Collegian T he Cameron University
Wr i t i n g
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Monday, April 4, 2016
Volume 94 Issue 8
Finland
study abroad Vicky Smith
“What they learn in class is great, but it’s Managing Editor so much more enhanced @pinkwritinglady by going to the country because For CU Study Abroad 2016, eight [they’re] touching it, feeling it. Cameron students and three faculty members [They’re] talking to a Finn about education traveled to Finland, leaving March 10 and policies [and] hearing it from them – not just returning on March 19. reading.” According to the program’s website, “The Wohler said while in Finland, they stayed mission of the Study Abroad Program is to in the city of Helsinki and traveled to the provide academically sound study abroad cities of Porvoo and Turku. opportunities aimed at fostering global “Porvoo is one of the oldest cities in awareness and appreciation of different Finland, and there we could see the old cultures.” architecture – beautiful architecture,” he said. Director of Academic Enrichment Dr. “We actually had the opportunity to visit a Tony Wohlers, the main coordinator of study Finnish home … You could get a sense of the abroad, said students who participate in study hospitality of the Finnish people because she abroad tours are required to take a regular had tea, she had coffee, [and] she had a very 16-week class. good cake.” “The class is then framed within the Wohlers said the students had the context of a certain theme,” he said, “so opportunity to engage in conversation with the theme for this one was ‘cross-cultural the home owners, who were Finnish natives. perspective on human development.’” “We were just sitting in the living room Wohlers said the term “human with her [a woman], and her husband came development” encompasses a person’s whole later. We were just talking about Finnish life span – from birth to education to society,” he said. “[That’s] something you professional career to elderly care. cannot do when you engage with “The idea then was to see how Finland a textbook.” does it in comparison to the United States,” Wohlers said while he said, “and there are lots of differences.” in Turku, the According to Wohlers, Dr. Lisa Huffman students toured and Dr. Dana Hilbert taught students the a university, Finnish educational and social policies in class in order to prepare them for the tour. “[They visited] certain sites that deal directly with what they learned in class,” Wohlers said.
as well as a training school and daycares. “They have a training school for high school teachers,” he said. “In Finland, there are no private schools; it’s all government basically, and the government has taken on that role to also train high school teachers, which is a highly, highly esteemed job in Finland.” Wohlers and the students stopped by two daycares, one run by the city of Turku and one run privately. “The private one has a bit more leverage as to what they can do as far as the curriculum, but otherwise it’s the same thing,” he said. “They’re treated pretty
autonomous in terms of the learning – same at the high school level. It’s a very equal relationship between the teacher and the high school kids – very different from here. Wohlers said the Finnish education system is very successful, which is one of the main reasons why he and other Cameron faculty decided Finland would be an ideal study abroad destination.
See FINLAND Page 2
For st udent opi n ion of t r ip to F i n la nd , see Pa ge 4
What’s inside ROTC receives awards Page 3
Davis deemed finalist for photo contest
Aggie softball upsets topranked WT
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news
April 4, 2016
www.aggiecentral.com
FY16 budget reductions continue Vicky Smith
Concerning the upcoming summer Managing Editor semester, McArthur said @pinkwritinglady the bulk of classes offered will be those that have the For the current fiscal year, FY16, the broadest campus appeal. State of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma State “We’ll continue to have Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) a few electives, and we’ll have reduced Cameron University’s budget have some graduate classes allocation by a total of $2,772,010. offered,” he said, “[but] Cameron President John McArthur our emphasis for summer said all the Oklahoma higher education school this year will be on institutions have received reductions in their developmental education state-funded allocations. classes that students “The legislature assigns an amount of money in a lump sum to the state regents,” he need – so they can be fully said. “Then, the state regents give a portion of college ready for the fall – that to each of the 25 institutions in the state.” and on general education McArthur said the amount of money given classes.” For students who to each institution depends on the type of are enrolled in summer institution and its enrollment. courses, McArthur said “Community colleges get a bigger share they can expect to see than regional universities,” he said, “and changes taking place on regional universities get a bigger share than campus. the research schools.” “Most of our summer According to McArthur, a significant will be spent preparing for amount of the higher education funding comes directly to the state regents through oil next year,” he said. “Our next fiscal year, [which is and gas tax collections. FY17,] starts July 1, 2016, Cameron’s most recent budget reduction on March 10 was a direct result of the oil and so we are making our best plans for managing costs gas tax revenue decline. and revenue in response to “That was about a $120,000 [return],” he said. “That amount of money will be prorated state revenue shortfalls. “A visible change that each month from now till the end of June, will occur will be the so basically about $30,000 a month less will moving of departments come into Cameron than would have come in and offices around campus otherwise.” to reflect our updated McArthur said for earlier reductions, he organization structure. … implemented a hiring “chill,” reduced outSome departments will be of-state travel and decreased supplies and in different buildings.” materials budgets for each campus unit. According to To adjust the university to the most McArthur, if students reduction, however, he said he will access would like to help the the institutional reserves rather than reduce university’s financial services in the middle of the spring semester. situation, the number one thing they can do is “It’s a strong suggestion that we keep 8.33 stay enrolled to finish their degrees. percent of our budget … on reserve in case “Another thing they would help is we have an emergency during the year,” he to spread the word about your positive said. “That means we hold about four million experiences at Cameron University to area dollars a year back in case we have a fiscal high school students,” he said. “If you’ve emergency. So, for any cuts from now till the had a good experience at Cameron, let them end of the year, we will take them out of that know that this could be a good choice for reserve.”
