Collegian T he Cameron University

Monday, February 18, 2013

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Volume 88 Issue 3

Photos by Kali Robinson

Connecting cultures: Professor Hengbi Xiao (left) teamed up with Unitarian Universalist Church member Charles Kolker (right) in an effort to teach Chinese calligraphy to audience members. The event was geared toward individuals wishing to learn calligraphy, as well as those wishing to expand their knowledge of the Chinese culture.

CU professor broadens horizons at intercultural communication event Kaylee Jones

newcomers, welcoming them with the words: “This is a liberal church. We don’t have a preacher; our talks are held to improve A&E Editor the quality of life.” Members participated in rituals such as the Intercultural communication was the discussion of the day ‘lighting of the chalice,’ recitations of affirmations and singing of when Charles Kolker and Professor Hengbi Xiao spoke at the hymns before the lecture began. Unitarian Universalist Church of Lawton on Feb. 3. Charles Kolker, a third-year member of the Universalist Citizens seeking a greater understanding of Chinese calligraphy church, taught at Shenzhen University in China for three years. or searching for a community of individuals joined by mutual Kolker invited Professor Xiao to join him in demonstrating the respect and support were encouraged to join members for the basic principles of Chinese calligraphy. 10:30 a.m. service. Xiao arrived at CU in August of 2012 to teach Beginning and Patsy Nixon, a member of the church, introduced herself to Intermediate Chinese for the 2012-2013 academic year. Xiao has

been practicing calligraphy since she was 10-years-old. Kolker opened by explaining, “The goal is not to make us Chinese calligraphers, but to learn about and appreciate the culture.” Kolker taught Intercultural Communication during his time in China. He said it was important to understand Intercultural Communication in a world that was continually growing smaller.

See INTERCULTURAL Page 2

Mayor Fred Fitch hosts annual Youth Summit Kali Robinson

brands of companies, retailers that this city has never seen. Citizens drive out of town to go to those stores. Staff Photographer Now, they’re going to be able to here.” Students were given about 15 minutes to answer and Students from high schools in Comanche County 15 minutes to discuss each question with their groups. gathered together on their day off to voice their opinions A majority of answers about how to reduce crime and about the community when Mayor Fred Fitch hosted the benefit the community came back to the same problems. Youth Summit conference at 11 a.m. on Feb. 6 in the “Teenagers from 14-19 have nothing to do,” a student McMahon Centennial Ballroom. from Comanche County said. “I think there’s stuff to do. This summit was the last of four hosted by Mayor It’s just aimed for younger kids.” Fitch. Whereas the first three included discussions with Another student at the same table suggested businesses, women and the elderly, the final summit consistency with local events. consisted of students who wanted to propose ways to “LOL had a teen night for middle schools and high make the Lawton/Ft. Sill community look more attractive schools; then all of a sudden, they didn’t have it anymore.” to their peers. The final concern was for safety. “These discussions,” Mayor Fitch said, “will give us a “It’s hard to get places where you feel safe having fun,” focus of what we need to do and where we need to spend a third student said. our dollars in this community.” Moderators and sponsors like Cheryl Crow from Fort Mayor Fitch said that the consensus with the summit Sill Federal Credit Union pitched in opinions after the for business was “more retail and better high-paying jobs.” summit ended. This coincides with future plans for the City of Lawton. “The youth is important to our community,” Crow One comment that Mayor Fitch said came from each said, “and we are very involved so we can serve them, we summit, regardless of the target audience, was that people know that those are upcoming members of our Credit from Lawton need to be the ones that love Lawton. Union and we want to be able to meet their financial “We will have, three years from now, close to a million needs.” square feet in new retail,” Mayor Fitch said. “We’ll have

Vice President Jennifer Holland honored at capitol Mentor Day 2013 Tyler Boydston

Asst. Managing Editor Vice President for Student Services Jennifer Holland was recently honored at the first Oklahoma Mentor Day on Jan. 16 at the state’s capitol. The event honored mentors throughout the state and included nearly 200 people, including representatives from the state mentoring organizations. Thirty-five people were nominated as outstanding mentors. According to Vice President Holland, the process to become honored involved a nomination

by officials at Cameron University. “You had to be nominated by your institution or organization,” Holland said, “and so President Ross also wrote a letter, Cody [Gardner] wrote a letter, and so essentially I was Cameron’s nominee for the award.” Vice President Holland said she was contacted by admissions counselor Cody Gardner and Director of Student Life Zeak Naifeh. The two let Holland know of her nomination to the Oklahoma Mentor Day.

“Cody Gardner is now an admissions counselor for Cameron but was Student Government President for two years, and I worked with her in that role and have known her since she started school here,” Holland said. “She nominated me. So she contacted me. She and Zeak Naifeh, who I believe helped with the process, came up to me one day and told me that I had gotten that recognition.” According to Holland, the nominees and those that nominated them went to the event and sat on the house f loor as speakers discussed the impact of mentors on those around them. “There were 35 people who were recognized, and they talked about how this is National Mentoring Month and the importance of mentors and the impact that mentors have, and then they started recognizing each of the recipients,” Vice President Holland said. “They would call our name and tell a little

Photo by Kali Robinson

Leading the community: Mayor Fred Fitch takes the podium in the MCC ballroom to address students that attended Youth Summit on Feb. 6. The event gathered students together to discuss the betterment of the Lawton community.

which I already ate, and a certificate and it was a nice event.” Holland said that she has a folder designated especially for thank you notes and letters she has acquired from past students throughout the course of her 12 years in higher education. The certificate she was attained at the Oklahoma Mentor Day is now in that folder. “I’ve worked in higher education for 12 years, and I have a folder that I keep in my drawer that includes thank you notes, and when students write a card after they’ve graduated to tell me how things are going. I cherish each one of those,” Holland said. “This will be a part of that.” Photo courtesy of Public Affairs Vice President Holland said these letters and her Major mentor: Jennifer Holland serves as current recent award hold the same Vice President of Student Services. She was recognized kind of personal value for as an Outstanding Mentor at Oklahoma Mentor Day on her. Jan. 16 in Oklahoma City. bit about us and what we do, and they would also announce the mentee

and brought us all up for pictures and it was really nice. We got chocolate,

See MENTOR Page 3

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Workshop teaches students about career fairs Kaitlyn Stockton Staff Writer

