The Cameron University Collegian: November 17, 2014

Collegian T he Cameron University

www.aggiecentral.com

Monday, November 17, 2014

Volume 91 Issue 9

Respect, dignity, sacrifice

Photos by Jacob Jardel

Honoring those who protect Charlene Belew Managing Editor @cbelew15

Aggie faculty and students united on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in honor of those who have risked their lives in combat.

Cameron University honored Veterans Day with a variety of events to recognize all members, both active duty and

retired, of the armed forces. These events began at 11:30 a.m. in Shepler Cafeteria for a free meal for the armed forces members.

To begin the Veterans Day ceremony, which was held at 1 p.m. in Veterans Grove, those attending joined together for a moment of silence. The moment of silence was immediately followed

by National Remembrance Roll Call, comprised of the list of names of those who lost their lives since last Veterans Day. President John McArthur, joined

by Major General John G. Rossi, Commanding General for Fires Center of Excellence and Ft. Sill, took the stage after. The ceremony continued with a presentation of the flags by CU’s color guard. The time in Veterans Grove was used to honor and reflect on those who served the country.

Cameron also featured its flag display for the fifth year in a row.

Former Vice President Jennifer Holland helped during flag placement on Nov. 6.

“Each flag planted out here represents a life lost in combat during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Holland said. “You think about how each flag is someone’s brother or sister or husband or wife. There’s a whole lot of meaning in each of those flags. Twice, we’ve read names of Cameron graduates. We have planted benches for both of those in Veterans Grove.”

Holland commented that the flag planting process was important.

“We tell our volunteers who come out to help plant the flags that each one of these flags is very important, and we want them to treat that with respect and dignity because those people make the ultimate sacrifice,” Holland said. “You see the impact is huge. It’s a little bit overwhelming when you think about what does that mean.”

A total of 6,889 flags commemorated the memory of those who served and lost their lives in combat. The flag display was almost campus wide, covering parts that included the Bentley Gardens, Graybill Courtyard and Veterans Grove.

What’s inside Where to find free lunch

CU students attend art battle

Aggie claims top prize at LSC

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News

November 17, 2014

www.aggiecentral.com

Speakers address sustainable futures regional water provider in the North Texas area, as undergoing the worst summer in 2011 than anywhere else in the U.S. “What do you do when you are in a drought and you serve 150,000 people?” Schreiber said. “Well, you get out your water conservation drought contingency plan, and you dust it off and begin water conservation measures.”

Currently, Wichita Falls is in stage five drought, he said.

“We have been in 1,190 days of water restrictions here in Wichita Falls – 3 years and 88 days,” Schreiber said.

“The city has been much more aggressive with this drought than in previous years.”

Some of the restrictions included raised water bills, as well as limited outside and commercial watering. For instance, businesses such as car washes are only allowed to operate on specific days.

When the city entered the drought, Schreiber said he and Nix “rewrote every stage of the old plan.” For example, he said they didn’t advance stages in the old plan “until the lakes were at 50 percent,” but in the Photo by Smith Steigleder new plan, they advanced stages “when the lakes were at 60 ‘Pray for rain’: Russell Schreiber, Wichita Falls’ director of public works, speaks percent.” during “The Time it Never Rained: Water, Sustainability and the Future of Texoma” We were much more on Nov. 10 in the CETES Conference Center. The event featured speakers who aggressive,” Schreiber said, addressed various aspects of drought in the Red River region. “and through the conservation efforts, we have taken our The event featured rain totals, are the two main Smith Steigleder average daily demand down factors contributing to the three key speakers: Russell News Writing Student from 35 million gallons of drought.

Schreiber, the Director of water to just over 11 million.”

Schreiber said when Public Works in Wichita The Cameron University Although Wichita Falls those two conditions are put Falls; Daniel Nix, the Water Department of History and has received more rainfall this Utilities Manager in Wichita together in “an area that relies year than in the last couple of Government, as well as the School of Liberal Arts hosted Falls; and Afsaneh Jabbar, the solely on surface waters as a years, the rainfall is still six drinking water source, you are inches below the average of 28 Assistant Director of Water “The Time it Never Rained: inches. in a pretty bad situation.” for the City of Lawton.

Water, Sustainability and Nix, the Water Utilities He said the Weather Extreme Texoma summer the Future of Texoma” at 10 Manager in Wichita Falls, Channel ranked Wichita temperatusres, coupled with a.m. on Nov. 10 at CETES said they are applying lessons Falls, which is the largest the below average annual Conference Center.

learned from previous droughts to this current drought.

They started to investigate the reuse potential of wastewater effluent, he said. “...We thought that by using wastewater,” Nix said, “it would help alleviate some of the demands of water from our lakes.”

However, the news that wastewater would be purified and reused concerned some Wichita Falls residents.

“Russell [Schreiber] and I spent a lot of time telling people, ‘Look, we are drinking the water,’” Nix said. “‘We are not going to put water out into the system that is harmful,’” Nix said. “Our families are drinking it. It doesn’t make any sense for you to say that we are not being cautious.’”

Nix said the reuse of wastewater has made a difference.

“We have restrictions in place that have reduced our July and August demand from 35 million gallons a day down to 12 million,” Nix said. “That is a 65 percent reduction. Reuse has further reduced that 12 down to seven, because five of it is from wastewater effluent.

That makes it an 80 percent reduction from what we typically have used.”

The citizens of Wichita Falls have come to embrace the new water changes with the help of the media.

“We have a really good working relationship with the newspaper, television and radio,” Nix said. “Since 2011, they have been getting the message out, and the citizens of Wichita Falls know exactly what the situation is.”

Jabbar, Assistant Director of Water for the City of

Lawton, said Lawton is following Wichita Fall’s lead in water conservation practices.

“We are a couple years behind Wichita Falls,” Jabbar said. “We are in a severe drought here and have been in some type of drought since 2011.”

Jabbar said they haven’t addressed commercial or inside water use but will in the near future.

Stage four is coming to Lawton if the area does not get a substantial amount of rain in the next month or two, and in stage four there will be no outside watering at all.

“We have put into place conservation,” Jabbar said, “and it has helped us some, and last month, our water demand decreased by 15 percent. We are fortunate that we have groundwater in our area, and if this is not sufficient to address all of our shortages then we will probably turn to wastewater reuse.”

He said if Lawton doesn’t receive a substantial amount of rain during the next month or two, then stage four, in which outside watered is banned, will be implemented.

Schreiber said all of Texoma is in dire need of rain.

“Pray for rain.” Schreiber said. “Quite frankly, that’s the only thing that is going to save us from this drought. We can do what we can. We can be as conservative as we can be, but you can’t conserve your way out of a drought, especially one like this one today.”

For more information on water sustaiability, attend Robert Glennon’s talk session on Nov. 18 in the University Theatre.