FINLAND Continued from Page 1
country – we usually hang out there, and we like rare books, so I asked the tour guide, ‘Can you quickly show us the rare book section?’ And he did … just “The PISA study is a global shelves full of old books.” study of the industrialized Wohlers’ favorite part of the countries that measures trip was seeing the students open education attainment [in] up and talk to the Finnish people. reading, math and all that,” “Then, they started having Wohlers said. “Finland has conversations amongst consistently moved up in the ranking and has consistently now themselves of what they learned,” he said. “Sometimes, I was able been number one in that area.” to just listen in, so for me, that When Wohlers and the was really the greatest joy because students returned to Helsinki, it clearly illustrated that the trip they toured the National had a very positive influence on Institute for Health and the students. Welfare, the Finnish Institute “It triggered their curiosity of Occupational Health and the and inspired them hopefully University of Helsinki. … Hanging out with them “He [tour guide] showed us the [university] library, including and waking through the city and talking [were the] greatest the rare book section,” Wohlers said. “Jacob [Jardel] and I – when moments – I would do it all over we find a book store in any other again.”
Graphic by Vicky Smith
them as well. “There are many are high school graduates who could succeed in college with just a little encouragement.” McArthur said he is grateful for the feedback he has received from the Cameron student body during the challenging financial situation. “Our students have asked great questions
throughout the process,” he said. “The ideas are wonderful, but the questions themselves are wonderful. “A good question makes you rethink your assumptions, which in a time of the budget situation that we’re in, we need to look at all the things that we do out of habit to make sure that those are good habits. I think your questions let us do that.”
Student Zoie Timothy shares study abroad experience Interview by Vicky Smith Why do you like traveling?
learn first hand how to appreciate and adapt to culture so that students can be significantly more empathetic and successful in their endeavours with others.
My time abroad has empowered me as an individual, significantly informed my opinions and discussions and has helped me form life long relationships with people completely different from Overall, what did you gain from the me. Each time I learn about and interact with a new experience of traveling to Finland? culture, I have a better understanding of myself and I gained insight into the mind set and the behavior more faith in my judgement. of the people in what is considered to be, by many, one of the happiest countries in the world. The way Why do you think it is important for college students to travel? students discussed their experience, the way officials They can gain so much more than I can put into talked about tough decisions and the way the people words. The most important and easiest to explain in the retirement home welcomed us and moved are the broadened perspectives and increased around in their spaces gave me an understanding of confidence that I think will better prepare any what it means to them to be happy, and by extension student to enter the work force. [Living] in a country what it means to the ones who judge the world to be as diverse as America, I think it is important to happy.
