an essay. First, I outline what topics

and lines I want to cover, then put it in a full body form.”

Though music is important to him, Smith’s first priority is getting a college degree.

“I’m not necessarily dependent on music to make my future because anything is bound to happen,” he said. “Studying, staying in school, and getting a good job is my main goal, but what I really want is to make it in

music. If I don’t, at least I’ll have my degree.”

Promoting individual performances can be a simpler task with the use of social networking sites. Lancaster, Phillips, and Smith all have profiles on Facebook and Myspace.

“Not too many people listen to the radio because they have CD players and iPods,” Smith

said. “If you promote yourself on all the social networks and post links everywhere, then people will watch your videos.”

Whether rap or rock, student music artists at Cameron are making their voices heard through their songs.

“I feel like everyone has a story to share,” said Phillips. “I just share mine every time I record.”

Photo courtesy of Lancaster

Singing their own song: (from left to right) Justin Styer, Keaton Lamle, Alex Von Wollenberg, Jarod Grice and Corbin Adams make up the rock band ‘Lancaster.’ The group, along with rappers Brian Phillips and SanTrell Smith, are some of the many students produce their own music.

CUPE preps to host renowned percussionist

By Ricardo Thompson Newswriting Student

Photo Courtesy of CU Percussion Ensemble

Playing sweet melodies: Grant Johnson and other members of the Cameron University Percussion Ensemble play numerous songs at the 2010 Commencement Ceremony. The Ensemble will perform at numerous functions through this academic year.

The Cameron University Percussion Ensemble (CUPE) is preparing for their fall campus concert.

They will perform an assortment of percussion repertoire featuring the CU Centennial Singers, the CU Pan Express – Cameron’s official steel drum ensemble – and Valerie Naranjo, an expert in African percussion music who performed in the Broadway production of “The Lion King.”

The concert will feature selections such as “Highlife” by Phil Faini, “La Llaronoa” by Ruth Jeanne and “Abibigromma” by Valerie Naranjo.

It will also feature percussion ensemble senior Grant Johnson performing “Marimba Spiritual” on marimba, and “Rain” by George Green on xylophone.

“Percussion is far more than making it through each piece, but getting into the depth of the piece,” Johnson said. “By understanding what the composer wants to convey to the audience, an artist can add their own touch to the piece.”

During his tenure of study, Johnson’s experiences accompanying professional artists and receiving private lessons have significant inf luence on the percussionist he has become. “[Those experiences] have been phenomenal,” he said. “They shaped me into the percussionist I am today.”

Students undergo rigorous preparations for each concert, which is a formative part of their degree programs. According to Department Chair of Music Dr. James Lambert, the nature of percussion ensemble requires a balance between theory and practice for students to

hone their skills and convey the musical piece as intended.

“I like to see where the rubber meets the road. Students are engaged in roughly 20 percent theory and 80 percent practical application,” Dr. Lambert said.

Aside from major concerts, percussion students are engaged in recitals throughout the semester as part of the curriculum.

“Every Friday, the program alternates between studio or department recitals,” Dr. Lambert said.

According to Dr. Lambert, percussion ensemble bridges the gap between theory and studio study with performance.

“It is a preparatory training ground diverse in its function by connecting studio study with the larger ensemble,” Dr. Lambert said.

Students can enroll in percussion studio whether pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Music or Music Education. The practical training prepares students not only for concerts or recitals, but also for the profession of performance or education.

“Practical training prepares students for the reality of work,” Dr. Lambert said. “It also teaches students to prioritize and understand the hierarchy of authority.”

Percussion ensemble teaches diverse instrumentation to its students. Many students study multiple percussion instruments by design based on the programs in which they enroll.

“I teach accessory percussion, drum set, hand drumming, keyboard percussion, multiple percussion, rudimental snare drum, steel drums, and timpani,” Dr. Lambert said.

“Students are assigned parts in percussion ensemble according to their strengths or course of study in studio.”

Whang shares passion for music with CU community

By Ippi Elliot

Newswriting Student

Hyunsoon Whang, the Cameron University McMahon Endowed Chair and Professor of Music, always knew she had a passion for playing the piano.