Cameron University students learned how to navigate career fairs during the How to Work a Career Fair workshop. In another installment of the CU Succeed series, students received a lecture by CU’s Career Services Coordinator Angie Best on the topic of how to work a career fair. With the Red River Career Expo in Cameron’s near future, Best said the time to begin practicing is now. “Red River is a great opportunity to get your feet wet in seeing what a career fair looks like and to get past those first job fair nerves,” she said. “It can be daunting with hundreds of employer booths and 1000 people from the public there.” Best provided various tips on navigating a career fair. She focused on such topics as what to wear for the event, how to prepare and create a game plan for the day and how students should presents themselves to possible employers. “Every person you meet is an opportunity,” she said. “You only get one impression and you want to make sure it is a positive one.” Best said students should go to the career fair regardless of their immediate need for a job. She said she thinks the more practice will prepare students for the time when a position opens. “Even if you do not want a job this month, Red River

is a great opportunity to see what it [a career fair] is like, help you get past the very first one, and leave you more prepared for the next one,” she said. One of the major goals of a career fair, according to Best, is making possible employers or their representatives take notice of prospective applicants. Since businesses and companies might see hundreds of people, Best also said showing confidence and standing out is key when making a favorable first impression. “Be sure to take a moment to introduce yourself and make yourself known. We want you to self-advocate as much as you can at these events,” she said. “They might have a thousand of resumes to review afterwards. Do anything that you can do to stand out. If you take time to show them ‘this is who I am and here is what I am interested in,’ that right there is going to help.” Best emphasized the need to present professionalism and politeness in the presence of possible employers. While she said many employers will not be there personally, students should always treat each representative at a career fair with the same amount of respect. “Don’t assume that they are just a secretary or an assistant. You don’t know what kind of impact they may have,” Best said. “You should always assume the person you hand the resume to has the power to hire you.” Best discussed the

Photo by Kaitlyn Stockton

Career lecture: Career Services Coordinator Angie Best delivers a lecture during a CU Succeed workshop. The workshop was entitled “How to Work a Career Fair” and took place on Feb. 7 in the Wichita Room of Shepler. proper attire for the event and preparation tips for the day of the career fair, but her focus for the workshop highlighted the need to stand out while appearing professional and determined.

“Have your elevator speech prepared,” she said. “Your elevator speech is 30 seconds to sell yourself. Tell them ‘this is who I am, this is what I do, basically hire me,’” she said. “It’s something that you can

tell anyone. If you are in an elevator with the vice president of Bank First and you are a graduating Finance major, you want to be prepared.” Junior Joel Ogan said he was surprised at some of

the information he learned from the workshop. Ogan said he learned more about the structure of a career fair after attending the lecture. “I always thought you waited for a question, but I saw that you have to approach the recruiter and be bold about what you are doing,” he said. “You want to show that you know what you are doing and what you want instead of hanging around and waiting for them to call upon you.” Best said if any students need help in preparing for the event, Career Services will not only help teach students how to create professional resumes, but will also print the documents and make sure students are set in the case of interviews or career fairs. “We want to review that resume with you and make sure you are absolutely ready to go,” Best said. “A lot of people in the general public may not even have a resume. And if they do, it probably won’t be an A+ resume.” Best said she hopes the workshop has helped students become aware of the opportunities provided by CU Career Services. While the department not only helps students with looking for internships, Best said they are always up for helping students with resumes, mock interviews, career fairs and in any other matters students may come across. “We want students to know where we are, who we are and what we can do for you,” Best said. “We hope by the end of this semester that everyone knows.”

Cameron designated as healthy campus Tiffany Martinez

sandwiches or can you bring pizza? Healthy thinking is Managing Editor everyone’s job.” The Oklahoma State For the second Department of Health, consecutive year, Cameron the Oklahoma Academy, University has obtained the State Chamber and the Excellence level of the the Oklahoma Turning Certified Healthy Campus Point Council give the award. certifications and rates Nearby businesses such — ranging from basic to as Comanche County merit to excellence — of Memorial Hospital certifications to businesses, also share the degree of cities, schools and achievement. universities throughout the Vice President of state. Student Services Jennifer According to Vice Holland said that she believes everyone is to credit President Holland, the policies of CU’s campus, for the attainment. along with the resources “I think it takes that have been made everybody,” Vice President available to students, Holland said. “There may contributed to the be an event on campus designation. — can you bring Subway

“We have the Student Wellness Center, the Aggie Rec Center, the Aggie Mile and the healthy food options that are available each day in the cafeteria, along with our tobacco-free campus policy — those are the things that that give us the Certified Healthy Campus criteria.” Vice President Holland said that last year was the first year that the campus category was added to the health certification awards. “They have had certified healthy businesses for a long time but they have slowly begun to add new categories,” she said. “Now there are certified healthy schools, communities and businesses and we are really

excited to be a part of that.” Cameron began to focus more on health, Vice President Holland said, when the university became involved with Fit Kids of Southwest Oklahoma, an organization aimed at encouraging youth to practice healthy lifestyles. “We started having conversations about health when Fit Kids of Southwest got started, and Cameron is very involved with Fit Kids of Southwest Oklahoma, so that is about the time we started talking about the health of our community and what our responsibility is as a university,” Vice President Holland said. “Also, as a part of our second century

initiatives, we came up with ‘A Healthier CU in Century Two.’ We now have a whole new group of programs and classes that are designed to encourage our campus community to be active and healthy.” Cameron has collectively created a healthy campus over the years, according the Vice President Holland — one that she affirms will only strive to be better. “We always think about who we serve here at Cameron University and what we are training our educators to teach our future educators — what we can do in each department to promote healthy lifestyles among our students and our community,” she said.

The latest healthy activity planned on campus is the Aggie Fun Run, an event for homecoming which will take participants on a mile-long campus run and offer them a light, healthy breakfast. “This is the first generation of youth whose life expectancy is less than that of their parents,” Vice President Holland said, “and we’ve got to do something about that.” Faculty members from the Student Wellness Center and Aggie Rec Center will be receiving the excellence award for Cameron at a luncheon in late February at the Cox Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.

INTERCULTURAL continued from Page 1 For the service, Kolker said he would be calling Xiao “Laoshī,” the Chinese word for teacher, as she was not comfortable with the title of professor. Kolker displayed the books he had used to learn about Chinese calligraphy while Xiao painted the characters on a large notebook. Kolker said in China, beginners practice on squared graph paper to help them learn how to make the characters a consistent size. He said the vigor of the strokes is very important when using a brush, as calligraphy is an art.

