The Cameron University Collegian: January 26, 2009

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

Informing the Cameron Family Since 1926

Monday, ay, January 26, 2009

Volume 83 Issue 13

News

Inauguration 2009 The culmination, creation of history

Say goodbye to the landline and hello to cell phones.

SEE PAGE 2

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On the twentieth day of January 2009 Senator Barack Obama took the oath of office and became President Barack Obama.

CUTV marks historic moment with live coverage Live in 3..2..1: CUTV anchor and R/TV major Cecilio Ramirez prepares to go live.

The CUTV cast and crew provided multifaceted coverage of the Inauguration of Barack Obama.

Theater professor named as adjudicator of two state festivals.

Photo by Jim Horinek

SEE PAGE 7

Sports

See CUTV Page 3

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real.

They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.”

“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.”

“On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and wornout dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.”

— President Barack Obama Inaugural Address

Inaugural ceremony rooted in tradition This year’s inauguration is no exception. This will be the first time an African-American is sworn into office as President of the United States of America.

Dr. Melody Huckaby, a CU Political Science professor, saw another first in this inauguration.

“In my lifetime, I have rarely seen such high levels of excitement about politics. People genuinely believe things will be different,” Dr. Huckaby said. “There is an element of inspiration among people and people are more aware of the American dream; they are more hopeful.”

Presidential inaugurations have created historical moments that some presidents have been remembered for.

By Nicole Roames Collegian Staff

2008 Sports Program of the Year: Mens Tennis.

SEE PAGE 9

Voices

Every four to eight years the wheels of democracy bring us a new president, and every Jan. 20 the American people tune in to watch the newly elected sworn into office.

The inauguration ceremony itself has seen a number of historic firsts. President Martin Van Buren was the first president not born a British subject. President Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration was the first time African-Americans could participate. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to be inaugurated on Jan. 20. President Lyndon B. Johnson was the first president to be inaugurated by a woman, and President William Jefferson Clinton was the first to have his inaugural ceremony broadcast live on the Internet.

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SGA legislation calls for increase in school spirit

By Megan Mefford Collegian Staff

Tunes worth running to.

SEE PAGE 5

See TRADITION Page 2

CU’s Student Government Association started the semester off with a piece of legislation that calls for more spirit on campus.

At their usual time of 5:15 p.m. on the first Monday back after the long break, SGA jumped right into the semester with a piece of legislation that requests the revitalization of an old resolution.

According to co-author of the legislation and Secretary of SGA, Julianne Moini, the legislation calls for the return of Spirit Friday, a day that many

students, staff and faculty do not even know about.

“The piece of legislation is calling for the revitalization of Spirit Friday,” Moini said.

“Many students, staff and faculty do not even know about Spirit Friday, and we want to remind them.”

Spirit Friday was created by past members of SGA and was designated as a day to wear Cameron spirit apparel, including Cameron University things such as CU gear or the colors black and gold.

See SGA Page 3

“The piece of legislation is calling for the revitalization of Spirit Friday. Many students, staff and faculty do not even know about Spirit Friday, and we want to remind them.”

— Julianne Moini SGA Secretary

News

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January 26, 2009

College students say ‘goodbye’ to landlines, ‘hello’ to cell phones landline connections. Out of 850 students with residence hall rooms, only four hooked up landlines.

Darby Peoples, the dean of students at Avila University, said that at a conference last year many campus housing officials said that if they were building new residence halls they were not including landline hookups.

One of the exceptions may be the University of Kansas, which still offers active landline jacks in each residence hall room.

“We cannot guarantee every student will arrive with a cell phone or want to use it for every call,” said Jill Jess, a KU spokeswoman. “The landlines do get used.”

But not much, students said.

Libby Johnson, a KU sophomore from Lawrence, said that when she lived in Oliver Hall she didn’t know of anyone who had a landline.

“We all had cell phones,” Johnson said. “I got used to putting my cell number down for all my

as a call to service.

A lasting memory from President Franklin D. Roosevelt is his famous speech that claimed

Americans had “nothing to fear but fear itself.”

President Ronald Reagan is often quoted that “government is

back to the not the solution current Jan. to our problem, “In my lifetime, I have 20 date we are government is rarely seen such high familiar with. the problem.” levels of excitement The change President was made to Lincoln spoke about politics. People reduce the not only to his genuinely believe things amount of time constituents will be different. There is the outgoing but also an element of inspiration president to future generations among people and people spends in office. The when he are more aware of the location of attempted to American dream; they are the ceremony, draw the North too, has been and South more hopeful.” changed close during his first inaugural — Dr. Melody Huckaby numerous speech.

History and Government times.

Inaugurations For Assistant Professor have been Huckaby, held in three her favorite different cities inaugural and 11 separate locations in moment was during President Washington, D.C. Clinton’s first term.

Currently, the inauguration “He was the first person I voted for,” Dr. Huckaby said, “and is held on the west front steps of everything about his election was the U.S. Capital building. This placement allows for hundreds of a memorable moment.” thousands of viewers to watch the Originally, the inauguration proceedings from the National took place on March 4, but a Mall.

1933 amendment moved the date

us

What’s that ringing? If you’re in a college dorm room, it’s probably not a landline telephone.

Most university residence halls simply don’t have them anymore.

It is another sign of more people cutting the cord to traditional phones and relying strictly on cell phones and the Internet.

Roughly one in six, 17.5 percent, of U.S. households in 2008 didn’t have a landline, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

Some colleges aren’t stopping at dorm rooms, either. About 75 employees of Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Ga., went wireless earlier this month, the school’s chief information officer recently told USA Today.

It is another way colleges and universities facing a difficult economy can cut costs.

The University of MissouriKansas City disconnected the landlines in its residence halls in 2007, a savings of $75,000 a year.

For the second year, Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., is not providing landline phones in all its dorm rooms. They do have hookups, “although very few are utilized,” said Heidi Templeton, a university spokeswoman.

