Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, November 12, 2012
Inside Sports
Burch Hall gun range closing Tiffany Martinez News Editor
As the fall semester draws to a close, many students are contacting university advisers to plan out their schedules for the upcoming semester. Students in need of completing physical education requirements however, may have a few less courses to choose from this spring. James Helvey, head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Cameron,
Volleyball:
Volume 87 Issue 7
has taught various shooting sports courses in the gun range at the basement of Burch Hall for the past 20 years. According to Coach Helvey, he received information that an administrative decision had been made to close the gun range and replace it with classrooms in midSeptember. This decision would be implemented in January of 2013. Having taught the courses accidentfree with favorable student
reviews for the past two decades, the decision came as a shock to him. “I can’t recall having a student that didn’t enjoy their time in my class,” Coach Helvey said, “or have a better and more knowledgeable perspective of the firearms world upon completion of the class.” Coach Helvey currently uses the gun range to teach four different courses: Archery, Introduction to Shooting Sports, Introduction to Handguns
and Basic Riflery. “I like to look at this range as a learning facility. It’s a classroom within itself,” Helvey said. “They say they want to convert it into classrooms, but it is already a classroom — the education offered in the range is very valuable.” CU Provost, Dr. John McArthur, who oversees academic affairs, made the recommendation to close the range. “My responsibilities are the facilities we use for
academic instruction — how many students are in a given space, at what time in the day and what specific days — and then making sure we are using that space appropriately,” Provost McArthur said. According to Provost McArthur, the decision to convert the gun range was reached when he realized that the university was in dire need of classroom space. See RANGE Page 2
Rolling
Aggies host rival Aggies hit the road in Eastern New Mexico support of CU athletics in conference play. Sarah Holloway
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Staff Writer
Men’s Golf:
One program on campus gives Cameron University students the opportunity to support their Aggie athletes at out of town sporting events. Rolling with the Aggies is offering students the chance to attend various out of town games by providing travel accomodations. The program is hosted by the Student Activities office and is promoted with the help of another organization on campus. “It was started as a way to help increase Cameron attendance at away games in addition to help bolster school pride,” Student Activities Specialist Megan Canfield said. The Programming Activities Council (PAC) is the organization on campus that helps the Student Activities Office promote Rolling with the Aggies and gives Cameron University students the chance to cheer on their fellow students. Students who sign up to participate in Rolling with the Aggies are able to travel for a college student’s favorite price; free. “Rolling with the Aggies is free for students. We just ask that they sign up in advance in the Student Activities Office to secure their seat,” Canfield said, “however, last minute additions are allowed providing we have the open seats.”
Coach Jerry Hrnciar inducted into GCAA Hall of Fame.
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Crossroads
Benefit: Oklahomans support Lawton man injured in motorcycle accident.
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News
Faculty awarded: Dr. Jennifer Holloway named Higher Education Educator of the year.
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A&E
See ROLLING Page 2
News Editor
Cameron gets ready for its second play of the Fall semester, “Table Manners.”
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Four more years: President Obama adressess supporters after winning re-election Nov. 6. The President won a majority vote from the Electoral College claiming 303 votes and 50 percent of the popular vote. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney finished with 206 Electoral College votes and 48 percent of the popular vote as of press time.
CU takes to the polls Teewhy Dojutelegan
While many voters left their homes early to get to their polling stations, the length of time voters had to wait was News Editor different at individual polling stations. On Nov. 6, Americans had the opportunity to vote not only Castricone, who voted at Park lane Elementary, had to wait for presidential candidates but also different state questions. for over an hour to vote. For most, the chance to cast their votes and select the next “I got to the polling station just after 7 a.m. this morning,” leader of the United States was as exciting as it was challenging. Castricone said. “It took me about an hour and half to get Jenn Castricone, Admissions Coordinator with the Office of through the line and vote.” Admissions at Cameron University, described it as a thrilling Whyte, who voted at the Great Plains Coliseum, only had to experience. wait a few minutes to vote. “I thought that it was very exciting that there were so many “I got to my station at 10 o’clock exactly,” she said. “It was people out to vote,” she said. “There were lines wrapped around quick; it took about five minutes” the corners and into the street.” At 12:18 a.m., CNN projected that President Obama would First time voter and sophomore Porsha Whyte was delighted win the election by Electoral College votes of the state of Ohio. about getting to vote. Many other networks followed suit and projected the same. “I understand that every vote matters, and I was excited See ELECTION about it,” she said. “I did what I thought was right and made my Page 2 voice heard.”