Born and raised in Seoul, Korea, Dr. Whang began her studies in music at the age of four and her first performance was at the age of 12.

To further her studies in music, Dr. Whang moved to the United States at the age of 16 and studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts, the St. Louis Conservatory of Music, Juilliard and received her doctorate in music from Indiana University School of Music.

Dr. Whang is a versatile pianist who has traveled around the world performing a myriad of music.

She has played across the United States, Europe and Asia.

She is well known for her solo performances but also

performs in chamber music and accompanies orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Miami String Quartet.

Dr. Whang said she has had the privilege to perform with well-known conductors Leonard Slatkin, Joel Revzen, Miriam Burns and Nicholas Harsanyi.

Dr. Whang recalls one of her more memorable performances in Korea with her younger sister, who plays the cello.

“It was the bond between sisters that made the performance so special,” Dr. Whang said.

Dr. Whang said she credits her teachers for making her success possible.

“I always loved my piano teachers,” Dr. Whang said. “They were great foundations.”

After many years of study and numerous performances, Dr. Whang wanted to share her knowledge of music to others. In 1993 she joined the Music Department at Cameron

University.

“I always knew in the back of my mind that I wanted to become a teacher,” she said.

Dr. Whang said she feels just as passionate about teaching as she is about playing the piano.

“I can’t choose one over the other, “ Dr. Whang said. “I would feel like a huge part of my life was missing. I am very fortunate to be doing both.”

Dr. Whang said she encourages her students to perform well.

“Be a good person and always do your best,” Dr. Whang said.

“No one can ever ask you to do more than your best.”

In 2006, Dr. Whang was appointed the McMahon Endowed Chair in Music, established by the McMahon Foundation in Feb. 2003. This title is financially provided by donations given to the university by both various private donors and the State Board of Regents.

To be appointed as an Endowed Chair is considered a

position that comes with high recognition to both faculty and the university. As the McMahon Endowed Chair, Dr. Whang has a busy schedule being an ambassador for Cameron University.

“It is a huge honor,” Dr. Whang said.

Dr. Whang travels throughout the year to perform solos, judge contests, attend conferences and teach master classes.

She has already began performing this semester: she performed at a free piano recital on Oct. 10 in Oklahoma City for the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System.

Dr. Whang and fellow Professor of Music Dr. Thomas Labe will perform at a music

scholarship benefit on Nov. 9 at the McCutheon Recital Hall. For more information, students can contact the Music Department at 580.581.2440.

MCT Campus

Sports

6

October 18, 2010

www.aggiecentral.com

Aggie golfers break CU record

By Alyssa Knerr Staff Writer

The Aggie women’s golf team keeps on chipping their way toward higher placings at tournaments and is looking forward to the home green advantage of their last tournament.

CU last competed in the Oklahoma City at the UCO Broncho Masters Tournament in Oklahoma City. The Aggie women finished third out of 17 teams. Women’s Golf Coach Rick Goodwin was very pleased with the scores.

“We played really well,” Goodwin said. “We set a school record for low score. We shot a 297 in the second round, and our combined total was another school record for 602.”

One of the shots that caught the coach’s eye at the UCO Broncho Masters Tournament was the birdie that freshman Candice Swartz hit.

“Candice Swartz hit her second shot on the last hole in the second round within a foot of the hole to make birdie, so that kind of stands out as one of the great shots and one of the better finishes for our team,” he said.

The UCO-hosted tournament was the second tournament the Cameron women have played this semester, and the women will play two more before completing the season. On Oct. 18-19 CU will compete in the Dallas Baptist University Fall Classic, which will be held at the Golf Club of Dallas. The Aggie women have not played that course before, but they will have a day of practice at the club the day before the tournament begins to get the swing of things.

Photos by Amanda Cantu

Great on the green: CU golfers Aleesha Holden (above), Candice Swartz (bottom left) and Megan Whan (bottom right) work on their short game. So far, the Aggie women have finished well in their tournaments this season. The women recently set a school record for lowest score at a tournament at the UCO Broncho Masters Tournament.