Like Truman, the University of Missouri in Columbia and many other campuses have kept at least one landline phone in a hallway or main lobby for emergencies.

Last year, UMKC opened new student housing that included

Ca m p

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professors.”

A survey earlier this year

by College Parents of America found that of the 900 parents who responded online, only 25 percent said they use landline phones to communicate with their child away at school.

Campus officials rely more on cell phones to communicate with students, too.

After the deadly shootings in 2007 at Virginia Tech, colleges and universities across the country began installing emergency e-mail and text-messaging systems to alert their campus populations of breaches in security.

School officials concluded that e-mail and text messaging were the best ways to reach students anywhere at any time because colleges know that for nearly every student on campus their cell phone is practically a body appendage.

Some may still have a phone jack in the walls, but in many cases the jack is not activated.

Officials at campuses in the Kansas City area said that, for the most part, landline phones in campus housing have gone the way of typewriters.

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By Mara Rose Williams

TRADITION see page 2 President John F. Kennedy is well remembered for his “Ask not what your country can do for you” address, which was seen by many

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See page 4 for solutions.

January 26, 2009

News

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CUTV continued from page 1 Taking Cues (left to right): Dr. Justin Walton, Political Science major Justin Cliburn, R/TV major and CUTV anchor Cecilio Ramirez and R/TV major and CUTV anchor Kyle Luetters prepare for the question and answer portion of the inauguration coverage.

Cliburn and Dr. Walton fielded a variety of questions about the incoming Obama administration.

Photos by Jim Horinek

30 seconds! (left to right): R/TV major Michael Faggett, R/TV major Natasha Ford and R/TV major Jenyann Roig make last minute adjustments before going on the air. The three were only a fraction of the behind the scenes crew that made the production possible.

Last minute editing: Luetters prepares footage for broadcast. He is one of the primary reasons that the CUTV inauguration coverage took place.

SGA continued from page 1 The new piece of legislation was co-authored by many students who all wanted to increase spirit on campus, Moini said.

The authors of the most recent version of this legislation are Senator Tammy Anderson, Treasurer Daniel Brown, Senator Grace Choi, Senator Megan Mefford and Secretary Julianne Moini.

According to the piece of legislation, the original resolution said that faculty and staff were permitted to dress casually on Spirit Fridays, as long as they were wearing Cameron spirit apparel; however, this is no longer observed campus wide.

This piece of legislation, if passed, will revitalize Spirit Fridays and asks every member of Cameron’s community—students, faculty and staff—to participate.

“We hope that this piece of legislation will help increase Cameron spirit among everyone,” Moini said.

The legislation will work hand-inhand with the Paint the Town Black and Gold initiative that is calling for community support and spirit.

The Paint the Town Black and Gold initiative will send students out to local businesses to foster support and spirit for Cameron University Moini said.

Moini also stated, however, that it is important to start the support and spirit here on campus.

“It is important that we, as a university, strive for internal support and spirit, before we go out and ask for the community’s support,” Moini said.

If the legislation passes, students, faculty and staff would be reminded of Spirit Friday through emails and notes in the Student Handbook and Semester Schedule.

The SGA was not able to go through the second reading of the legislation due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, but it should be part of the agenda in the near future.

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News

The Obama Cabinet

January 26, 2009

Voices

January 26, 2009

5

Tough challenges ahead for Obama presidency I am not David Axelrod.

While I voted for President Barack Obama and, when asked, shared my positive feelings about the presidential candidate, I am not and never have been connected to the next President of the United States.

This much appears obvious to most, but I have noticed a growing trend among the politicallypetulant members of the voting bloc.

This is not meant to disparage those who voted for Senator John McCain as those I am speaking of are far too small to represent his voting contingent in any significant manner. This, frankly, is a knock on the state of American politics in my lifetime.

I am far too young to discuss what the discourse was like in the 1970s, 1980s, or even most of the 1990s, but I know something is amiss when I see it.

Americans like to think of themselves as winners in every sense of the word.

Whether it’s in business, war or in values, Americans are winners and it hates losers.

Every four years, however, roughly half the American electorate goes home feeling like losers and defeat is not something most Americans are comfortable experiencing. So, what happens? Well, some decide to extend the campaign through the next Presidency in hoping they’ll be proven right over time, pointing

Justin Cliburn

fingers all along the way.

Too many times in the months that have passed since Obama’s Election Day victory, I have been cornered in one way or another over the decisions, appointments, nominations, and priorities of the man I voted for last Fall as if I am accountable for the actions of our new President-to-be. .

Let me make something clear: on Jan. 20, I will no longer be the Obama voter full of hope and admiration ready to defend my candidate at every turn and neither should any other Obama voter.

While my respect for the man and the office will not change, it is important to note that now is the time for all those who voted for him to become the politically-astute electorate that President Obama said we could be. It is time for all of us to hold the new President accountable, and that is why the finger-pointing, accusatory statements and general

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Riding the rails: Vice-President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama wave to people along the train route as they rode to the capitol for the inauguration. Many tough challenges lie ahead for the Obama presidency and people shouldn’t get their hopes up yet over a new president. discontent must end.

I am not a member of the new President’s administration, as over 99.9 percent of the country are similarly not, and the only Americans who must defends themselves about the actions of the next administration are those who are members of the Obama administration.

There are far too many obstacles facing the President for any of us to fall asleep at the wheel while celebrating the election of the country’s first African-American president and tough times cannot be navigated through sheer faith.

So, in that vein, to Obama and McCain voters alike, we’re in this together. The stress and animosity that we all experienced throughout the general election must end. In the new year, let us all refrain from acting as proxies for political parties and instead act like Americans.