Dunn, Montalvo named among Cameron’s finest Photos by Charlene Belew

Quality education from quality educators: (Left) Dr. Mike Dunn presents his award, flanked by Kathryn Parsley. (Center) Seven of the previous award receipients stand with Dunn and Dr. Eldris Montalvo, who mark the 27th and 28th candidates to get the award. (Right) Montalvo smiles with student Jacob Jardel after the ceremony.

Charlene Belew Managing Editor @cbelew15

Dr. Mike Dunn, of the biology department, and Dr. Edris Montalvo, of history and government, received the Harold and Elizabeth Hackler Teaching Excellence award at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at Cameron’s Duncan campus.

The Hackler award, which is the most prestigious award available at CU, was established in 1996 by two CU alumni, Harold and Elizabeth Hackler. The mission of the award is to honor educators who provide a quality educational experience to students.

Dunn and Montalvo were the 27th and 28th recipients of the honor. Along with receiving the award, Dunn and

Montalvo also received a $2,000 stipend, $1,500 toward professional development funds, as well as specialized plaques. Their names were also added to the Hackler plaque, showcased at CU-Duncan.

During the ceremony, Dunn said his favorite part about teaching is not only helping all students learn how to build the collective tree of life, but also finding special students he can take to a new level of learning. According to him, there is nothing quite like helping these students build their own trees of life.

“Cameron students are just awesome – just amazing,” he said. “Thank you to the Hacklers, who recognize how important teaching is and how important Cameron University is to southwestern Oklahoma.”

Kathryn Parsley, a senior biology major and one of Dunn’s undergraduate students, introduced him at the award ceremony. She was proud to see him receive the

CORRECTIONS The Cameron Collegian erroneously ran in the story “Final talks with host Kim Garner” that the title of the CUTV show “Film Geek” as “Flimgeek.” Furthermore, the Collegian stated that the show “CU There” ran for one season when it in fact ran for four seasons, the last of which featured Garner. We regret the error and are happy to set the record straight.

The Cameron Collegian erroneously stated in the story “Swingin in the rain gala” that AFA stood for American Federation for Arts when the initialism stands for Arts for All. We regret the error and are happy to set the record straight.

award because she believes he goes the extra mile for his students.

“Dr. Dunn is an amazing teacher and mentor,” Parsley said. “Dunn teaches his students in a unique way. He’s very inspirational and an excellent speaker and lecturer, and his first priority is making sure the students understand his material.

“He’s the reason I’m going to graduate school at Texas State University, and I’m going to be a paleobotanist, like him. He never pushed me into the field – just helped me recognize that I had a natural talent and passion for it.”

Montalvo was presented by master’s student Jacob Jardel. Although Jardel has never experienced a class with Montalvo, they have attended two conferences together both of which made an impact on Jardel’s academic career.

“To be able to teach in the classroom is one thing,” Jardel said. “To be able to teach outside of it is what sets a great instructor apart – and Dr. Montalvo is that caliber of instructor from what he’s taught me outside of the classroom.”

Montalvo, the only geography instructor at Cameron, said teaching is about sharing a multitude of perspectives.

He believes that all Aggies, including traditional, nontraditional, international and those serving or who have served in the armed forces, all bring a fresh take to the classroom.

“I’m very humbled and honored to receive this award,” Montalvo said. “This is obviously the highlight of my career because it is an award that recognizes the most important part of our job, which is teaching. Every member in my department is equally, if not more deserving of this award, because they set the level that high.”

The award is a combination of Harold and Elizabeth Hackler’s foundation, Halliburton, the McCasland Foundation, as well as the OK State Reagents of Education.

November 17, 2014

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Student Life

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SOUL FOOD: Aggies serving Aggies Vicky Smith

said, “and once you come in, you’re automatically family.”

Copy Editor Next door to the CCM, the BCM @pinkwritinglady serves lunch from 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 The student organizations of p.m. every Wednesday in the building Cameron Campus Ministry (CCM) located at 26th and E. and Baptist Collegiate Ministries Layton Harper, the worship leader (BCM) provide free lunches to Cameron of the BCM band, said the resources students once a week. and the Comanche Cotton Baptist The CCM offers a lunch coined Association, as well as local Baptist “Loaves and Fishes” from 11:30 a.m. – churches give funding for the food.

1 p.m. every Thursday in the building “There’s all types [of food],” Harper located at 27th and D. said. “Sometimes they’ll have hot dogs Ja’lyn Yarbrough, a junior with a and hamburgers; sometimes we’ll have major in family and child studies, said pizza, Indian tacos, spaghetti – things many different churches prepare the like that.” food.

He said everyone is welcome to the “We’re an ecumenical church,” lunches – both students and faculty.

Yarbrough said, “so we have every The number of guests “varies from church underneath the sun, from anywhere from 100 to up to 200,” Catholics to Unitarian Universalists to Harper said. “Last week we had 150.

Methodists to Baptists – just basically Some of our busier times, when they everybody.” know great food is gonna be here, they The meal varies each week, depending bring about 200 people or 300.” on which church provides it.

The free lunches are a ministry “One day we’ll have brisket,” opportunity, Harper said.

Yarbrough said, “and the next day we’ll “It hopefully opens doors for us to be have lasagna, and the next day we’ll have able to share the gospel with them,” he salads, and next time we’ll have chicken said, “and be able to just reach out and spaghetti.” let them know that we love them.”

Yarbrough said it’s difficult for The BCM has services every Monday students to pay for food after their night: small group Bible study at 7 p.m. weekly cafe meals and flex dollars are and worship service at 8:30 p.m. used up.

Harper said the BCM has impacted “So many of the kids don’t have his life in positive ways. money to eat,” she said. “[It] really helped strengthen my faith The “Loaves and Fishes” lunch and grow more spiritually, as far as a ministers to those students. Anywhere depth, really,” he said. “I met most of my from 75 – 125 students attend each friends here at the BCM. All of my close week, Yarbrough said. friends go here or live here.”

The CCM has services at 7 p.m. on Harper said students who have never Monday nights. been to the BCM are always invited.

Yarbrough said the CCM desires to It would “be a great place to just make students feel they have a place to discover yourself,” he said. “Come hang go – a place they belong. out and have fun.”

“Our ministry is just to be Upcoming events for the welcoming to any and everybody who organizations include an Open Mic comes through the doors,” she said.

Night at 8 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the BCM Yarbrough said she met “a very wide, and a Thanksgiving Luncheon at 11 a.m. diverse group of people” and built on Nov. 26 at the CCM. friendships at the CCM. For students who would like Those new to the CCM will always additional information, contact the be greeted with a happy face, Yarbrough BCM at 580-353-4197 and the CCM said. at 580-357-7226, or find them both on “We’re like family here,” she Facebook and Twitter.