Promising a better future for families Vicky Smith
through a disabling health condition, including untreated serious mental illness, Managing Editor substance abuse disorder, developmental @pinkwritinglady disability or chronic physical illness or Striving the help those who are enduring disability.” the reality of homelessness in Lawton is the Risch said it is eye opening to realize nonprofit organization Family Promise. what the homeless face, but some people do Executive director of Family Promise of not understand how prevalent homelessness Lawton Courtney Risch said the mission actually is. of Family Promise is to equip and empower According to Risch, last year in the homeless families with children to achieve Lawton Public Schools, there were 704 sustainable independence. homeless children. “[We] essentially provide them shelter – “This year, as of two weeks ago, we were but not only that,” Risch said, “[We] provide already up to 536 children in the Lawton them the resources to be able to get a job and Public Schools,” she said. “Nationally, family into housing so that we can break that cycle. homelessness is the largest growing homeless “It’s not just, ‘Here’s a house to live in.’ population. [It’s], ‘Here’s the skills to do that as well.’” “I think it’s kind of crazy to people Online at thebetterboxproject.org, Matt because they think of the man standing Gleason of the Mental Health Association on the corner. They think that’s all of of Oklahoma offers a perspective of what homelessness. You don’t really think about homelessness entails. the families that experience it or the children “Think about three years of your life and – the babies. That’s what breaks people’s all you lived through,” Gleason says. “Then, hearts.” imagine sleeping on the streets or in a shelter Risch said the main focus of Family for a week, months or years. Adding to Promise is to help homeless families. this horrific scenario is having to struggle “They have to have children to qualify
for our program,” she said. “We have a strict intake process since we do utilize churches. We want them [the churches] to remain safe, so they [families] have to complete a background check and a drug test, as well as an extensive interview just to make sure that they want the help.” Risch said she enjoys building relationships with the families and watching them become independent as they receive guidance from Family Promise. “Our families are so strong, and they’re determined, and they want the help,” she said. “It’s easy to help them when they want the help. … I have so many stories that involve families that have touched my heart.” One story is about a family who recently saved $850 while they were at Family Promise. “They both came in without jobs,” Risch said. “Their kids didn’t have many clothes when they came in. When they left, they had an apartment with a secure deposit, they were able to turn on the electricity, [and] they had transportation provided for their kids to school. “Their kids just looked happier and
healthier … a whole new family, for sure.” Risch said since she has started working at Family Promise, her heart has grown five times as much. “It’s different when you get to see families first hand,” she said. “When I get to see these families come in, it shows a different experience to me and makes me a lot more passionate. … Now, I can’t help but help.” If Cameron students would like to volunteer at Family Promise, Risch said the opportunity is open. “We have two annual fundraisers a year: one [is] our cookie sale, and the second one is Box City. … We’re working on starting some new events. “We always need weekend volunteers. … If you have a passion for ending homelessness or have an interest in a certain area – PR or fundraising – we could use your help.” To volunteer or to learn more about Family Promise of Lawton, visit www. familypromiseoflawton.org and www. facebook.com/familypromiselawton, or call (580) 699-2821. Family Promise of Lawton is located at 910 SW E Ave, Lawton, 73501.
April 4, 2016
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Student Life
3
ROTC cadets honored with awards
Photos by Christopher Reif
Tyla Eakins
Student Life Editor @tyla_eakins