Run to a different beat this new year It’s a New Year; and with that New Year comes new years resolutions. The most common internal promise is to exercise more and to be healthier. Most make it to the gym for the first couple of weeks and then slowly wane. The problem is often attributed to a lack of motivation and sheer boredom. No one likes to run on treadmills, it isn’t entertaining in the least, unless the runner is in possession of the perfect playlist. These 6 musical selections from artists that made it big in ‘08 were hand picked in 5 genres because each one possesses a quick enough pace for anyone to exercise to, regardless of musical preference.

These songs can be added to anyone’s usual playlist in order to jump-start their daily workout.

Letters Policy

Bennett Dewan

Ma Nathanson - “Come On Get Higher” : A love song with some energy

Finger Eleven - “Paralyzer” : Heavy riffs with a catchy chorus Journey- “Don’t Stop Believin” : For when the workout seems to hard Foo Fighters - “Pretender” : The perfect song to stay pumped up Recanteurs - “Salute Your Solu on” : Quirky song, but has a nice guitar heavy sound

Hip Hop

Country

Wale - “Nike Boots” : Great beats, easy to memorize chorus

Carrie Underwood - “Last Name” : Oklahoma’s country star with a fast paced song about hooking up

Lupe Fiasco - “Superstar” : This jam will make you feel like a champion Kardinal Offshell - “Dangerous” : A super quick and polished song meant for the mainstream Kanye West - “Stronger” : The song is tle is what you want to be a er working out

R&B

Taylor Swi - “Our Song” : The no. 1 played country song of ’08 Darius Rucker - “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” : Hoo e and the Blowfish meets Willie Nelson George Strait - “Troubadour” : The man is a legend, that is inspira on enough Brad Paisley - “Ticks” : A clever love/lust story starring insects

Chris Brown - “Forever” : The boy wonder with a song about dancing to get everyone moving Estelle - “American Boy” : New Bri sh standout with a clean beat and memorable lyrics Wyclef Jean - “Sweetest Girl” : Former Fugee is s ll making hits to groove to Kanye West - “Heartless” : New sound, same success Rihanna - “Disturbia” : Crea ve sound with interes ng/creepy lyrics

Newsroom Staff Ads Manager - Kerry Myers Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Raven Weiss, Monica Garner, Greg Boxell, Justin Cliburn, Jeramy Eidson, Megan Mefford, Cecilio Ramirez-Cobes, Nicole Roames, Melissa Rogers, Jacob Russell, Saman Samii, Rashmi Thapaliya, Pamela Vaughan, Lauren Bennett, Solitaire Merrill and Jory Palmer.

About Us

Coldplay - “Viva La Vida” : Not every song can pull off a symphony orchestra, but this one does

T.I. - “Live Your Life” : A song about independence and taking control

Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief - Joshua Rouse News Editor - Jim Horinek A&E Editor - Bira Vidal Sports Editor - Bennett Dewan Copy Editor - John Robertson

The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Jason Mraz - “I’m Yours” : A song based heavily on whimsical melodies and playful lyrics

Kate Nash - “Founda ons” : This song is nothing but a tude

Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Faculty Adviser

Rock

Robyn - “Crash and Burn Girl” : Keeps the tempo quick and the lyrics amusing

COLLEGIAN

Dr. Christopher Keller

Pop

Metro Sta on - “Shake It” : The beats speed up, hopefully as the intensity of the workout does as well

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

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

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words.

Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used.

Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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January 26, 2009

‘Lord of the Rings’ game delivers weak excitement

By Joshua Rouse Collegian Staff It’s hard to argue against the brilliance of many of the battle scenes Peter Jackson brought to life in his adaptation of “The Lord of the Rings” eight years ago. For a series of books that are regarded as some of the best works of literary fantasy-fiction ever created, the entire universe seems ripe for the picking in a video game form.

Imagine a game where you could control hundreds of men, elves and dwarves against the armies of orcs and Uruk-Hai in a battle against the dark lord Sauron himself. If Jackson could bring the battles to the big screen, why can’t an equally talented video game developer bring them to the 52-inch highdefinition television sitting in your room? That’s a good question.

“Lord of the Rings: Conquest” was released under the promise that it would be the most expansive and thrilling game set in the fabled Middle Earth to date. Instead, it provides only a few moments of excitement, which are overshadowed by odd, and sometimes frustrating, design decisions.

Pandemic, the developers behind “Conquest” are no strangers to bringing expansive battles to life from other famous licenses. Their “Star Wars Battlefront” series went a long way toward salvaging the respect of “Star Wars” among gamers after several failed games. It’s been at least three years since “Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II” was released on game consoles.

Since then, PC gamers have been running around in Middle Earth in “Lord of the Rings Online,” but

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the license has been dead on the console side. With the popularity of Jackson’s adaptations waning, “Conquest” could have been the spark to renew it.

The game plays similar to the “Battlefront” games. You control one of four different characters inspired from the Jackson adaptations: a warrior, an archer, a scout or a mage. Yes, there are mages running around Middle Earth like rabbits. No doubt, Pandemic exercised their literary license with the game. After all, a Balrog trashes the Shire later in the game.

Each of the characters has their benefits and drawbacks on the field of battle. The warrior has the most health and can sprint across long distances. Aside from the standard melee combos present in all hackand-slash games, he has several melee powers that can unleash a load of damage if used right. The archer can shoot arrows with a blazing speed and take out enemies from afar. He can also zoom in and headshot enemies. Yes, you can headshot someone in this game

with an arrow. The archer also has poison arrows and flaming arrows along with a power to shoot three arrows at a time, which is helpful if you’re getting overwhelmed. The scout can turn invisible, which allows him to sneak up on enemies and stab them in the back. He can also throw satchel charges, which can kill large groups of enemies.

The mage, which is arguably the most powerful of the classes, can shoot lightning bolts that can dissipate over a group of enemies, killing many with only one shot.

He can also unleash fireballs, which will burn a patch of area for several seconds, killing any idiotic non-playable characters that walk into it. The mage also sports an interestingly named attack called “You Shall Not Pass,” that sends a shockwave out around the character, killing anything near it. The one power that makes the mage the most useful is his ability to heal himself and any allies surrounding him.