SGA weekly

Giving back: Students from BCM serve and enjoy lunch with the community. BCM and CCM both serve free weekly lunches for CU students and faculty throughout the year.

Photos by Kaley Patterson

Dear Aggie: students facing bullying Dear Aggie,

Recently, I witnessed two guys sexually harass a female student. Someone intervened, but the bullies seemed oblivious to the fact that their behavior was unacceptable. If I personally witnessed this type of incident on campus, I wonder how much more we do not hear about that goes unreported. What does CU do to prevent this type of behavior before something worse happens?

Sincerely, Frustrated Dear Frustrated,

Kaley Patterson A&E Editor

@KaleyKayPatt The end of the semester may be coming, but the Cameron University SGA is nowhere close to slowing down.

This semester, the governing body kept themselves busy with the drafting of different pieces of legislation, all aiming at the benefit of the campus and its residents.

Each piece of legislation is written and researched by a member of SGA, and at Monday’s meeting, Vice President Nikki Kirk said those who write pieces of legislation need to produce quality research to back up their resolutions. Since legislation gets presented to Faculty Senate, Kirk said substantial research would give the legislation a fighting chance.

Members of the CU SGA are now required to submit research packets, along with their written legislations. The packets will be submitted to the legislation committee when the authors present their resolutions. The two documents must go through the legislation committee before they can be presented before the SGA body.

The research packet must have information essential for the resolution’s topic, statistics relevant to the public of impact and a detailed description of where the funding would come from, if there’s a start-up cost or if long-term funding is required.

Kirk also said if authors of legislation seek outside sources for information, then they need to remember sources’ names and keep records of conversations.

Additionally, an author is required to ask a source’s permission to use his or her name.

The CU SGA will continue their meetings until the end of the semester. They will have a meeting the week of Thanksgiving, and the last meeting will be on Dec. 1.

According to the Cameron University Student Handbook under Appendix B – Disruptive Activities, “The University reserves the right to take disciplinary action against individual students and/ or groups who are involved in disruptive activities. Such disciplinary action may be taken independently of state or local prosecutorial actions and/or regardless of the outcome of such prosecutorial actions.”

Examples of disruptive behavior that can result in disciplinary action include persistent willful or defiant disobedience toward college personnel, verbal abuse, breach of peace and disorderly, lewd, indecent or obscene conduct.

If you witness any form of disruptive activity, inform a faculty or staff member, and they can help you report the incident.

It’s important that someone takes action instead of allowing the situation to continue.

Sincerely, Aggie Dear Aggie,

It seems that I felt eager in the beginning of the semester, but throughout it I’ve fallen off the wagon.

I’ve dropped classes because I’m not doing well, and I can’t keep up at work. My emotions are high. For someone who wants to continue their education, what is your advice to help get me back on track and in the swing of things?

Sincerely, Overwhelmed

Dear Overwhelmed, The good news is that Thanksgiving break is right around the corner. During the break, you will have some down time. Hopefully you will also have time with family and friends.

Many students want to take the break to catch up on homework, study hard for difficult exams or work on research

S.L.SHORTS Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving Break falls this week from Wednesday, Nov. 26 - Friday, Nov. 28. All campus offices will be closed. Oncampus dining options such as the MCC and cafeteria will also be closed during this time.

Once Upon a Murder Mystery Party PAC is hosting their annual murder mystery party. This year’s theme is Cinderella and Prince Charming. Help catch the person responsible for Cinderella’s kidnapping at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the MCC Ballroom.

Arvest Bank Career Day Recruiters from Arvest Bank will be on campus 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21 in Ross Hall to answer questions and possibly conduct initial interviews for multiple positions. To be considered for an interview, email resumes to Melody Barber (mbarber@gmail.com) before 12 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19.

projects.

However, it is called a break for a reason, so it might be a good idea to take the time off.

When you get back after the break, talk to a trusted professor because they have insight into what it takes to get through school. Talk to an upperclassmen because they have all been where you are. Talk to one of the counselors at the Wellness Center because they are professionals.

You said that you’ve dropped some classes, which can feel like you’ve done something wrong. Part of going to college is learning how to go to college. One of the things to be sorted out is the balance between school and everything else. By dropping classes, you have simultaneously lightened your load and learned something about how much you can juggle.

Sincerely, Aggie

Dear Aggie responses are generated in house by Collegian editorial members and do not represent professional opinion or advice.

Tweet to @DearAggieCU.

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Voices

November 17, 2014

www.aggiecentral.com

Living religiously through music “I can’t hear you. I’ve got my there are still times when it nearly headphones on.” brings me to tears. That’s a religious From the first line of the first track experience. of Watsky’s self-titled album, I was A similar equivalent from his most hooked. recent album is the penultimate song George Watsky is a spoken word “Sarajevo,” a song based on the story of poet and rapper a couple killed during the who made it big Bosnian Civil War. The on YouTube after rolling drums drew me posting a video in, and I have chills by the where he rapidly time Watsky belts, “You’re rapped over the my favorite Hallelujah.” instrumental Then, Dia Frampton track of Busta flourishes with the hook: Rhymes’ “Break “Sarajevo, Sarajevo, you’re Ya Neck.” Since the altar that I pray to. then, he’s seen God is love, and love is all various amounts we have.” of success on and In a much more literal Jacob Jardel off the computer way, that’s a religious Assistant Managing Editor experience. screen. But this @JJardel_Writing piece isn’t about That’s the funny his success, and it’s thing about music. Some barely about his music. days, you ask yourself, “Turn down It’s about religious experiences. for what?” in a bout of hedonism.

Whether fundamentalist, atheist or Other days, you wonder “What is anywhere in between, there’s a special love?” as you bob your head in techno kind of experience when you don’t just syncopation. Yet others, you just hear the music. You feel the music. You ponder what exactly a “Macarena” is. feel it – whatever “it” is.

But, when you sift through all of The first time I heard the title track those songs, you get to another level from Watsky’s album “Cardboard of music – one where you raise your Castles,” I felt it. From the a cappella hands and thank any god you may or echo of the lines, “Out on the curb may not believe in that this song exists again. I’ve come to learn it’s hard and in your life. firm out on the curb again” to the final Many of Watsky’s songs fall in this choral resonance of “I’m still dreaming category for me. From his meaningful after all these years,” I was enraptured. pieces, like “Sarajevo,” to more It hit me straight in the heart, and whimsical bouts of verbal flexing, like

“Whoa Whoa Whoa,” I go to church when I hear those first few bars – all without the worries of sacrilege.

But if there is one thing I pray for, it’s that I’m not alone in that feeling.

Everybody needs that sort of connection to a song, an album or an artist – not for divine idolatry but for human guidance or catharsis. We won’t always fathom or acknowledge higher beings, but we can grasp the concepts behind Bon Iver’s “Holocene.”