Kolker explained that Chinese children must learn calligraphy from a very young age in addition to English. Xiao added that in order to be considered educated in China, a person must have a grasp on 3,000 to 5,000 different characters. Xiao painted the characters for Shān, the Chinese word for mountain and Rén, the word for man. During discussion, Xiao said there had been times when essays she received in class at Cameron were difficult to read. “I think writing essays, [Americans] respect more

personal style and how you write yourself,” Xiao said. “In China, the purpose of when you write is to get someone to see it.” As she demonstrated techniques for ink distribution with a brush, Xiao said: “This runs in our blood. Parents think recitation of poems that cultivate temperance, so I was made to practice calligraphy and recite poems.” Xiao said her father had practiced calligraphy and thought it important for her and her sisters to as well. Toward the end of the lecture, Xiao painted and

read aloud a poem entitled “Spring.” As she finished, Kolker joked: “This is sort of like professional baseball. She makes it look easy.” At the end of the lecture, Xiao said she wanted to thank the American taxpayers who made it possible for her to come to Cameron and teach. “I think we got our money’s worth,” a woman in the congregation said. In May, Xiao will return to Guangzhou where she teaches at the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.

Photo by Kali Robinson

Calligraphy lessons: Charles Kolker, member of the Unitarian Universalist Church, teaches the audience about calligraphy during a discussion on intercultural communication, which took place Feb. 10.

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Darwin Day celebrated on campus Charlene Belew Staff Writer

The Cameron University Biology Club and Tri Beta (BBB) held its 11th annual Darwin Day at noon on Feb. 8 in the Science Complex. Darwin Day is held to celebrate Charles Darwin’s birthday on Feb. 12, 1809. If Darwin were still alive, the English naturalist known for proposing the theory of evolution in, “On the Origin of Species” would be 204-years-old. Darwin Day started with approximately 80 students and faculty members eating lunch and receiving T-shirts from the Biology Club and BBB. After this, Associate Biology Professor Dr. Mike Husak introduced the guest speaker for this event, OSU Associate Botany Professor Dr. Mark Fishbein. Dr. Fishbein’s presentation,“From Darwin to Genomes: Milkweeds as a Model System for the Evolution of Plant Defenses,” discussed

Photo by Charlene Belew

Food for thought: Cameron students stand in the line for food while at the 11th annual Darwin Day. The food was followed by a presentation by Dr. Mark Fishbein, Associate Botany professor at OSU. The event took place on Feb. 8. the different species of milkweeds that have evolved to protect themselves against their predators. According to Dr. Fishbein, some milkweeds have used physical defenses

such as hairs, waxes and latex while others use chemical defenses such as toxins and cardiac glycosides phenolics. Dr. Fishbein also explained that as the

milkweeds continue to evolve, their predators also evolve in tandem with these mechanisms and ultimately force the plants to grow faster to survive. This means that the defenses of

the milkweeds have gone down while the regeneration and growth rates of the milkweeds have gone up. “A plant can either be successful in strength to not be eaten or be successful in bouncing back by growing quickly again after they have been eaten,” Dr. Fishbein said. Dr. Fishbein said that his interest in milkweed plants started in 1990 and eventually grew into looking at the plant defense mechanisms in 2004. “I was interested in milkweed pollination around 1990,” Dr. Fishbein said. “My plant defense research started in 2004. I have quite a few papers: about 50 of them are published and around 75 percent of them are over milkweeds.” After the presentation was over and questions were asked and answered, Biology Senior Alex Lamle cut Darwin’s birthday cake. Biology senior and club historian Jared White said

that he was impressed with the turn out for the event. “I’ve never been to a Darwin Day that I haven’t enjoyed,” White said. “I believe last year had about 60 or 70 people and this year had about 80. It was a pretty good turnout. People seemed confused when they were told the topic was over milkweeds, but when I looked around the room, everyone was really into the presentation and seemed to be enjoying it.” Dr. Fishbein said that attending Cameron’s Darwin Day celebration was an enlightening and fun experience. “The experience was great,” Dr. Fishbein said. “I’m super impressed by the size of the audience and the number of students who are interested in celebrating Darwin’s birthday. Cameron, keep up with the good work on Darwin day. I’m inspired to try to make a Darwin Day start at OSU now.”

Student housing rates rise at Cameron Sarah Brewer

adjustments to meal plans and additions and repairs Copy Editor made to student living Rates for Cameron quarters. University student housing “When choosing the rate and board will increase at increase, we look at how the start of the 2013-2014 we are comparing,” Parker academic year. said. “This year, we were Whereas the rates for one of the most affordable residential apartments for housing and meals in the in Cameron Village and nation. We also determine residence hall rooms in the what would be appropriate Shepler Center will increase for our students’ pocket four percent, rates for board books. Lastly, is it enough and commuter meal plans, to do what is needed.” adjusting for increases in Parker said the money “f lex” dollars, will increase gained from these increased 4.2 percent. Both rates are rates will fund renovations effective Aug. 1, 2013. needed in the Shepler According to a press Center. release, the University “We replaced every of Oklahoma, Cameron mattress and bed frame in University and Rogers State the Shepler Center. We University Board of Regents plan to continue renovating met these rates. This f loors at least one a year increase marks the fifth as well as addressing time housing and board has bathrooms in the near increased during the past future. We also installed decade. a new card swipe system In 2011, CU was ranked on the elevators that has among the U.S. News & increased security for our World Report’s Short List residents,” Parker said. of “10 Colleges with the Students will see more Least Expensive Room and improvements made in Board” for its average rate Cameron Village as well, for room and board during according to Parker. the 2011-2012 academic “We are also renovating year as the second lowest in entire apartments each the nation and 58.5 percent summer with new f loors less than the national and paint,” Parker said. average of $9,047. “We replaced half of the Charlie Parker, Director mattresses this past summer of CU Student Housing, and will replace the other explained the factors and half this summer. We reasoning that contributed also were able to replace to these increases. Parker the living room couch and said these factors included chair in one third of our

apartments last summer with more to be completed this summer.” Parker said the increased rates will affect meal plans other than the Village convenience plans. “These plans all include meals to eat in the cafeteria,” Parker said. “Most of the rate increase was due to us adding more f lex dollars to many of the plans, so even though our rates have gone up, students can see an actual dollar value increase to their plans as well.” Parker said housing rates are competitive with the cost of living in Lawton. “I have had residents move off campus because they thought it would cost less,” Parker said. “I have also seen many of them return to campus housing because it did not cost less or the product they received was not as good as ours.” Senior Business Management major Justin Barrick currently resides in the Village and thinks living on campus remains in his best interest. “I like living on campus; I have been living on campus for quite a while,” Barrick said. “For my situation, for me, it is better to stay on campus.” However, Barrick said Student Housing should address the hindrances that can arise connecting to the internet and completing

everyday chores. “I went without internet access for an entire week. I pay an internet charge, and I want to have my internet on. The washer and dryer system is nice, but it is more expensive. We have to use a card now — we can’t even use change or cash, and they don’t even have our cards loader machine fixed in the Village, so we have to go to the Shepler to load our cards,” Barrick said. “Over Christmas break, a lot of

us didn’t get to do laundry because Shepler is locked over Christmas break because they don’t live there during Christmas break.” Barrick also said he would prefer to have more freedom when making plans for meals. “The food services on campus are terrible,” Barrick said. “I would rather not be charged a meal plan and just be charged rent, cable and whatever and go buy my

own meals. The only reason I do eat at these places is because I have to pay for it whether I eat there or not.” Barrick believes that students that benefit from the increased rates to meal plans should be responsible for a portion of the expenses. “I think if you’re going to benefit from it any way, shape or form then you need to pay a little of the cost,” Barrick said.