You’ll need to use each of these characters throughout the story campaign, which takes you

from the Mines of Moria to the slopes of Mount Doom. You’ll be tasked with completing certain tasks that include holding off a small area to capture it as well as destroying Sauron himself and the Witch King. After you complete certain tasks, you can take over control of one of the heroes of the lore including Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas. The only difference between the heroes and the standard characters is the addition of extra health and a more damaging move-set. They play exactly the same as their standard counterparts.

A second campaign is available after you destroy the One Ring in Mount Doom. You can play as the forces of Sauron and recover the ring and fight off the forces of Gondor, Rohan and eventually destroy the Shire with a Balrog.

Both campaigns can be played with a second player through split screen or over Xbox LIVE and the PSN. Cooperative play will help lessen the blow of the frustratingly difficult elements of the campaign.

Every enemy character in map

comes directly for you and ignores your dimwitted allies. You will have two or three enemies attack you at the same time, levying a combo on you that will either kill you or severely weaken you before you can even get a move off.

Many of the expansive battles you’ve seen in the movie, like the siege of Helms Deep are brought to life on the game, but are in a compromised form. The whole experience feels hollow.

After you complete the campaigns, you can take your skills online and battle other players, and the game itself, in a number of multiplayer game-types including Team Deathmatch and Capture the Ring, which is a variant of capture the flag.

While the gameplay works decently in the campaigns, fighting against other players completely unravels any shred of decency the game has. The hit detection is extremely poor and the classes aren’t balanced properly.

“Lord of the Rings: Conquest” caters primarily to Tolkien fans, and only if they can ignore the creative license taken by the developers. Saruman is brought back to life, as is the Witch King and other deities of the dark lord.

Mages and wizards pop up like rabbits all over Middle Earth with no explanation or cause.

The game does have its moments with some entertaining battles in which you can partake, but it ultimately falls apart as an unpolished experience with unimpressive graphics and buggy gameplay.

Even if you’re a “Lord of the Rings” fan, your money would be better spent on a pre-order for Bluray copies of the trilogy.

Bands rock in annual PAC ‘Battle of the Bands’

By Bira Vidal Collegian Staff Rock and Roll echoed through Cameron University’s Theatre hallways at 8 p.m. on Jan. 16 as five bands battled to receive the ultimate title as CU’s most talented rock

band.

In its fifth year, the Battle of the Bands brings to Cameron the musical talents of students who are interested in the rock music genre.

However, this year fitted other variations of the style, from folk music to rap to instrumental rock.

According to Ann Morris, Program Activities Counsel event chair, every band had to follow the same procedures to participate in the 2009 Battle of the Bands.

“We put [out] a notice [for interested bands] and they sent their applications with a CD [containing] the demos,” Morris said. “There were six bands applying.”

After screening all the six bands’ demos, PAC members selected the best bands to participate on Jan. 16. The bands competing were “C”, “C-Note and the Ballers,” “Laser Sharktopus,” “Jarod Grice and the Urban Fox” and the BCM Band.

The variety of the bands gave the attendees the opportunity to appreciate rock in different spheres.

It also presented a good chance for high school students to visit Cameron and check some of the events that occur on campus.

“I think that Battle of the Bands is a great way to bring in a different

crowd then we normally draw, especially because Lawton has a small music scene, so it gives people a chance to bring their best which attracts local high school students,” Morris said.

The best voted band cashed out with an award of $200 and the second place band received $100 do. Each amount for the prizes was set by PAC in order to encourage student bands in the Lawton area to show their musical talent.

“I think that the biggest draw for people to compete [was] the $200 prize and depending on the size of the band, people could get a pretty big chunk of money,” Morris said.

The first band to open the night was the band “C.” The two-man band played some instrumental rock songs using solely the drums and the electric guitar. The style of the band flirted with post-rock trappings, which is composed of instrumental songs only.

Following the band “C”, “C-Note and the Ballers” showed some alternative rock with their personal rap songs. The relaxed lyrics and goofy verses demonstrated a relaxed environment for their inspiration.

“Laser Sharktopus,” “Jarod Grice and the Urban Fox,” and the BCM Band finished off the night. The three bands presented their take on the rock genre and incorporated

their own style into it.

The winner of the night was Jarod Grice and the Urban Fox, who got the first place and prize of the battle. As for second place, it was Laser Sharktopus who nabbed the $100 prize.

According to Michael Higdon, Sociology sophomore, the event was a good opportunity to present the talents from young musicians and keep the audience entertained at the same time.

“It was an interesting variety when it came to the battle,” Higdon said. “It’s good to see different variety, because the audience just doesn’t want to see the same thing over and over. And if you have the same thing, it becomes boring.”

As for the way the audience responded to the bands, Higdon said the attendees showed enthusiasm when the bands performed.

“It was a big turnout, and it had some audience participation,” Higdon said. “It’s good to see that young people have talents and appreciation for music.”

With this year’s winners, the battle proved to be a major success in finding new and fresh talent in southwest Oklahoma.

Photo by Bira Vidal

Rocking out: The “C” performs for the Battle of the Bands.

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January 26, 2009

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CU Theatre Professor reaches new stages nationally

By Rashmi Thapaliya Collegian Staff Scott Richard Klein, Chair and Professor of Theatre at Cameron University, has been selected as an adjudicator at two state festivals for the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT).

Klein will be in Las Cruces, N.M., for Theatre New Mexico’s AACTFest 2009 from Jan. 15 through 18.

“I am excited to go to New Mexico. It is always a great opportunity to see different places,” Klein said.

Klein will be in Fort Worth for Texas AACTFest 2009 from March 18 through 22.

Klein will also present workshops on directing at each festival. He joined the Cameron faculty in 1989, and has been serving as an AACT adjudicator since 1995.