I’m not asking you to convert your religion to the time signature of your favorite song or literally waltz your way through mass. I just want you to think about how your music moves you – and, just as importantly, why.

In eighth grade, my music appreciation teacher challenged us to know why we liked the music we liked.

It seemed silly at the time, but now that I think about it, it makes sense.

It’s kind of like religion in that

way. If you go into it blindly, you’ll be hard-pressed to believe in it – let alone convince people to witness the wonder.

However, the more you know why you’re a follower, the more you believe in your music.

I know what moves me and why – a bit of knowledge makes those movements that much stronger to me.

I believe in the religious experiences my music gives me.

Do you?

Photo by Kaley Patterson

Come what may, the future is on its way Graduation is quickly approaching, and I do not know what to do with my life.

There. I said it. Now please, stop asking me what my postgraduation plans are.

Growing up, I was dead set on being a marine biologist so that I could swim with the killer whales and dolphins at SeaWorld. Then, I found out I’m horrible at biology and that I genuinely hate theme parks.

No, I have not seen “Blackfish” because I want some glisten of that dream to still shine.

After my childhood career aspiration drowned, I decided early in high school that I’d be an English teacher because I was good at it and because Hilary Swank inspired me in her portrayal of Mrs. G in “Freedom Writers.” At my core, though, I wanted to

change people’s lives; I wanted to help them.

When I enrolled in college, I decided to go into psychology.

My family had a falling out during my senior year, and it continued into my first year of college. I wanted to become a Christian family counselor.

Again, deep down, I just wanted to help people.

After two psychology classes and the realization that I would have to be in school much longer than I wanted in order to obtain a piece a paper that allowed me to talk to people, I decided psychology wasn’t for me. The summer before my sophomore year, I was rattling my brain over what to do with my life. How am I supposed to make a decision like that at 19?

When the summer

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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 for free. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.

Our Views

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

The unsigned editorial under the heading “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.

ended, I decided to major in communication. I had a dream that I was holding a transcript from Cameron - gray background, gold trimming, black letters but the only thing I could see in bold was the word, “COMMUNICATION.” I don’t know if you can have epiphanies in dreams, but if you can, then I did when I finally picked a major.

Even though I switched majors a couple of times, I’m still graduating on time. The spring of 2015 is creeping around the corner, and it’s frightening me. It’s like a haunted house that I can’t find the exit to; I hate haunted houses and scary movies.

Maybe I’m being a little overdramatic, but the future is freaky to think about because you can’t predict anything.

This semester, one of my professors has required everyone in the class to have individual meetings with him every two weeks to discuss the course of the class. To

begin with, I don’t have time just stop doing something that for this. I barely have time to you’ve done for practically your have individual meetings with whole life? myself. Still, it’s for a grade, so When I call my mom and I have to make time if I want unload all of my panics on her, to pass, get she simply tells me the class that I will find a credit and job; it may not be graduate. the one I want or Recently where I want, but in these I’ll find one. That meetings, does not comfort we haven’t me. When she been says that, I picture discussing myself back home, the class; working at the we’ve been boutique I worked discussing Kaley Patterson at in high school, my future and I’m living A&E Editor career, my with my parents. @KaleyKayPatt five-year NO. NO. NO. plan. I can’t talk about that.

NU’UH. That can’t happen.

I don’t even know what I’m Then, she proceeds to tell going to have for my next me that she didn’t have a job meal. So, I threw out some until six months after she quick-thinking five-year plan, graduated college. like work at a local paper for a None of that is soothing my couple of years and then try to anxiety, but thanks for trying, run with the big dogs at The mom.

Oklahoman or somewhere.

The focus of my major is Apparently, this plan wasn’t public relations and my minor good because it wasn’t detailed is journalism. One of the things enough, so I had to find the I learned about myself while in exact position I want after I college is that I can write, and I graduate and what it requires. love doing it.

Yes, this all has been I’ve always been in love with helpful, but while doing it, the movie “All the President’s I’ve become more and more Men.” It wasn’t until college anxious. that I realized I could do I’ve been in school for 16 or something like Woodward and 17 years, and after I graduate Bernstein. I could help people, college, that’s it - no more even help America, with my school. I could go to graduate writing. I want to pursue school, but I don’t want to journalism, but I don’t know because I’m tired of school, and it’s expensive. How do you where or how.

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN

The good thing about journalism is I can go anywhere. I’ve always been in love with the Pacific Northwest; I’d like to go there.

I have family and friends on the East Coast; those places are pretty cool. A friend of mine wants me to move to LA with her after we graduate, but I didn’t like that place when I visited spring break. But, there is a piece of me that doesn’t want to leave what I’ve known as home.

There are tons of possibilities of where I could go and what I can do, but I need courage to do them.

I feel like the lion from “The Wizard of OZ” - I’m filled with fear, but I don’t understand that courage acts in the face of fear. Courage won’t come from some liquid drink Oz gives me; it will come from deep within myself. I have to look my future, my fear, in the face and say, “I may be scared of you, but I will conquer you.”

So for now, I’m going to enjoy the time I have left at Cameron. I’ve made some amazing friends here; I’m going to love on them as much as I can. I’ve enjoyed my education; I’m going to soak in whatever else I can. Truly, Cameron is every student, every story, but after I graduate, another story will begin. It’s always petrifying putting pen to page or fingers to keyboard on a new topic, but I think when the time comes, I’ll be ready.

Letters Policy

Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

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

Editorial Staff

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.

Managing Editor - Charlene Belew Asst. Managing Editor - Jacob Jardel A&E Editor - Kaley Patterson Sports Editor - Krista Pylant Student Life Editor - Casey Brown Copy Editor - Vicky Smith Aggie Central Editor- Jereme Cobb

Newsroom Staff

Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Marie Bagwell, Kristen Bass Circulation Manager - Charlene Belew Advertising Managers - Kaylee Jones, Charlene Belew Faculty Adviser - Mr. David Bublitz

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 aggiecentral@cameron. edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www.aggiecentral.com.

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A&E

November 17, 2014

www.aggiecentral.com

Art student victorious at Art Battle

Courtesy of Heather Callaway Graphic by Kaley Patterson

Kaley Patterson

you against time,” Callaway said, “and you had to create A&E Editor this piece of art in 30 minutes @KaleyKayPatt while everyone was watching.

It’s no mystery that It was a little intimidating.”

Cameron has some talented Students who competed art students. Their art were given an assortment of is displayed in multiple acrylic paints and a 20X20 galleries across campus for canvas. For the first round, all to admire. One student in Callaway painted an abstract particular is senior studio art portrait of a cat. Callaway major Heather Callaway, who created something similar for back in October won the first the second round but used an Arts Battle in Oklahoma. elephant as her muse instead.

