The Cameron University Collegian: December 6, 2010

TH E CA M ERON UNI V ERSIT Y Monday, December 6, 2010

Volume 85 Issue 10

Informing Cameron Since 1926

IT students garner top awards

By Rashmi Thapaliya Variety Editor

Cameron University Information Technology students participated in the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) student conference in Houston, Texas, on October 21-23, and placed in many of the competitions held at the event.

There were more than 300 participants from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas at the conference. Markita Nash and Nicole Miranda, both seniors majoring in Multimedia earned third place in the Mobile Applications competition.

Nash, who is also the president of the Cameron AITP chapter, said that AITP was asked to create an application for smart phones during the competition.

“We created an application in which, as soon as you order something in a bar, the bartender knows your order through the cell and gets your order to you,” Nash said.

“Now we are preparing for the national conference which is going to be held in Florida in March 2011.”

Delvis Simmonds, a sophomore majoring in Information Technology (IT) and Abhas Bhatt, a sophomore majoring in Computer Information Systems (CIS), won second place in PC Troubleshooting. Simmonds, who is also the secretary of the Cameron AITP chapter, said that the competition consisted of two rounds. The first round consisted of answering 100 multiple-choice questions with 10 teams chosen to go to the second round.

“In the second round we were asked to identify and fi x a few problems in the computer in a timely manner,” Simmonds said. “I am happy that I also received Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification during the conference.”

Courtesy Photo

Final answer: Information Technology major Olusegun O. Thorphe, Assistant Professor of Computing and Technology Dr. Muhammad Javed and IT majors Babajide O. Sofowora and Pawan Subedi participate in a Microsoft sponsored contest for prizes at the Association of Information Technology Professionals conference in Houston on Oct. 21-23.

Bhatt, who is the Vice President of the Cameron AITP chapter, said he learned many things about computer programming, and he met many other IT professionals at the conference.

Dr. Javed Muhammad, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computing and Technology and adviser for the Cameron AITP chapter, said that the conference is a place where students and IT professionals meet with industry leaders from Microsoft and other companies. Students have the opportunity to test

their skills and meet potential employers.

“I am very happy with the performance of the Cameron students,” Dr. Muhammad said.

“Now we are preparing for the national conference so that the students will perform better.”

Pawan Subedi, a senior majoring in Computer Science, said that this was the first time that he attended such a conference.

“It was a good experience,” Subedi said. “Now I have a better idea about how we should prepare for the student competitions during

conferences. I will defi nitely try to do better in the national conference.”

Phil Thompson, a junior majoring in Computer Science and the SGA Representative for the AITP club, said that the amazing thing about the conference was seeing what he studied in class actually used in the real world.

Olusegun Thorpe, a senior majoring in CIS said that it was the first time that he

SEE AWARDS Page 2

United Way campaign raises record donation

By Rachel Engel News Editor

Cameron University’s annual fundraiser for the United Way raised nearly $40,000 this year, due in large part to a combined effort of monetary donations by CU employees and auction items from local companies.

A total of $38,634.75 was donated to the cause, the most in Cameron’s history of participating in the campaign. Lorie Garrison, this year’s United Way campaign organizer, said that she tailored the campaign to reflect her personality.

“When I got started and kind of found out the history of what Cameron gave [in the past], I thought about how I was going to make this bigger and better,” she said. “I talked to Eileen Jensen of the United Way about it, and she said to put a little bit of myself in it and make it my own, so that’s what I tried to do. Not that I did it better than anyone else, it’s just that I tried to make it fun, because that’s my personality.”

Garrison organized department representatives to deliver pledge cards to every Cameron employee, so that everyone had the opportunity to give to the campaign.

“The department representatives were responsible for the pledge drive, which consisted of CU employees donating by check, cash or having their payroll docked,” she said. “Rather than me being responsible for 35 different departments, everyone was responsible for their own, and then reported back to me. It was a wonderful teamwork effort.”

Garrison also organized a silent auction to raise money, and asked local businesses to donate items or services on which to bid.

“I went around to people I knew and local companies, and drew on every resource I could find,” she said. “I went to my dentist for a cleaning one day, and thought maybe he would like to donate a teeth whitening package, and he did. At the end I raised over

$3,000 worth of items that were auctioned off.”