“I was really surprised when I first started teaching the college students here at Cameron as they started taking notes of the things I said. Then I realized that I was a professor of college students,” Klein said.

Klein has directed more than 100 productions and has acted in

more than 80, most recently in the Lawton Community Theatre production of “Suessical The Musical!” He is also a member of the board of directors for the Lawton Community Theatre as well as the Southwest Theatre and Film Association and maintains memberships with the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association, the Texas NonProfit Theatres Association and the Oklahoma Speech Theatre.

“I worked as an Associate Director in Community Theatre of Permian Playhouse in Texas for five years before coming to Cameron,” Klein said.

Adjudicators at AACT festivals must have a wide range of theatrical experience and training must adhere to strict guidelines and must read each play to be presented in advance of the production.

“I have read all the plays to be presented in New Mexico but I have not got chance to read the plays to be presented in Forth Worth, Texas,” Klein said.

Professor Klein hopes that his visit to New Mexico and Texas as an adjudicator would be a great

Scott Richard Klein

experience.

“I would be exposed with different materials and this experience will also be helpful for the play selection at Cameron in future,” he said.

Plays are to be adjudicated based on the overall performances with the acting and directing as the major elements. All types of productions (comedy, drama, original works, musicals, revues, avant-garde, controversial) are acceptable entries to the festival and must be considered on the similar basis, with the best production being the one most fully realizing all production values and criteria.

Technical competence is also given consideration as to its effectiveness as an integral part of the total production experience.

AACT is the national voice of community theatre, representing the interests of more than 7,000 theatres across the United States and its territories, as well as theatre companies with the armed forces overseas. The association is the steward of the national adjudicated festival for community theatres, held every two years.

This festival, in which representatives from AACT’s 10 regions perform before a panel of adjudicators, results in awards of excellence and invitations for participants to perform at theatre festivals in other parts of the world.

The top productions from New Mexico and Texas state festivals will be presented at the Region VI festival in April.

The tales of dedication: The play Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology was directed by Klein in the fall of 2008. The play is one of the many productions Klein has directed while at Cameron.

(Below) Students rehearse one of the scenes from the play.

Photo by Bira Vidal

Trail Dance Film Festival awards Cameron’s short documentary

By Raven Weiss Collegian Staff

Photo by Raven Weiss

And the award goes to: Cameron students and faculty received the “Best Short Documentary” award at the Trail Dance Film Festival.

(From left to right) Kyle Luetters, Gilley Aguilar, Assistant Professor of Communication Steve Adams, Jenyann Roig, Assistant Professor of Communciation Dr. Justin Walton, Professor of Communciation Dr. Matt Jenkins, Jenn Castricone, Doug McAbee and Joleen Chaney.

Red River Indies of Cameron University won the Best Short Documentary award for, “Ya’ll Watch This” on Jan. 17 at the Trail Dance Film Festival in Duncan.

The documentary, “Ya’ll Watch Th is,” was the end product of a summer documentary class in 2008.

Students enrolled in the class spent many weekends of the summer fi lming in Oklahoma, Texas and other states as well as editing the videos they had taken.

The documentary featured interviews with various independent fi lmmakers in the region discussing the trials and tribulations of their fi lmmaking career.

After the documentary screening at the Simmons Center in Duncan, Dr. Jenkins, a Professor of Communications at CU, and the present crewmembers of the documentary had the opportunity to answer questions from the crowd.

Dr. Jenkins stated that for the most part there were no major production hurdles that needed tending to, but all the driving that the crew did was pretty exhausting. Dr. Jenkins also stated that both the students and he completed the documentary

within the eight-week class, with thanks to many late night editing sessions.

In the festival, the audience had the opportunity to view the CU documentary and Dr. Jenkins own production, “Where’s Dookie Cannata?” A reception followed after the documentary and an after party closed the evening.

Although not all the crew members were present, Gilley Aguilar and Jenyann Roig were honored to accept the award for “best short documentary.”

“We had the opportunity to do any position we wanted on the shoots, so sometimes I would work sound or camera and then others I would ask the questions,” Aguilar said. “When we started I never thought we would come close to winning anything and now it seems that the documentary was better then we thought it was.

Aguilar and Roig said they were excited to have been a part of the process and the resulting accolades.

“It will also be great to list an ‘award-winning documentary’ on my resume,” Aguilar said.

“I was very shocked when we won to say the least.

When Gilley and myself went to give the acceptance speech, I couldn’t say one word because I was still in shock over the win,” Roig said.

Sports

8

January 26, 2009

Super Bowl Sunday a story of underdogs

By Jacob Russell Collegian Staff For the sixth time in the last 11 years a team will be making its first appearance in a Super Bowl.

The Arizona Cardinals upset the Philadelphia Eagles 32-25, ending what many hoped to be a Keystone State Super Bowl, to reach their first Super Bowl game in team history and their first NFL championship game in 67 years.

Their opponent was the Pittsburgh Steelers, who fought past their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, 23-14 in a battle of the two top defenses in the NFL. With the sides set, the matchup is clear. The Cardinals boast one of the most prolific passing attacks in the NFL, reminiscent of Kurt Warner’s old St. Louis Rams team, nicknamed “The Greatest Show on Turf ”. The emergence of Cardinals wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, as one of the top receivers in the NFL on one side and Anquan Boldin’s continuous tough play provide veteran gun slinger, Kurt Warner, all the weapons he needs to tear apart opposing defenses.

At 37 and change, Warner, who is making his third trip to the Super Bowl, will be the third oldest quarterback to start a Super Bowl; putting him behind hall of famers Johnny Unitas and John Elway. The Cardinals running game, which remained dormant throughout much of the season, has been revitalized in the playoffs by former all-pro running back, Edgerrin James. James

sat the throughout most of the season with the majority of the hand-offs going to surprise rookie Tim Hightower. The Cardinals rededication to establishing a running game will be a key to success in the passing game.