The Arts Battle took Callaway said she did six place on Oct. 11 at the Great practice rounds the night Plains Technology Center, before to get adjusted to which held competitions painting in a 30 minute time for painting and cooking frame. portions. The artists had “I’m normally very slow at limited time to paint a new working,” Callaway said. “I piece of work. The audience do a type of glazing method, chose two winners from the and it takes me a long time first round to advance to the to paint, so I was like, ‘How next. am I going to paint in 30 Callaway made it to the minutes?’ I did a lot of final round and was the practice runs.” overall winner.

The fee for students to “So basically, it was just compete in the battle was

$10, but Callaway won more than her money’s worth. The Great Plains Technology staff offered Callaway a booth at their fall fest, in which she did a live painting that was given away at the end of the night. Callaway also won a chance to have her own art show at the Lawton Community Theatre from Dec. 6-15.

Before becoming a painter, Callaway was a blacksmith with her late father. She mainly created metal roses and smaller items.

“We had a traveling blacksmith wagon we would take to places,” Callaway said.

“We would set up at tractor shows and demonstrate.”

Callaway stepped away from metal working and now focuses on painting.

This semester, Callaway started creating masks and incorporating them into her paintings “to create

Taylor Swift’s ‘1989’ Haley Swinford

Game Time Co-Producer Taylor Swift released her 5th album At one time or another, we have all had on Oct. 21. I rose before the sun because “Bad Blood” with someone. Everybody I had to have it. My sister and I arrived can relate to this song because we’ve each at Target at 8:01 a.m. to get the “1989” had a friendship end badly. It’s sad to see deluxe album to add to my collection of a friendship end when there’s nothing you every album Swift has released. can do to fix it.

Growing up, I only listened to country, Swift still wants a guy to remember her, so that’s what I like to listen to. It’s so even if it’s only in his “Wildest Dreams.” serious that I only have country stations She wants him to remember her and preset in my car. remember her well.

Swift started out as a country star, but Swift also sings about “How You Get she slowly made the change from country the Girl.” The guy in the song doesn’t to pop, and “1989” proves it. I didn’t know speak his feelings, but girls still date him. what to expect of her new genre; I don’t He broke a girl’s heart, but he also put it ever listen to pop. together. It is the story about how a guy When I got in my car, I immediately treats the girls he dates. He knows what inserted the CD – yes, I actually bought he’s doing. He tells the girl that he loves the CD. her and that he wants her forever, but then Swift has a story to tell. he breaks her heart.

I think “Welcome to “This Love” is about how New York” is about Swift one girl sees love. The girl finding herself again. She only wanted the guy, but he moved to New York around was gone. He shows up, and the time she changed to she still wants him because pop. She was changing, and the “love is good, and the she needed to find a city love is bad.” This love came that mirrored the Taylor back to her, and this is how that she is now. she saw it.

“Blank Space” is “I Know Places” to get currently my favorite. This away from the media, Swift Courtesy of Haley Swinford song is interesting because says. In this song, she says it almost addresses how the that she knows how to get media portrays her. She says in the song the media to chase their tails. She will that she has a long list of guys, but she has leave the backdoor and still get to see a guy a blank space (on her list), and she’ll add without the media knowing. Swift talks your name. On Nov. 10, Swift released about how love is fragile, and when the “Blank Space” as her second single and media start whispering about her love life, released a new music video. it does not last. She calls the medie “the “Style,” “Out of the Woods” and “All hunters.”

You Had to Do Was Stay” should be We all have those instances when we played together. Actually, all the songs just want to be “Clean.” Each of us dated a illustrate a story she wants to share, and guy, and we knew it wasn’t going to work, they all go together, but these three songs but he was addictive, so it was hard to are the most obvious. I mean, look at the leave. Even though it’s been ten months, song titled “Style”; I wonder who that Swift still misses a guy but won’t go there could be about? again. She says, “When I was drowning, “Shake It Off ” was Swift’s first single. that’s when I could finally breathe.” After This song topped the Billboard Hot 100 a while, any trace of him was gone and so Chart. It’s a song that makes you want to was any trace of the guy himself. She was get up and dance. Swift’s song is about not finally clean. caring what others say or do. She is just With this album, Swift became the going to “shake off ” what others say about only artist to ever sell a million albums her. within a week. With her previous album, “I Wish You Would” is about a guy she was the only female artist to achieve leaving her, and she wishes he would come this, but now she is the only artist to ever back so that they could work things out. do this.

disturbing scenes.”

“I like surrealists’ type art,” Callaway said. “I’ve also been getting into hyporealistic type paintings, and I’ve been getting into painting really fleshy type like things; right now I’m working on this dead bird. It’s sticking something in somebody’s face that they wouldn’t normally look at.”

After Callaway graduates, she anticipates attending graduate school and hopes to become a teacher at the collegiate level.

Some of Callaway’s pieces hang in the Inasmuch Art Gallery in the east foyer of the MCC. Callaway will also feature her art at the Senior Art Show at the end of the spring 2015 semester.

Stroke of talent: (Top left) Heather Callaway painted live at the Great Plains Technology’s Fall Fest on Oct. 23 - one of her prizes from winning the first Art Battle in Oklahoma. (Top right) “Brainstorm” is one of Callaway’s watercolors for a series of abstract portraits. (Bottom right) “Jack and the Giant Automaton” is a linocut of animals Callaway has created with hopes to portray in a book.

Curtain to rise for ‘Dark River’ Marie Bagwell

accepted manner of chemical waste disposal is halted, Staff Writer Prudhoe dumps the waste into an abandoned query, The Cameron University ignoring the signs that say Theatre Department will present Martin Jones’s “Dark “no dumping.”

The abandoned query River” at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. prohibits dumping for a 20-22 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 23 at the University Theatre. reason, though. The query With a cast of six, the play connects to an underground takes place over the course of reservoir, which feeds to a creek, and the creek flows one day during the summer into the lake that supplies of 1992.

Set on a boat dock and in the town’s water.

After his daughter falls the backyard of a summer ill, Prudhoe suspects that house on the shore of Little the pipefitting company Minot Lake in Minot Falls, is responsible. During an Maine, “Dark River” tells attempt to get revenge, he the story of a pipefitting discovers he caused the company owner. people’s illnesses, including The owner of the his own. company, Carl Walker, and Jack Prudhoe, the individual Scott Richard Klein, the in charge of chemical waste director of the production, management, inadvertently said the play supports poison the town where they Cameron’s Academic Festival live. theme of “Sustainability.”

After the previously In fact, on Nov. 18,

Photos by Marie Bagwell

Robert Glennon, a water resource expert, speaks as the second featured guest of the festival.

Klein said the play appeals to audiences because it’s “an emotional rollercoaster.”

“It’s like an onion you keep opening up,” he said, “and each scene sort of reveals another aspect.”

The play, in its complexity, also features strong language.