The auction raised $2,400 of the total donation made to the United Way, and was the second largest fundraiser of the campaign.

“The silent auction raised a record number, as well, because it almost got back what it was worth, which, really, if you get back half, you’re lucky,” she said. “We had hockey tickets, basketball tickets, a set of Goodyear tires; it was really neat to see people coming in and bidding on the items.”

Garrison said organizing the campaign was a rewarding experience for her.

“I think everybody should have an opportunity to do this, because it’s such a good intrinsic motivation as well, when you help people and you realize what you’ve done for the community,” she said. “I think that for people to really appreciate what’s involved in this, they should really do it.”

Garrison said that donating to the United Way is different from other charities, because it benefits the people of the community, instead of being spent nationally.

“Fundraising, and especially the United Way, is very dear to my heart, because most of the money stays right here in MCTCampus Lawton-Fort Sill, where as other charities, might give it to somewhere else,” she said. “The people living amongst us might not get their fair share.”

When the donation stays local, Garrison said, the donors are able to find out how much an impact their money made.

“When you go to the J. Roy Dunning Children’s Shelter or the American Red Cross, and you ask them what your money does for them, they will tell you

SEE UNITED Page 2

News

A&E

Sports

Opinion

Cameron professors distinguished with award.

CU art professor’s work nationally recognized.

New recruit Sabelle Diata brings intrigue to team.

A fateful day in 1963 remembered.

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SEE PAGE 5

SEE PAGE 5

SEE PAGE 4

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News

December 6, 2010

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Agriculture scholarship created

Endowed scholarship funded by $250,000 gift

By Rachel Engel News Editor

Cameron University recently established an endowed agriculture scholarship after receiving a gift of $250,000 from the Inter Vivos Trust of Jack L. and Joyce Cline.

The scholarship will be given to one student from each class, from freshman to senior, and can be continued throughout their college career, if they maintain their GPA, and continue to pursue a degree in agriculture.

Vice President of University Advancement Albert Johnson said the university was contacted through the lawyers of David and Betty Ezell, who were responsible for the Cline’s trust after their passing.

“When we got a chance to visit with [the Ezells], David talked about the passion Jack Cline had for ranching, and, more importantly, the passion that he had for young people,” Vice President Johnson said. “He was someone who wanted to give back. There’s really, for a person who has passed, no better way to give back than to leave those resources that you have earned throughout your life to a new generation of students who have a chance to benefit from it.”

The $250,000 will be invested like other endowed scholarships at the university, and the scholarship money will be given based on the four percent interest returned, an estimated $10,000, Vice President Johnson said.

Cameron has 63 endowed scholarships available to students, and the university’s

total endowment has increased over the last year, due to the economy healing, Vice President Johnson said.

“The university’s endowment has grown by probably almost 2.5 million dollars in the last year, just because the market has rebounded,” he said. “The amount of this scholarship will be left non-specificed, and then Vice President of Business and Finance Glenn Pinkston will get a read out at the end of the fiscal year of what each endowment has made, and then he assigns how much we will be able to “We hope that alumni, give out in the fall.” students, faculty and staff will Though the Clines left money to the university through their think about Cameron when personal trust, CU does have a they do their planning, their foundation set up for planned will, their trust; wherever giving through the 1908 Heritage Society. they’re going to leave their “We hope that alumni, students, money when they pass, faculty and staff will think about because it has an opportunity, Cameron when they do their planning, their will, their trust; just like this gift, to live in wherever they’re going to leave perpetuity.” their money when they pass, because it has — Albert Johnson an opportunity, Vice President of just like this University Advancement gift, to live in perpetuity,” Vice President Johnson said. “There’s a lot of places you can leave your money, but if we believe in lifelong learning, if we believe in young people and the opportunity for them to find their path, I really think there are fewer ways that have the opportunity to give back time and time again.”

Cameron endowed scholarships are set up to earn money over time, while keeping the principle amount invested intact.

“We’ve designed it in such a way, that 10% of the earned interest will come back to feed the corpus,” Vice President Johnson said. “If it’s worth $250,000 this year, and makes $10,000, $1,000 would be added to the principle to make it $251,000 next year. It will continue to do that year after year, so 10 years from now there could be a lot more money in there.”