On the other side of the ball, the Cardinals had a rather unimpressive regular season stopping opposing teams. Going in to the play-offs the Cardinals were in the bottom half of the league in total defense, with only the Lions, Rams, Broncos, and Chiefs allowing more points.

However, their defense has been the surprise of the pay-offs to this point, allowing the fewest yards per game throughout the first two games, and despite giving up over 300 yards passing to Donovan McNabb, they were able to shut down Pro-Bowl running back Brian Westbrook. The Cardinals front seven is undersized but very quick to the ball. They will have to rely on keeping eight men in the box to stop a vicious Steelers running attack.

Traditionally, the Pittsburgh Steelers have always had a dominant defense. This season was no different, as head coach, Mike Tomlin, relied on the “steel curtain” all season to not only shut down but dismantle any offense that lined up against them. Led

by All-Pro safety, Troy Polamalu, and defensive player of the year, James Harrison, the Pittsburgh Steelers manned the number one total defense, number one rushing defense, and the number two passing defense. It is not

however a two-man team. The defense is seasoned with stars and role players who all play with the same intensity and toughness that is passed down throughout the organization. This Steelers defense is special and a treat to watch.

The offense goes as Big Ben goes. Led by Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers offense has faced a lot of scrutiny over not being able to put points on the board, but they have stepped it up in the play-offs, hanging over 20 points in both rounds thus far. That is in large part due to the fact that they are healthier now than they have been all season. Running Back, Willie Parker, has had a tremendous post season and is, for the most part, playing on fresh legs. He missed parts of the seasons for various injuries but is finally back to full strength and it is showing. Hines Ward suffered a slight MCL strain and the conference championship but has already starting rehabilitating the injury and is firm in his statement that he will play.

Super Bowl XLIII will be a reunion of sorts for many Pittsburgh players, as they get to see former coordinator Ken Wisenhunt, who left the Steelers to become the head coach in Arizona. The players have stated they have nothing but respect for their former coach, but when it comes down to it they still have to play the game. They will settle it all on the field as Super Bowl XLIII takes place on February 1st, at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa, Florida.

Photos courtesy MCT Campus

The 10 gaffes and blunders that made this NFL season fun

By Joshua Rouse Collegian Staff For better or worse, the latest season of the National Football League is about to come to a close.

Two teams remain, and they’ll do battle this Sunday in Tampa in Super Bowl XLIII. Looking back on the season, no one could have predicted some of the things that happened.

But like every year in sports, there are always blunders. And there were plenty of them this year in the NFL. Here are the top 10 most embarrassing aspects of the 2008 NFL season: 10. Favre, I know this name: There is such a thing as irony in the NFL. After weeks of controversy and problems, the Green Bay Packers trade Brett Favre to the New York Jets, who subsequently let Chad Pennington go.

Favre starts the Jets off to a great start, but then throws more interceptions than he does touchdowns. Meanwhile, Pennington goes to the distraught Miami Dolphins and takes them to the playoffs by knocking off the Jets in the final week of the season. That’s irony for you.

9. No Fun League: It seems that the football in the NFL is no longer a game. It’s serious business these days. Players can’t taunt, and they can’t celebrate. They can’t do anything out of the ordinary it seems. When New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker dropped to the turf and made a snow angel in their game against the Arizona Cardinals in the waning weeks of the regular season, the referees flagged him and levied a 15-yard penalty against the Patriots for taunting. The NFL later fined

him $10,000. I guess the referees were never kids. Either that, or they never grew up in a land that had snow, or fun for that matter. The amusing part of this whole thing is how video game developer EA touted end zone celebrations as a new feature for the annual Madden NFL franchise this year.

8. Bad referees or the worst referees?: Every year, fans of teams that are sitting home during the playoffs love to complain about how bad the referees were that season. But there was definitely some evidence to back that up this year. The San Diego Chargers were the victims of an unfortunate referee “mess up” when Ed Hochuli blew the whistle after Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler coughed up the ball in the red zone at the end of the game. By league rules, as soon as the whistle is blown the play is dead and it can’t be reviewed. That failure created the perfect opportunity for the Broncos to win as they scored a touchdown on the next play, winning the game. And let’s not forget the blown delay of game call against the Baltimore Ravens. More than two seconds went by after the play clock was at zero before the Joe Flacco snapped the ball. The completed pass helped the Ravens win a close playoff game against the Tennessee Titans.

7. Manifest destiny: The west coast might have some of the best beaches and good-looking women, but talented football teams are lacking. The Oakland Raiders are an embarrassment, the San Francisco 49ers have to rely on their coach mooning the team to win, the Seattle Seahawks can’t even salvage a final

season for head coach Mike Holmgren and don’t even get me started on the Kansas City Chiefs. Ok, the Chiefs aren’t on the west coast, but they’re in the AFC West. The play of all eight West teams was embarrassing this year. The Chargers make it to the playoffs with an 8-8 record and the Cardinals made it with only a 9-7 record.

6. Dallas Cowboys, the un-American team: How many years are we, the media, going to hype up the Cowboys as the team to beat? They haven’t won a playoff game since Troy Aikman was their quarterback. Tony Romo has proven time and time again he can’t win the big game. Terrell Owens has proven he can’t keep his mouth shut.

Of course, the same could be said for tight end Jason Witten who loves to talk behind his teammates’ back to the press. They may be the most talented group of players in the NFL, but they are not the most talented team. They proved that with their walloping defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles. That game was so bad I had to turn it off because it was embarrassing, and I’m not even a Cowboys fan.

5. How did THAT team make it to the playoffs?: Every year, there’s always a team sitting at home watching the playoff game at home that they should have been playing in. I’m not going to argue against the Arizona Cardinals.

Sure, they got into the playoffs by virtue of a weak division and made the best of it. It’s not like there was another team in the NFC that could have done a good job in their stead, but in the AFC the New England Patriots were sitting at home in January with the San Diego Chargers playing when

their record was 8-8. Not to mention the Indianapolis Colts, with their 12-4 record, had to travel to San Diego.

