COLLEGIAN THE CA M ERON U N I V ER SIT Y
Monday, January 30, 2006
News
Informing the Cameron Family Since 1926
Volume 79 Issue 15
Do you believe in magic?
What’s all the ‘BUZZ’ about? SEE PAGE 10
A&E
Lightnin’ strikes the CU Theatre. SEE PAGE 6
Sports
Photo by Kenny Scarle
Getting started: Krista Lemley, chemistry senior, and Dr. Danny McGuire work on synthesizing compounds used to grow crystals. Lemley has been working with McGuire for two years and plans to continue her work in graduate school.
By Kathleen Kelly Collegian Staff
The flame red crystal is poised tenuously at the tip of a delicate glass filament as the mystery of its molecular structure is slowly revealed. The ebb and flow of melodious sound fills the room. To the uninitiated, it seems magical. To students of chemistry, it is the culmination of hours of lab work conducted under the
Basketball team wants Moore. SEE PAGE 9
Voices
Lock and load: Will principals armor up for class? SEE PAGE 3
Office: Nance Boyer 2060 Phone: 580•581•2261 Email us at : collegian@cameron.edu First Copy Free - $.25 for each additional copy Contents © The Collegian 2005
That was all it took
supervision of Dr. Danny McGuire, assistant professor of chemistry, and signifies the wizardry of the 21st century. Krista Lemley and Jesse Wilson, chemistry seniors, are two of the students working with McGuire this semester. Each works in the chemistry lab once a week. Lemley began working with McGuire two years ago, synthesizing compounds used to grow crystals. A recent incident led to an unexpected outcome.
See CHEMISTRY, page 5
Luck, be an Aggie
By Kenny Scarle
By Blake Red Elk
Collegian Staff
Alan Biffle knows what he wants, and he is well on his way to getting it. Biffle, interdisciplinary studies senior, has been steadily working towards his career ambition: his own production business. After graduation, Biffle plans to move to Nashville to start his own company, producing short films and music videos. But this wasn’t always the plan. “Before coming to Cameron,” Biffle said, “I attended UCO for almost two years. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I just took the basics.” The classes he has taken at CU have given him a focus for the creative talents that were just waiting to be tapped. As a student with an emphasis in music and television production, Biffle first took field production with Dr. Matt Jenkins, associate professor of communications. He also worked in some labs and on CUTV shows. He found the work interesting, particularly the production side of the business. “Everything Alan does (in school) is bringing him closer to his goals,” Jenkins said. “It’s refreshing to see his passion and motivation in attaining his ambitions.” Last fall, while volunteering to assist with the sound equipment for the annual Cameron University Country Jazz Fusion concert, Biffle met Mac Wilson, manager for The Johnny Hiland Band. The headliner for the concert, Johnny Hiland, is a guitar prodigy who has performed sessions with country music superstars Ricky Skaggs,
“I made a mistake when I was synthesizing a compound in the lab,” she said. McGuire said it wasn’t a mistake. “It was an unexpected result,” he said. “We synthesized a compound that apparently is both soluble and insoluble in the same solvent.”
News Writing Student
Photo by Kenny Scarle
Editing away: Alan Biffle works on a music video in the editing lab. Biffle plans to become a producer after graduation. Toby Keith and Randy Travis, among others. Hiland was eventually signed to a record deal with Steve Vai and recently made his solo debut with his self-titled album. “I spoke with Mac, Johnny Hiland’s manager,” Biffle said, “and mentioned to him my ambition to move to Nashville and produce music and video.” That was all it took. Wilson wanted to see what this kid from Cameron University could do. He asked to see a sample of Biffle’s work. From footage taken that night, Biffle created a demo of Wilson’s client. Wilson liked it. He liked it so much that Biffle has been
See BIFFLE, page 2
Viva Cameron! Feb. 6 to Feb. 10 is Cameron University’s annual Homecoming Week. The theme for this year is: “Luck Be an Aggie,” with a week full of exciting and free events for all students with a casino theme. “We’re bringing the excitement of Las Vegas right here to campus,” said Student Activities Director Courtney Hardin. “We’ve come up with some really fun events for students.” The week kicks off on Monday night with a “Casino Night” to be held in the Shepler Mezzanine at 7 p.m. The evening will feature slot machines, blackjack, poker and other casino games, but it is also a charity event. “To get into Casino Night, you have to bring canned food items. Each can is worth $100 play money for the games but each person can only earn a maximum of $500,” Programming Activities Council (PAC) Cochairman Frank Myers said. The cans will be donated to the Lawton Food Bank. Tuesday night will feature comedian Tess Drake in the Shepler Mezzanine at 8 p.m. “You’ve seen Tess on BET, Comedy Central and NBC’s ‘Last Comic Standing.’ She’s amazing,” Myers said. Wednesday is the highlight of the week.
See HOMECOMING, page 7