The Cameron University Collegian: October 4, 2004

COLLEGIAN

Diversity & Cultures Exploration

THE CA M ERON U N I V ER SIT Y

Monday, October 44,, 2004

News

Informing the Cameron Family Since 1926

Features Editor

PLEASE SEE PAGE 3

A&E

Volume 78 Issue 4

Cultures celebrated for Diversity Week

By Angela Gradoz

Bioinformatics provides science degree grads an alternate profession.

Please See Pages 4 & 5

It is that time of year when cultures and organizations across campus celebrate cultural diversity with this year’s “Diversity Week 2004: Many Faces, One Vision” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 4 through 8 in the area west of the Student Union.

According to Vice President for Student Services Samantha Thomas, diversity week is a yearly event that was implemented into student activities in the fall of 1997, and is a chance for students to showcase their culture by dancing, wearing traditional clothing, having a speaker, showing videos related to the culture or cooking and sharing ethnic cuisine.

In order to make sure the scheduled events run smoothly for each organization that participates in diversity week, a multicultural committee meets once a week.

During these meetings, members of student development, who handle multicultural affairs on campus, aid with ideas and counseling.

“We organize funding for events, help coordinate events, offer advice and counseling in addition to what faculty advisors offer,” Student Development Specialist Tara Libertz said.

Diversity week will begin with American Indian Heritage on Monday, followed

by Hispanic/Latino Heritage on Tuesday, with Asian/Pacific Islander on Wednesday. Black American Heritage will be celebrated on Thursday and the week will end with International Celebration and Caribbean Heritage on Friday.

SOCarnival will begin at 4 p.m. Friday at the Business Building and travel to the KRT Campus Fine Arts Courtyard.

A new addition to this year’s diversity week is the Cultural Showcase at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Shepler Mezzanine. The

The line has been drawn ...

Piano performance from CU professor to be held this week for student enrichment.

showcase was decided on this summer by the multicultural committee, which includes student development, student activities, and Programming Activities Counsel, along with student representatives from organizations participating in diversity week. These include: Cameron American Indian Student Association, Latin Alliance, Asian/Pacific Islander Association, Ebony Society and the International Club.

Courtney Hardin, student activities director, feels it will be a good opportunity for cultural organizations to reach more students.

“It is a chance for the different organizations to showcase their different talents or native clothing from their cultures,” Hardin said.

“Every day focuses on a different culture, but that night they all come together to showcase their individual cultures.”

Because diversity week allows students the opportunity to learn and appreciate other cultures, Hardin encourages all students, faculty, staff and friends to attend each of the week’s events.

“I think it’s neat to have a taste of the rest of the world,” she said. “It’s not every day that you find out what is important to them (culturally), and so it really broadens one’s horizon.”

Debate brings candidates’ issues to students

By Josh Rouse Sports Editor

PLEASE SEE PAGE 6

on their leadership experience, involvement in the community, grade point average, ACT scores, an essay on the topic of volunteerism and a formal interview,” Holland said.

October and November are two key months in the state and national election process. Candidates are scrambling for last minute votes and rallies as Election Day rolls around. This year is no different than years past.

On the national level the senator from Massachusetts, John Kerry, and President George W. Bush are still fighting it out, while their running mates, John Edwards and Dick Cheney, are debating their respective roles.

As Kerry and Bush debate on national television, a group of state candidates are gathering here at Cameron University to offer their views on politics and their policies.

According to Richard Coleman, history senior, Craig Hale, along with his Democratic companions Butch Hooper and Randy Bass, will hold a debate with Republicans Don Barrington, Ann Coody and Kenneth Easton Oct. 5. The History Club and Department of History and Government are sponsoring this debate in hopes of attracting more young voters.

College Republicans are also helping to host the event. Coleman said the debate is meant to bring in voters between 18 and 24.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in the 2000 election, only 36 percent — or 18 million — of this demographic actually voted. This was the lowest turnout in voting history since 1972.

Craig Hale is running for state Senate District 31, which includes Elgin, Sterling, Rush Springs, Fletcher, Geronimo, Marlow and Waurika. His republican opponent is Don Barrington from Lawton. Randy Bass is running for state Senate District 32, which includes Geronimo, Cache and Lawton. Kenneth Easton is also running for this seat on the republican ticket. Ann Coody is running for state representative District 31 (Comanche) against democratic incumbent Roy Butch Hooper.

Coleman believes hosting the debate on campus will make it easier for students to form their opinions.

Please see PLUS, Page 8

Please see DEBATE, Page 8

Sports

Tennis regional championship leaves four CU players in top positions.

PLEASE SEE PAGE 7

Voices

Photo by Jennie Hanna

Swords at dawn: Members of The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. perform at the International Festival Sept. 24-26. This group was formed to educate the community by recreating pre-seventeenth century.

PLUS students strive for excellence beyond classroom

By Christina Frye Staff Writer

Columnist displays disgust over ‘villains’ and racial profiling in new video game.

PLEASE SEE PAGE 2 Office: Nance-Boyer 2060 Phone: 580•581•2261 E-mail us at : collegian@cameron.edu First Copy Free - $.25 for each additional copy Contents © The Collegian 2004

PLUS students have arrived on campus in full force. Each year, Cameron opens its doors to 25 graduating seniors from the surrounding area high schools. These students have proven they are leaders and that they have the ability to improve our community through hard work and dedication.

The Presidential Leaders and University Scholars program’s focus is to enable these talented students to prepare for the real world and to make an impact on their futures and on the future of the community in which they live. Becoming a part of the PLUS program is not easy, points out Director Jennifer Holland. Holland, a CU graduate with a bachelor’s in communications and a master’s in business administration, explained that Cameron’s selection process for the PLUS students is very demanding.