Cameron opens doors for inside look Teewhy Dojutelegan
Theatre:
Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
Prospective students had the chance to learn about the opportunities that are available at Cameron University on Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Aggie Sneak Peek. The Aggie Sneak Peek is an annual fall semester event where potential students — usually high school juniors and seniors — and their families are introduced to life at CU and to the resources that are available. Frank Myers, the Associate Director of Enrollment Management, discussed the importance of the Sneak Peek. Myers said the event affords both students and parents the chance to hear about various resources that Cameron provides. “The Aggie Sneak Peek is our fall preview day designed
for prospective students to come visit the campus,” he said. “They get to learn about what we have to offer.” According to Myers, the prospective students registered when they arrived, got a Cameron T-shirt and breakfast, and then learned about issues such as the admission process and financial aid. A student panel was also on hand to answer questions. After the opening session, which ended at about 11 a.m., parents and students were ushered to the Aggie Rec Center to the browsing fair. Myers said the browsing fair gave participants the opportunity to talk to representatives of different organizations and departments. “In the browsing fair, we had student organizations, student support services and academic programs all set up
booths,” he said. “Prospective students could walk around the fair and make decisions about what organizations or departments they would like information from.” According to Myers, most departmental offices were opened so that the prospective
students could have first-hand conversations with professors. Myers said more people participated this year than in the previous year.
“We had a rough count of about 110 students,” he said. “In total, we had close to 300 people there, an increase from last year.” See SNEAK PEEK Page 2
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News
November 12, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com
CU educator receives OCSS award Kaylee Jones
The criteria for the OCSS Higher Education Staff Writer Educator of the Year The Oklahoma Council for includes: developing or using instructional materials Social Studies (OCSS) has named Dr. Jennifer Holloway creatively and effectively, incorporating innovative and as the Higher Education verified effective strategies Educator of the Year. and techniques and showing Dr. Holloway is an evidence of professional the Assistant Professor involvement and leadership in of Education in CU’s activities such as workshops, Elementary Education curriculum development, program at Rogers State committees and other University. She joined associated activities. Cameron’s faculty in 2007, Dr. Holloway has cohaving graduated from CU authored grants to obtain with her Bachelor of Science iPads for teacher candidates, in Elementary Education in and for student activity fee 1998.
money to be used to take students to the state capital and OKC Memorial. She has also presented at the National Council for the Social Studies conference twice. Dr. Holloway said she was excited to receive the award, but that she saw it as just another day on the job. “Every year gets better,” Dr. Holloway said. “As I continue to teach, I fall in love more with the profession and people. This isn’t a highlight, but more like a neat little speed bump.” When Dr. Holloway began working with the
program in 2007, it only had four students. She said she was proud to say that it has now grown to 40 students. “I love the students,” Dr. Holloway said. “There are a lot of hassles in my job, and collaboration is hard away from the main campus. If it weren’t for the students, I would have tried another job at another university.” Dr. Jennifer Dennis, the Chair of Cameron’s Department of Education, was one of the individuals to nominate Dr. Holloway for the award. She described Dr. Holloway as very vibrant,
with lots of energy and good humor. Despite the difficulties of working away from the main campus, Dr. Holloway said she’d had a solid support system over the years. She said she had great respect for both Dr. Dennis and her dean, saying it was nice to work with people who are so caring and competent. “I was excited for both Jennifer and our department,” Dr. Dennis said. Dr. Holloway said she plans to continue teaching for the foreseeable future. “I don’t want leadership,”
Dr. Holloway said. “It’s more fun to get to teach and do what you love every day, even if it less money. If you really love your job, you’re not doing any work. You don’t choose teaching, it chooses you. This is what I’m supposed to do.” Dr. Holloway and one of her colleagues are currently working on research that she said she hopes to have published. Dr. Holloway said her next goal was to have their research published and to become more involved in service learning. “We can all serve,” Dr. Holloway said.
RANGE continued from Page 1
a firearm or test a firearm in our range. ROTC has used the facility in the past and intended to start using in again next semester,” Coach Helvey said. “Enrollment has grown moving the courses to Fort While Coach Helvey so much, particularly in the Sill,” Coach Helvey said. acknowledges being an last three years,” Provost “Since Fort Sill became a advocate of Cameron, its McArthur said. “We were closed post after 9/11, it is administration and its looking at the largest a little more difficult to get number of students we through the gates. Shooting rulings, he admits hesitation in saying goodbye to his could serve, and that was sports is typically offered on-campus shooting sports really the primary driving around lunch time as well, condition for us looking at and getting through the Fort classes. “This is a beautiful repurposing that space into Sill traffic at that time can facility right here on campus classrooms.” be quite the task.” that is specifically designed Though the shooting Provost McArthur is for the students here,” sports courses are not listed hopeful that the courses, under the physical education though tentatively switching Coach Helvey said. “I just have a hard time trying to course listings for the locations, will remain understand why we would upcoming semester, Provost popular among students. want to destroy something McArthur said they are “The enrollment in the like this.” exploring ways to still make off-site courses right now The new Open Carry them available to students. is quite good,” Provost Gun Law, which was “Changing space is always McArthur said. “I’m implemented state-wide as a difficult decision,” he said. not worried about the of Nov. 1, has made gun “We are looking at ways that enrollment of the courses safety and usage a hot topic we can continue to offer going down if we were to among Oklahomans. those courses, we just won’t teach it elsewhere.” “I think educating our have them here on the main Coach Helvey feels that children on weapons of campus.” destroying the gun range any kind is important and Coach Helvey, however, may also affect people should occur,” Provost said that relocating the who are not enrolled in his McArthur said. “Whether shooting sports courses may classes. that needs to occur at a be an inconvenience to CU “The Boy Scouts of students in more than one America come use our range college or a technology center or in the home — I way. On top of the time it to have pellet gun or basic takes to travel to and from rif le competitions, which is think there is a wide array of options there.” off-site classes, he said that how they earn badges,” he According to Provost Photo by Tiffany Martinez many students may lack the said. “The National Archery McArthur, five classrooms, transportation to reach a in the Schools Program in which education range away from CU. will also hold competitions Reallocation of range space: Students practice shooting at targets in an requirements will be taught. archery class at the gun range in the basement of Burch Hall. The class has been “A lot of people also lean there. I know our campus toward the possibility of police occasionally work on are to replace the gun range. taught by Coach James Helvey at CU for the past 20 years.