Jack Cline graduated from Cameron State Agricultural College in 1949, and operated a cattle ranch in Comanche County for 56 years. He was also a charter member of the Cameron University Alumni Association and served on the Board of Directors of the CUAA for six years.

UNITED continued from page 1 specifically that it will feed one baby for this long whose mother couldn’t take care of him or her, and just left him at a fire station,” she said.

“It’ll donate food to one person for a certain number of months. The funds aren’t being given to strangers in a different state or a different city; this is staying here in Lawton.”

Taking care of those in need in the community is what matters, Garrison said.

“The person that you pass by in Wal-Mart, or the person that you see on the street corner with the sign that needs help, or the mom that’s struggling with addiction that can’t take care of her children, it’s here,” she said. “I’m all for giving nationwide and worldwide, but sometimes we have a tendency to think that the people in our own backyard don’t need help, and they do. I think we should take care of us first, and then, as a community, we grow stronger because of that, and then we can work to help others.”

AWARDS continued from page 1

Solutions on page 3

took part in a conference and he is looking forward to participating in the national conference. He is the webmaster for the AITP club and is responsible for maintenance and information updates about the club activities on the website.

Babajide Sofowora, a senior majoring in CIS and treasurer of the AITP club, said that he took part in Database development competition in the conference.

“The competition was similar to what we did in class but I was not well prepared,” Sofowora said. “We have already begun preparing for the national conference and we are hoping for the better results.”

Lavita Williams, a junior majoring in CIS and Public Relations Officer of the AITP club, said that she learned a lot during the competition and it was surprisingly interesting.

Now in its 27th year, the Annual AITP Region 3 Student Conference is designed for students planning careers in information systems or related fields. The conference supplements traditional IT education by offering attendees industry speakers who cover the latest industry trends and issues through educational sessions, student competitions and networking opportunities with other IT students and professionals.

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December 6, 2010

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Hackler Award winners honored

By Michael Faggett A&E Editor

It is a truth: teaching has its rewards.

Cameron announces Dr. Kurtis Koll, Professor of Physical Sciences, and Dr. Christopher Keller, Associate Professor of Communication, as recipients of the 2010 Harold and Elizabeth Hackler Teaching Excellence Award.

The Hackler award honors the work of Cameron faculty who contribute to the lives of campus students, a feat which both professors said they take pride in doing.

According to Dr. Koll,

earning such recognition pays homage to the faculty Cameron has on campus.

“It is a prestigious honor,” Dr. Koll said. “It also ref lects the outstanding faculty Cameron has always had.”

Dr. Koll said part of his contribution to students is attempting to convey the value of earning a post-secondary education.

“I encourage students to take their education seriously,” Dr. Koll said. “I tell my classes, ‘If you were satisfied with your current status in life, you probably would not be here.’”

Dr. Koll said he credits his students for helping him

develop as a professor.

“It is the students that have made me what I am,” Dr. Koll said. “I didn’t select teaching or education as a career; it chose me.”

Dr. Koll assists students in various fashions in addition to vocal encouragement. He serves as faculty adviser for the CU Environmental Club, the CU Conservatives Foundation and the Latin Alliance Association.

A faculty member since 1974, Dr. Koll said he credits Cameron for its maintenance of a strong relationship between instructors and their students.

“Students have many opportunities to interact with faculty,” Dr. Koll said.

“Undergraduates can perform graduate level research in all disciplines, which is something I have not seen at many other universities.”

Ironically, Dr. Koll, in his teaching tenure at Cameron, taught fellow Hackler award winner Dr. Keller when Dr. Keller was an undergraduate student on campus.

Dr. Keller said winning the award is a humbling experience since he is both a member of the faculty as well as a Cameron alumnus.

“It is surreal to come back to my alma mater and be on the other side of the podium.

To teach with some of the professors who taught me is a great experience,” Dr. Keller said. “I love teaching, but I never picture myself on the same level of professional teachers I was surrounded by at the ceremony.”