“Students are selected based

Photo by Christina Frye

Working hard: New Plus student, Kristyna Coleman, art freshman, works on her drawing skills.

Randy Bass

Butch Hooper

Craig Hale

Don Barrington

Ann Coody

Kenneth Easton

Voices OUR VOICE

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October 4, 2004

Blend of cultures enlightens Cameron community Do you believe the diversity we have on campus is beneficial to the student body?

Emmanuel Hutchinson Biology sophomore “If students get involved then itʼs beneficial.”

Chyvonne Taylor Nursing Freshman “I think the diversity gives you a chance to learn about different cultures.”

Malcolm Pope Engin. design senior “Yes. You get to experience othersʼ backgrounds and it broadens your views.”

Steven Baker Drafting design senior “I think itʼs good. You get to know different people.”

There is a certain beauty when different races come together. A rainbow would not fully convey its splendor if some of the colors were not there. In the same way, the blend of races makes humankind complete, not lacking any parts.

Cameron University has a unique campus.

Indeed, few campuses in America have such a diverse site. As a part of Oklahoma, Cameron is in the heart of the Native American culture. As a southern state, Oklahoma has roots in the AfricanAmerican culture as well as in the Hispanic culture. As the home of Fort Sill, Lawton welcomes individuals from all over the nation and the world; Cameron, in turn, welcomes these people.

By being an affordable university and an internationally friendly campus, Cameron is the home of approximately 200 international students.

In addition, Cameron has a significant number of international faculty representing most of the continents.

Undoubtedly, the Cameron campus reflects a blend of races not found in many places in the world. However, Cameron’s diversity extends to more than just ethnicity; it also includes disabled individuals as well as the increasing number of older adults seeking higher education. In almost every aspect of campus life, Cameron exhibits diversity.

The existence of such organizations as the International club, Latin Alliance, Students of the Caribbean Alliance, Asian/Pacific Islander Association and the Cameron American Indian Student Association demonstrate how diverse our campus is. This week, as Cameron comes together to celebrate diversity, The Collegian staff stands to n i st Colum r Corne

Graphics by Leah Hicks

applaud and report on such an important topic. The diversity we college students are experiencing right now will serve us well when we enter the real world of jobs in a multi-cultural society. We are privileged to be here.

— The Editorial Board

Equality must reign: video game conveys racism

’s

The entire world has a checkered past of racism in many forms directed at many diff erent Josh Rouse groups.

In ancient Egypt it was the Hebrews; in ancient Rome it was the Hebrews and Christians; in Europe it was the Catholics and the Jews; and here in America it has been the African-Americans and Asian-Americans. Though we, as people, call ourselves civilized and advanced, in many ways we are no better than we were two thousand years ago.

On Martin Luther King Day, Resistance Records, a distributor of racist music, began distributing a game called Ethnic Cleansing. In it, the player is out to kill “subhumans,” these being African-

Americans, Hispanics and Jews.

Did Americans not learn anything from the 1950s race riots and protests? It was one of the darkest periods in American history, and we are repeating it again. On many chat rooms and message boards, this game has been compared to the Grand Theft Auto series where a man runs around and kills people for missions and money. Though, Grand Theft Auto is very violent, the violence is not focused toward any specific race or religion, while Ethnic Cleansing is.

How are African-Americans, Hispanics, Jews and any other race different from whites?

Shakespeare said it best as Shylock in, The Merchant of Venice, “I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?” fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by

the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that.”

This man, Shakespeare, had a better sense of humanity than those of our “advanced” society, who play or make games like Ethnic Cleansing. To hate a man or a woman is one thing. But to hate them for no other reason than because they are of a different race or religion is wrong.

Games like Ethnic Cleansing do not help America or the world.

Instead, they push back the progress we have made over the past fifty years.

Martin Luther King once said he had a dream “that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’”

This is not his dream; this

game and the thoughts behind it are only the dreams of a group of people who have lost touch with humanity.

Racism is something that is going to be around until the end of time. In some form or another, there will always be racism toward some sect in the world.

But, just think: Within the life span of our generation, whites will become the minority and these “sub-humans” will be the majority.

Then what? How will these ethnic cleansers take that? If violence and games like this continue to manifest, then America and the world are doomed to a violent end.

Josh is a journalism freshman from Duncan. He is also the Sports Editor of The Collegian.

Send comments to collegian@cameron.edu

Quote of the Week

COMMENTS? collegian@cameron.edu

“What we have to do ... is to find a way to find a way to celebrate our diversity and debate our differences without fracturing our communities.”

— Hillary Clinton

Jennifer Torres Radio/TV freshman “Yes. Diversity lets you find things that you would never otherwise know.”

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Editorial Board Managing Editor - Anna Politano News Editor - Jennie Hanna Copy Editor - Lisa Snider A&E Editor - Angela Sanders Sports Editor - Joshua Rouse Features Editor - Angela Gradoz Graphic Artist - Leah Hicks Newsroom Staff Business Manager - Rosana Navas Financial Officer - Susan Hill Cartoonist - Thomas Pruitt Staff Writers Laura Brady, Christina Frye, Alvin Ingram, Petulah Olibert, Scott Pratt Faculty Adviser Christopher Keller

Newswriting Students Emily Archer, Jillian Bassett, Sharicka Brackens, Kelli Colbenson, Krystal Deak, Daniel Evans, Cara Garza, Aaron M. Gilbee, Ekeama S.Goddard, Jennifer Hardy, Teri Hillier, Dawn Holt, Kathleen Kelly, Jessica P. Lane, Kari Lewis, Justin Liszeski, Ian Mitchell, Danielle Murphree, Sonya Ray, Ekayah Rosete, Lauren Slate, Tiffany Soto, Tauren Thompson, Bonnie Tomahsah, Sarah Warren About Us The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron University Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Letters Policy 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 via mail or e-mail, or they may be dropped off at our office.