ELECTION continued from Page 1 The Romney campaign refused to concede defeat, saying that the Ohio projections were wrong. At 12:55 a.m., Romney addressed his supporters at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Massachusetts and wished the President well. President Obama delivered his acceptance speech at about 2:40 a.m. at the McCormick Place Convention Center at Chicago, Ill., heralding his re-election speech by declaring that the “best is yet to come.” Dare Ayansola, an Information Technology sophomore and Nigerian student at Cameron, does not have voting rights, but has keenly followed the American election process. He gave his take on the event. “The election campaigns have been insightful, with tons of negatives ads and political gaffes,” he said. “The Presidential election to me is about two clear path ways for America’s future: Continuing with the recovery process of President Obama or returning to Bush-era policies.” Although President Obama held an Electoral College win on Tuesday night, many are still skeptical about the future of the country. Domonique Eleshin, a Mathematical Science junior who voted democratic, is glad President Obama won a second term but thinks no side that is entirely right or wrong. “While I for the most part support democratic views, neither side is right or wrong,” she said. “They both are too pig-headed to bend their beliefs one way or the other for the best interest of the American people.”
ROLLING continued from Page 1 As well as a free ride to the game, students who attend these athletic events will also receive a free Rolling with the Aggies t-shirt and a free ticket to the game. Students in attendance are provided a free meal of some kind if they are in attendance as well. Rolling with the Aggies typically tries to attend at least two games of every sport. The program attends Cameron volleyball, basketball and baseball games. This semester the program has allowed for students to attend two games. The semester’s first game was on Sept. 15 against Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. The second game that Rolling with the Aggies attended was held at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas on November 6. Students who attended both games cheered on the CU Volleyball team. The amount of games attended each semester by Rolling with the Aggies varies. “The games per semester just depend on the away schedules for each sport. This fall we have only been able to attend two games but we will have more games in the
spring,” Canfield said. According to Canfield, though only two games were attended this fall, the spring semester looks to provide more opportunities for students to be able to attend away games. “The spring semester looks like it will offer more opportunities for students to travel with us for basketball and baseball,” said Canfield. The Student Activities Office will soon be posting the schedule of what games the Rolling with the Aggies will attend for the spring semester. For more information about Rolling with the Aggies, or the Programming Activities Council, students are encouraged to contact the Student Activities office at (581) 580-2217 or visit the office on the second f loor of the McMahon Centennial Complex. Students can also check out the Student Activities website at www.cameron.edu/activities for more information about upcoming events for Rolling with the Aggies and the various other programs that the Student Activities Office holds.
SNEAK PEEK continued from Page 1
After the browsing fair, the Cameron University Aggie Ambassadors took attendees and their parents on a tour around the campus, showing off the various buildings and Photo courtesy of MCT Campus facilities available to students. These prospective students were also shown CU housing, as well as given information on how to go about living on campus. Hailey Harris, senior Graphics Design major and president of the Aggie Ambassadors, talked about the significance of the Aggie Sneak Peek. “The Aggie Sneak Peek serves to show high school students the importance of choosing a higher education,” she said. “It also helps to inform them about Cameron University.” Harris attributes the contribution of the Aggie Ambassadors to the success of the prospective student Rocking the right to vote: President Barack Obama event. returns to the White House after defeating Republican “The Ambassadors are a link between prospective candidate, Mitt Romney. Voting polls were open from 7 students and college life,” she said. a.m. to 7 p.m. across the country on Tuesday. The Aggie Ambassadors have the responsibility of
representing themselves, along with the rest of the CU community. It is quite the responsibility, but Harris affirms that it is also a privilege. “The Aggie Ambassadors have the opportunity to answer questions, give advice and make these students feel more comfortable during their transition from high school to college,” she said. “During the Sneak Peaks, they give campus tours to show the prospective students and their families a student perspective of what Cameron has to offer them.” The Aggie Ambassadors can be seen, and often, ushering new students around Cameron University in their gold polo shirts. The main responsibility of this team is to plan, implement and carry out orientations of new students. Applications to become an Aggie Ambassador are available upon request, and more information may be found for any interested parties at www.cameron.edu/ ambassadors.
