The Cameron University Collegian: February 20, 2006

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COLLEGIAN THE CA M ERON U N I V ER SIT Y

Monday, February 20 2006

News

Informing the Cameron Family Since 1926

Volume 79 Issue 18

Operation renovation SOEA spearheads library make over By Petulah Olibert Collegian Staff

CU faculty and staff honored for community service.

SEE PAGE 2

A&E

“Working”: Check out the theatre arts departments latest offering. SEE PAGE 6.

Sports

Lorinda Rogers, faculty sponsor of the Cameron University’s Student Oklahoma Education Association (SOEA) described the proposed library makeover at Lawton’s Douglass Elementary as nerve-wracking. The project, almost a year in the making, was exquisitely planned out and organized, but as the time toward completion loomed, and being unsure of an adequate number of volunteers, it was hard not to harbor notions about not making the date. Her fears were unfounded, however, because volunteers turned out in droves. “We have been working on this project since last April when we came back from the state convention,” Rogers said. “We brainstormed all different kinds of ideas and we met with all the librarians from Lawton public schools and presented our proposal. We thought that a library makeover was a good focus because all the children from the school could take advantage of it since they all use the library.” In an effort to get the students involved, a class contest was organized where each class was to submit a phrase or saying pertaining to reading. The phrase: “Reading takes you everywhere,” won. Librarian Gayle Anderson created a two-foot long floor plan of the proposed redone library so the

SOEA members and volunteers would have an idea where the murals and bookcases were to be placed. Rogers said the months of planning culminated in the work completed last week. “It’s been a long process,” she said, “and we’ve been working for the entire week. The library was closed, and we’ve been here every evening and all weekend.” An influx of volunteers were on hand, including an artist who painted a mural. “Ramona Brown, a former Cameron graduate and SOEA member, does beautiful artistic work,” Rogers said. “We wanted to have children painted on one of the walls which would be at eye level with the children. We thought they would get a kick out of that. So Ramona drew in the children and the figures. Our other volunteers helped to paint. Curtains were made by students at Tomlinson Junior High, and the Junior League volunteered to provide lunch for all the volunteers.” Cameron’s SOEA chapter was inspired to take on the project after attending the 2005 SOEA state convention. Project Coordinator and Education Senior Allison Turner said that, realizing that their small chapter was not able to do an entire school makeover, they decided to do something smaller.

See RENOVATION, Page 8

Photo courtesy of Anita Hernandez

CU students make a difference: SOEA members refurbish the library in Douglass Elementary School. One enhancement is a mural painted by artist and CU alumna Ramona Brown.

Tresa Hall wins Miss Black CU By Joan Hagy

News Writing Student

Aggies fall 0 - 4. SEE PAGE 7.

Voices

Five accomplished young women vied for the title of Miss Black Cameron University on Saturday night. Held at the university theatre, the 27th annual Dr. Valree Wynn Miss Black Cameron University pageant was presented by the Ebony Society. It was an evening full of song, dance and tributes. The 2005 Miss Black Cameron University, Lisa Eddy, crowned nursing junior Tresa Hall the winner. Sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Hall’s talent was an

interpretive dance and her ambassadorial segment honored Aretha Franklin. Hall received a tuition waiver for her accomplishment. When asked how she felt to be crowned Miss Black Cameron University, Hall simply replied, “Surprised.” The first runner-up, medical technology sophomore Claudina Marcia Prince, was crowned Miss Black Comanche County. Prince brought to life gospel singer Shirley Caesar in her ambassadorial routine. At the end of the evening Prince said she was excited and very happy. Second runner-up was Miranda Sosa, a romance

languages freshman. Sosa won the talent segment, singing a selection from the movie “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” in English and Mandarin. Two other contestants, Ashley Gardner, pre-nursing freshman, and Leillaninicole Wiggins, psychology sophomore, competed for the crown. Gardner’s ambassadorial selection was a display of the talents and accomplishments of Halle Berry. Wiggins honored Rosa Parks by detailing the activist’s life in a dramatic presentation. Hall and Prince will both compete at the Miss Black Oklahoma pageant to be held in June.

Photo by Joan Hagy

McMahon donates $4 million to Cameron By Kenny Scarle Feminist movement organizer leaves legacy for women’s rights. SEE PAGE 3 Office: Nance Boyer 2060 Phone: 580•581•2261 E-mail us at : collegian@cameron.edu First Copy Free - $.25 for each additional copy Contents © The Collegian 2006

Collegian Staff

“It is an unprecedented day at Cameron University.” President Cindy Ross spoke those words on Feb. 9 at the McMahon Center. On that day, Cameron University was presented with the single largest donation ever received from the McMahon Foundation: $4 million for the completion of the new student activities center. In 2008, Cameron will turn 100 years old. From an agricultural high school, this institution of education has become a master’s level university. In keeping with that growth, Cameron has a five-part Master Plan to continue developing success: ensure an active, studentcentered learning environment, become the university of choice in southwest Oklahoma,

strengthen institutional resources, improve institutional management and organizational effectiveness and finally, observe Cameron’s centennial. In conjunction with that plan, Cameron has begun the Changing Lives for 100 Years program. The program is designed to lay the foundation for Cameron’s second century, providing new students with enhanced learning and campus life. It calls for new scholarship programs, keeping area students closer to home. It also provides endowed faculty positions, enabling the university to offer dedicated learning on specific subjects from new technology to the use of the English language. The $8.5 million program also calls for a major change in Cameron’s grounds and facilities, including the Centennial Gardens, a retreat complete with quiet areas for study,

water features, and beautifully landscaped areas, and the construction of a new student activities center. Enter the McMahon Foundation. The McMahon Foundation has had a long affiliation with Cameron. They have been a major contributor to the university’s projects, from grants for the Fine Arts Complex in 1966 to the recent donation of the McMahon Center at Cameron Village. “It’s a long-standing relationship,” Ross said. “We are so indebted to the McMahon Foundation for its generosity. Two years ago, the foundation gave us our largest gift, $1.25 million for the construction of the McMahon Center, the heart of the Cameron Village.”

See DONATION, Page 4


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