Photo by Sarah Brewer

At-home studying: Senior Business Management major Justin Barrick studies in his on-campus apartment. His housing rates this year will increase 4.2 percent.

Wellness Center offers medical services MENTOR Charlene Belew Staff Writer

The Cameron University Student Wellness Center (SWC) offers medical services, including various programs and workshops to students. The SWC has been involved in helping CU students maintain their physical abilities, allowing them to achieve success in their academic careers. Robin Eichenauer, a program assistant to the Wellness Center and a trained phlebotomist, said that the main objective of the SWC is to do what they can to help students.

“The Wellness Center is for Cameron students who don’t have insurance and are in financial need,” Eichenauer said. “We have expanded a lot since we opened. We are constantly growing, and we like to offer a lot of groups and workshops that students are interested in.” The SWC provides services such as counseling, lipid profile testing, pregnancy testing, and massage therapy. “We see everything from depression to stress, and anxiety to grief counseling. You name it, and we have seen it here,” Eichenauer said. “We offer all kinds of

testing — typical testing — say for example, a lipid profile test: This can be very expensive, but the Wellness Center provides this for only $3.” Medical services are available between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Fridays on a walk in basis. Counseling services are provided Monday through Friday by appointment only. Pregnancy testing is provided the first and third Wednesday of the month from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for free in the SWC through the Pregnancy Resource Center. Massage therapy

services are provided on Fridays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eichenauer said that Family Vision Center works with the SWC to provide affordable eye care for students that are having trouble with their vision. “Cameron students can come to us, fill out paperwork for Family Vision Center, and we will fax it over to them,” Eichenauer said. “The student can then make an appointment with them. It costs $80 for an eye examination and a set of single vision lenses with basic frames. It does not cover contacts.”

continued from page 1 “It’s neat for me if I’ve written a recommendation letter for someone and they write a note to tell me that they’ve got the job and they love it and they’re so excited and they loved their time at Cameron — those things have a lot of meaning to me, and this is a really nice award. I think of this in that same way.” Though the award recognizes her work as a mentor, Vice President Holland said supporting students is part of her job. “It’s humbling, I guess,”

Holland said. “It’s nice to be recognized, but this is part of my job. That’s what my job is — to work with students and encourage them and support them and challenge them and ask how they’re doing and how their studies are going, and I feel like that’s the mentoring part. It’s really part of my job. I don’t know that I feel like I deserve any special recognition for it, and it’s always nice for people to say thank you and pat you on the back, but I don’t think that’s why we do this job.”

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Cameron Professor offers refuge Photo by Carson Stringham

The Pianist: Dr. Gregory Hoepfner works on his composition of “Refuge,” a piece selected to premier at the University of Nebraska-Kearney’s New Music Festival XII on Feb. 11. The piece serves as an allusion to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Carson Stringham Staff Writer

Dr. Gregory Hoepfner, Cameron University Music Professor, has had his composition, “Refuge,” chosen to be premiered at the University of NebraskaKearney’s New Music Festival XII on Feb. 11. Dr. Hoepfner, who has taught at Cameron since 2001, said he wrote the piece for his wife and is an allusion to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge of which she is very fond. He also said the piece is a tribute to the postminimalistic style that he himself likes.

While Dr. Hoepfner took his inspiration for the composition from the Refuge, he said that he did not mean for the piece to act as a direct representation of it; rather, the piece is an attempt to portray the essence and feeling of the Refuge. “I generally don’t like programmatic music that tells you, ‘Ok, here’s a bird’ or ‘Here’s a buffalo,’” Dr. Hoepfner said. “I wanted to create a piece of music that would capture the atmosphere and the beauty of the Refuge.” While he tried to stay away from programmatic elements in the piece, Dr.

Hoepfner said there are at least three instances in the 10 minute composition that would suggest definite connections to specific aspects of the Refuge. As an example, he said that at one point in the piece there is a strong percussive element that may give the audience the impression of a running herd of buffalo; while he says that was not his intent, he understands that the audience will still probably make that connection. Dr. Hoepfner said: “We all like to have something to hang on to when we listen to music – and I think it is fine when a title gives us guide – but I would rather

that people be interested in the music for its own sake.” Dr. Hoepfner said that a piece of this length generally takes about six months to finish; with “Refuge,” he was able to start working on the piece at the end of last semester, really focus on it over the summer, and then do clean up on it as the new semester began. With the composition finished, he submitted it to the festival. Dr. Hoepfner said that he sends his work to publishers and competitions because it is difficult to find a venue for new classical music; after sending out a number of things

throughout the course of a year, if one or two of them gets performed, he says he feels very lucky and considers himself fortunate. Since he teaches composition as a course at Cameron, Dr. Hoepfner said he takes the opportunity to coach his students through his own experience, though he said that he did not bring “Refuge” in to class or even mention it to his students during the time that he was composing it; rather, he likes to encourage his students and act as a guide through the submission process, helping them to understand that

composition is a very handson art that deals with a lot of self-promotion. Dr. Hoepfner said that he has learned that if a composer wants to have his or her work heard, he or she must do more with it than write something and then file it away in a cabinet. “I’m not real big on selfpromotion,” he said, “but I also know that an agent isn’t going to just knock on my door and say, ‘I bet you write some great stuff.’” Dr. Hoepfner said that “Refuge” was a chance for him to really attack the post-modernistic style that he generally is reluctant to do. In this piece, Dr. Hoepfner said that he really tried to stay true as possible to the form, though he also stayed true to himself and his own style by infusing the music with various instruments and sounds as he likes to do in his music. Dr. Hoepfner said, “I don’t have a message to push with the piece; I just love writing music because it can be relaxing, engaging or even exciting.” Dr. Hoepfner says that there are no immediate plans to perform “Refuge” in the Cameron or Lawton/ Ft. Sill communities at this point, mainly due the lack of time needed for the right musicians to rehearse together as a group. Dr. Hoepfner said that while it would be fun to see his music performed locally, it is not the reason he writes.