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A&E
November 12, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com
CU Theatre Department minds its plays and tables
Photo by Sarah Brewer
Setting the table and stage: (from left to right) Tensions mount as the members of a dysfunctional family and a neighbor, played by Josh Fortney, Brandon Smith, Brandi Goldsmith, Brandon Landers, Brett Jolly and Leah Mazur Ur, gather at the dinner table. Opening night is Nov. 15, and the production runs through Nov. 18.
James Meeks
in Japanese theatre,” Onishi said. “The one that I am most interested in is the comic form known as Kyogen.” Dr. Onishi said that Kyogen are short Japanese plays which performed with stylized movements on stories usually about a servant outwitting a master. “Table Manners” is the second play in Alan Ayckbourn’s 1975 trilogy known as The Norman Conquests. The plays contained in the trilogy takes place within the same time frame; in one play, someone could walk off stage, only to enter the stage in another play within the threepart production.
According to Dr. Onishi, the production will feature six characters in a dining room, and each character plays a major role in the plot. “The play is about Norman, who takes his sister-in-law out for a weekend away, and it starts out about an affair that may or may not happen,” Dr. Onishi said. Dr. Onishi explained that the reason the department can go right into second play without performing the first one is because of the fact that each of the three plays has their own standalone story and can be played in any order. Although these plays can stand on their own, Dr. Onishi
was like when bars all over the country would perform Staff Writer these pieces. The two pieces were The CU Theatre became a concert stage when conductor performed with country group The Blackberry Bushes Dr. Michael Compton fused the musical styles of country Stringband. The group consists of three members: and jazz together on the singer and songwriter Jes evening of Nov 1. Raymond, Jakob Breitbach Dr. Compton is an the fiddle player and Taylor assistant professor at Kent, who plays the standing Cameron University who bass. teaches students private The two pieces they woodwinds, jazz ensemble, performed with the Jazz community jazz ensemble Ensemble were compositions and conducting. that Dr. Compton wrote. Dr. Dr. Compton began the Compton said he encountered evening with the CU Jazz the Blackberry Bushes during Ensemble, performing five his time at Cameron. pieces in the jazz style and “Prior to this, I spent three two in the country/jazz years at Dickinson University fusion style. in North Dakota, and this The ensemble performed five pieces, with students also group came through a couple performing solos and creating years ago,” Dr. Compton said. After the country/jazz the ambience of being in the performance, The Blackberry 1950s. Bushes Stringband played Each soloist brought a few of their own songs. unique flair to the The band also brought along compositions; their performer Shannon Wurst to instruments and playing sing backup vocals and play styles took the audience on a journey of how the jazz era banjo.
After their performance, a brief intermission was taken to allow audience members to talk, stretch their legs and talk to members of The Blackberry Bushes. Attendees also had the opportunity to buy Blackberry Bushes merchandise during the break. After theintermission, the CU/Lawton Community Jazz Ensemble performed in the final hour of the concert, bringing students and local artists together to perform more jazz compositions. One of the performed pieces, “I Remember Clifford,” showed the talents of Brian Francis, a local trumpet player who performed the solo pieces of the song. His sound had a timbre that matched the somber tone of the blue backdrop behind him. The Ensemble performed a total of five compositions, but the final two compositions were performed alongside The Blackberry Bushes.
Staff Writer
The Theatre Department is getting ready to open the curtain for their second play of the semester, “Table Manners.” This play, which is a part of the “Year of Manner and Comical Mishaps” theme, will be directed by the department’s new Assistant Professor Dr. Deidre Onishi. Dr. Onishi received her Ph. D. from the University of Wisconsin. Before coming to CU, she taught at the York College of Pennslyvania, and Dr. Onishi said she specializes in non-western theatre. “I am particularly interested
has added notes in the program that will be passed before the performance to explain the relationships between the characters. “The story is less important than the characters,” Dr. Onishi said. “The characters are what we watch and what we get to like or not like in the play. It is definitely a character-based story.” According to Dr. Onishi, what the audience will see of the characters is how they are at this particular play; in the other plays of the series they are slightly different, as more character elements come to light when people watch the whole sequence.
Dr. Onishi explained that people can relate to parts of the characters in the play, and although the issues are not quite as current, but the play still addresses in the production that she feels are still significant. “There are still issues about what the woman’s place in the home is and what a marriage is, and those kinds of questions I think are still relevant,” Dr. Onishi said. “Some of those issues have calmed down since the 70s, but are still front and center in this story.” Audiences can expect comical mishaps in this play, for Dr. Onishi has her stage crew prepped with a mop for some of the messy food fight scenes.
The actors will fight with actual food, which Dr. Onishi feels will bring a good laugh to the audience. Dr. Onishi will also be directing the only serious drama play in the series, “Nora,” which is scheduled to open during the spring 2013 semester. “Nora” is Igmar Bergman’s version of the play “A Doll’s House,” which revolves around the titular character dealing with the fallout of her husband being blackmailed. “Table Manners” will open on Nov. 15. Tickets are $10 for military, senior citizens and Cameron faculty and staff, $12 for all other adults and free to students with a valid CU ID.