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.

News

October 4, 2004

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Students informed on bioinformatics

By Angela Gradoz Features Editor This summer the biology department was awarded a $200,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health, which helps support genetic research in states that have not received adequate funding in the past.

Since receiving the grant, opportunities to gain additional funding from NIH were established for which the entire state can benefit. These opportunities resulted in money generated from IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence, which is a part of NIH.

This money Cameron allowed for University Multi-campus would Bioinformatics implement Education classes Specialist specifically Edgar J. Scott geared toward II, of the bioinformatics, University of which would Oklahoma result in Health Sciences offering it as a Center, to visit major.

Photo by Angela Gradoz Cameron Sept.

“We hired 24 in the hopes Join bioinformatics: Edgar J. him with part Scott visits CU to inform students of introducing of the money on the benefits of bioinformatics. students and from the grant the state to to try to help the field of bioinformatics. The us develop education initiatives ultimate goal of this presentation, throughout the state and try to according to Scott, was that bring bioinformatics’ programs

Landscaping course offered

By Ian Mitchell Newswriting Student Cameron University’s agriculture department offered a new horticultural course this fall. Adjunct Professor Jim Coe designed and is teaching Landscaping Development and Maintenance.

The course focuses on all the areas necessary to develop and maintain a healthy and attractive landscape. Some broad areas covered in the course are installation of plant material, maintenance of grounds, landscape design and reading landscape designs.

Additional areas featured include the development of patios, fences and walkways.

According to Coe, although it was originally designed to attract more college students to horticulture, this course is suitable for students ranging from the simple landscaping enthusiast to the professional contractor. He said that this is certainly not the kind of course that is only taken to gain college credit.

“I would recommend this course for horticulture students, environmental science students, lawn care and landscaping professionals and homeowners who just might have an area of land that they want to develop Photo by Ian Mitchell as a personal Variety is the spice of project,” Coe said. life: Professor Jim Coe shows In fact, only a plant specimen. two of the 14 students currently enrolled are taking this course to fulfill degree requirements. The remaining 12 students enrolled are professionals and homeowners. The course has even attracted a few Cameron employees who saw the benefits to be derived from training in landscaping.

John French, Cameron’s grounds foreman, is currently enrolled. He sees significant, long-term benefits from the knowledge gained in the class.

“It (the course) is giving me a lot of insight into some new varieties of cultivars that we might be able to use right here at the university,” he said. “It has also helped me in the identification of what we do have.

Later on, it will provide some information on disease and pest control.”

Just as Coe suggested, some of the students who enrolled in this course have home projects as their primary motivation for enrolling. Beatrice Lipford, a residence hall monitor here at Cameron, is one such person. She is gaining knowledge she plans to use when building her home.

“I learned to recognize the different types of flowers, bushes and trees that we have here on campus which will allow me, when I build my house, to know exactly what I want,” Lipford said. “It will also help me with bug and insect control.”

According to Coe, many of the students are easily grasping the material. He attributes this to most of the students having a fair amount of pre-acquired knowledge and skill.

“The students seem to understand the material well. Lots of them already had prior experience and a lot of hands-on training,” he said.

According to Coe, the course will most likely be offered by the agriculture department again next year if there is a high enough demand for it.

“If a sufficient number of persons make serious inquiries about enrolling in this course, I will quite likely be assigned to teach it again in fall of 2005,” Coe said.

to our kids to help them become better trained scientists,” Assistant biology Professor Carla Guthridge said.

According to Scott, the primary emphasis of the workshop was to introduce students, regardless of their major, to bioinformatics, an interdisciplinary field that requires one to be familiar with biology, math and computer science.

“A bioinformatition is a person who understands biology, a person who understands computer science and who understands mathematics, and they can bring all of these subjects together and use computers to analyze and store biological data,” he said.

In order to introduce the bioinformatics field to Cameron students, Scott displayed an overview of three different areas: bioinformatics, online resources and areas using bioinformatics.

In addition, Scott supplied a salary scale that emphasized the benefits of pursuing a career in bioinformatics, whether it is in the pharmaceutical, drug development or academic realms.

While Cameron does not currently offer a bioinformatics degree, chemistry senior Stancy Joseph said that if it had been an option early on in her academic career, there is strong possibility that she would have considered majoring in bioinformatics.

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Cross Cultural Education

Dr. T. K. Bhattacharya Business India

From classroom to courtyard to community, diversity lines our academic pathways International Club helps Look from a different angle Campus organizations invite students to take a celebrate cultural variety walk through a new culture for a different perspective Dr. Teresa Lubrano Foreign Languages Italy

Dr. Abdulhamid Sukar Business Ethiopia

By Angela Gradoz Features Editor Misael Santiago Foreign Languages Puerto Rico

Dr. Zao Chao Math China

Dr. Abbas Johari Multimedia Iran

Spread Design

by Jennie Hanna

With the diversity that defines the Lawton/Fort Sill area, as well as the Cameron University population, there is a need to celebrate and express cultural diversity. One campus club devoted to understanding the world’s many cultures is the International Club.

International Club adviser, June Rain, who is also the coordinator of international students, has assumed the role of adviser for the past four semesters. Rain took the position because she felt that the club serves a great purpose on campus to the large number of international students who make Cameron their university.

“I think the club has a worthwhile purpose, and I want to support them in any way I can,” she said.

While most club members are international students from countries such as Nigeria, Macedonia, Kenya and St. Lucia, all members would like to see more American students get involved with the club, since it is open to any student interested in KRT Campus learning about different cultures.

“Most of the club members right now are international students, but slowly the club members are convincing American students to join,” Rain said. “Many ethnic groups are represented on campus and the club members would like to learn more about the cultural roots of as many people as they can.”