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Magic Lantern’s magical evening Sarah Brewer

when we were showing film in the band room — and we had a trivia contest that night. I wrote the trivia contest, and there Copy Editor were some who got all of them right,” Dr. Morris said. “We When the Magic Lantern Film Society gave a presentation of had a first prize — it was our Valentines film then, too — “Casablanca” on the evening of Feb. 8 at the CETES Center, the Valentine’s breakfast at Old Martin’s Restaurant which they showing of the film — to paraphrase a line from the movie — donated, which was very nice.” drew an audience that included more than the usual suspects. However, instead of challenging students to answer trivia The recent screening the 1942 American romantic drama questions, Dr. Morris said the Magic Lantern Film Society will marks its return to the ongoing film series after 19 years. present an award to History Professor Dr. Mark Stegmaier. Dr. Set in its titular city before the attack on Pearl Harbor Stegmaier established the Magic Lantern Film Society with in 1941, the film stars Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine, an Professor Marilyn Beaney in the spring semester of 1982. expatriate American who is the proprietor of a ritzy nighclub. “We wanted to recognize the fact that he is retiring and wish When his former flame, Norwegian Ilsa Lund — played by him well. This is his 38th academic year; he started at Cameron Ingrid Bergman — enters his establishment alongside her in 1975,” Dr. Morris said. “We are giving him an award, and husband, Victor Laszlo, a Czech Resistance leader played by what he doesn’t know — that we are renaming our meritory Paul Henreid, he is overwhelmed with agony. service award in his honor, so he will be the first recipient of the The film received critical acclaim for capturing pathos in Stegmaier Award.” its performances. In fact, “Casablanca” won the Oscar for Best Dr. Stegmaier said he was surprised to receive the first award Picture in 1942 as well as two other Academy Awards. named after him. He said he enjoys the films the Magic Lantern English Professor Dr. John Morris, the faculty adviser for Film Society chooses to screen each year and foresees the the Magic Lantern Film Society, said that he first saw the film continuation of this film series. as a college student and hopes the title of the popular move will “In one way or the other, we always have good movies that are intrigue other students. famous for some reason. They have value,” Dr, Stegmaier said. “We wish we could more college students to come to some of “We have been keeping this going for 30 years, and there is no these movies, but we are hoping that ‘Casablanca’ lures some to reason to think that we shouldn’t keep this going for another 30 come,” Dr. Morris said. years.” Dr. John Morris said the organization intended the showing Franklin Sales, a 19-year-old high school junior who attends of the film to coincide with Valentine’s Day 19 years ago and Lawton High and participates in Upward Bound, said he planned to do the same this year. appreciates the value of watching films made during bygone eras. “The last time we showed it was in 1994 — and this was “I heard stories about it from my family members — my

Photo courtesy of MCT campus

The Usual Suspects: Artwork from Casablanca. There was a showing on Feb. 8 for Cameron students. grandmother has seen it and said it was a wonderful film and that I should see it,” Sales said. “Even if they don’t like old films, I would suggest to people to see at least one or maybe two, and then let their taste take them where they want.”

A New Nora:

CU theatre out to play

consequently a little more domineering in this one Staff Writer than he is in the other The Cameron University one,” she said “Some of the other characters are Theatre Department will pretty much the same in hold its first play of the both plays; really it is the spring semester as part of character Nora that is more its “Year of Manner and modernized.” Comical Mishaps.” According to Dr. Onishi, Assistant Professor Dr. Nora’s husband believes his Deidre Onishi will direct Photo by Jacob Jardel actions and his treatment of “Nora,” the only dramatic his wife are justified by the production scheduled for CU students play video games at Game Night. The event was hosted by the CCM. social strictures that existed this theatrical season. in the 19th century. “Nora” is Igmar “Torvald does nothing Bergman’s version of the wrong,” Dr. Onishi said. play ‘A Doll’s House,’ a “According to society and Norwegian play written in “After a week of studying, Soon, the room hosted a variety video games that drew Ellis everything that he was 1879 by Henrik Ibsen. I just want to go out and have of different games all at once. in from his first semester in The story revolves around brought up in — and the fun with friends and talk to From “Rock Band” to fighting Fall 2010 to play with other society in which he works a woman named Nora, the games to sports games, guests students during these scheduled people,” Whitson said. “I think — he does everything that wife of Torvald — a man Game Night’s really fun. It’s had a variety of games from events. would be expected of a man.” who wields significant a safe atmosphere for people which to choose. “I just wanted to play video Dr. Onishi said this power while presiding over to come, hang out, have fun According to Ellis, the type games,” he said. “We have version calls for more a bank as its vice president. and just enjoy themselves. It’s of game selection available a thing here called Student intimate moments that exist In the play, Nora’s husband during this Game Night Leadership Team, and we were a real social atmosphere. Just in Ibsen’s original work. is blackmailed by one of his compared to other Game talking about events. One of the hang out, not have to worry “She [Nora] shows employees, and she responds about anything, and get away Nights held off of campus. events we were talking about great affection for her by helping her spouse keep “We play a lot of up-to-date was Game Night, so that kind from their homework for a few husband — and it’s a very his job and convincing him hours.” new games,” Ellis said, “like of attracted me just to come.” visual affection — whereas to refrain from firing the Whitson said he used this ‘Call of Duty’ and ‘Halo 4.’ Ellis said his favorite part of ‘A Doll’s House’ it’s just traitorous employee. social approach to reach out There’s also couple of old games Game Nights was playing the words,” Dr. Onishi said. Dr. Onishi said to those students looking for the N64, a couple for the video games and having fun. Dr. Onishi said that the personality of the for a way to take a break and Wii, and sometimes we have While Whitson said he the steampunk element protagonist differs in this interact with others, all while girls here who play cards and appreciated the video game version, but both liberate the introduced in the play will other board games. It’s just any aspect of the event, he also said interacting in a virtual reality. female protagonist — Nora add more depth to the story. “If you’re looking for a social kind of game.” he preferred a less tangible “The words and the openly opposes her husband. outlet on campus, I think Game Dillon Whitson, junior aspect of the event. sentiment are changed, but “Nora is quite different Communication major, “Really, it’s the social aspect. Night would be a great choice,” the action is still very much from the Nora in ‘A Doll’s Whitson said. corroborated this statement. Just hanging out with people, the same,” Dr. Onishi said. House,’” Dr. Onishi said. Ellis encouraged students “I believe when Game Night meeting some people maybe ‘Nora’ will open on Feb “She is feistier in this one.” first started, they did board you didn’t know, or just getting to attend CCM Game Night, 21. Tickets are $10 for The characters in which usually takes on the games and occasionally card around and playing in front of Cameron faculty and staff, this version differ from second Friday of each month. games. But the main focus has the big screen for a while.” $12 for all other adults and Ibsen’s original characters, “Come to Game Night. It’s been video games,” Whiston Whitson felt that social free to students with a valid according to Dr. Onishi. said. aspect was what was the biggest a lot of fun,” Ellis said. CU ID. “Her husband is In fact, it is this focus on draw of Game Night.