Dr. Keller, in addition to teaching courses in journalism, serves as the adviser of the “Cameron Collegian” and the CU news website Aggie Central. Dr. Keller has also

Photos by Jim Horinek

Photo by Jim Horinek

Proud recipient: President Ross presents Dr. Kurtis Koll with a plaque commemorating his receipt of the Hackler Award. Dr. Koll and Dr. Christopher Keller both were honored as the 2010 Hackler Teaching Excellence Award. been involved in campus governance, including serving as the chair of the CU Faculty Senate. Dr. Keller said being involved in the Senate helped him see the value of faculty to both students and the campus as a whole.

“We are a communal product,” Dr. Keller said.

“Faculty are responsible for the success of both our students and the campus at large.”

Dr. Keller said whether he

is teaching in the classroom or offering advice to the newsroom, he encourages his students to seek and seize the truth of what they want to accomplish.

“I encourage students to make the best of the opportunities they have,” Dr. Keller said. “Find something that makes them happy and pushes them forward, then hold on to that and success will come.”

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Opinion

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That sad day in 1963: Tragic, historic moments

in history shape editors life, those of her children

By Dianne Riddles Copy Editor

That Sad and Dark Day in 1963 “From Dallas, Texas, the f lash apparently official: President Kennedy died at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time.”(Walter Cronkite 1963) On Friday morning, Nov. 22, 1963, just one week after my sixth birthday, I was at home with my Grandmother when Momma came through the door. I had not started to school yet and she often came home from work to have lunch with me and to watch her favorite soap opera with my grandmother. I knew 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 - Dianne Riddles Aggie Central Editors- Rachel Engel, Michael Faggett, Kyle Luetters

that something was terribly wrong when I saw Momma was crying and sobbing as she rushed through the door.

I was concerned as any child would be and I ran to her.

She picked me up and held me tight as she turned on the television and called for my Grandmother to come quick.

Momma, my Grandmother and I watched and listened as Walter Cronkite fought back his own tears and tried to maintain his composure and continue with the newscast.

Even at the tender age of six, I knew that somehow the world was now drastically different than it was only an hour earlier.

During the next three days, this historical event played out on the television in our living room as my family huddled together, watched and mourned with the American people. For the rest of my life those three days of overwhelming grief that I saw in my Mommas eyes as well as in the faces of the American people would be seared in my memory. The image of the horse-drawn caisson that carried the President’s casket from the White House down Pennsylvania Avenue to the U.S. Capital, the sound of the steady beat of the drums and the clopping of the horses’

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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.

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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 or at www. aggiecentral.com.

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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.

inf luence on the way I view the world today. The entire decade of the 60s had a profound formative effect on me as I was growing up and I thank God that I had the best mother that anyone could ever hope to have. She instilled in me at a very young age an interest for what was going on in the world around me and encouraged me to have a voice in it.

As my children were growing up, I tried to instill these beliefs in them. After the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, when my children asked me, “Momma, why,” I had a similar conversation with them. In the next year, I realized that my son had taken that message to heart when, as a junior in high school, he joined the

MCT Campus

U.S. Navy. Then, on Nov. 4, 2008, when my daughter and I shared tears of joy as we sat together and watched newly elected President Barack Obama give his victory speech, I felt Momma’s presence and I knew that she was alive in us.

Cell Phone Addiction: A problem that plagues many Americans

Newsroom Staff

Megan Bristow, Shaniqua Brown, Jarred Burk, Maria Cepeda Pilataxi, Ashley Del Ciello, 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

hooves, the sight of the horse without a rider, and the salute of the tiny hand of ‘John Jr.’ as he said goodbye to his father were heartbreaking.

Although I was too young to understand the significance of this historical event, Momma made sure that I understood what had happened. When I asked why it happened, of course, she could not provide an answer.

However, she did explain to me that there are people in the world who only understand violence as a way of affecting change. But that we also live in a country where violence is not necessary and we, the American people, can change things that we do not like by being involved and making our voices heard.

During the remainder of the 1960s, as the violence against African Americans during the civil rights movement escalated and the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. unfolded, I understood how wise Momma was. The events of Nov. 22, 1963, and the days that followed were very profound in shaping the way that I view the world today.

My Momma explaining those events to me almost 50 years ago had a direct

Taylor Brunwald Collegian Staff

Hello, my name is Taylor, and I am a cell phone addict.