Country Jazz fusion forms fresh sounds James Meeks
Photo by James Meeks
Feeling the fusion: The Blackberry Bushes Stringband performs one of their original country compositions while the Lawton and CU Community Jazz Ensemble provides smooth sounds. Both styles came together during this moment on stage. The last two pieces came courtesy of The Blackberry Bushes as the two groups melded their styles together. One of the songs, Jes Raymond’s “Mermaid,” had a
country feel, with banjo and fiddle working in harmony throughout the piece. According to Raymond, the piece is supposed to be a contemplative one, as if
someone were sitting in a field daydreaming. “This is one I wrote sitting by a river, thinking about how we want to be seen for who we are,” Raymond said.
Families make Halloween Carnival their holiday haunt Lizzy Owoyemi
major, said the event was free to everyone. She said the idea was to create a night of fun for families in the Staff Writer community. “We wanted something community related, which Cameron University’s Programming Activities Center organized a Halloween Carnival for families on Oct. 30 at was why we chose a decent time. We had students from different organizations who helped out in the event. Every the Aggie Rec Center. organization had a booth where kids were allowed to play According to Megan Canfield, CU Student Activities games and win prizes,” Canfield said. Specialist, the Carnival was opened to the Lawton Joel Ogan, Junior Chemistry major and president of community, CU students, faculty, staffs and their the Chemistry club, said members of the club volunteered families. Planning for the event started at the beginning to help out with the event. The kids were given different of October. Different CU student organizations were represented at the carnival, and registration to participate gifts and were allowed to bowl and get candies. “Kids were allowed to bowl and hit bottles filled was opened two weeks before the event. with water, and they got candies,” Ogan said. “We had “We saw this as an opportunity to reach out to a mixture of powder (guar) and mild chemical solutions members of the Lawton community,” Canfield said. which formed a sticky component; there were little tubes “There were 19 CU organizations represented, and they in them, and inside these tubes were various prizes like received points for participating. It was also a way for pencils and candies. Whatever gift the kids pick is what people to get familiar with organizations on campus.” will be given to them.” Ashley Sullivan, PAC member and freshman Art
Canfield said there was a Halloween costume contest where kids were allowed to show off their various costumes. “The costume contest was for kids with the cutest or funniest outfit,” Canfield said. “The winner got a Halloween mug filled with candies.” According to Canfield, the event was a success.
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Voices
November 12, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com
Polarizing election tests relationships
Sarah Brewer A&E Editor THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Editorial Staff
Editor-in-Chief - Matthew Berberea News Editors - Teewhy Dojutelegan, Tiffany Martinez Crossroads Editor - Dianne Riddles A&E Editor - Sarah Brewer Sports Editor - Tyler Boydston Copy Editor - Alex Rosa-Figueroa Aggie Central Editor- Mitch Watson Archivist - Mitch Watson
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Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Amanda Goemmer, Lizzy Owoyemi, James Meeks, Kaylee Jones Circulation Manager - Matt Thompson Advertising Manager - Matthew Berberea Photographers - Kali Robinson, Misty Neal
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Charlene J. Belew, Jordan K. Godlewski, Terry I. Gonzalez, Mei Ling Grooms, Michaela D. Haire, Philip D. Harrington, Eloise A. Herbert, Dena N. Jennings, Kaylee M. Jones, Sadie L. Jones, Whitney N. Mefford, Jaime R. O’Bannon, Melissa C. Solis, Shelby M. Stancil, Kaitlyn M. Stockton, Carson B. Stringham, Matthew L. Thompson, Cindy A. Walter, Skylar D. Williams
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.
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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 collegian@ cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www. aggiecentral.com.
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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.