Klein said the play’s language is “not out to offend anyone.” Instead, he said the play stays “true to what the playwright wrote.”

Dylan Bittner, a senior theatre arts major and stage manager of the play, said people should watch the play because it will inform them on the importance of proper waste management, as well as the ripple effects of mishandled waste.

Mark Branson, a junior theatre arts major, plays the role of Carl Walker in the production.

Branson said Walker is “the kind of individual who’s concerned with doing the right thing, but like so many of us, as life goes on, your idea of what right looks like changes.”

The play will be held in the university’s small theatre because it “is a more intimate kind of show that has an intimate space,” Branson said.

As an actor, Branson likes small environments.

He said actors can communicate with an audience more.

“It’s designed to hit a little bit deeper,” he said.

“It’s designed to leave you walking away asking a question – and working on figuring out how to answer it.

“That’s what makes it worthwhile.”

6

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November 17, 2014

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Lawton natives sing tributes to troops Vicky Smith

and the recording will be shared with troops both Copy Editor here and abroad. @pinkwritinglady Guests also snacked on concession foods and In celebration of listened to the bands play Veteran’s Day, the Southwest Country Music original songs, as well as Festival featured musical those by other artists; the genres ranged from performances from 12-8 country to rap. p.m. on Nov. 8 at the Three performers in Great Plains Coliseum. particular, Mackenzie, Sponsored by Carson and Emmett are Entertainment MVPs locals who have a passion and Fort Sill Federal Credit Union, the festival for country music.

From Cache, 13-yearwas new to Lawton old Cierra Mackenzie and a portion of its sang Britton Cameron’s admission profits will go to the Soldier and Family “Put a Face on Me,” a Assistance Center on Fort song dedicated to the troops.

Sill.

“So, put a face on me,” Center-stage, Cierra she sang, “I’m one more Mackenzie, Dannie Carson, J. Rashad Davis, fallen solider from the other side. Never got a Scott Newton, Cori Emmett, God’s Child and chance to hug his kids and say goodbye. Or wipe Ken Morrow sang out their hearts in “A Tribute away the tears that they’re gonna cry. to the Troops.”

“Somebody had to do One thousand guests sang the national anthem it. Freedom may never be free. Somebody had to on stage at the festival,

do it, so I said, ‘Why not me?’”

Carson, who lives in Apache, sang a series of country songs during her time on stage, including “Daddy’s Hands” by Holly Dunn. Halfway through her performance, she paused to express her gratitude to American troops.

“So thank you to everyone who has served,” she said, “or that is still serving.”

A homegrown Lawton girl, Emmett started singing at the age of five and now lives in Nashville, Tenn.

Emmett described her stage performance as “high energy,” and her music offers a mix of contemporary country and classic rock.

Emmett said the festival is an awesome opportunity to give back to troops.

“I think it will help the

community come together and celebrate a great cause – the American solider,” she said. “People will remember why we love the armed forces and be very thankful for our military keeping us free.”

The festival is also special to Emmett personally.

“My grandfather gave his life in the Vietnam war in order to keep America a free country,” she said. “This festival and what it stands for means a lot to me.”

Emmett said music is a way she can connect to people of all ages and cultures.

“I’m a big hearted person,” she said, “so I believe that if given a chance, I can do a lot for people through my music…Music is a universal language, and it can reach people in ways others things cannot.”

Travis McKinney, a

freshmen communication major at Cameron University, said Emmett has a wonderful voice.

“I think she uses it [her voice] to kinda tell a story,” McKinney said, “Her music is powerful, and the cover that she sings must mean something to her and kinda what’s she’s trying to get across.”

McKinney said the intention of the festival was great.

“My dad’s a veteran of 13 year,” he said. “We should all honor our veterans and our troops.

They are willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedom.”

For McKinney, the festival was a ref lection of the blessings he has as an American.

“I feel privileged to live in America – a free country,” he said, “and to enjoy such things as music and art.”

Photos by Vicky Smith

Hometown salute: On Nov. 8, (bottom left) Cierra Mackenzie and (top and bottom right) Cori Emmett sung at the Southwest Country Music Festival to honor veterans and those who are currently serving in the military. The event took place on Nov. 8 at the Great Plains Coliseum.

Getting crafty with Leslie Cothren Jacob Jardel

Photos courtesy of Leslie Cothren

Assistant Managing Editor @JJardel_Writing

While many service endeavors take students to a project, Student Activities Specialist Leslie Cothren brings the project to the students.

Usually stationed at a food courtside table inside the MCC, Cothren manages the “Get Crafty with Your Service” events. According to Cothren, these events provide an easy way for students to give back.

“It is an opportunity for students to come and do a service project of some sort,” she said. “It can be anything from making a dog toy to writing a thank you note to making a paper crane. They are then donated to agencies that use that.”

This brief form of service provides a different perspective from which students can view the act of service. Cothren brings this mindset to the table at the Get Crafty events.

“It’s a great way for students to spend a little bit of time yet give back,” she said. “It doesn’t take two hours; it doesn’t take four hours – they can stop by for five or ten minutes if that’s all they have.”

Cothren said this approach makes it easier for students to give what time and efforts they have to make an impact, so a wide range of students participate.

“I like it that it’s a different

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set of students,” Cothren said, “and we’re showing them a different opportunity.”

Get Crafty began a year before Cothren started working at Cameron. Since she took over, the event has featured multiple service opportunities, including making shopping bags out of t-shirts for the local food bank, writing holiday cards for soldiers and making paper cranes for cancer patients.

One of her personal favorites, though, was donating rice to the World Food Organization by way of an online grammar quiz.

This venture put service in a new perspective not only for her but also for the students involved.

“I really liked the free rice because I didn’t realize there was so much you could do online in a service way,” Cothren said. “I think students learned that, and I’d like to think they then went on their own downtime and did something. It didn’t take a whole lot for them – just their knowledge.”

Regardless of the method, all the events had one thing in common: taking the projects from the table and giving them to the public.

“Very rarely do we do something with Get Crafty with Your Service that stays on campus,” Cothren said.

“We take it to an outside organization, a local school or somewhere that’s not on campus to make that connection.

“I think that helps us to realize there’s more that happens outside our walls,” she said.

To Cothren, reaching out is just a portion of the benefits of Get Crafty.

“It’s also showing students there’s lots of different ways to serve,” she said. “It’s not just about going and cleaning up the side of the highway.

That’s really important, too.

There are lots of different things you can do that are service.”

Through the Get Crafty activities, Cothren has seen students discover the joy of serving in unique ways.

To her, these crafts allows students the opportunity to try new things that they otherwise would not try.

“That doesn’t happen all the time,” she said, “when you see people outside of what you would perceive them to do or what they would comfortable doing, and they love it and have a good time.

I love to give them a different opportunity to do something that you might not expect.”