James Meeks

Let the games begin:

A social setting for virtual realities Jacob Jardel Staff Writer

Cameron Campus Ministry (CCM) served as a backdrop where virtual rock stars, brawlers and ballers united at 6 p.m. on Feb. 8 for Game Night. Attendees trickled into the CCM to help set up the main gathering area — set up specifically for the stream of guests to come — where students and friends alike met to exchange pleasantries and on screen friendly fire. Nolan Ellis, senior Business major and intern for CCM, set out snacks and sodas across the counter while guests such as Ross Holley, sophomore Accounting major, set up some of the video game systems on which the guests would play during the night. More guests started to file in later that evening, bringing more games and technical assistance along with them.

Movie night: CU sun sets on Twilight saga Sadie Jones Staff Writer

Whether viewers favored “Team Edward,” or “Team Jacob,” students of Cameron University set aside their differences Feb. 5 for the viewing of Breaking Dawn: Part 2, in the McMahon Centennial Complex Center Ballroom. Program Activities Council (PAC) Student Activities Specialist Megan Canfield hosted the movie night, along with the help of CU Freshmen PLUS students and Chairs of the event, Bridget Thompson and Mike Fletcher. Students gathered in the MCC to eat nachos and conclude Stephenie Myer’s saga of romance, vampires and werewolves. The PAC

organization, recognized by the student body for their Movie Nights, enjoyed yet another success. “PAC consists of students who work together to provide activities for CU students,” Canfield said. “We are most well known for our movie nights and we host them the first or second Tuesday of every month.” Canfield said PAC received their movies from “Swank Motion Pictures,” which is an international non-theatrical motion picture distributor and licensure. “Swank is exclusive to campuses and provides movies for student viewing that are not even out on DVD yet,” Canfield said. As an organization, PAC narrowed the choices down to

Thompson and Fletcher said they were in charge of deciding what food would be served, setting up chairs and also cleaning up afterwards. In order to reach out to the student body about upcoming events, Thompson and Fletcher said it is important students are provided with information Photo by Sadie Jones so they can be informed about Fan Club: CU students attend PAC movie night. The campus activities. “To advertise the Movie event was the second PAC has hosted this semester. Night and other events we four movies: Breaking Dawn: Canfield said. “When they have host on campus, we make Part 2, Wreck it Ralph, Skyfall a say in the activity, they are posters, banners and write and The Master. Students were going to want to be involved.” on the sidewalks with chalk,” permitted to make the final Canfield said the PAC Thompson said. decision, which led to a large events that take place are “We also use the social turnout of CU students to the the responsibility of PAC media and update Facebook event. members. Thompson and and Twitter with upcoming “I think the reason that Fletcher, two students who events,” Fletcher added. PAC Movie Nights are so organized the movie night Although Fletcher and popular is because we allow event were Freshmen PAC Thompson were required the student body to choose,” members. by PLUS requirements to

be involved in a campus organization—both agreed being involved in PAC was a good choice. Thompson said PAC is not only offered to PLUS students. It is a University funded organization and anyone can be a member. “The reason I chose to be a part of PAC was because this organization is really involved on campus,” Thompson said. “There seemed to always be something going on.” Breaking Dawn Movie Night attendee and PAC member, Hannah Smart, agreed with Thompson and said PAC feels like a family environment because the members spend a lot of time together planning and being involved in events.

6

Voices

February 18, 2013

www.aggiecentral.com

America’s war on academic works

Kaylee Jones A&E Editor

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Editorial Staff Managing Editor - Tiffany Martinez Assistant Managing Editor - Tyler Boydston Crossroads Editor - Dianne Riddles A&E Editor - Kaylee Jones Sports Editor - Matthew Berberea Copy Editor - Sarah Brewer Aggie Central Editor- Mitch Watson Archivist - Mitch Watson Newsroom Staff Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Kaitlyn Stockton, Charlene Belew, Sadie Jones, Carson Stringham, James Meeks, Alex Rosa-Figueroa Advertising Manager - Tiffany Martinez Photographer - Kali Robinson Newswriting Students Philip Harrington, Kella Haire 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 Lawton Constitution The first issue is provided free of charge. Each subsequent issue is $1.50. 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, by e-mail to aggiecentral@ cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www. aggiecentral.com. Our Views The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Aggie Voices” 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.

It is midnight as I search through Cameron’s library databases to find research for a last minute paper topic. It requests a login ID and password. As I enter my student ID, I am reminded of how having access to such information is a privilege. While I peruse articles from JSTOR and EBSCO, I find myself questioning why such articles are not simply part of the public domain. Should access to information be a privilege at all? The recent loss of 26-year-old Massachusetts Institute of Technology student and proposed “wunderkind” Aaron Swartz has brought this discussion to the frontlines of current affairs. Swartz was responsible for illegally downloading roughly five million scholarly articles from the JSTOR database through MIT’s computer system, earning him the name the “Robin Hood of Data.” In July 2011, Swartz was indicted on federal charges for gaining illegal access to JSTOR with the intention of releasing the articles to the public for free. He was faced with possible millions of dollars in fines and a sentence of 35 years in prison if found guilty. The risk of such punishments has been argued to be what caused Swartz to hang

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

himself in his apartment in early January. Carmen M. Ortiz, a U.S. attorney, headed the case, arguing, “Stealing is stealing, whether you use a computer command or a crowbar, and whether you take documents, data or dollars.” Swartz was a co-founder of the popular social media site, reddit, as well as a co-founder of Demand Progress, a group that fights for social justice issues through online campaigns. At only 14, he helped to create the unmistakable RSS, which allows individuals to subscribe to online information. Swartz’s views can be

understood through the text of his 2008 “Guerilla Open Access Manifesto.” Swartz wrote, “Information is power. But like all power, there are those who want to keep it for themselves.” His proposal was to make articles such as those found on JSTOR open and available to the public by uploading them to filesharing sites. “We need to take information, wherever it is stored, make our copies and share them with the world. We need to take stuff that’s out of copyright and add it to the archive. We need to buy secret databases and put them on the Web. We need to download scientific

journals and upload them to file sharing networks,” wrote Swartz. While everyone cannot be as ambitious as Swartz, it is important that we take the time to question the ethics of keeping academic information out of the hands of the public. It is time to push for pay walls to be destroyed, to free information held captive inside the four walls of the privileged world of academia. Advocates for Swartz’s cause have picked up where his martyrdom left off, pushing MIT to lead the movement of making academic articles available to everyone instead of

treating them like pieces of intellectual personal property. It is my belief that in an ideal world, Aaron Swartz’s dream of access for all to the whole of human knowledge would not only be realized but also executed. However, when there are mouths to be fed and bills to be paid, ideals will never trump currencies. There may never come a day when everyone will have access to the articles archived away in such online databases; however, there will always be the Swartz’s to remind us of a brighter world: where laws need not be broken for the citizens to learn freely.