I realized I had a problem when I realized just how often using my mobile device interfered with my social life. Sending a text message here, making a brief call there, downloading a new ringtone when the opportunity arose – I thought this to be akin to a new social norm, considering that all of my friends took the same actions.

More often than not, when I would be out on the town with some friends, faces would soon become illuminated by phone screens once conversation rose to a lull. It was understood that no one was to be interrupted unless it was an emergency or something awesome happened (frequently these two instances seemed

to coincide). Soon, frustration began to build when the buzzing mobile device was deemed more important than the immediate conversation.

Minor inconveniences such as being put on the backburner slowly began to erode at my patience, but the real kicker came one night when I was on a date.

We went for dinner to a nice yet quiet dinner and we enjoyed what I believed to be an engaging conversation and excellent meal.

Things began to wind down rather quickly when a text message was received that required immediate attention – and it wasn’t sent to me.

After that instance, I began to notice just how much of an extra appendage cell phones appear to be to some people. Nary a conversation goes by that a phone is not checked at least once, if not outright answered or used persistently. At my workplace, some have the audacity to use their phones when there are four prominent “No Cell Phones in Lobby” signs displayed.

At the past Foam Dance Party,

a few of my friends actually asked me if their phones would survive the engulfing foam and water if they were kept in Ziplock bags.

At other dances around campus, some students ventured to check their phones while moving in a manner that would make Paris Hilton blush.

The worst part about this is that while I am annoyed by oblivious or rude actions taken by others, I am just as guilty as those perpetrators. More than once, I have engaged in conversation with someone directly in front of me. Whenever an amusing event occurs or an entertaining quote has been said, I rarely hesitate to update my Twitter account from my phone the moment it happens.

A few of my friends recounted when they

either misplaced their phones or intentionally left them off for a day. Each one called the experience “liberating.” They were able to give fuller attention to what was happening all around them as opposed to being continually interrupted by their phones.

Cell phones can be useful when it comes to emergencies or otherwise important calls (regardless of whether or not they interrupt dates or conversation).

However, it is time that we stop exalting these persistent inanimate devices, even if they decide to call themselves Androids. Having and using a cell phone is not bad in and of itself; overusing one is.

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A&E

December 6, 2010

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Art Professor earns national recognition

By Megan Bristow Newswriting Student

Cameron’s Art Department has recently been home to several awarded artists, and Professor Katherine Liontas-Warren continues to bear Cameron’s good name by being awarded Artist of the Year Award from the Paseo Arts Association on Nov. 11.

Professor Liontas-Warren is internationally recognized as well as being known in the U.S. with her 18 solo shows and over 200 national and regional competitions taking place in both the states and Europe.

She has works displayed in museums around the country.

According to the Cameron’s Art Chair Edna McMillan, LiontasWarren beautifully manages to balance her busy competition schedule with her teaching duties.

“Katherine’s ability to maintain a rigorous exhibition schedule and produce new works while also teaching her studio classes each semester is truly amazing, given the high standards and dedication she has to her art,” McMillan said. “Throughout this past year, Katherine’s productivity as an artist has been very high and nationally recognized and awarded.”

Professor Liontas-Warren has always remembered being drawn to the field of art and started developing her skills as an artist at a young age.

“As early as I can remember,

I have always been interested in art,” Liontas-Warren said. “My first memory of art was looking for drawings to copy out of the encyclopedia. I would spend numerous hours copying examples of line engravings from botanical and animal illustrations.”

Professor Liontas-Warren continued to develop her artistic skills by practicing her skills and by continuing to study the works of other artists throughout her secondary education.

“After entering high school, I took the city bus and visited the Yale Art Gallery nearly every weekend to view and study all the drawings and paintings in the permanent collection,” she said.

“I would make endless sketches in my sketchbook and practice proportion and value.”

A stay in Europe after her high school graduation also proved to be beneficial.