Cameron University’s George Keathley from the Department of Military Science recognized Army ROTC cadets with annual awards sponsored by the Department of the Army; national and local societies, organizations, businesses and by private individuals. The Comanche Battalion honors cadets every year for outstanding performance in the areas of military science, academics, physical fitness, personal achievement and leadership. Freshman Christian Ryter, sophomore Joshua Garcia, junior Andres Berber and senior Blake Delano received the Department of the Army Superior Cadet Decoration Award, which is given to outstanding cadets in each military science year who show signs of being a strong officer. Honored as Distinguished Military Graduates, which recognizes cadets in the top 20 percent of national accessions are Blake Delano, Norman Holcomb, Jamel Holt and Riley Palmer. Norman Holcomb was given The George C. Marshall ROTC Award, which is presented to the top senior in the ROTC program. Holcomb was also awarded the Lawton/ Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce and Industry Award. This award is given to outstanding senior cadets contribute to the tasks of Cameron University and the Department of Military Science through professionalism and dedication. Along with these awards Holcomb received also received The Frank Rickard Infantry Award which is given to cadets selected to service in the Infantry Branch. Donovan Heintzman was presented The AMVETS Award which honors third or fourth-year cadets who demonstrate excellence in military history. Michael Ball was honored with The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association ROTC Honor Certificate Award this award is presented to a thirdyear cadet seeking a degree in mathematics, physics, computer science, technology, or information management systems and has proved to be a student of high academic success. Carolyn Belcher received The Association of the United States Army Award by being a third year cadet with academic success and by helping to advance the standards of
the Department of Military Science. She also received the National Society of The United States Daughters of the War of 1812 Award which is given to second year cadets who display high moral character and excellence in military history. Christopher Lacock received The National Sojourners Award. This award is given to second or third year cadets who display and support the ideals of Americanism within the corps of cadets and shows potential in being an exceptional leader. Nicholas Meaux received The General Society of the War of 1812 Award which is given to second year cadets in good academic standing who have high moral character. Laura Espinosa received The Daughters of the American Revolution Award, an award given to fourth-year cadets in the top 25 percent of the cadets in ROTC and academic subjects who demonstrate loyalty, patriotism, dependability, good character, military discipline and leadership ability. Christopher Reif received the Military Officers’ Association of American Award, which is awarded to an outstanding third-year cadet who displays outstanding potential in being a military leader. Travis Murt received The Military Order of the Purple Heart Leadership Medal Award. This award acknowledges a thirdyear cadet who holds a leadership position within the cadet corps, attains at least a 3.0 grade point average in all academic classes and is active in the university and community affairs. He was also awarded The United States Automobile Association Spirit Award which is gived to third-year cadets who demonstrate the traits and characteristics that embody the spirit of service to others. Alexander Laboyteaux, Joshua Garcia and Peter Ellis received the Military Order of the World Wars Award, this award honors first, second and third year cadets who will continue to be with the ROTC program and become an officer. Michael Kolthoff received the Sons of the American Revolution Award. This award is received by first-year cadets who demonstrate a high level of merit with respect to leadership qualities in military bearing and excellence in ROTC studies and events. Jacob Clarke received The Veterans of Foreign Wars Award this award honors fourth-year cadets who display success and
strong effort in military science and academic subjects. Spencer Black received The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Award second or third-year cadets who display academic excellence and contribute most among cadets to inspire and express patriotism by deeds or conduct during participation in extracurricular activities for community projects are honored with this award. Norman Holcomb and Miguel Hernandez received The Special Forces Association Award of
Excellence, an award given to cadets who distinguish themselves in academic excellence and military proficiency, in keeping with the traditions and ideals of the U.S. Army Special Forces. The Archie and Sue Lorentzen Educational Endowment Fund at the Air Warrior Courage Foundation which recognizes academic excellence gave the Arch Lorentzen Grant to Carolyn Belcher and Dominic Mucker. Garin Gray, Tanner Weston and Isaac Rubio received the E. Virginia Charlson Memorial Endowed
Scholarship. Zaine Steinmeyer and Christian Ryter received The Sergeant York Award given to the cadets who do most to support the ROTC program. The department of military named Brandon Crisp, Brandon Meaux, Keesha Holcomb and Norman Holcomb as the Top Cadet in Each Military Science Level in recognition of scholarship, athletic and leadership excellence. Military Science Instructors named Norman Holcomb and Nicholas Meaux as the top cadets.