A Hollywood deception: White-washing

Tyler Boydston

Asst. Managing Editor With the recent release of “Warm Bodies,” casting changed the race of a supporting character from what she was in the novel. Nora, the female lead’s best friend, is described as being of Ethiopean descent in the novel. In the film, however, she is portrayed by the white actress Analeigh Tipton. If this were the only instance of something along these lines happening, it would not be too bad. It’s a supporting character, so what’s the harm? Well, this is a recurring theme in Hollywood films. In fact, this summer’s “Iron Man 3” is casting the main villain (The Mandarin, for you comic book nerds out there) as a white male. The Mandarin in the comic books was Chinese, though a Chinese caricature, but is being played by a white British male, Ben Kingsley. So, what is Hollywood’s problem with whitewashing, as it has come to be defined? White-washing has been around for quite some time, and it somehow still exists today, though thankfully not to the extremes it once was when white actors wore blackface. One of the most well-known examples of which was Laurence Olivier in the 1965 rendition of

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

“Othello.” Both white-washing and blackface were parodied in the 2008 film “Tropic Thunder.” The action comedy also brought to light the rather racist caricatures that films like to include by using Robert Downey Jr.’s character. When the film “21” was adapted from the novel “Bringing Down the House” by Ben Mezrich in 2008, its release made waves when casting made a majority of the cast white as opposed to the Asian characters Mezrich included in his novel. In fact, only two members of the ensemble cast remained Asian to make

room for white actors Jim Sturgess and Kate Bosworth to play the lead roles. Then, in 2010, I was personally disappointed for obvious reasons to find out that Jake Gyllenhaal was cast to play the titular character in “Prince of Persia.” While changing the race of certain characters has been used in the past to make previously non-white roles become white roles, it has also been used to the opposite effect. With 2008’s “Iron Man,” Samuel L. Jackson was cast to play Nick Fury in the post-credits scene. Nick Fury previously existed a

white male in comic book history until the storyline of “The Ultimates” began. The character was re-written and re-drawn, and Samuel L. Jackson has received favorable reviews for his role. Then, during the casting process for “The Amazing Spider-Man,” which was released in 2012, an online campaign began to get Donald Glover (Troy from NBC’s “Community,” also known as rapper Childish Gambino) cast as Peter Parker. The campaign garnered enthusiastic feedback from fans, but it also received criticism from others. Glover mentioned

the campaign in his stand-up special “Weirdo,” making fun of the situation and a Twitter user who suggested having Michael Cera portray Shaft. So, I guess what I am trying to say is this: Let us look past race of characters as well as individuals. I’m fairly certain that society as a whole is progressing, but we are (myself included, because I find myself writing this) still talking about race. Now that I have said my piece, though, I do want to see that Michael Cera as Shaft film. That’s too awkward and funny to pass up. Make it happen, Hollywood.

7

Sports

February 18, 2013

www.aggiecentral.com

CU’s struggles continue at home Aaron Gill Staff Writer

Cameron University Baseball continued their rough start to the 2013 season as they were swept by the Henderson State Reddies at McCord Field Feb. 9-10. The weekend started with CU dropping the first two games to the Reddies by scores of 4-5 and 1-8, respectively. The Aggies came up short again on day two losing the first game by a score of 0-7 and the second by 6-10. The Aggies finished the weekend with a record of 0-6. Game one on Sunday Feb. 10 was one that Aggie fans would soon like to forget. The Aggies started the game with a good first inning defensively but the Reddies took off on their scoring run in the second. The Reddies came out swinging scoring three runs off four hits and an Aggie error. Cameron kept the Reddies at bay until the sixth inning when Jordan Trosclair hit a bomb to center, plating two for HSU bringing the score to 0-5. The Reddies scored once more after Trosclair stole both second and third and was driven home off a single by Corso. Throughout the game Trosclair contributed five of the Reddies’ eight stolen bases. HSU scored once more in the top of the seventh to end their shutout run. The Aggies made a valiant effort to get a seventh inning rally going when junior Brad Blumer hit a leadoff triple to start the inning. The Aggies could do nothing to bring Blumer home as two walks and strikeouts ensued,

Photo by Brandon Neris

Looking for answers: Senior pitcher Aaron Kleekamp delivers a pitch against Henderson State at McCord Field Feb. 10. Kleekamp gave up four hits and three earned runs over two innings of work and the Reddies swept the four game weekend series from the Aggies. stranding Blumer on third to end the game. Head coach for the Aggies Todd Holland said there was nothing his team could do the first game. The Aggies had no runs and you cannot win with a zero on the board. “It just got out of control,” Coach Holland said. “We didn’t score, we didn’t hit, you know we’re just trying to get these guys into something new and they haven’t completely bought in, so we’re just kind of trying to figure out who we are as an identity.”

Game two started off on a much better note than game one. Defensively, the Aggies allowed one run in the top of the first and retaliated in the bottom of the inning when junior Keaton Green led off with a single and a stolen base, putting him in scoring position. Blumer drove Green to the plate with an RBI double. The Green-Blumer connection could not be stopped as Green was plated again in the third off another Blumer RBI. The fifth inning proved interesting as the two teams

traded blows. Both squads scored multiple runs in the inning as Henderson State started the inning by plating two runs off one hit and one Aggie error. The Aggies were hot on their trail bringing three runs in off an RBI double from junior Brandon Raidy and an RBI single from junior Tyler Cox. In the sixth inning the Reddies plated two more runs off two hits, while in the bottom of the inning the Aggies plated one run off an RBI double down the left field line

from Green. Errors plagued the Aggies throughout the game and in the seventh inning Henderson State took off with the lead and never looked back. Plating four runs off four hits and one Aggie error, the Reddies took a commanding lead and added one more run to the total in the top of the eighth. Although the Aggies started great they could not hold onto any sort of lead after the fifth inning. Coach Holland explained that the Aggies needed hits in certain time and

could not get them, whereas HSU was on their game when it came to stepping up to the plate. “Just a break here, a break there, and we could not get them out with two strikes,” Coach Holland said. “We would start to get a momentum shift and every time they needed a hit, they got one. We started getting hits and then all of a sudden we needed a hit and we would line out. Their short stop made some good plays and that’s the thing, winning teams make those, other teams don’t.”