“After my senior year in high school, I traveled for three months in Greece learning abut my ethnic culture. My uncle, who lived in Kozani, Greece, was a historian, and together we traveled throughout Greece visiting all the ancient and historical places of antiquity,” she said. “It was a turning point in my life, and I knew I had made the right decision to pursue a career in Art.” Along with being named as the 2010 Artist of the Year by the Paseo Arts Association, LiontasWarren was recently accepted into the Boston Printmakers 2011

Photo courtesy of Katherine Liontas-Warren

The Art of Knowledge: Professor Katherine Liontas-Warren (center) discusses a piece of art work with students and other viewers. Liontas-Warren has received numerous awards for her art in 2010. ecstatic,” she said.

North American Print Biennial professor here has contributed to Additionally, Professor Liontas- her perpetual artistic development.

Exhibition.

Warren is preparing for a solo The juror that selected her “My career as an exhibiting show, which will be displayed artwork for this exhibition, Jim artist and teacher has been very in the North Gallery at the Dine, is a contemporary artist successful because my journey in Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma well known across the country learning is an ongoing process,” she City. The exhibition will begin for his influence in two artistic said. “I have learned to be a better Dec. 20 and run through February artist and teacher through my movements. Having this artist as 2011, and features 30 of her art the juror for this exhibition only students. Just as they learn from pieces. made the honor even sweeter for me, I learn from them. It’s a great Despite her busy exhibition and balance, and I believe teaching Professor Liontas-Warren.

“I have admired this artist since award schedule, Liontas-Warren is a rewarding experience that still finds the time to produce new undergraduate school. When I allows me to seek innovative art and teach four studio classes found out that he selected two learning techniques.” at CU. She said her time as a of my works for this show, I was

Students compete in regional marketing campaign

By Ashley Del Ciello Newswriting Student

“Cruze Through Life the Chevy Way,” a metaphorical play on words Cameron’s Advertising class has incorporated into their assignment to promote the new Chevy Cruze, has proved to be a success.

Students enrolled in the class are participating in a region-wide competition to create and implement an advertising plan for the new Chevrolet vehicle.

According to junior Business Administration

major Angela Best, the competition is designed to help the corporation fi nd ways to interest a younger pool of potential buyers.

“Chevrolet has been unsuccessful in reaching the younger demographic in the past and is seeking help from students in the suggested age bracket,” Best said. “We received $2,500 to implement their plan on campus and continue in the competition to win $100,000 to implement their larger campaign. The targeted demographic is hard to reach, so the students needed to create a plan to catch their

Photo by Ashley Del Ciello

“Cruze Through Life the Chevy Way”: Students in an on-campus advertising class disseminate information about the new 2011 Chevy Cruze. The students were selected to compete in a regional marketing competition in attempts to entice new young car shoppers to consider the newest vehicle from Chevrolet. attention.”

Early in the campaign, senior Interdisciplinary Studies major Patrick Turner understood why the marketing company had difficulties reaching the desired target market.

“I did not realize how hard it was to appeal to our targeted demographic,” Turner said.

“We found it hard to integrate advertisements in the younger generation’s routine. They seem to always be on the go and most of their attention is focused on social networking,” The students assessed the issues they faced and devised an outreach plan, starting with social media. According to Best, they first created a Facebook account allowing the group to post comments and photos for events, play commercials and share information about the car’s features.

Best said the Facebook account linked to the local Chevy dealers’ websites as well as the national Chevrolet website.

The team used more than online interaction with its publics. The team gathered information from focus groups

and conducted surveys.

Senior Business Administration major Carmen von Stocki-Orozco found the results to be very helpful.

“While performing our research tasks we discovered the students had not heard about the Cruze nor did they know what it looked like.

Also, they preferred seeing the product in person before making a decision to like it or not,” von Stocki-Orozco said.

Providing the students an opportunity to see the Cruze first-hand, the class offered on-campus events displaying the vehicle to reach its target demographic. By offering oncampus events, the Advertising class implemented a smallerscaled campaign to show their marketing ability. Ultimately the class’ plan is to win the $100,000 campaign for full implementation.

The Connor Auto Group provided the Cruze for on-site events. The group planned and carried out two promotion programs at Cameron.

Best said the students displayed the car between the McMahon Centennial Complex and the Science Complex where

students had an opportunity to see the Cruze.

“Students were given the chance to sit inside it, look at its features, ask any questions about the car and enter for a chance to win $100,” Best said.

“We also held a half-time shootout at the men’s basketball game against Panhandle State.