Cothren recently branched out to campus clubs and organizations that want to do quick crafty service, hoping to see these opportunities flourish in subsequent iterations. She also wants to grow the event into a series of increasingly lengthier

projects.

As of now, though, resources and ideas are not on the table for her, but she is continuing to look for new ideas from online, as well as interpersonal sources.

“I do a lot of Googling,” Cothren said, “a lot of Pinteresting to see what’s out there and what options are available. I’m always up for new ideas … I would love suggestions. They [students] could email me or stop by, and I’d be happy to take them.”

Regardless of whether students provide suggestions, Cothren urges people to come sit with her and bring their crafty talents to the table in the name of service.

7

Sports

November 17, 2014

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Evans earns 1,000th kill in CU sweep Casey Brown

Student Life Editor

@CaseyBrown_CU Cameron fans headed to the Aggie Gym to watch the final home volleyball match of the season against SWOSU ended up witnessing junior Kat Evans’ 1,000th career kill.

Evans is the ninth player in program history to reach this milestone.

Evans said she was surprised by her achievement.

“I never would have thought I would have ever gotten that coming into college,” Evans said. “I can’t believe I still have an arm after getting that many kills. “ Evans was happy to celebrate the record with her team, and said she was proud to accomplish this feat as an Aggie.

“I wouldn’t have wanted to do this with any other team,” she said. “These are the perfect girls to do that with, and I enjoyed every second of it.”

Senior Rebecca Green and the rest of the team celebrated with Evans on and off the court.

“My parents were sitting in the stands,” Green said, “and I was looking at them, and after the first game, I asked them how many she had left; they said six.

“So, we were all counting it down on the sidelines. She would get a kill and we would hold it up – how many she had left. When she got that kill, her 1,000th kill, I was on the court, and I tackled her.”

Photo by Krista Pylant

Sophomore Kayla Herbert also mirrored the excitement of the team and fans.

“I know I teared up a little bit whenever she got it,” Herbert said. “You just strive for that when you’re playing.

For her to get that, and for all of us to be a part of that, was a really good feeling.”

The Aggies swept the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs in the non-conference match.

The Black and Gold got into

early leads in all three sets and displayed consistent and strong offense and defense.

CU had only eight errors in the night, while SWOSU had 23.

In the first set, the Aggies opened with the first five points of the game.

CU won the first set 25–9 and gained momentum going into the second.

During the second set, there was more back and forth as the two teams fought it out.

The Bulldogs put up a better fight than in the first match. The set ended at 25–15.

In the third set, Aggies came out strong scoring three points before SWOSU got on the board.

The Bulldog’s got their first point due to a service error from Viera.

Cameron responded by scoring six points and showed strong offense throughout the rest of the final set where they closed out

the Bulldogs 25-12.

The Aggies now head to the Lone Star Conference Tournament Nov. 13-15 in Canyon, Texas.

Senior

Rebecca

Green

Collegian player profiles: Volleyball What emotions are you experiencing knowing that this season is your last?

I’ve been really depressed about it. My last first day of two-a-days, I was really sad about it. I’ve been sad about it this whole time. I just don’t want to give it up because I have such a passion for volleyball, and I’ve always been that way. There have always been different girls on the team who have played for different reasons, but I just play because I love the game.

You have been at Cameron for four years. What are some of the changes you’ve seen through the years?

I feel like college made me more open. Like when I got here, I was really shy; I didn’t know anybody. I was coming from Texas – I hadn’t met any of the team. Now, I have tons of friends, and I’m actually going to miss it. I was really homesick my first two years when I was here. I always wanted to go home, and now I’m not homesick at all, and I miss it when I go home for break, so it’s going to be tough when I’m done and have to leave and leave all the friends I’ve made. I think it definitely changes you for the better. I feel like I’ve become a better player, too.

My freshman year I got here and I started, but I was definitely not the best player that I could be. I feel like I improved a lot over the years. I had big shoes to fill a couple of the years, taking over some people’s places, but I feel like it turned out for the better.

What improvements did you see in yourself as a player?

I’ve always had a really hard work ethic. My high school coaches told me that was the best part about my game is that I work really, really hard. After my freshman year, I got a trainer, and I was working really hard to get to where I needed to be, as far as my vertical and getting stronger so I could hit harder. Then when Coach Qi [Wang] got here, he really helped with the ball control aspect of my game. We never really realized how important ball control was until he got here, and we saw how bad at it we were. Last offseason, Lici [McGee] helped a lot with my game, and Coach [Wang] helped a lot with my ball control, and I feel like now I’m not going to leave being disappointed with the kind of player I am because I have improved so much.

Who do you owe your success to?

My parents and my coaches that have helped me. I wouldn’t be the player I am today if it weren’t for some of my coaches before college because they did help me so much with my work ethic and my attitude. I used to get really upset with myself when I would make a mistake. They helped me realize that volleyball is a game of mistakes. You’re going to make one every once in a while, and once you do, you just have to shake it off and keep playing because if you don’t it’s detrimental.

Can you recall any standout moments of the season?

When we swept Kingsville – that was pretty cool. I couldn’t remember the last time we swept a team in conference, so that was a big deal. Then, when we beat Midwestern at home, that was awesome because we were in the same situation with Midwestern. We had to win the game to go to the tournament, and if we didn’t win the game, then we didn’t really have a chance. We were both in the same position. It was good because we actually wanted it really bad, and we wanted to go to the tournament. We played our hearts out, and that game was awesome. At the end of the game, I was kind of sad because the seniors on the team; they were all crying when they got done. I put it into perspective, like that could have been me, but it felt really good to beat them and get to go to the tournament.

When you look back on your career as a student-athlete, what do you hope to see you accomplished?

I think after this year, I won’t really have a whole lot of regrets because I went into it having so many goals for myself – like to have the conference leaderboard – and I’d never once been on it, so my goal this year was to get on it somewhere, and I’m on it in two places. That was a big goal for me going into the season, and I’m really happy with how I’ll be ending up. I feel like I’ve done my job as a player.

Photo courtesy of Mike Mazzo. Graphic by Krista Pylant.

8

Sports

November 17, 2014

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Photo by Krista Pylant

Leading the pack: Senior cross country captain Thomas Toth commands the field during the first lap of the Lone Star Conference Championships on Nov. 8 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Toth placed first individually, 32 seconds ahead of the second place finisher, to earn Cameron its first individual conference championship.

Toth blazes trail en route to title Krista Pylant Sports Editor

@KristaPylant8 Senior Thomas Toth made Cameron Cross Country history on Nov. 8 in Wichita Falls, Texas, by becoming the first Aggie runner to win a Lone Star Conference individual championship title.

Toth clocked in a 24:52.5 finish to win the 8K conference meet with a 32 second advantage over second place runner Brett Villarreal from West Texas A&M. Prior to the race, Toth said he predicted another West Texas runner, freshman Geoffrey Kipchumba, to be his biggest competition, but a pre-race conversation with Kipchumba made him confident he would capture the win.