“[We’ll have to pay attention to] the lay of the hole – how it sets up, the green and the green site, chipping and putting and those kinds of things are important because the girls need to be able to get up and

down the same par if they miss the green, so they know the conditions around the green,” Goodwin said. “A lot of tournaments we will mark with a spot of paint where the pins are going to be for the

things that sometimes you take for granted as a player.”

One of the toughest transitions Svajlen has faced is no longer being able to compete with his team.

“Sometimes I get jealous watching the guys play,” he said. “I wish I could be playing with them.”

Although he is now an assistant coach, Svajlen has not fully embraced his new position.

“I wouldn’t say that I’m their [the players] coach,” Svajlen said. “I don’t feel like I’m superior to them. I feel more like I’m in a captain’s role.”

Since he is no longer playing for the Black and Gold, Svajlen

is finding it more difficult to stay active as a golfer, but he is doing his best to stay at the top of his game.

“I’m practicing more this year than I did last year, but it’s hard to keep being competitive,” he said.

One of the ways Svajlen is staying active in the sport is by participating in professional tournaments.

Over the summer, Svajlen competed in the Czech Open.

Though he finished just three strokes from making the cut, Svajlen was the top finisher from his native country of Slovakia, and came away from the tournament with a positive outlook about his game and his future in golf.

“The Czech Open was a good experience, and I proved I can play against any of the guys out there,” Svajlen said.

“But, I had a bad week. I was struggling with my swing a little bit, but if I play how I usually do I know I can finish well.”

Playing golf professionally is something Svajlen plans to pursue after completing his graduate coursework at CU. “I definitely want to give it a run to compete professionally,” he said. “I’ve worked hard over the last 10 years of playing golf, and I don’t want to throw it away before I give playing professionally a shot.”

Svajlen said that breaking onto the pro tour will not be easy, but hopes that competing against top tier players will help him make improvements as a golfer and push his game to the next level. The former Aggie standout believes that drawing on his experiences as a collegiate golfer will help him develop as a professional.

two tournament days. We also look at putting for the different locations and get an idea of what it will be like for those tournament rounds.”

The Aggie golfers’ last tournament will be the

Oklahoma Intercollegiate Tournament, which will be played on Oct. 25-26 and will be hosted by the Black and Gold at The Territory in Duncan. Goodwin knows the girls need to focus on their game and treat each tournament as a learning process.

“We need to just keep progressing and just keep getting better,” Goodwin said. “We want to build off of last week’s success. The golf courses we will play this week and next week are more difficult, but the girls are starting to come around really well so we just want to build off of that and finish out the fall strong.”

The Territory in Duncan is one of the top five courses in the state of Oklahoma, so Goodwin knows it will be a challenge.

“Our expectations at the Territory are to make a good show; it is our home course.

However, being that far away from campus, we don’t get to play it as much as we would like, so we are going to play it as soon as we get back from the Dallas tournament to get ready,” Goodwin said.

Some of the competitors for the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Tournament will be Northeastern State University, West Texas A&M University and Tarleton State, who is ranked fifth in the country.

“Any of those teams that we can beat will be an accomplishment, and we will move up in the rankings.

Tarleton is the strongest team in our conference and in this region too,” Goodwin said. “We expect them to play well. UCO won their tournament last week and played really well.”

Svajlen transitions from player to coach

By Amanda Cantu Sports Editor

Change is not always easy, but sometimes it is necessary.

Former Aggie golfer Peter Svajlen has been coming to grips with this notion since the beginning of the semester.

After spending five years as a member of the CU golf team, Svajlen now serves as the team’s Graduate Assistant.

He said adjusting to his new role as a coach has had its challenges, but said that he is enjoying the overall experience.

“I enjoy being a coach, but as a coach I’m starting to see some things from a different view,” Svajlen said. “I see

Giving golfers guidance: Peter Svajlen (middle) offers some pointers to golfers Garrett Smith (left) and Braeden Mueller (right). Svajlen said, as a coach, he sees things from a different perspective than he did as a player.

Photos by Amanda Cantu

Tutoring from the tee box: Graduate Assistant Peter Svajlen gives advice to sophomore golfer Kregg Wood. Svajlen said he enjoys his new role as a coach, but admitted that he misses the competition.

