The Cameron University Collegian: October 18, 2010

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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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