Seun Bamgbose, public relations officer for the International Club and also a multimedia design/Web design sophomore, became interested in the club last year after becoming acquainted with then vice president, Sandra Adeyemi.

“When I saw a fellow Nigerian, Sandra Adeyemi, last year elected vice president and after speaking with her, it inspired me to want to run for

president this following year,” Bamgbose said.

Since his introduction to the International Club last year, Bamgbose decided to run for office this year, succeeding with his goal of becoming public relations officer. His ultimate goal is becoming president next year.

With a current membership of about 10, the International Club is also participating in diversity week.

Thursday, onlookers may stop by a “make your own sundae table.”

“Each scoop of ice cream will have a flag on it. The flag will show either a common word in English and one other language or an interesting tidbit about another culture,” Rain said. “We will also have a world map showing the countries represented by Cameron students.”

In addition to diversity week, the International Club would like to take a trip to the University of Oklahoma to get ideas for fall 2005’s diversity week.

Students interested, even if they are not paid members, in what the International Club has to offer may attend their bi-weekly meeting at 2:15 p.m. Oct.15 in the Student Union; however, each meeting following the one on Oct.15 will be held in the Student Activities Building. Students wanting to become active members in the organization must pay a $5 fee each semester, which is used to fund projects throughout the year, such as the trip to OU. “It’s a rare opportunity for people to get to know individuals from other cultures and for them to explore their own cultural heritage,” Rain said.

By Scott Pratt Staff Writer A person’s culture defines them in many ways. It tells a part of who they are and where they are from. At Cameron there is a wealth of culture to be found. Many students who walk around campus everyday share a piece of their uniqueness with other students.

Diversity week invites those students with a unique and different culture to share them on a wider scale. The Latin Alliance, Cameron American Indian Student Association and Asian/Pacific Islander Association are just a few of the diverse groups being spotlighted during diversity week.

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Graphics by Leah Hicks & Jennie Hanna

Notes from the Editor A vision came true when the diversity section was finalized and sent to press. Since I began writing for The Collegian four years ago, I wanted this section to become a reality. Being a foreigner, I appreciate the beauty and variance of nationalities and cultures.

The purpose of this section is to provide readers with more in-depth information concerning the diversity found throughout our campus.

The Collegian’s mission is to serve Cameron’s student body. As a result, we felt compelled to report on such an important topic. After all, whether you are from another country or not, we are all diverse.

I hope you will enjoy this issue.

—Anna Politano, Managing Editor

International Festival brings cultural insight and understanding to a wider audience

By Jennie Hanna News Editor “Diversity is the one true thing we have in common. Celebrate it every day.” – Anonymous.

For those who seldom have the opportunity to celebrate diversity in their lives, Lawton’s 25th Annual International Festival was able to provide them with an occasion to see and experience the many cultures that create the melting pot that flows through our neighborhoods.

In the beginning Over 25 years ago, with only nine ethnic groups bringing their culture and heritage to the masses for a one-day event, the International Festival began as a small gathering with only 500 people in attendance.

Proposed as an event to promote greater awareness in the Lawton community of the many cultures and build appreciation for them, the first festival was able to obtain grants from the Oklahoma Humanities Committee and National Endowment for Humanities for help in organizing

the gathering of cultures.

Spectacular, which combines Organized by members of the native song and dance from Lawton Public Library and a few Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan and professors from Cameron, the New Zealand cultures. The group first event was a success, and they performed four different times in decided to continue it every year. an attempt to reach more people Since then, more local with their message of compassion organizations have joined forces and evoke a desire to learn more to produce about their the three-day neighbors, celebration according to known to the “I have been to many Charlotte community “Kealii” different events like this today. With more Thompson, in Oklahoma City and than 30,000 the founder people attending they don’t even compare of the group. the event, it “Lawton to this festival.” has become a really needs to major force be culturized in promoting — Richard Bales and become tourism in aware Oklahoma City Resident more Lawton as well, of the many according to cultures here,” Debra Burch Thompson from the Lawton Chamber of said. “We forget that our 50th state Commerce. is Hawaii and that we have so many The cultural exchange This year’s festival brought together a wide range of diversity, with new acts and some that have performed at the festival from the beginning.

One of the headliners for this year’s event was Kealii’s Polynesian

different cultures nestled in our community. So that is why I am proud of being a part of this festival.”

Thompson’s group first preformed with three dancers in the early 1990’s and was created to support a family member in need at the time.

“My brother was getting married and he had no one to perform at his reception, so I gathered a few friends together, and we were a big hit for the wedding,” Thompson said. “It just kept growing from there.”

They now bring together anywhere from 30 – 50 dancers depending on the occasion in which they are performing.

The group has traveled all over Oklahoma and even into Texas to help people take a trip into Polynesian culture through their performance.

Another headliner for the event was The Polka Kings, a seven-piece German Oom-Pah band that played traditional music and contemporary pieces from the pop and country genre for their audiences. Formed in 1972, the Polka Kings were one of the main entertainers for the first International Festival in 1979.

Bandish Misfortune also performed for this year’s festival, playing traditional jigs, reels and slides in Celtic music. Hailing from European regions including Wales, Ireland and Scotland, their music is played both for just listening and performing traditional Irish step

dancing.

The Oklahoma Panhandlers Steel Drum Band used their Trinidad drums to play for the audience this year. Bringing a Caribbean feel to their music, they performed a mix of Latin and jazz music with traditional rhythms like the bossa nova, reggae and calypso.

Music wasn’t the only form of entertainment available at the International Festival. Looking back to pre-17th century western culture provided a unique view of the heritage of those days through The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. With costumed performances including sword-fighting battles, singing and playing historic musical instruments, this group provided another form of appreciation for cultures from the past.