November 6, 2012. I woke earlier on Election Day than I had expected to, feeling a bit frantic, but nonetheless excited to exercise my right to vote for the candidate of my choice. Nothing — not even the nasty comments criticizing our current president his former opponent or complaints about the voting process itself that were both online — could lessen that feeling of elation and the patriotism that palpitated through me that day. Tensions were escalating and time was running out. The eve of the election found me staying up late finishing last-minute online research about the candidates running for local office and interpreting the language in Oklahoma state ballot questions. Voting became a motherdaughter outing before noon as my mother and I waited in the cold sunshine for a couple of hours before inking in the blocks on our ballots. The labyrinth-like line wound around the church, where only a few citizens stood in the warm. I counted three volunteers checking IDs, dispensing and collecting ballots and saw picnic tables were there should have been polls. I would not have lamented the wait or were it not for the fact that limited personnel and lack of planning seemed to discourage the process altogether. Despite these delays, however, I was pleased to share this moment with my mother. We were, after all, honoring the legacy and continuing the work of women suffragists whose campaign for the right to
differed in their political views, and this is how it should be. My friend said she refused to be friends with pro-life conservatives who were against same-sex marriage, and compared them to members of the KKK and Neo Nazis. I can very passionately agree to disagree with someone, especially when it comes to legislation that prevents my loved ones from marrying their partners and women from making choices that affect their bodies and lives. But what my friend said was a stereotypical and loaded as the fake Tim Tebow Tweet. The most conservative members of my extended family voted for Mitt Romney, and they are not violent extremists some might portray them to be. We must know better. President Obama might have said it best in his vote and run for office made was meant to inf lict offense the things children say to and perpetuate these socials bother her, she took down riveting acceptance speech: the passage of the 19th stereotypes. her status. “I believe we can seize Amendment to the United People on both sides I should have become this future together because States Constitution possible of the political spectrum a recluse and entered we are not as divided as our in 1920. some kind of social media politics suggests,” President But I digress. The rest of were condescending and Obama said. “We’re not the day did not feel as nearly spiteful toward one another blackout at that point. One online. One of my former of my friends from high as cynical as the pundits historic to me, but instead co-workers cried and said school — who fervently believe. We are greater than consisted of classes and she would run away to supports feminist issues the sum of our individual constant update-checking. Canada if President Obama and fiercely advocates for ambitions, and we remain Discussions online had was elected into office the LGBTQ community as more than a collection of red become social media much as I do — commented states and blue states. We showdowns. One of the first again, and then, not even on a photograph I had are and forever will be the images to catch my ire was a 24 hours later, one of our shared on Facebook. The United States of America.” screenshot taken of a Tweet mutual friends — my best friend — posted a status fallout made me consider This is the land of the that was stereotyping the of her own to point out that perhaps conservatives free and the home of the work ethics of Democrats. that her new nation offers who prioritize the economy brave. Exonerating both The Tweet was attributed universal healthcare, collects and foreign policy over parties of the perceptions to Tim Tebow, and it read, higher taxes, and legalized civil rights and the working that plague them both and “I predict that Obama will same-sex marriage. One middle class — might not be reconciling differences jump out to an early lead, of my friends went on a mortal enemies of liberals amongst our Facebook until Republicans get off tirade about a 10-year-old after all. The photograph friends neighbors in real life work.” I later learned the who wanted to voice her depicted two yard signs might be easier said than Tweet was taken from a that pointed toward each done, but we must be willing parody account that was not opinions, but after telling other and stated that they to move forward and pioneer affiliated with the evangelist her that she should not limit her burgeoning sense would remain friends no this last frontier with civility quarterback, but regardless matter how much they and kindness. of its authenticity, the Tweet of expression or allow
Technology fuels procrastination
Tyler Boydston Sports Editor
On Election Day, a video popped up on YouTube showing a massive problem in the electronic voting system. The video in question, entitled “2012 Voting Machines Altering Votes,” showed from a first-person point-ofview someone that was trying to vote for Barack Obama, while the machine instead kept choosing Mitt Romney. This presents a fairly large problem: if electronic voting is this bad, why is this how some people vote? Thinking about it, technology is overused and relied on in scary ways. With people checking their phones to see their Facebook pages every five seconds, I have come to realize that we are not using technology in the ways that we should. This goes back to an opinion piece I wrote in the spring about worrying more about unimportant, pointless things (in that case, Snooki from “The
Jersey Shore”) than they were about politics, and other such important things. Now, the focus has turned on to technology. Technology could save us, or it could hurt us. The problem is an overreliance that we have on technology, and a feeling that it will never work against us, which, as evidenced by the video posted on Election Day, is a pretty faulty notion to have anyway. What we seem to be missing is that technology could be a useful thing, and by that, I mean that it is. Smarter aspects of technology help us to figure out what the weather will be like and find more useful information. Instead, lolcats and funny YouTube videos run rampant, dumbing us down over the course of time. Personally, I spend my time on movie websites. I tend to be a hypocrite when it comes to these kinds of things, though. I also check and re-check my Facebook every five seconds. Over the course of my writing this, I have had to stop and check Facebook and Aint It Cool News a handful of times instead of being productive. Meanwhile, a friend next to me is showing me a parody of “Paranormal Activity” that he has found on YouTube. Technology is slowly but surely taking away our productivity. With countless websites to check out, new videos being
uploaded to YouTube daily, music being played constantly, and countless hilarious statuses on Facebook (and hopefully a few notifications, because I love attention), it becomes harder and harder to really be productive. While we are in the process of checking Facebook, Twitter and other websites, we keep forgetting about schoolwork and work itself. Memes go in and out of style within the course of a couple of months, and my attention span has drastically changed over the
course of time that memes began (or at least when I first noticed them, some time around my high school graduation in 2009). Facebook could be used for good things. A revolution began in Egypt as a result of it, though we use it on a daily basis to post pictures and statuses to get positive feedback from friends and strangers to make ourselves feel better. Not all of us are narcissistic, using technology in such ways, but I do see it quite often, and I am guilty of a lot of it. So, we just need to use
technology in better ways. While lolcats and funny YouTube videos can still be seen, let’s make it a point to also put technology to better uses and try to do something worthwhile. Look up something important, rather than finding out who played the villain in “The Amazing Spider-Man” (it’s Rhys Ifans, by the way). Let’s make this technology that is so advanced more worthwhile than we have. We live in amazing times, no pun intended, and it is time to start acting like it.