“When I first got here, my game was not where it needed to be to compete for the first positions in tournaments,” Svajlen said. “But, I’ve developed as a player and learned to think like a golfer.

Nobody at home could have taught me what I’ve learned here. I’ve learned a lot from Coach, but I’ve learned a lot from other players as well.

I can do the same thing in professional golf. I can learn from the other guys I’ll compete against, and I think, after a couple of years, I can finish in the top 10.”

Svajlen must first complete a couple more seasons as the Graduate Assistant before living the life of a pro. Right now, he said things are looking pretty good for the CU golf team.

“Considering the depth we have, we could be doing a little better, but we haven’t done badly,” Svajlen said. “We just haven’t reached our full potential yet. I would like to see the team make it to Nationals, and I know we can at least finish in the top five.

But, let’s be honest, it would be nice to be number one.”

Sports

October 18, 2010

www.aggiecentral.com

7

Softball team displays hitting power

By Michael Faggett A&E Editor

Cameron’s softball team’s season does not officially start until next semester, but the Aggies are already making strides to enjoy much success when they start in February.

The squad has played two scrimmages this month: a doubleheader against Vernon Junior College on Oct. 1 and another doubleheader against Northern Oklahoma on Oct. 8. According to head coach Beth Watson, the team has played well in both scrimmages.

“We’ve had a lot of bright spots,” Watson said. “There are parts of the game we need to improve on, but that comes

with more practice and more innings.”

According to Watson, the Aggies have relied on small ball offensively, been able to see outside pitches and drive them to right field.

“Hitting overall has been good,” Watson said. “Our approach hasn’t been as good in some innings, but we are swinging at good pitches.”

Watson also said she is encouraged by the hitting and expects the bat power to come.

Some of the solid hitting in the scrimmages has come from the pitchers.

Junior pitcher Carrie Harvey has knocked in over two runs in both games she has started as a pitcher. Pitcher Kelsy Hebert hit a grand

slam. Seeing the pitchers enjoy success at the plate is a feat Watson said they embrace.

“Carrie analyzes her hitting and works hard at the plate,” Watson said. “Kelsy is also a good hitter. All of our pitchers have a fundamentally good swing at the plate.”

In addition to solid hitting, the pitching staff has also played well at the mound.

Watson said she credits such success to both the staff ’s trust in the team and the play of catcher Shelby Meadows.

“Pitching has to do with confidence and trusting your team,” Watson said. “So far, we have done that. Our pitchers have a good sense of the game; Shelby has played well behind the plate and been really smart

behind the plate as well.”

Coach Watson said she also sees potential in the defense.

According to her, the infielders have good gloves and first movements.

She also feels the team’s ability to move players at various positions on the field helps the defense with versatility.

“We’ve got four to five players capable of doing several different things,” Watson said. “That adds so many dimensions to what we can do defensively. I believe our defense will keep us in a ton of games.”

Part of the team’s ability to vary on defense comes with the addition of sophomore Brittany Elkins. Elkins joined

softball this season after playing for coach Tom Webb and women’s basketball as a freshman last year. “[Elkins] is such a competitor,” Watson said. “She plays hard and is strong for us defensively.”

With one more scrimmage schedule for 1 p.m. on Oct. 29 at home against Rose State, Watson said she looks for the team to continue its progress and maintain the energy and chemistry they have shown on the field.

“I commend them for having such energy,” Watson said. “We are very talented, but the chemistry is crucial. I think this team has it. They push each other very hard to do the little things correctly.”

Photos by Jessica Goodman

Softball success: Members of the Aggie softball team compete in a scrimmage held at CU earlier this season. Softball coach Beth Watson said the team has excellent chemistry and has maintained a high level of chemistry on the field. Watson also said she has high expectations for the spring based on the performances she has seen from her squad.

Lawson brings consistency to team

By Lana Ochilien Newswriting Student

Adrienne “Addie” Lawson, a 20-year-old junior at Cameron University, started her volleyball career at the tender age of 11.

She grew up in The Colony, TX, and attended The Colony High School where she also played volleyball.

“I have been playing

volleyball for the past nine years, three of which has been on the Cameron volleyball team,” Lawson said.