They subsequently loss, but something needs to be done about the playoff scenario.

4. Plax makes a case for gun control: New York Giants receiver Plaxio Burress could be the dumbest player in the NFL. No, I take that back, he is the dumbest player in the NFL. Any idiot that not only shoots himself in the leg, but does so with an illegal weapon, deserves everything he gets.

Just go ahead and stick a fork in his career. The man holds out of camp for more money and then has a sub-par season culminating with the shot the entire state of New York heard. Good going Plax. At least Michael Vick didn’t injure himself while committing his crime.

3. Tie, what is that?: I’m sorry, I never have bought into the hype of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. I guess I’m one of those writers that are constantly lambasted for not giving the man enough credit, but he’s always been an above average quarterback with a good all-around player to lean on. Jake Delhomme had the same formula and look where it got him. But at least Delhomme knows what a tie is. I almost spit out my drink when watching the NFL Network and I heard McNabb say this after his tying game against the Cincinnati Bengals: “I’ve never been a part of a tie. I never even knew that was in the rule book.”

And people say I have a problem comprehending things?

2. Send them home with their tails

between their legs: As a Carolina Panthers fan, I’ll admit I came up with the idea of this list to rant about how horribly my team did. For all NFL fans, I apologize on behalf of the Panthers for their horrible performance against the Cardinals.

I’m sure a lot of people tuned into the game expecting it to be a blowout, only by the Panthers. Instead, they thought it would be a good game after the Cardinals opening drive. And then Delhomme struck. Five interceptions?

Downright embarrassing. I was sick. I was stuck at work watching the game, which made it worse. At least I could turn it off if I was home. I couldn’t even do that. I had to sit there and watch Delhomme throw to the Cardinals like they were his own receivers. If I were the Detroit Lions, I would petition the NFL for a 17th game against the Panthers. If the team played like they did against the Cardinals, the Lions could probably beat them with their scrubs.

1. 0-16, so easy a Lion could do it: I’m not one to pick on guys when they’re down, but I can’t help but laugh at the Detroit Lions. I was one of those who yelled from the rafters to fire Matt Millen, their GM, but at least he helped the team win a couple games over the past couple years. Someone bring Barry Sanders out of retirement.

No team deserves to never win a game like that. And it’s not like they were blown out of every game. They put up great struggles against the Panthers and even lead the Colts on a couple of occasions before falling to the wayside.

The close ones always hurt the most.

Join me in lighting a candle in memory of the Lions’ season this year.

Photos courtesy MCT Campus

Sports

January 26, 2009

9

2008 Aggie sports program of the year

By Saman Samii Collegian Staff The CU men’s tennis team had a terrific previous season and things are looking great for this upcoming one.

With a couple of new recruits in the team, the sky will be the limit for the Aggies.

Cameron Head Coach James Helvey had an untamable year.

Helvey took the Aggie to a successful bid for the Lone Star Conference Championship title, a feat that had never been accomplished at CU. “It was a magnificent season,” Helvey said. “After finally defeating the big rival Abilene Christian University in the final, this was a moment well worth the wait. My men’s team showed tremendous commitment. The desire to win was indescribable. It was a privilege to

work with them. They represented Cameron with remarkable class and I will always remember them for that.”

In the 2007 through 2008 season, the men finished eighth in the nation, which is the highest in Cameron history. In addition, Helvey also recorded his 500th career victory and received four Coach of the Year awards. Most noticeable was the National Coach of the Year award.

“The practices are what make a difference,” Helvey said. “I ask for a certain level of intensity and focus and my guys keeps delivering it on a daily basis.”

The 2007-2008 Aggie athletic year is one that will be talked about for years to come. Many of the other athletic teams were successful, but men’s tennis was the big highlight team of the year. Cameron University’s Athletic Director, Jim Jackson, said he

was impressed with how well the men performed.

“It was very exciting to follow the en’s Tennis Team last season,” Jackson said. “The men represented Cameron with professionalism, just the way collegiate athletes should be. Not only were they all great tennis players, but also good people and that is the key to a successful team. I am eager to see how well they can do this season.”

The upcoming season for the Aggies looks promising. With a great fall season under their belts, Coach Helvey is looking ahead and feels confident. A big challenge of coaching is determining the chemistry of the team and finding the best combination for doubles. Helvey said he is already finding a feel for the new members and believes only improvement will come.

“The season starts in a couple of

weeks and I can hardly wait,” Helvey said. “The goal is always to be the best, but another LSC title and the chance for the national title is always a challenge I am willing to take on.”

The men are currently ranked as the sixth best team in the nation.

Although expectations are high, this season will not be a walk in the park for Cameron’s still developing team.

Coach Helvey said that they need to continue working hard throughout the season to be able to maintain their high national ranking.

“We need to be aggressive,” Helvey said. “I feel that we are in a good position and that we can climb higher and higher in the national ranking.

We have a solid team and I am excited for the spring season to take off.”

The Aggie men will start the spring season on Feb.11 against Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Photo courtesy Craig Martin

Bring the noise: Nicholas Mascheroni hits a shot during the ‘08 LSC Tennis Tournament.

The Aggies went on to win the conference and regional titles.

CU basketball plays through the holiday season

By Cecilio Ramirez Collegian Staff

Photo by Bennett Dewan

Now you see it, now you don’t: Point Guard Greg Morgan throws a no look pass during during a game over the holiday break.

It’s been a long journey for the Aggie Men’s Basketball team to become a strong force in the Lone Star Conference.

New players, new coaches and new strategies have not been effective in past years. This year is a different story.

It all started when the Aggie basketball players faced OU in an exhibition game before the season began. They lost by more than 50 points against the Division 1 Sooners.

This game fueled the Aggies to make a change.