November 12, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com
5
Crossroads
Photos by Dianne Riddles
Coming together and showing support Dianne Riddles
Callejeros riding club. According to Shroomz, Crossroads Editor all proceeds from the The Support Ryan event went toward the “Tater” Nix Poker Run and continuously rising medical Car Show benefit was held costs for 24-year-old Ryan on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Nix. Nix was critically Fubar Saloon. injured on Sept. 19 when a Megz Shroomz, a school bus failed to yield, 24-year-old CU freshman hit Nix on his motorcycle psychology major, organized and ran over him. the event with the help of Shroomz said that the Bandidos and Malvados Nix was f lown to OU motorcycle clubs and the Medical Center, where he
Benefit car show trophy winner: Ricky Glass and his 4-year-old son, Aiden, accept the trophy for the winning vehicle of the event. Glass showed his vehicle as a member of the Built2Clown car club.
was admitted in critical condition suffering a brain contusion, several facial fractures, two fractured vertebrae, a fractured right arm, a fractured pelvis, a fractured right leg and a significant wound to the back of his right calf. “It is a miracle that he survived. That was a month and a half ago,” Shroomz said. “Currently, Tater has been taken off the ventilator and he is breathing on his own. He is trying to talk and starting to move a bit, which are great signs.” Shroomz said that she and Nix became friends after he stood up for her when other students picked on her for being a new student at Lawton High. Since the accident, the cast has been removed from Nix’s right arm, and a skin graft was done on his right leg to attempt to repair a ripped muscle on oh his calf. Shroomz said that Nix’s right leg remains in traction. “They were really concerned about his ICP — which is intracranial pressure in his brain — but a week or two ago, they took out the bolts that were measuring the pressure.” Shroomz said. “The swelling has gone down, and now they are waiting for his brain to heal and see what is going to happen. They really don’t know yet if he sustained any brain damage. It’s just very slow progress
right now.” Approximately 60 riders from several motorcycle clubs from around the state — with two motorcycles in the show and 29 cars and trucks representing several car clubs — showed their support by entering the event. Kenny Sellens, a member of the Tricked Out Car Club, entered his 1948 GMC half-ton pickup in the car show as a way of contributing to the benefit event. “I try to give to local charities,” Sellens said. “If I can do some good for somebody, I really enjoy it.”
According to Shroomz, the car show raised $1,098. The total money raised from the car show, poker run, auction and donations during the benefit event was $6,010.40. To date, the funds raised for Nix amounts to $10,792.70. “Together we can make a difference in somebody’s life, and if we are there to help pick someone up when they fall and if we keep encouraging them, anything is possible,” Shroomz said. “So many people – even people from all over the state – came together for this event to help a fallen Lawtonian.”
Shroomz said that no one should ever give up. “When the going gets tough, get tougher, and do not ever give up. Just keep fighting. It is a continual process – you just keep going. When you instill that in your mind, it can really help you in any situation, whether it is losing weight or like Ryan’s situation,” Shroomz said. “He has already made leaps and bounds toward recovery since the day of his accident. It’s a marathon, not a race, and every baby step taken is a step closer to recovery.” A local benefit fund has been established for anyone who would like to help Nix and his family with the medical costs. Deposits can be made at Fort Sill Federal Credit Union. Donation deposits as well as checks or money orders should be made to FBO Ryan Nix. Donations may also be mailed to MMC, P.O. Box 7798, Lawton, Okla., 73506. Those seeking more information may call 580.695.1210 or visit the official website at www.facebook.com/ SupportRyanNix.
Show vehicles: Show cars, trucks and motorcycles from all over the state attended the benefit. A variety of vehicles filled the parking lot for most of the day.