“I spoke to him before the race, and he said he was a little nervous,” Toth said. “Once that happened, I knew I had him. I just kind

Thomas Toth Career Stats High School

Graduated from Lakefield District Secondary School, 7 time conference medalist, district champ and district record holder, 8 time national qualifier in track and cross country, 4 time All Ontario cross country team.

Previous School Attended Sir Sanford Fleming College from 2009-2011, All Ontario first team twice, Ontario College Champ, Canadian College Champion in 2010.

Cameron 2012 Unattached seventh place finish at MSU Stampede, Unattached 11th place finish at the Texas Tech Open, Unattached 38th place finish at OSU Cowboy Jamboree.

Cameron 2013 Fourth place at UCO Land Run, Placed fourth at the Southern Stampede, Claimed first place at the Cowboy Jamboree, Finished 46th at Chile Pepper Festival, Third place at Lone Star Conference Championships.

Cameron 2014 Placed second at the UCO Land Run, Placed second at the OSU Jamboree, Placed eighth at the Fort Hays State Tiger Open, Lone Star Conference Individual Champion.

of said some discouraging words to him and that was it. Like I said, Geoffrey Kipchumba was the biggest competition, but once I spoke to him, I kind of got into his head and realized he wasn’t as strong mentally as he is physically and that is more important.”

Kipchumba ended up placing fourth individually; however, his team, West Texas A&M, would take their second league title in a row by 53 points over Eastern New Mexico.

As a team, the Aggies finished fifth place overall, just 20 points back of second place.

Individually, sophomore Methuselah Lagat was CU’s second highest runner who placed 14th with a time of 26:23.40. Senior Steve Orwel came in 20th overall, running 26:52.4, and freshman Pascal Paintner rounded out the top-25 with a 25th place, 27:33.30 finish.

Toth and Lagat both earned all-conference honors for placing in the top-fifteen.

The meet, hosted on a retired golf course,

held some difficult terrain for the Aggies.

Toth described the course as sneaky because it appears flat but the hills are gradual and continue to increase as the race progresses.

“After five miles it kind of wears and tears on the body as opposed to dramatic hills at rapid increase,” Toth said. “Going out hard is a little tougher because in later stages you’re worn down more than you would be on a track for a lighter course. With the winds today at 20 mph, especially going up the hill, I just made sure the terrain played in my favor.”

With the strong north wind pushing with the runners at the start of the race and his knowledge of the field’s running style, Toth made sure to start strong so that he could relax towards the finish.

“I knew going out quick would bring them back to later stages,” Toth said. “Once I got the lead, I just pushed a little bit until mile two and a half to mile four, then from there it

was just a maintenance game, trying to make sure I continued to hold the lead without getting injured or letting off.

“I’m a stronger runner. I’m not a guy that is going to put down a very fast 200-300 meter finish, but I’m a guy who can hold the pace,” he said, “so you just have to wear them down – let them come with me for five miles. That’s a long way to push going 4:57 pace, so letting them die on their own is kind of working in my favor.”

Toth’s strategy proved feasible and allowed him to coast to the finish line with a 32 second lead on the field and a new conference accolade.

Next for Toth and the Aggies is a bid in the NCAA South Central Regional on Nov. 22 in Denver, Colo. to face teams from the Lone Star, Rocky Mountain Athletic and Heartland Conferences. The regional will determine who moves onto the national championship on Dec. 6 in Louisville, Ky.

Dawn to Dusk: running down a dream Krista Pylant

compete.’ So, I stayed with a very good program Sports Editor in Canada [Sir Sanford @KristaPylant8 Fleming College] and won If senior Thomas Toth a national title. From there, I figured if I’m at the top of were to run from his my game, I need somewhere hometown of Lakefield, else to go.”

Ontario, in Canada to While pondering the Lawton, it would take him 1,500 miles, a distance he choices, a friend of Toth’s has already covered twice on the Cameron baseball team at the time told him for cross country since about the athletic programs August.

For the Cameron Cross the university had to offer.

Country captain, running After considering the strong is an everyday, disciplined collegiate level running competition Oklahoma process that drives his provided, Toth decided to life. become an Aggie.

Toth begins each He arrived at CU in day with an 11 mile run followed by drills, strides January 2012 after finishing his sophomore year of and reps in the weight college in Canada. Although room. After workouts, Toth redshirted during he heads to his classes at the fall 2012 and spring Cameron University.

2013 seasons, he made Prior to attending an immediate impact as Cameron, Toth was a an unattached runner by highly recruited runner placing 7th in his first race out of Lakefield District at the MSU Stampede.

Secondary School. He Competing at the weighed the options of collegiate level was a dream attending Georgetown, come true for Toth, who Eastern Michigan and began running at the age of the University of North five after watching his older Carolina; however, a brother run cross country. small fracture in his left He said the moment foot derailed his plans of he realized he had the running for a Division I capability to take his talents program. higher occurred during Toth said, “Schools his tenth-grade year at the that were going to give district championships. me scholarships decided, “I was running the ‘Oh well, he is a liability.

1500 in the morning and If we take him, he will the 3000 at night,” Toth just take the free money in the program and never said. “I broke the district

record, but the 3000 was the one that stood out to me because I’ve always fancied being able to win a longer distance. Not many people are willing to push the pace, and being younger, I realized that maybe there is potential for me to compete at a higher level. I think I was ready.”

Since that day, Toth has added numerous accolades to his list of collegiate accomplishments. He is a five-time Lone Star Conference Runner of the Week, holds the 12th spot in top times for Division II runners and is the 2014 Lone Star Conference Champion.

Now that Toth is a senior, he hopes he can leave a legacy behind that inspires future Aggie runners to carry the torch.

“If I can succeed to the best of my ability and my team can as well, I think that will push other athletes to come along,” Toth said.

“Success breeds success, and I think by bringing in better coaching, going to better meets and having better competition, we are able to step up.

“When I leave, I want athletes who are still here to think back on hours of hard work and dedication and the discipline I had and they are able to learn something from that and pass it on year by year. With the success we

Photo by Krista Pylant

can have this season, I hope next season’s bar is raised.”

Although Toth’s career as an Aggie is soon coming to a close, his cross country career is not. He is looking to join the professional ranks in the form of postcollegiate training groups to see how far he can take the sport.

“Trying to get to that position is my big goal because it would put me in a position to see where I can

take myself,” Toth said. “At this point, I know I have years to develop and years to grow, but getting there is the tricky part.”

For now, Toth is going to focus on the present. After his classes are done for the day, he returns to the road for another 11 mile run, more drills, core and some stretching. The next day he is back up at 5 a.m., ready to repeat the whole process again.