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Voices
April 4, 2016
www.aggiecentral.com
CU in Helsinki:
Time and thought revisited
Why Finland? If there was a common inquiry surrounding this year’s spring break study abroad tour, that was it. Friends asked. Finns asked. We even asked ourselves this question at one point or another. On one hand, we had an answer. We went over there to study social and educational policy in the context of human development. We compared how the Finns and the Americans do things similarly and differently. This explanation answered the questions well enough on the surface. On the other hand, though, we didn’t really have one unifying response. Numerous times this semester, somebody has asked us why we as individuals wanted to go to Finland for spring break when we could easily be elsewhere. We all had our unique replies. For some, it was a last opportunity to go abroad. For others, it was their first chance to leave abroad. Yet others had a vested interest in the tour’s topic. Then there was me. I’ve had a response or two circling around in my head, but nothing stands out as one unifying reason. It’s like I’m still in Berlin, staring at a chalkboard and figuring out the answer to yet another basic question with deeper implications. I have every idea and no idea all at once. I can remember talking with Lani
Malcolm in summer 2015 about going to Nobody in our group had been there before, Finland for the study abroad tour. I found and only one student was familiar with myself agreeing, though not knowing why. I Finland to some extent because she shared a just thought it would be different and pretty flat with a Finn in Wales. Otherwise, it was a cool – both literally brand new experience for everyone. and figuratively. But maybe that’s what made Then I started this trip so special. From the study doing more research abroad pros to the people getting on the country and on an airplane for the first time in saw just how much is recent memory, every one of us had packed into such an one thing in common: we had no idea otherwise overlooked what to expect from Finland other place. than what we learned in class. Places like Helsinki The professors did well to teach and Turku are the us about the country and the culture, home of Olympians but learning everything firsthand was and figures of various another experience all together. levels of fame. The Those things I read when history spans to researching for Lani came to fruition Jacob Jardel Russian and Swedish in front of me. The amalgamation Sports Editor heydays in the world of cultures was everywhere, from @JJardel_Writing landscape. I got more the urban streets of Helsinki to the excited the more I looked into it. stone streets of Porvoo. We saw the things In the months leading up to the trip, a we learned put into place, from the playful number of question marks popped up in the atmosphere of the daycare to the air of planning process. Can we do this now that academia in the different universities. Lani has left? How will budget cuts affect the One moment that stood out was our program? Will there be enough people to go? sit-in session at the teacher training school. Why Finland? The students were going through a section More accurately, why did this all have to in English when we walked in, and we all happen in the planning for the Finland trip? talked to each other about different things.
However, one question came up before the rest. “Why Finland?” It was one of the countless times the group of us got this question, and we got it from everyone. Tour guides, directors of health programs, university students – the faces may have been different, but the question was still the same. And each time, it made me think about the chalkboard that will forever haunt my dreams and existential crises. The statement was simple enough: “Before I die, I want to…” I still have yet to figure out the answer to this question, as was chronicled in my last study abroad reaction article. After all, the answer to this question digs deeper than what I want to do with my life. It involves what I feel is the meaning behind my life. It sounds trite and like I’m making more of it than there should be. Truly, though, the one thing you’d want to do defines a lot of who you are and what you feel life means. For example, my definition of the meaning of the life comes from author John Green: “other people.” But where’s the specific goal in that? Where’s the thing to do before death in there? Where could I find the answer? Why, Finland.
For the rest of the story and more photos from Study Abroad: Finland, visit www.AggieCentral.com
Photos by Jacob Jardel
I’mma let you Finnish: A walk through Helsinki, Finland, is a trip through history. Various statues throughout the city (top left) harken back to communist rule and Russian influence, while churches in the Senate Square (top banner) and near the present day market square (above) dot the otherwise modern landscape. Students learned about the military history of the nation (bottom left) and posed in various sites throughout areas of the city (center). Throughout the trip, students learned about human development via social and educational policy. Just as importantly, though, the trip provided an opportunity for students to reflect on themselves and their own development. About Us
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
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.
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Managing Editor - Vicky Smith Sports Editor - Jacob Jardel Student Life Editor - Tyla Eakins Copy Editor - Joel Frambes Aggie Central Editor- Jeff Larson
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.
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Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Angela Jenkins, Erin Owens, Tarayn McMillan, Haley Berry, Makenzie Burk, Chidinma Chykugwa, Marry Ann Davis, Jonathon Good, Kailey Griffee, Zayna Haliburton, LaReece Osborne, Alexsis Page, Kerry Schoonaert, Cristina Soriano Garcia, George Weaver, Haley Wilson, Zachary Zahniser Graphic Designer - Kaytlen Dayhoff Advertising Manager - Vicky Smith Faculty Adviser - Mr. David Bublitz
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Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks. All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@cameron. edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www.aggiecentral.com.