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Sports
November 12, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com
Hrnciar inducted into Hall of Fame Tyler Boydston
“The most challenging thing about coaching is Sports Editor adapting to the changing desires and work ethics that Men’s head golf coach Jerry young people come up with,” Hrnciar has been placed in Hrnciar said. “Every few the Golf Coaches Association years I have to make some of America Hall of Fame’s adjustments. Also, teaching Class of 2012. them to be self-disciplined The GCAA Hall of Fame and set goals and to not be includes names like Arnold deterred is always a challenge.” Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Hrnciar said the position Bryron Nelson. of men’s head golf coach is also Hrnciar said his inclusion rewarding when it comes to into the Hall of Fame is an working with his students. achievement, as he is now “The most rewarding alongside the famous coaches. thing is to see the growth and “I’m very excited because success of players when they when I look back through come in here,” Hrnciar said. other recipients over the years, “They don’t know which way the great coaches from when they’re going when they first I played golf in college and get here, and when they get all of the great coaches are in out they are focused on their there,” Hrnciar said. “To be future and have made great considered anywhere in their strides in being successful.” league is an honor.” Hrnciar has continually This is not the first Hall of recruited players capable Fame that Hrnciar has found Photo courtesy of Sports Information of achievements, with 38 himself inducted into, with All-American players and the first being his inclusion as All-American: Men’s head golf coach Jerry Hrnciar (right) works alongside former Cameron player Jason 22 Academic All-American the Texas Panhandle Hall of Timmis during a Lone Star Conference tournament in 2011. Hrnciar is set to be inducted into the Golf Coaches players to his name. Fame’s Player of the Year in Association of America’s Hall of Fame Class of 2012 on Dec. 10 at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas. “I think that our success as 1965. won CU’s first men’s golf Hrnciar began at CU as over, but they said they didn’t a program helps to recruit,” those are always memorable, “I had the opportunity national championship in the volunteer golf coach, but have anyone who could take it, Hrnciar said. “The growth because those are the most to go in the year Donny 1983, the same year he won eventually became the head and so I kept going; after you of our university and our golf intense tournaments of the Anderson went in there as facilities helps as well. The men’s golf coach. spend so much time with it, whole year, even more so well as Joe Pepitone,” Hrnciar the National Coach of the fact that we have a long list of Year award. “When I started the you don’t want to see it fall, so than nationals. The success said. All-Americans helps attract “I think every time we go golf program at Cameron, I kept doing it.” that some of the players have Hrnciar has been with CU better players. A lot of these to a national championship, I was just going to get it According to Hrnciar, had on an individual basis for 39 years and has taken players were even walk-ons, it’s quite a thrill,” Hrnciar started,” Hrnciar said. “I was the most difficult aspect of is always memorable, and his teams to 18 Division II but they worked hard enough said. “We’ve won a couple a volunteer coach, which I coaching is adjusting to the getting to work with a lot Championships and eight and were able to achieve Allof regional championships was for 14 years. Once I got different kinds of students of students over the years is Lone Star Conference America status.” on our way to nationals; it going, I wanted to turn it over the years. rewarding.” Championships. His team
Volleyball faces Midwestern away from home Matthew Berberea
they made an impact early and often. After exchanging Managing Editor early points, CU tallied nine straight points to take Cameron University’s a commanding 13-2 lead. Volleyball team hosted Cameron never let off the Eastern New Mexico University Nov. 3, and then gas and cruised to a 25-12 traveled to Wichita Falls to third set victory. Cameron came out battle the Midwestern State strong again in the fourth Mustangs Nov. 6. The Aggies, 10-21 (4-15), and final set of the night as they sealed the match with a came out hot against the 25-19 set win. Head Coach ENMU Zias, 6-22, (1-17), Doug Tabbert said that this and looked to take control was a crucial win for his from the initial serve. team against an opponent Cameron opened up with they had fallen to earlier in two quick kills and grew a the year. first set lead of 13-7. CU “This was a must win never looked back as they pulled away behind five kills match for us, we absolutely had to have this,” Coach from freshman standout Shannon Dulaney and took Tabbert said. “It was an opponent that I thought set one, 25-18 we could take care of, and I The second set proved think we did a good job of a more difficult task for Cameron as neither team led doing that.” On the defensive side of by more than three points the ball, senior Julisa Ocasio throughout the match. Ultimately ENMU was able broke the Cameron singlegame record for digs with to take advantage of attack 44 shattering the previous errors late from Cameron mark of 36. and won the second set, Coach Tabbert had high 23-25. praise for Ocasio and said The Aggies looked to she is a key part in getting respond in third set and
the team going. “She’s just a tremendous player and makes some phenomenal plays, and has ever since she has gotten here,” Coach Tabbert said. “She is just a big part of what we do.” Leading the way for the Aggies on offense were Shannon Dulaney with 15 kills and junior Jenna Risoli with 44 assists. Cameron could not celebrate their victory too long as they had to prepare for the MSU Mustangs a few days later. In the Aggies first matchup against the Mustangs at Aggie Gym, MSU came into Lawton and left with a 1-3 victory. The Black and Gold were able to keep pace with the Mustangs but ultimately fell in three straight sets. The first set saw back and forth action from the opening serve with multiple lead changes. The Aggies had an opportunity to end the set up 25-24 but were unable to score. Twice more Cameron had set point but
came up just short falling to the Mustangs 27-29. The second set was filled with rallies from both teams and opened up with MSU jumping out to an 8-3 lead. The Aggies responded with a 7-2 run of their own and brought the score even with 10 points each. The lead continued to change hands and Cameron was in position to take control with three straight points and a 21-18 lead. The Mustangs fought back and as in the first set, tied the set at 2424. MSU went on to score two quick points and secure the second set 24-26. Following the pattern from the first two sets, both teams came out evenly matched in the third set. After the score was tied at nine each. Midwestern soon pulled away however and finished with a 25-19 win. The Aggies were led on offense by freshman Kathryn Evans with 17 kills and Jenna Risoli who collected another 33 assists. Defensively, Julisa Ocasio led the Aggies with 26 digs.
Photo by Matthew Berberea
Up in the air: Freshman Annelise Carpenter aims against Midwestern State in a home match Oct. 2. They played against Midwestern again in Wichita Falls Nov 6.