When it came time to play at home, the Aggies defeated both Hillsdale Free-Will and Oklahoma Panhandle State by almost 20 points each. In the Hillsdale game, Junior Guard Kallan Glasgow alone had 25 rebounds almost breaking Ray

Franklin’s record of 26, set back in 1979.

Although the Western Washington tournament in the end of November was disappointing for CU, December was a great month.

The team started off with a win against Rhema Bible College by almost 30 points. However, the best was yet to come for the Aggies. On Dec. 15, they defeated Angelo State, who at the time was the only undefeated team in the Lone Star Conference.

Senior Guard and Forward Mekaille Reed was spectacular after missing the start of the season. Reed dropped nine points after seven minutes of play off the bench.

After leading almost the whole game, several spectators and critics still questioned if the team was legit or just lucky. A week later was the rematch against Dallas Baptist University, who had beaten CU at the beginning of the month down in Dallas.

“They beat us last time, so we need to come back and get them” said Reed.

The Aggies did just that. 63-60 was the final score, and Mekaille Reed added 6 points and 2 blocks in only nine minutes of play.

“I just have to come out here and do what I’m asked to do,” Reed said.

“If it’s score, rebound, defend, it doesn’t matter. Just get in and get the victory.”

As usual, Christmas break made it hard to adjust for this Aggie team.

In their first week back, the Aggies endured tough losses against Midwestern State and Tarleton State.

Cameron lost two in a row after almost having a perfect record at the Aggie Gym this season.

Senior Guard Dave Smith has helped the team bounce back. The sharpshooter had back-to-back 30 point performances against Lone Star Conference North Division opponents Southeastern Oklahoma

State and East Central University.

Smith had seven three-pointers in just the first half against Southeastern.

So far this season, the Aggie men have a 7-8 record, but are still undefeated in conference play with two wins.

In the Lone Star Conference there are two divisions: North and South. The top four teams from each make it to the Lone Star Conference Championships in Bartlesville, Okla. during the first week of March. CU is tied for first in the LSC North with UCO, and they are the only undefeated teams in the division.

Cameron’s next home basketball game is on Jan. 24, versus Texas A&M Commerce.

The Aggies are looking for their first sellout this season thanks to the first ever “Cameron Blackout.”

The first 1,000 fans will get a black t-shirt in order to blackout Aggie Gymnasium.

MCT Campus

Decision time for marquee college quarterbacks

By Jeramy Eidson Collegian Staff This past season in college football has been filled with drama, great accomplishments and lots of controversy.

In the Big 12 there was a threeway tie between Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. Oklahoma, being the highest ranked team by the end of the season, went to the Big 12 Championship.

Graham Harrell broke Colt Brennan’s 131 career passing touchdowns with 134 and also finished the season with over 5,000 passing yards, becoming the only college football player to have multiple 5,000 passing yard seasons.

Sophomore Sam Bradford of Oklahoma University won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore, as

well as the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year.

Colt McCoy, Junior Quarterback of Texas, had an amazing 12-1 season in which he had a completion percentage of almost 77. McCoy was also included in the Heisman candidacy.

Tim Tebow, winner of the previous Heisman Trophy and former National Champion, led his team straight to the National Championship again this season.

The Gators beat Oklahoma after Tebow made a promise that he and his team would work harder than any other team and that he would push everyone on his team to work harder after Florida suffered a loss to inconference rival Ole Miss.

At the University of Southern California, Mark Sanchez led the Trojans to a 12-1 record and a

national ranking of three. After beating Penn State 38-24, Sanchez was named the Rose Bowl MVP. With all of these accomplishment and awards embedded in five college quarterbacks, NFL scouts are salivating at the thought of drafting them.

But for some they will have to wait til next season.

Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy announced they have forgone the NFL Draft and will return for another season at their respective schools. For Tebow and McCoy it will be their Senior year; Bradford, his Junior.

With the announcement of all the returning quarterbacks, USC Junior quarterback Mark Sanchez announced he will enter the draft a year early in hopes of being the number two quarterback behind

Mathew Stafford of Georgia who will most likely go number one to the Detroit Lions.

Sanchez made the right decision to enter the draft early. Had he entered next season, his draft stock would have dropped due to the amount of talent going with him to the draft.

Graham Harrell is eligible for the NFL Draft after finishing his senior year at Texas Tech. Harrell will most likely be taken on the first day of the draft.

Bradford, Tebow and McCoy electing to stay in college is a smart move. Bradford and Tebow get the opportunity to win multiple Heismans, and Tebow gets a shot for his third National Championship.

Colt McCoy will get to start his fourth straight year at Texas and prove that it was Texas that

should have been in the Big 12 Championship, not Oklahoma.

Each quarterback also will be given another opportunity to increase their draft stock.

With these three quarterbacks returning, the 2009 college football season could possibly be the best, most exciting season ever. It should include the “Big Three” in the Heisman Candidacy as it did in 2008.

The winner of the Big 12, either Oklahoma or Texas, should face the SEC Champion, which should be Florida again, in the National Championship.

The 2010 Draft could see these three quarterbacks taken within the first three selections. Whichever teams land Bradford, Tebow, and McCoy will definitely have a great quarterback for years to come.

Variety

10

January 26, 2009

A day on, not a day off

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

President Bar ack Obama

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have A Dream�

25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration banquet at Cameron University

(Above) Dr. Nikki Giovanni speaks at the 25th annual banquet dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr. (Below) Dr. Willie Smith shares his insight as a member of the Celebration Committee.

Inauguration Ceremony

President elect Barack Obama, accompanied by wife Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha, takes the oath from Chief Justice John Roberts.

With wife Michelle by his side, President Obama waves to the crowd during the Neighborhood Ball on Jan. 20.

President Obama speaks to a crowd of approximately one million people during his Inauguration ceremony.

Photos by Bira Vidal & MCT Campus Photo Collage by Bira Vidal