Every performer at the festival was brought there to display their own unique perspective and heritage to the community for their enjoyment and enrichment.

Please see FESTIVAL, Page 6

Dr. Syed Ahmed Business Bangladesh

Photo by Jennie Hanna

To the beat of a different drummer: Oklahoma Panhandlers Steel Drum Band perform at the 25th Annual International Festival held Sept. 24-26. The band has played at many different venues, including the governor’s mansion and Norman’s Jazz Festival during the summer.

Asian/Pacific Islander Association Welcome to the East. The Asian/Pacific Islander Association is a diverse group that welcomes all students to participate. The organization is a combination of various Asian cultures such as Chinese, Japanese and Korean here at Cameron.

The organization’s faculty adviser, Dr. Hyunsoon Whang, said the group is there to “…promote unity through different cultures, and we want Asian students to feel more at home by being a part of this organization.”

President Nonoko Kitase, a psychology senior, said, “It is a good organization for people to get to know people from other cultures. It is also good for me because I can be a leader.”

Kitase explained that the group likes to go out to eat together at different Asian restaurants. They also just get together to feel more at home with members of a similar culture.

The group has about 20 members right now and is still growing.

“We want more members to get involved so we can do more community events,” Kitase said.

The Asian/Pacific Islander Association will be participating in diversity week Wednesday. The organization is scheduled to have Tai Chi, Kung Fu and calligraphy demonstrations. Chinese food will be served.

Dr. Ioannis Argyros Math Greece

Wensheng Wang Library China

Latin Alliance The Latin Alliance is one of the fastest growing multicultural groups on campus. In the past year the group has increased from four to 25 members.

Romance language senior Jeanne Vann and president of the Latin Alliance said, “We have had a great response this year.”

Vann hopes the increased interest will continue.

M. Afzal “I want to bring the club back to what it once was,” she said.

Library The Latin Alliance was created to promote interest in Latin culture, and like most Pakistan organizations, holds meetings, plans events, works with students and tries to create a sense of belonging for its members.

Vann said that with more members the club will be able to do more things for Latin students. She wants to set up some scholarship programs and offer free tutoring for Latin students. The organization also wants to raise money so they can go and see guest speakers at other universities who talk about Latin culture, with the goal being to eventually bring a speaker to Cameron.

Keeping with the club’s purpose, the group will participate in diversity week at Cameron Tuesday. The Latin Alliance will have a poster presentation covering six countries and their cultures, which includes: Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, Dominican Republic, Photo by Anna Politano Mexico and Puerto Rico. Food from all six countries will be available for students to Standing proud for your culture: Members of sample, and a mosaic of music will be playing the Latin Alliance organization on campus meet to help during the presentation of the countries. promote awareness of the Latin culture on campus.

Vann said the group wanted to play traditional music instead of pop music to show more of the culture.

To end diversity week, the group will present a Latin Style dance.

The Latin Alliance is open to any student who wants to join. Students are not required to have Latin heritage to become a member. Vann welcomes all students to be a part of a truly diverse organization.

Cameron American Indian Student Association Deanna Pewo, the president of the Cameron American Indian Student Association, wants her organization to be a place where Native American students can come together and understand different Native American cultures.

“The organization is here to help with the advancement of students socially and academically,” Pewo said. “ I really want more people to become active in the organization.”

CAISA has been on campus for some time now. While their membership fluctuates from time to time, members feel that it is an important organization to have because of the Native American influence on campus and in this part of the state.

The organization has members who are from Cameron, Comanche Nation College and the surrounding areas, and recently the group won third place in the Comanche Nation Fair for their float entry.

The group is interested in sharing cultures and learning from others.

“The club is about different people sharing cultures for common ground and to further your own culture as a member,” sociology sophomore, Micah Emerson said.

During diversity week the group will have a dance exhibition by members of the Riverside Indian School.

Riverside will be bringing dancers, singers and the school’s ROTC group. Comanche Nation Housing will also be on campus erecting a tee-pee with the participation of students. CAISA will also be serving traditional American Indian food during its presentations.

A&E

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October 4, 2004

Whang to present piano recital

By Christina Frye Staff Writer Talent, prestige and elegance are just a few words that describe Dr. Hyunsoon Whang. Whang has shared her passion for the piano throughout several countries including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and her native country of Korea.

Whang, a concert pianist by demand and a solo pianist at heart, has delighted her audiences for years. Starting at only four years old, Whang learned quickly that the piano required hard work, a desire to learn and a passion for playing were necessary in order to succeed.

Whang said, “It has been my love since I was a little kid. I never wanted to do anything else; I just always wanted to focus on the piano.”

Whang moved to the United States at the age of 16 to study at the North Carolina School of the Arts. She continued her studies

at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music, the Juilliard School and the Indiana University in Bloomington. In the course of her studies she met her husband, Dr. Thomas Labe’. Labe’ was offered a position at Cameron University in 1990, and Whang joined the Cameron faculty in 1993.

Whang appreciates the influx of students at Cameron and says that CU students are a joy and a challenge to teach.

Whang herself has been taught by some of the world’s most honored piano teachers.

She has studied under Soo Jung Shin, Clifton Matthews, Joseph Kalichstein, Michel Block and Gyorgy Sebok.

Whang hasn’t only played solo recitals: she is also well known for her ability to play chamber music. Playing at over 350 recitals as a collaborator, she has awed audiences. Both Whang and Labe’ were invited to play and record a two-piano score to the surrealistic musical Nostalgie, which was

written by the world famous pianist, Alexis Weissenberg.

The duo recorded the piece and, when it was premiered at the Staatstheater Darmstadt, in Darmstadt, Germany, Whang and Labe’ were labeled as a “hero pair.”