At the tournament held at the UT Perminan Basin on Aug. 25, Lawson won the award given to the player who competed the best throughout the event.

According to Brianne Lowe, CU Volleyball Coach, the award is granted based on who

the coaches think played the best.

“Addie is one of the most consistent players on the team both on offense and defense,” Lowe said. “She is a key passer and can take care of the ball offensively.”

Lawson said she always tries to give her best in whatever she is doing. Her efforts paid off.

“I had no idea I was being considered for the award that day,” Lawson said. “I was really surprised that I was chosen. I went out there to work hard and assist my team towards victory and won an award for my efforts.”

Lawson said that there is still a lot she has to learn and she is giving her practice her all so that she can improve and continue to help her team.

According to the Cameron’s athletic website, Lawson has had 250 digs this season, the highest number on the team.

“There are a few more matches scheduled before the season is over,” Lawson said. “I just want to continue training and playing hard to help my team win more games.”

Like many student-athletes, Lawson takes time to have fun outside of her sport. When she is not training or playing volleyball, she can be found around campus hanging out with friends and enjoying her time in college.

“I love volleyball, but I have a life both on and off the court,” Lawson said.

She indicated that she does not have any set plans beyond graduation. Her ultimate goal at the moment is to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. She is pleased that she got the opportunity to contribute to CU and wants to continue making the best of it.

“Right now, I just want to have the best college experience possible,” Lawson said. “Like most people my age, I just want to have a good time. No pressures, no demands.”

Photos by Jessica Goodman

Smashing performance: Junior Adrienne Lawson competes in a match at the Aggie Gym. Lawson has had an outstanding season so far. She leads the team in digs and was named Lonestar Conference Player of the week earlier in the season.

8

Variety

October 18, 2010

www.aggiecentral.com

CUNA Celebrates Dashain The biggest festival of Nepal

Performing in medley: CUNA members performed in the medley of Nepali and Indian Bollywood songs representing the close cultural connections between the two countries.

Goddess Durga There is no long vacation. There are no family gatherings. There is no visiting of temples. There is no shopping all day and no swinging in the big swings or kite competition. But still there was the excitement and happiness among the Nepalese students at Cameron when the Cameron University Nepalese Association (CUNA) organized the Dashain Program on Oct. 9 in CETES. It was not only a gathering of the Nepalese students but also friends, family, faculty and staff members from Cameron as well.

In the Dashain festival hosted by CUNA, the students from Nepal performed cultural dances, modern dances, songs and a skit. There also was a slideshow presentation, showcasing different natural and cultural aspects of Nepal. One of the main attractions of the celebration was Nepali food, which gave a taste of Nepali cuisine to the guests.

Dashain is the biggest festival of Nepal, which is devoted to the worship of goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is the symbol of power in the Hindu religion. She achieved victory over the demon Mahisashur, which is also symbolized as the victory of virtue against evil. Dashain has evolved as a cultural festival in Nepal. Not only Hindus but also Buddhists celebrate Dashain. During this festival, the people visit their families and relatives and the younger members of the families take blessings from the older members. The festival of Dashain is 15 days long. The first nine days are devoted to worshipping of goddess Durga, which is called Navaratri. The 10th day is the Tika, when the elders put tika (mixture of uncooked rice, vermillion powder, and yogurt) on the forehead and jamara (a plant that is green in color) on the head or on the ear of the young ones. This goes on for five days and the 15th day marks the conclusion of the festival.

Cultural dances: Nepali students also performed the cultural dances of Nepal, showcasing the rich cultural diversity of the nation.

Inauguration: The adviser of CUNA Sarah Stroud and Dr. Aaron Rudolph, Instructor with the Department of English and Foreign Languages, inaugurated the program.

Tika and Jamara: The elders put Tika (the red substance) on the forehead and Jamara (the green plants) on the head or ear of the younger individuals as a blessing of goddess Durga. Tika and Jamara have a great significance in the festival of Dashain in Nepal.

Page Design by Rashmi Thapaliya Photos courtesy of CUNA and Ruben Sotelo

Delicious menu: The Nepali food was one of the main attractions of the Dashain celebration. There was a variety of Nepali food that gave a glimpse of the cultures’ cuisine to the guests.