Foster’s late game heroics lead to overtime thriller Matthew Berberea

also scored double-digits finishing with 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Sports Editor With the victory Cameron extended their home Cameron University Men’s Basketball continued winning streak to 11 games and improved their conference Lonestar Conference play this past week against West record to 9-5. Texas A&M Feb. 9 at Aggie Gym and Angelo State Feb. Next the Aggies traveled to San Angelo where they 13 in San Angelo. faced last place Angelo State. The Rams gave CU all they The Aggies entered the game against West Texas could handle and once again the Aggies relied on Foster to looking to build on a 10-game home winning streak and be the difference in a tight 76-72 overtime victory. secure a high tournament seed. Junior guard Craig Foster In the first half the Aggies struggled to find rhythm on proved to be the difference scoring a career high 29 points offense and Angelo State was able to hold a slim through en route to a 73-62 Cameron victory. the first 10 minutes of the contest. Cameron took their Early in the first half both teams exchanged buckets first lead of the game with 8:53 left in the half on a three with CU maintaining a slight edge through the first five from Foster. minutes of the game. The Aggies went on a 9-4 run capped The action continued to go back and forth and with by a 3-pointer from junior guard Kimric Dixon giving 1:46 remaining the teams were tied at 24-24. Angelo State them a 17-11 lead with 11:20 remaining in the first half. fired two quick 3-pointers and a couple of free throws and After a media timeout, West Texas A&M responded ended the half on an 8- run leaving the Aggies stunned well by trimming the lead and Tez Dumars hit a go-ahead down 24-32. jumper for the Buffaloes first lead of the game. Both teams Angelo State was ale to hold onto a lead for the first few exchanged points and at intermission WTU led 30-33. minutes after the break but the Aggies tied it up off of a The second half continued as the first had ended with three from junior forward Aaron Thompson assisted by the Buffaloes leading by two points with 15:42 remaining. Foster. Foster then took over scoring 17 points in the final 15 Once again the Rams halted CU’s momentum and went minutes and the Aggies never looked back. on a run and built a nine point lead with just over seven Foster finished the night with a career-best 29 points, minutes remaining. five rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Tim Johnson The Black and Gold responded with a 13-4 run of

their own as Foster scored two quick layups and a big shot from downtown bringing the score even with 2:04 left in regulation. The last two minutes were controlled by ASU and Rams’ guard Jovan Austin hit two free throws with seven seconds remaining to put them up 67-64. Coming out of a 30 second timeout the Aggies were looking for a good look to try and tie the game. With two seconds left on the clock Craig Foster found the open shot the Aggies were looking for and buried it from deep to knot up the score and send the game into overtime. The Aggies jumped out to a quick lead in the five minute overtime period but the Rams were able to fight back and tie the game at 70 each. CU then grabbed the lead again from a jumper by senior forward Andrew Thomas followed by a defensive stop and quick two from Foster. Two late free throws from senior guard Devon Crabtree iced the game for CU as they came out on top, 76-72. Foster finished with a team-high 27 points and added six rebounds and seven assists. Thomas was second in scoring for the Aggies finishing with 12 points on the night. The Aggies now stand at 14-7 overall and 10-5 in conference and hold the second best record in the Lonestar Conference. The Aggies return to the court Feb. 20 at Aggie Gym against conference rival Tarleton State.

8

Crossroads

February 18, 2013

www.aggiecentral.com

Helping hands for foster care needs

Photo by Dianne Riddles

Sorting and organizing donated items: Amanda Gould, Jason Hall and Melissa Long sort through the many donations made to GPCC during the past three months. The Lawton community donated more items than Hall was able to store in his home, which led to the private donation of a vacant building for storage and distribution purposes.

Dianne Riddles

“I just put it on Facebook that there was a need for bags for these kids,” Hall said. “Some Crossroads Editor of the employees from Magic 95 donated a ton of luggage.” Since the fall of 2012, the Great Plains According to Hall, Tracy Davis asked Hall Compassion Cooperative (GPCC) has where he was storing all of the donated items. grown from one man’s mission to a cause When he told her that he had sequestered his championed by a group of local citizens. living room and another room in his home This man, 30-year-old Jason Hall, wanted for storing the items he had collected, Davis to ensure that school children in need kept donated to the cause by giving Hall the use warm throughout the winter by providing of a vacant rental property for receiving, them with coats. organizing and distributing the donations. Hall said that he had many friends and Hall said that with the help of Long and contacts that wanted to do things to benefit 25-year-old DHS Foster Care Specialist the community, but they had no organization Amanda Gould, they were able to organize to promote or facility to hold benefit events. and partially set up the current donations at He looked to social media to keep them the house two weeks ago. He said that there updated about his project. is still work to do but soon, the donated house “I thought it would be a great idea to will be a functioning distribution center create a Facebook page for an organization helping local foster children in many ways. where there is no president and there is no Hall said that children are the most board,” Hall said. “It is just a forum where important part of our future. people come together and put their ideas out “As cliché as it may sound, the children there for other people who would like to get really are the future of our society,” Hall said. involved and help facilitate their ideas.” “We have an obligation to make sure these Hall said the community response was kids and young adults know that society cares overwhelming. He said he did not want to about them; I think this is an important part turn away any donations, but he could no longer physically accommodate the donations of ensuring that they grow into caring adults.” Long and Gould stressed that there that he was receiving. continues to be an urgent need for foster At this point, Hall said that he became parents in this area. acquainted with Melissa Long, a 27-year“There are 350 children in state custody in old Department of Human Services Foster Comanche County alone; I don’t think people Care Specialist. Long recommended sending realize that this issue is this prevalent,” Long the donations to current foster children and those foster children who are aging out of the said. “I just believe that we as a community need to step up and see to it that these system and starting their own households as children are taken care of.” young adults. Long said anyone interested in helping Hall and Long had accumulated donations foster children by becoming a foster parent of household goods and now had found a can find more information at www.okdhs.org group of people that needed them. Long said that she told Hall about children or by calling 580.250.3600 or 800.572.6841. Anyone interested in helping foster taken into DHS custody that kept their Photo by Kali Robinson belongings in trash bags as DHS moved them children by donating time, energy, effort or materials to this cause, may do so by leaving from one location to the next. Melissa Long uses plastic boxes to help organize: Long makes progress by Moved by her story, Hall said he decided to a message or a comment on the Great Plains Compassion Cooperative Facebook page. share it on the GPCC Facebook timeline. first sorting the clothes by sex and age group. Long devoted her entire day to help.

Photo by Kali Robinson

Photo by Kali Robinson

Team effort: Long and Hall work as a team to make life better for foster children in our community. All who helped on this day agreed that everyone working as a team to solve problems in the community is true charity.