Whang enjoys playing with other musicians and playing solo. She feels that playing with other people gives her a variety of pieces to play, and she enjoys the accompaniment. But she also feels that the piano is one of the only stand-alone instruments that does not need accompaniment.

“Playing chamber music and playing as a soloist are very different,” Whang said. “While playing solo, I can pick what I want to play and can make the experience more intimate.”

Whang will be playing at 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at the CU Theatre.

Cost for students, faculty and seniors is $4, and all others $6.

All funds raised for this recital will be used for scholarships offered to CU students. Whang will be

CU unveils renovations made in Student Activities Building

By Laura Brady Staff Writer The new renovation of the Student Activities Building was celebrated by contributors and students at an open house Sept. 29.

During the gathering, those who helped complete the project were recognized, and CU students were invited to enjoy the result of the renovation project with pizza and refreshments.

The building is located on the east side of University Drive and was constructed in 1960 as the Baptist Student Union. Cameron acquired the building in the 1970s as a part of an Urban Renewal Project. It now houses the Student Government Association, the CU Programming Activities Council and the Student Activities Office.

Discussions regarding the renovations began last fall.

Throughout the spring semester the decision-making process was driven by input solicited from the student body. The physical renovations began in June and were completed over the summer in order to be ready for the start of the fall semester. According to Courtney Hardin, student activities director, the administration wanted to liven up the building.

“They wanted to make it more welcoming and inviting for CU

students. They wanted to update the building with a more modern look to help improve the overall look of the campus,” Hardin said.

The renovations were funded by a $20,000 donation from the CU Alumni Association and a $10,000 Photo by Anna Politano donation from the A home away from home: Many students, Walton Family faculty and community members attend the Foundation, opening of the newly remodeled Student as presented Activites Building Sept. 29. through Arvest Bank. Facility fees were also used on the project.

Roberts, Danielle Davis and Alex Louise Brown, the former vice Pena. president of student affairs, lent “We have paintings and her artistic expertise to enhance drawings on the walls that are from the renovation project.

CU art department students,” Some of the physical Hardin said. “It’s neat because we renovations include new ceiling like to showcase their work.” and floor tiles, cabinets, adjustable Student organizations will track lighting, a fresh coat of paint also enjoy increased storage space and new carpet. created by the renovation. New The facility now houses stackable chairs and room dividers subtractive charcoal art work from allow the building to facilitate CU’s art department, presented by several group meetings at once. In Edna McMillan, which included addition, the facility is equipped pieces from students Thomas with new furniture that includes Pruitt, Joseph Mercadante, Tonya couches, chairs and tables.

Carnival closes CU diversity week

By Angela Sanders A&E Editor Do you hear the music?

Do you smell the food?

Do you see the dancing?

Since 2002, the Students of the Caribbean Alliance have been providing a taste of the Caribbean culture to the students and faculty of Cameron, as well as to the Lawton community, through their SOCarnival.

“There are carnivals all over the Caribbean. We have created our own version,” said Ian Mitchell, multimedia design senior and member of SOCA. This year’s carnival, which will be held at 4 p.m.

Friday, will wrap up diversity week on campus. As in the previous years, the carnival will include a food fair with Caribbean originals such as Jerk Chicken, a Parade of Troupes, music and an after-party at the Knights of Columbus. However, different from last year is the route that the carnival will take.

“This year we were made to change the route from University Drive to the road that runs behind the Science Building,” said Mitchell.

The parade will lead followers and participants to the Fine Arts Courtyard, where a Caribbean Food Fair and the music will take place.

Students should not feel excluded from directly participating.

“Anyone can sign up for the different sections of the carnival; they do not have to be members of SOCA,” Mitchell said.

Students interested in being a part of the costume section can report to the seventh floor of North Shepler. This is the headquarters for the making of the costumes, which is an operation that will continue until Thursday night.

The costume themes to be featured in this year’s carnival include Rose of Eden for the women, Tamale for the men, and Blue Devils and La Fiesta for everyone. For as little as $5, students can have their choice of costumes made, or even help make them.

T-shirt and carnival package orders are no longer being accepted, but any leftover T-shirts will be sold at the carnival.

The carnival’s theme for this year: “Mélé - An Explosion of Flavour,” is SOCA’s attempt to show everyone a new world view. According to Mitchell, this is similar to the mission of SOCA as an organization: to create a Caribbean cultural, social, political and historical awareness.

Students are encouraged to visit the event to see for themselves what the culture has to offer.

playing pieces

by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Maurice Ravel and Frederic Chopin.

Cameron graduate, Frantzie Couch, has enjoyed the richness and quality of Dr. Whang’s music for years.

Couch said that when she (Couch) walks away from a recital, she feels as though, “we truly have world class music in our community.”

Photo by Christina Frye

Solo or in groups: Dr. Hyunsoon Whang, professor of music, prefers solos, but still enjoys performing with others and has played all over the world.

FESTIVAL

Continued from Page 4 The Oklahoma Panhandlers Steel Drum Band used their Trinidad drums to play for the audience this year. Bringing a Caribbean feel to their music, they performed a mix of Latin and jazz music with traditional rhythms like the bossa nova, reggae and calypso.

Music wasn’t the only form of entertainment available at the International Festival. Looking back to pre-17th century western culture provided a unique view of the heritage of those days through The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. With costumed performances including sword-fighting battles, singing and playing historic musical instruments, this group provided another form of appreciation for cultures from the past.

Every performer at the festival was brought there to display his or her own unique perspective and heritage for the community’s enjoyment and enrichment.

Good eats, good drinks Providing a performance is not the only way to invite others into other cultures.Arousing the senses of taste and smell is a sure-fire way to gain interest in the culture as well.

Native foods have become a favorite and common attraction to the International Festival, bringing together the aromas from gyros, turkey legs and bratwurst to entice more people to come by the booth for a bite to eat.