April 4, 2016
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5
A&E
State champions:
debate team takes first place at state Erin Owens
competitor. “You just light Staff Writer up,” she said. “You’re pumped, you’re going The Cameron University speech to go support them and debate team competed in the in that round, … so Oklahoma Intercollegiate Forensics I think this team is Association (OIFA) tournament probably the best Feb. 26-27 and won multiple state team that I’ve ever championship titles. Schools from been on, in all my Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and years competing, just Missouri competed. because we are so close The first day of competition and we are so tightly focused on the preliminary rounds of woven” parliamentary debate. Following their big The second day consisted of win at OIFA, the team the semi-finals and final rounds of traveled to Lexington, parliamentary debate in addition to Kentucky to compete the individual events. for national titles. Alex Amos and Christopher Out of nearly 100 Mayfield secured the State schools competing, Championship title and second the Cameron forensics overall in tournament for their team was able to efforts in parliamentary debate. place in multiple Savannah Sanders, Elizabeth categories including Good, and Alex Amos each placed in interviewing, program individual events as well. of oral interpretation For the members of the speech (POI), and editorial and debate team, placing in impromptu. competition is validation that they Good, who placed are a force to be reckoned with. fifth overall in POI, Vice president Alex Amos said competing is more said schools are quick to discredit to her than placing or Cameron based on their small size. winning titles. “We’ve got three full time “I think about the debaters,” Amos said. “And that’s message I want to pretty small, especially compared to tell people,” she said. the schools that we go and compete “Several times, people up against. have come up to me “It’s really cool being this tiny and said ‘Thank you school in the middle of nowhere for doing this, this that like people walk in to the piece really touches round: ‘Where you from?’ Cameron, Courtesy of Cameron Forensics me’ and so I think about ‘Where?’ and then you walk out National Champions: Cameron’s Forensic program is nationally ranked among Pi Kappa Delta senior colleges how much of a voice I and they’re like ‘Wow, they’re really and universities. Since 1975 they have won national championships, once at the Pi Kappa Delta National Speech and have in this competition, good.’” Debate Tournament in 1979 in St. Louis, Missouri and again in 1981 at Gatlinburg, Tennessee. that I can use for much Secretary Elizabeth Good more than competition.” reiterated the impact the Aggies created at the competition. contributor to their success. For information on how to get involved with the speech and “They know us after the tournament,” she said. “Being a family, like we are, is one of the most important parts With seven competitors, Cameron’s speech and debate team of what make us work well,” Good said. “We all want to have fun debate team, students can contact coach and communications professor Sarah Collins. walks into every competition with lower statistical odds of and do well for each other, and we all want to make sure we do To stay updated with upcoming events and competitions, placing compared to the larger teams, yet they rarely leave empty our best so we don’t look poorly on other people on the team.” students can visit the forensics team’s Facebook page at www. handed. Good also said that when one member of the team advances facebook.com/cameron.forensics. Elizabeth Good credits the team’s closeness as a major forward in competition it’s as exciting for the team as it is for the
Student photographs selected for publication Tyla Eakins
Cameron University students will have their photographs published Student Life Editor in May in Photographer’s Forum @tyla_eakins Magazine. Junior Journalism and Media Only a few years ago Davis had Production major Mary Davis is never used a digital single-lens celebrating after being deemed a ref lex camera, but after taking one finalist for a national photography photography course, Davis knew contest. she wanted to be a photographer. After judging 14,000 “I actually got my associates submissions for their annual degree at Leeward Community Best of College and High College in Hawaii,” said Davis, School Photography Contest “and while going there I had to Photographers Forum take some elective classes and so Magazine, which helps emerging I picked photography one as an photographers, announced three elective class and let me just say I was nervous about the class. I almost did not take it.” Davis continued photography after the class and has only excelled since. “Afterwards I continued doing pictures,” said Davis. “I would do pictures of my family in photo sessions at the beach until I kind of got control of my lighting.” She uses a technique called freelense to give her photographs a more intense look. “The Photography entries: Other entries entered technique is, by Cameron students who were finalists or who basically you placed can be found on pfmagazine.com in the have your lens contest section “Best of High School and College detached from Photography.” the body of
Photos by Mary Davis
The Winning Photo: Two of three sisters hold their brother’s stuffed bear in memoriam of his death. The photo will be published in Photographer’s forum magazine in May 2016. The book of photography, which will feature the photos, will be available on pfmagazine.com. your camera and allow light to leak through, which gives the pictures a dramatic effect,” said Davis. “It is a challenging technique, especially with focusing the image.” With Dr. Yanjun Zhao’s help, Davis was able to decide on which photograph would be best to submit to the contest. Davis focused on submitting photographs that were more emotive and had meaning. The photo that won was taken for a grieving mother mourning the loss of her son. “The one that actually got picked was from a session that I did for a girl that I know,” said Davis. “She had a miscarriage, and she has three daughters, and it
would have been her only son so it was during the time of pregnancy loss. “She wanted to do something in recognition of her lost child. … I asked her, ‘You know, what do you have? Do you have anything that you were going to give to your baby?’ And, she had this little bear that she had personally made for him.” Davis believes the photograph was chosen because of the natural lighting and the emotion the photograph expresses. “The one picture that got chosen was the two daughters holding hands walking, and the oldest one was holding the bear to her side, and the lighting was
coming in from the side, so I think it was the emotion of the picture, along with the lighting.” In addition to being a full-time student, Davis is a professional photographer. Her photography business, Portrait Designs by Mary Musallam, specializes in weddings, natural lighting lifestyle and women’s contemporary portraiture. “Photography started off as a course that I almost did not take,” said Davis, “to a hobby that I really love, and now to a business venture.” To find out more about Davis’ photography, visit her website, portraitdesignsbymarymusallam. com.
