COLLEGIAN THE CA M ERON U N I V ER SIT Y
Monday, November 12, 2007
Informing the Cameron Family Since 1926
News
Non-traditional abuse, addiction By Kelley Burt Collegian Staff
SEE PAGE 4
A&E
Theatre Department puts on tragic comedy about cancer in “W;t.” SEE PAGE 7
Sports
Whether it’s an addiction to caffeine, cocaine or cough medicine, many negative consequences can occur. It took Kohl Jones, a Public Relations sophomore, less than one month in fall 2006 to become addicted to the caffeine in Hydroxycut, a common weight loss aide. When he stopped taking the drug at the end of his 30-day supply he had to be admitted to the emergency room for withdrawal symptoms. “I had blurred vision, was vomiting, had severe back pain, was restless and then I went blind and couldn’t see anything. It was all very scary,” Jones said. “The doctor told me that my symptoms were typical and caffeine withdrawal can be as intense as cocaine detoxification.” Jones learned each dose of Hydroxycut had as much caffeine as between four and five cups of coffee. The effect of the pills was worse due to the amount of soft drinks Jones drank on a daily basis. When he began taking the common, overthe-counter weight loss supplement, Jones did not know that it contained caffeine. “I was addicted to the thought of losing weight quickly,” he said. “I never imagined that I would become addicted to the pills.” Jones has completely recovered from his ordeal with no known side effects. His case is an example of a student not knowing he was taking a substance that he could became addicted to and then reaping the consequences. “Society doesn’t seem to view caffeine as a
Newswriting Student
SEE PAGE 8
Cameron to observe Statehood Day
In observance of the Oklahoma State Centennial, Cameron will be closed Friday, Nov. 16.
to become that severe. “Besides the educational success of our students, some of our biggest priorities at Cameron are their health and safely,” she said. “If students are having difficulties in their lives which interfere with their educational process, we encourage them to seek help, and we are certainly committed in trying to assist them in finding the help they need.”
See ADDICTION Page 2
Teachers from abroad make local impact By Chris Allison
Cameron inducts inaugural class into Athletics Hall of Fame.
big deal,” he said, “but it is.” David Keesling, Director of the Chemical Dependency Unit at Red River Hospital in Wichita Falls agrees with Jones. “In our field, caffeine and nicotine are not seen as major problems or traditional sources of severe addictive cases, but they should be,” he said. Keesling said many students knowingly consume stimulants like caffeine, ginseng and gingko biloba to help stay focused and energized for school. Many of these substances are found in popular energy drinks and can lead to addiction. “With the constant pressure on college students to perform well and juggle their academics with a social life and a part-time job,” he said, “it’s no wonder that energy drinks and places like Starbucks market to that demographic.” In addition to caffeine, many students use other means to help cope with pressure and stress. Keesling said they still turn to traditional drugs like marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens and barbiturates. The effects of multiple kinds of addiction and abuse are present in Keesling’s job every day. “Usage can become debilitating on multiple fronts,” he said. “I’ve seen students lose credit for entire semesters and lose full scholarships because of their drug and/or alcohol usage.” Dr. Jennifer Pruchnicki, Director of Student Development at Cameron, doesn’t want students’ problems
The Chinese government is funding programs that offer more and more opportunities for American students to take Mandarin Chinese courses, even in Oklahoma. Lawton’s Ding Xiaowei and Duncan’s Mao Yu are two of over 100 teachers in the United States (17 in Oklahoma) sponsored by the College Board and the Chinese central government agency Hanban, Mao Yu whose major task is to promote Chinese language and culture worldwide. The Oklahoma efforts are even making national news. On October 17, 2007, NBC’s Brian Williams featured Ding Xiaowei in a segment of the series “China Rising.” Before her Oklahoma days, Mrs. Ding taught English at Beijing Information Technology University for nine years before arriving in Lawton last January. “I think teaching Mandarin Chinese in the United States is a very good way to improve the mutual understanding between Chinese people and American people,” Mrs. Ding said. “If more and more American students can learn Chinese language and culture, they can understand China and Chinese people better.” Mrs. Ding pointed out that China is almost the biggest market for American businesses. American students are realizing that learning
Mandarin will provide them with opportunities in the future. Many also are interested in Asian culture, especially cartoons (anime) or the video games developed by Japan or produced in China. Since Chinese is offered as an AP course, it awards students a weighted grade. Mrs. Ding teaches in all three of Lawton’s high schools. Last year, more than 30 students took her course, and this year the number increased to more than 50. Coming to Oklahoma brought many changes for Mrs. Ding. She commented, “I really miss my family back in China. I have a daughter who turned five years on Nov. 2. Her nickname is Tian Tian, meaning ‘sweetie’ in Chinese. Her real name is Tian Xinyi.” Mrs. Ding elaborated on what her husband’s occupation is in China. Mrs. Ding’s husband is an IT engineer, responsible for the Internet of a Swiss and Swedish company in China, an international company dealing with everything including investment. Insight into Mrs. Ding’s family offers a glimpse into recent Chinese history. Her parents both were engineers when China underwent the Communist Cultural Revolution. Educated people were relocated so that they might be humbled. Her parents met at the fertilizer factory to which they both were assigned. One of her mother’s younger sisters has no education because schools were closed down during this time. Eventually the nation learned to value people of leadership again. Proof of this is that her
father served as the vice mayor of her hometown of two million people, and her mom worked in the foreign trade committee before they retired. They now spend much of their time educating little Tian Tian, who already reads Chinese fluently and is comfortable with multi-digit math problems. Every Chinese child is especially cherished since families are only allowed to have one. Mrs. Ding’s family spent time in the United States this past summer, traveling both to the east and west coast. They were amazed by all of the Ding Xiaowei cultural events in Lawton and the surrounding area. Mrs. Ding said she has come to love being in Oklahoma. “I enjoy the people, my host family, my students and my friends in Lawton,” she said. “When I exchange e-mails or phone calls with my group members in other parts of the United States, some of them are not as lucky as I am to make so many friends as I do because I do think Lawton is so diverse. Local people in Lawton are so open-minded and welcoming and willing to accept other cultures. People are so friendly here.” She recalls a day at the beginning of her stay in Lawton. Photos by Chris Allison
Lawton citizen saves the life of Seattle teen.
Volume 81 Issue 9
See TEACHERS Page 2