During the event two students competed to win $500 while others received t-shirts. Overall we have reached about 1000 people.”

In addition to the on-campus promotion, the advertising group is preparing for the over-all campaign of $100,000.

If chosen by the Red River Chevy Dealer’s Association, the group’s plan will be implemented in the Red River region.

According to von StockiOrozco, the students will give a presentation to the dealers where they will share their research, print and television ads, budget and ideas for future events. Future events would include concerts by Red Dirt artists hosted by Chevy and possible test-driving at local festivals.

Sports

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December 6, 2010

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Diata brings new skill set to team

By Michael Faggett A&E Editor

Women’s basketball head coach Tom Webb recruited seven players to play for the Aggies during the 2010-11 campaign.

Forward Sabelle Diata is

arguably the most intriguing recruit of them all.

The 6-1 native of Senegal brings a varied skill set to Webb and the Aggies.

According to Webb, Diata possesses the skill to play both the post as well as on the perimeter.

“Sabelle is a very good athlete,” Webb said. “She can create her own shot, and I don’t know anyone that really can contest her when she gets the ball deep in the paint.”

Through the first five games of the season, Diata has displayed her versatile skill set. She is second on the team in scoring (11.4 points per game), leads the team in rebounding (4.8) and in blocks (1.8). She also has shown an ability to extend her game past the post and shoot from outside.

While showing such athleticism on the f loor, Diata has dealt with both a knee injury and adjusting to Webb’s offensive strategy, two factors Webb said explains Diata shooting only 31 percent from the field to start the season.

“At times, Sabelle tends to take away her own game by settling for some shots instead of taking better shots,” Webb said.

Another factor Webb said affects Diata’s play is the nuances of his offensive scheme. Running a more perimeter-oriented offense, Webb said Diata is still learning the delicacies of the team plays.

“It’s taken her some time to just get comfortable with her teammates,” Webb said.

“We play her more on the perimeter but still want to get her the ball inside, so it’s taking some time to address the spacing issues on offense.”

Those issues seem to grow less problematic as the season progresses. In the team’s first

Photos by Jim Horinek

The girl’s got game: Senagal native Sabelle Diata handles the basketball during a game against Newman University.

Women’s basketball coach Tom Webb said Diata has the potential to be one of the best players in the conference. conference game, Diata posted a stat line of 15 points, seven rebounds, two steals and three blocks while shooting 46 percent from the field. She said she looks to help the team however she can.

“I try to give my all when I’m on the court,” Diata said.

“So if it’s scoring, rebounding or defending, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help my teammates and help the team win.”

Diata’s ability to help her team is improving as her knee heals. According to Webb, Diata is near full strength.

“The brace [she wears] helps the swelling and pain go down,” Webb said. “So now, I would assume she’s at 90 to 95 percent.”

With a healthier knee and more experience in the team’s offense, Webb said he looks for Diata to help the team make a run towards the conference playoffs.

“She has the chance to be as good of a player there is in the conference. She really is that talented,” Webb said.

While talented, Webb said he looks for Diata to stay more consistent as the season moves forward.

“The biggest thing we have to do is get her more minutes, keep her out of foul trouble, consistently attack the glass and get her touches in the right areas, she can do anything,” Webb said. “Those things have to be constant for her.”

Cross country finishes fifth at regionals

By Amanda Cantu Sports Editor

Cameron’s cross country team closed out their season with a fifth place finish at the NCAA South Central Regional Cross Country meet on Nov. 20 in Warrensburg, Mo. Before competing in the race, the Aggies were regionally ranked 10th, making the team’s outstanding placement even more impressive.

Though CU runners repeated their fifth place

finish from a year ago, cross country coach Matt Aguero said his team put forth a better performance this year.

“We ran really well. We finished in fifth last year too, but we were much more competitive this year,” Aguero said. “We were only three points from fourth place and 33 points from first.”

CU junior Julius Korir, the team’s top runner, once again led the Aggies. The AllConference runner finished the 10k race in sixth place with a time of 31:48.90.

Photos courtesy of Matt Aguero

Finishing the season: Senior Mohamed Khelalfa runs in the last race of his collegiate career. Cross country coach Matt Aguero said Khelalfa has run consistently well this season and acknowledged that he will be difficult to replace next year.