Including dishes from Greek, Italian, Filipino, Korean, German

and Native American cultures allows the community to take a break from the same old food and try something different while learning more about that culture from those who are preparing the meals.

Worth the trip back Those who perform and prepare meals for the International Festival are supposed to be the ones who provide the view of diversity within the community.

But often overlooked are those who attend the festivities and their contributions to the community’s appreciation for diversity and it’s growth.

Richard Bales is a Cameron graduate in engineering. He and his wife, Dee, have attended every International Festival since they moved to Oklahoma over 18 years ago.

“I moved to Rush Springs and happened to hear about the festival, and we both decided to go,” Bales said. “I haven’t missed one yet, even though we moved up to Oklahoma City a few years back. It is well worth coming back for.”

Bales is grateful that the community keeps up the good work in producing the festival every year and includes all the different cultures to make it such a good event.

“I have been to many different events like this in Oklahoma City and they don’t even compare to this festival,” Bales said as he enjoyed the Oklahoma Panhandlers Steel Drum Band’s performance. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Sports

October 4, 2004

King leads Aggies, looks for future as pro-golfer

Tennis holds through regional competition

By Scott Pratt Staff Writer

By Petulah Olibert Staff Writer Two weeks ago in the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Tournament, Aggie star golfer Ryan King led the Cameron Aggies to a promising second place finish, one step up from a previous third place slot.

King, though happy about his achievement, felt that winning would have been the best victory.

Growing up in Dallas, King’s first love was baseball. But sports had a magnetic effect on him.

By the sixth grade, King had already tried and perfected his hand at basketball.

With the restless energy kids are known for, King’s attention quickly refocused toward soccer, which he played frequently in the eighth grade.

But soccer was just another of his stepping-stones.

Little did he know that he would find his place well beyond more vigorous sports – in golf.

King’s dad was a golfer. He, too, was frequently immersed in sports, but only for fun. One day, a teenaged King, by then a diehard sports fanatic, decided to accompany his dad to one of his golfing sessions. He was won over by the sport.

During his freshman year, King began playing golf for the Duncanville High School Panthers.

During his four years with the Panthers, King recorded two successes, both third-place finishes in golf tournaments.

After graduation, King enrolled at Cameron University. At the beginning of his freshman year

Courtesy Photo

Fore! Ryan King tees off on the first hole during the second round of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Sept. 20 at the Lawton Country Club. at CU, King had already earned himself the title “Freshman of the Year 2001-2002.”

He led the Aggie golfers to first place victories in college tournaments during his sophomore and junior years.

Today, in his fourth year on the Aggie team, King is being increasingly looked upon as the potential future of golf. And by all appearances, it is a well-deserved title. Times like these, King says, remain vivid in his memory.

Though he idolizes no one, his favorite golfer is Davis Love, whose technique and skill King admires.

King is currently a health and physical education major.

“My career is in golf,” he said. “I want to be a professional golfer and continue along the path I was introduced to by my dad.”

The Aggies’ next tournament is scheduled for Oct. 4-5 at the Grand Canyon Invitational in Phoenix.

Aggies have strong showing despite losses in LSC Crossover

By Joshua Rouse Sports Editor They say all good things must come to an end. The Aggies Volleyball six-match win streak was ended on Sept. 24 against Angelo State during the Lone Star Conference Crossover.

Angelo State won by scores of 30-21, 27-30, 30-26, 26-30, 1510, dropping the Aggies to 7-9 on the season. But this loss was not in vain since Angelo State holds a record of 12-3.

The Aggies out-blocked Rambelles 13-6 in the match but trailed in other categories, including hitting percentage, kills, assists and digs. Cameron also had just four service aces in the entire match compared to eight by Angelo State.

Taran Turner led the Aggie offense with 17 kills. Senior middle blocker Nicole Reinhart also registered 14 kills. Reinhart led all players in the match with six blocks. Vicki Ibarra added 49 assists, and Jenny Head had 26 digs.

Cameron went on to defeat Tarleton State for the second time in a week. But instead of an easy match against Abilene Christian, the Aggies had their hands full.

The Aggies split the two matches, J. Martin’s Restaurant is now accepting applications for banquet staff and kitchen, if interested, please call 357.3463

7

losing to Abilene Christian in the late hours.

The Aggies beat TSU with scores of 30-21, 28-30, 30-21 and 30-24. Their momentum carried them into the match against Abilene Christian where they hit the equivalent of a brick wall.

Cameron dropped the match in straight sets with scores of 30-19, 30-27 and 30-13.

Four Cameron players shined brightly in the game against TSU, led by senior outside hitter Morgan Meyer with 18 kills. Ibarra continued with 53 assists in the match and Jenny Head topped it off with 27 digs. The Aggies out-blocked TSU 9-4 led by five from Reinhart.

Tarleton did get a match high of 18 kills from Desiree Reed. But even a perfect team cannot overcome unforced errors including 10 service errors. These errors coupled with an additional five ball-handling errors gave the Aggies all they needed to cap off Tarleton once again.

Later that night, the Aggies faced Abilene Christian. Meyer was the only Aggie with more than seven kills in the match, with 11 on 35 attempts. ACU had nearly twice as many kills including a matchhigh 17 from Michelle Bernhardt.

This win against the Aggies extended ACU’s win streak to 8.

The Cameron University men’s and women’s tennis teams got an early start on the spring season at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Championships in Springfield, Mo., Sept 26.

Cameron had three men’s players in the round of 16 and one women’s player in the round of eight.

Carolina Vera-Vera, considered Cameron’s number one women’s player by coach James Helvey, was the 12th cede in the tournament and made it to the round of eight out of 64 players. She was defeated by fourth cede Alicia Cummings, from Abilene Christian, 6-2, 6-1.