6
Sports
April 4, 2016
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Aggies top Buffs in series finale Jacob Jardel Sports Editor
@JJardel_Writing Cameron softball averted a fourgame sweep with a win in its final matchup against West Texas A&M on March 25 and 26 in Canyon, Texas. The Aggies came into the slate on a six-game winning streak after taking two games against Texas A&M-Kingsville and sweeping Eastern New Mexico. However, they faced off against a top-ranked WT team coming off a series win against Texas A&M-Commerce.
unearned runs to cross the plate for West Texas. The low offensive output also kept the Black and Gold off the scoreboard. Junior outfielder Nikki Horton contributed to the Cameron offensive output with two of the team’s five hits.
Game 2
CU’s offensive slump carried over into the second game of the Friday doubleheader, losing to the Lady Buffs 11-1 in five innings. West Texas jumped Game 1 out to the early lead with A late Lady Buff run in the late a seven-run outburst in innings proved to be the Aggies’ the bottom of the first downfall in the 9-1 run rule loss. The Black and Gold jumped to the inning. They followed lead in the first inning off junior third up that effort with a pair baseman Annie Combs’ solo shot to of runs in the bottom of the second frame. left center. This run would prove to Neither team scored be the only offense for CU. in the third, but the West Texas charged ahead in Photo courtesy of Krista Pylant Aggies answered back the bottom of the inning with a pair On the mound: Junior pitcher Emily Wasinger fires a pitch to the plate. Wasinger started two games and in the top of the fourth got the save in the final game of the Aggies’ four-game series against No. 1 West Texas A&M. While Cameron of unearned runs. After a scoreless with senior infielder second, the Buffs pulled ahead with dropped the first three matchups of the weekend, they pulled the 9-6 upset in the final contest of the set. Sonora Zukerman’s a three-run third. The game ended West Texas padded their lead in outfielder Jordan Kisselburg scored solo homer, number 39 of her college allowing 11 runs, 10 of which were after WT scored a pair of runs each earned. She yielded 11 hits and the bottom of the inning with a four- on the blast to left center. career. However, WT came back in the fourth and fifth innings. three walks with a wild pitch in four run outburst that sealed their third After a West Texas run in the with a pair of runs in the bottom Junior Emily Wasinger (13-3) innings on the mound. victory of the series. bottom of the inning, scoring for of the inning. A scoreless fifth took the loss after allowing nine CU tallied a total of three hits, Wasinger (13-4) earned her both teams ceased until Zukerman’s runs – four earned – off 13 hits in 4.1 inning ended Cameron’s day on the two of which came from Zukerman’ s second loss of the series, allowing 40th career home run, a solo shot in diamond early. innings of work. bat. They also committed an error in eight earned off nine hits and four the top of the fouth. Freshman pitcher Alyssa Fielding lapses felled the Aggies, the field. walks in five innings. She struck out The Buffs scored three runs in Osterdock (6-5) gained the loss, with three errors allowing five four and hit a batter. the bottom of the inning. However, Game 3 Zukerman lead the Aggie offense, the Black and Gold answered back The Aggies pushed the Buffs early going 2-3 with a walk and a run with a pair of runs in the top of the on in the Saturday opener, but late batted in. As a whole, CU notched fifth. Freshman infielder Abbey West Texas runs gave CU the 8-3 eight hits – one fewer than WT – Warren scored on a McComas loss. and committed a lone fielding error. single. McComas later scored on a WT struck first in the bottom Zukerman double. of the fourth with a pair of runs. Game 4 Despite allowing two runs in the However, Cameron struck back with Cameron’s bats came to life early bottom of the sixth, Cameron held a pair of runs in the top of the third on, propelling them to a 9-6 serieson for