Despite Korir’s stellar performance, he was unable to qualify for the NCAA National Cross Country Meet, dashing his hopes to repeat his All-American honors of last season. However, because of his remarkable time, Korir was named All-Region.

Aguero was pleased with Korir’s results.

“Julius was just one spot out of qualifying for Nationals.

He ran really well and had a great race. I think the guys who finished in the third and fourth spots ran the race of their lives, but Julius beat a lot of good runners,” Aguero said.

Senior Mohamed Khelalfa finished the last race of his collegiate career in a time of 33:07.03, which was good for 20th place.

The cross country coach said Khelalfa had a good race and improved on his showing at the Conference meet.

“Mohamed ran really well.

He beat a lot of guys who beat him at Conference,” Aguero said.

Aguero also acknowledged that losing Khelalfa would be challenging for the team.

“Mohamed finished most races this year as our team’s number two runner, so it is going to be difficult to replace him,” Aguero said. “The only good thing about it is that he is the only runner we’re losing, so he’s the only one we have to replace.”

Aguero has already begun recruiting and is hopeful about his prospects.

“We’re recruiting like crazy right now and we have some good prospects. Hopefully, the new recruits will help to duplicate our performance this season if not improve it,” Aguero said.

The coach said he would be looking to the younger members of his team to increase their intensity next

season as well.

“Some of the young guys are going to have to step up next year,” Aguero said. “We have several guys who came on strong at the end of the season, especially Aaron Gill and Eli Hernandez.”

He also said that he thinks the freshman will be more powerful next season.

“There is a big jump from freshmen to sophomores. I think several of them will be much stronger next year,” Aguero said. “Now, they have a full season under their belts

and their bodies are used to collegiate running.”

The Aggie cross country program is in just its sixth season, and Aguero, who is the only cross-country coach Cameron has ever known, has cultivated the team. The program’s rankings and quality of runners have continued to improve with each season. This season was no exception.

“I think we did really well this season. My goal when I came to Cameron was to be competitive, and I think we’re doing that now,” Aguero said.

In the middle of the pack: Freshman Eli Hernandez (foreground) and junior Brian Mulwo (background) race in the Regional cross country meet. Both men have competed well for the Aggies this season and cross country coach Matt Aguero said he expects his runners to increase their level of intensity next year.

December 6, 2010

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December 6, 2010

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First Annual Phys Quest held at Cameron The Cameron University Society of Physics Students, the Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Physics society, Cameron Chapter and the American Chemical Society Student Affiliate Chapter at Cameron University hosted the first annual Phys Quest program for sixth grade science students in early November.

The program consisted a one hour lecture/demonstration session and a two hour laboratory session on modern physics. A special physics demonstration was held for the parents and teachers as they came to pick up their children.

Dr. Ramiro Moro, Assistant Professor of the Department of Physical Sciences, said that ChemQuest has a long tradition and he is happy to host the Phys Quest for the first time.

"It was a lot of fun and the kids had a good time," Dr. Moro said. "I am definitely looking forward to hosting the event next year with more participants."

Samata Prawah, a senior Physics student who helped at the demonstration, said that the physics played a key role in the event.

"We helped in instructing experimental procedures and also in setting up the apparatus. We were involved in the demonstration of some experiments in the conference room too," Prawah said. "The team work turned out to be very successful."

Working from scratch: The sixth graders, who took part in the Phys Quest, manufacture electric motors from scratch. The participants used basic materials provided to them for the preparation of the motors.

Properties of magnetism: Students conduct an experiment on the properties of magnetism by pouring iron ďŹ llings over large magnets. They studied the magnetic ďŹ eld, repulsion, attraction and other features of magnetism.

Finding velocity: Assistant Professor of the Department of Physical Sciences, Dr. Ramiro Moro demonstrates velocities of different objects and resisting forces acting on those objects to the students during the event.

Van de Graff: Senior Samata Prawah demonstrates the property of a Van de Graff generator making her hair stand on end. The strands of her hair have the same net charge which makes them repel each other.

Levitating Magnet

Page design by Rashmi Thapaliya

Photos courtesy of Phys Quest