“I really learned a lot from the match,” Vera-Vera said. She wants to do better next time she plays to help the team win.

Vera-Vera is a health and PE junior, who has been playing tennis since she was eight years old.

“She works hard and has good ground skills,” Helvey said. “She is a baseline player who makes her opponent work for points.”

Cameron also had three men make it past the first round of play to the round of 16. Oscar Guerra, Jordi Mullor and Carlos

Photo by Scott Pratt

Woosh! Caroline Vera-Vera, health junior, practices her craft for upcoming competitions.

Fernandez all played in the round of 16 but only Fernandez advanced.

Mullor was defeated by Kristian Haugen, of The University of Central Oklahoma, 7-5, 6-2, while Guerra lost to Walter Vilarezo, of St. Edward’s, 6-2, 6-1.

“It was a good tournament for my first one in the United States.”

Mullor, who is an economics freshman from Mexico, said. “I want to help get the team to the conference finals in the spring.”

Check on the Aggies at www.goaggies.cameron.edu

SGA Notes Today’s meeting will include the first reading of resolution 304003, regarding legislation to place direction arrows in Cameron University parking lots.

Nov. 2 Elections Candidate Forum will take place at 5 p.m.

Tuesday in the Sciences Complex Goodyear Room.

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 2 elections is Oct. 8.

The guest speaker for today’s meeting will be Dr. Larry Kruse. He will be addressing students’ right to privacy and the releasing of information at Cameron.

Courtesy Photo

Get set: Vicki Ibarra gets ready to serve against the opponents, a definite ace.

8 DEBATE

The Back Page Book signing on campus

Continued from Page 1 “It will be easy for students to get a good look at them,” Coleman said.

Similar events are taking place all across America to help bring up the slacking voter turnout. The World Wrestling Entertainment Corporation is sponsoring “Smackdown Your Vote!” to raise awareness of voting.

Popular wrestlers like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Shawn “HBK” Michaels have joined in the movement. In Maine, a bipartisan group has formed to help push the voting rate up with the rest of the nation. In the 2000 election Maine had a turnout of 50 percent of youth voters. This was one of the highest voter turnouts in the nation.

According to the Americans for Democratic Action, the central focus of the 2003 Senate was President Bush’s Prescription Drug Benefit Plan. The Senate has also been focusing on major health care issues concentrating on older Americans.

In an interview with Catherine Holahan of The Record, Alison Aikele, the 20-year-old communications director at the College Republican National Committee Headquarters in Washington, D.C. said, “Politicians do not pay a lot of attention to students because they don’t vote, and students don’t vote because politicians don’t pay a lot of attention to them.”

According to a CBS, MTV and The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement pole, 75 percent of Americans age 18-24 plan to vote.

The debate will be held at 5 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Goodyear Room of the Science Complex.

October 4, 2004

PLUS

Continued from Page 1

Photo By Jennie Hanna

Local celebrity: Kevin McCurdy, wildlife biologist, receives a signed copy of Dr. George Stanley’s new book, Mr. Rogers — Young Friend & Neighbor.

First-year PLUS students are all enrolled in a course called University Life and are taught how to improve themselves in areas such as time management, goal setting and stress reduction. Amanda Ihler, of Lawton, believes the PLUS program helps high school students adjust to the life of higher education.

“There’s so much going on around CU’s campus; PLUS will help introduce (her) to these new activities,” Ihler said.

This year’s freshman PLUS students include students from all over the Southwest. These students include two student council presidents, two yearbook editors, four cheerleading captains and an impressive seven valedictorians. They have all served in leadership positions in their communities as members of musical groups, Key Clubs, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Junior Leadership of Lawton/Fort Sill Club and in their churches.

First-year PLUS student Kristyna Coleman, CU art major, learned of the PLUS program from her older sister, Jillian Coleman. Kristyna Coleman has enjoyed sharing her experiences with her sister and other classmates.

“I think it’s (PLUS program) really good because it trains you to serve your community and trains you to become a leader,” Kristyna Coleman said.

“And it takes a lot of time and involvement, but the requirements are fair.”

Second-year students continue their leadership training by attending two leadership sessions per semester, which cover seminars on leadership theory, communication skills, group dynamics and problem solving.

Third-year students focus on presentation skills, such as how to address group problems (at the university level) and learning how to solve these problems through debates. Fourth-year students are then ready and willing to face the world and all of its obstacles by possessing the skills and confidence that it will take for them to become successful businessmen and businesswomen in today’s work force.

Holland, a former PLUS student herself, said, “It is amazing to watch the students as they transition from year to year. The growth in their leadership abilities is amazing, and it is rewarding 2004-2005 New PLUS students to celebrate their successes with them.”

Cache: Brian Kriss PLUS students use their Chattanooga: Jarrett Bailey training to better themselves, Crescent: Elizabeth Yocham and they also learn how Duncan: Haley Orso to work with others to Fletcher: Chad Lewis and Jennifer create a friendly and selfRaney helping community. PLUS Grandfield: Denver Merryfield, students have volunteered Lawton: Kristina Anderson, for events like decorating Heather Ballou, Kristyna Coleman, the Boulevard of Lights, bell Melissa Colin, Scott Corwin, ringing for the Salvation Jordan Ferguson, Janica Hall, Army, dedicating time to Noelle Horvath, Amanda Ihler, Habitat for Humanity and Jennifer Jones, Jacob Russell, assisting at various church Ashley Tate, and Christopher and other public school Zerzavy functions.

Marlow: Laura Cost and Kristal For more information Maxwell about the PLUS program, Randlett: Stephen Dilks students can look at the CU Sterling: Allie Sanders Web site under Student Walters: Melissa Long Activities or call 581.2209.