the win. inning. Horton scored on a throwing closing win. Zukerman (6-3) picked up the error that allowed junior Paige Daino The scoring started in the first win for the Aggies after allowing six to take first base. Zukerman would when Daino drove home junior also cross the plate after Combs’ outfielder Breezy McComas. The big runs off 14 hits and a walk in just groundout to second base. blast of the inning came from Combs’ over five innings of work. Wasinger The Lady Buffs answered with three-run homer that brought home worked the final inning-plus, yielding one hit and striking out one to pick a run of their own in the bottom of Daino and Zukerman. It was her the frame and the bottom of the next third of the series and seventh of the up her second save of the year. Photo courtesy of Krista Pylant inning. The Black and Gold closed Cameron moved to 25-12 on the season. Eye on the ball: Third baseman Annie Combs sees the ball into the gap to 4-3 after Combs hit a season, 12-6 in conference, heading Senior catcher Chelsea DeLong her glove. She hit three home runs during the series against West solo homer to left, her second of the into a weekend series against Texas kept the scoring spree going with a Texas, including a three-run shot in the Aggies’ 9-6 win. Woman’s University. series. two-run shot of her own. Freshman
Tennis tames Drury in close sets Jacob Jardel Sports Editor
@JJardel_Writing Cameron tennis won two tight matchups against Drury University, with both men’s and women’s teams winning 5-4 on March 31 in Springfield, Mo. The wins snapped two different Panther streaks while both CU teams built upon their top-20 ranks in the polls.
Women’s Matches
straight sets. Torres lost her opening set against Larissa Karl but came back to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. Gorina also went three sets with Lara Muller, winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. The win puts CU at 10-2 on the season entering a matchup against Northwest Missouri State.
victory over their Drury counterparts. CU’s lone doubles loss came when Dennis Merdan and Mateo Velasco fell 8-4 in their matchup. Cameron split the singles competition, with the five and six players proving the difference. Merdan (6-1, 6-4) and Oyarzun (6-3, 6-2) lost their matches in straight Men’s Matches sets. Meanwhile, Santos The back half of the pushed his match to three men’s team propelled the sets, losing 0-6, 6-3, 7-5. No. 12 Aggies to the win Fazendeiro pulled off the against the No. 40 Panthers. straight-set victory, winning The victory snapped a 6-2, 6-4 in his two-slot six-game losing streak to Drury dating back to 1998. match. Velasco also won in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 coming The Aggies took two of out of the fifth spot. Bruno the three doubles matches Babic clinched the match for on the day. Felipe Oyarzun the Black and Gold with a and Vinicius Santos 6-0, 6-2 win from the six. outlasted their Panther The Aggie men climbed opponents to gain the 8-6 to 12-3 heading into a duel win. Daniel Ferl and Joao with Northwest Missouri. Fazendeiro earned an 8-3
Despite losing all three doubles matches, the No. 17 Aggies rallied to take the set against a No. 33 Drury squad. The Cameron win snapped a nine-game winning streak to start the season for the Panthers. In doubles matches, Zhenia Shviadok and Alina Gorina lost their matchup against Samanta Zambrano and Lara Muller 8-5. The team of Samantha Wood and Mathilde Thibaudat lost by the same score to their Drury opponents. Angie Torres and Paula Gutierrez lost with a similar score, falling 8-4 to their Panther counterparts. The Black and Gold nearly swept the singles portion of the matchup, with the only loss coming when No. 19 Gutierrez lost her match 7-6 (5), 6-1. Shviadok (6-4, 6-3), Photos courtesy of Mike Mazzo Wood (6-2, 6-3) and Hitting the courts: Cameron tennis players take Thibaudat (6-1, 6-4) all their swings. Both men’s and women’s teams defeated won their singles matches in Drury 5-4 on March 31 in Springfrield, Mo.
Photo courtesy of CoStar Group