President
Shane Hunt
On June 30, 2025, Dr. Shane Hunt assumed his presidential role for Cameron University, ushering in a new era of leadership and reform.
Hunt had many reasons to believe becoming Cameron’s 18th University President would be beneficial for him and his wife Jenifer, but that was in theory before this summer. It wasn’t until they relocated and became immersed in the Aggie family, when Hunt determined how fondly they would be embraced — confirming that Cameron was the perfect choice.
“It’s been incredible,” Hunt said, “As positively as I felt about the university before I got here, it is significantly more today. The people are even better than I thought, the students are even better and the dedication of our faculty and staff is even more remarkable than what I thought coming in.”
Social media regularly displays Hunt’s active presence at speaking engagements and local events, seizing every opportunity to share his vision and working to create strong relationships within the community.
“I would say, if you’re around our students, if you’re around our faculty, if you’re around our staff — you feel the positive momentum that’s going on at Cameron — and so I get to show that.”
Hunt finds it important to depict the unique learning environment fostered by Cameron University, to prospective students and sponsors. The intimate nature of CU's education experience with small class sizes, individualized attention and professors who know us by name is worth sharing.
There's a significant renovation on the horizon for the future of Howell Hall, which will be dedicated extensively to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Cameron has also partnered with Lawton Public Schools to prioritize STEM camps and learning opportunities for the area’s youth,
What’s Inside
here specifically for first generation students because it would be my hope that there’s somebody that’s maybe a first-generation student here, that thirty years from now is the President of Cameron.”
Hunt was drawn to this endowment for another reason, which depicts his method of leading by example.
“I also wanted it to be something where I didn’t want a donor to ever think that I am asking them to do something that I wouldn’t do myself,” Hunt said, “that I am asking you to give money, but then I’m not going to give money myself. I wanted them to know, when I ask you for an endowed scholarship gift, that I personally believe in it enough. My wife and I believe in it enough that we’re (also) doing that.”
Hunt came into this role as president with the stipulation that he could still teach at least one class each semester and that promise has been kept and already put into motion.
among other local endeavors to ensure our community’s future is bright and strong for generations to come.
“We want Lawton Public Schools to be thriving, and we want to be a part of supporting that,” Hunt said, “We want FISTA to be thriving, and we want to support that. I was just at Goodyear for half of the day yesterday, and we want Goodyear to be thriving.”
Known for being a fundraiser and marketing professional, Hunt has wasted no time networking within our community and sharing the importance of what financial support can do for our school and inevitably the local economy.
Hunt wants to ensure that Aggies are provided with the best technology and resources available and make education a reciprocal experience for those who pour into this institution.
“We want all of our constituent areas — we want to design and have curriculum and produce students so that they can come out and support these companies in Southwest Oklahoma or these entities in Southwest Oklahoma,” Hunt said, “But also, where our students have the opportunity to live and work and raise their families here.”
Establishing a strategic plan for Cameron is one of Hunt’s main objectives this year. His planning will be guided by listening sessions with each constituency group from students, staff, alumni, the local community, CU’s Duncan campus, along with our military and tribal partners.
“I think as a campus community deciding what we’re going to prioritize; what we want to be known for,” Hunt said. “What we want to be able to tell every student who’s coming here, ‘this is what is unique and awesome about Cameron,’ that’s going to be a really big thing over the next nine months.”
Many things will happen along the way to creating and implementing the strategic plan, and raising money will always be a part of Hunt’s approach, as he understands the importance and necessity of these donations.
“I would love this year for us to find a naming gift for one of our schools,” Hunt said, “That would provide — you know, that’s a sevenfigure gift — that would provide lots of dollars for scholarships, for endowed professorships, for facilities.”
Finding willing donors isn’t always an easy task, but Hunt’s unique approach of leading by example could help these efforts. This year the Hunt family established and funded a scholarship for first-generation college students to have education opportunities for years to come at Cameron University.
This endeavor is a point of pride and passion for Hunt, who is vocal about his personal experience. He said that attending college changed the trajectory of his life and he wants to pay that foward.
“At both of my previous two institutions, I endowed a scholarship,” Hunt said. “I did the one at Idaho State in my mom and dad’s names to honor them and all they made possible for me. I wanted to do the one
“I’m doing PLUS this fall and Sports Marketing in the spring, Monday/ Wednesday at 11 a.m.; we already got it on the schedule,” Hunt said. “I’ve taught Sports Marketing before and have some connections in that industry. We’re probably going to do a field trip in that class, and we’re going to do some really cool things. So yes, I think that will be the plan going forward. I’ll teach the PLUS Freshman class every fall and then I will teach a marketing elective every spring.”
The Hunts are settled into Lawton and are truly overcome with how the community has embraced and welcomed them.
“We love it, we absolutely love being here. We love being home,” Hunt said. Service members and veterans who have discussed living all over the world and still choose to stay and establish roots in Southwest Oklahoma is endearing to Hunt.
“I think the warmth of that and the people saying 'I’ve been to these places, and I choose here,'” Hunt said. "I think it is a great testament to the genuineness and resilience of our community.”
The Presidential Investiture ceremony will be coming up on Sept. 9, with events and activities to celebrate the significance of this custom occurring before and after the service.
More information on the investiture and why students are encouraged to attend can be found on page 2.
Genes vs. Jeans
3
Amanda Purser Managing Editor
Photos by Amanda Purser
A major shift in leadership occurred in the Department of Communication, English and Foreign Languages this fall semester.
Dr. Carie Schneider, a beloved professor in the department, officially stepped into the position of the CEFL department chair.
“When Dr. Underwood announced that he was going to be retiring at the end of the last school year, I had already talked to the dean,” Schneider said. “I had said I would be willing to be chair when the time is right, so it actually just really worked out that I was ready at that point in my career to step up and at the same time that Dr. Underwood was ready to retire.”
The hiring of the department chair is actually far more faculty-involved than most people realize.
“We have a big meeting with the dean and talk about what we need in a chair. What are we looking for? What are our goals as a department? Each member (faculty of department) individually has to contact the dean and say ‘who from the department do you recommend?’ And then the dean reaches out to those people.”
To Schneider’s surprise, Dean Jennifer Dennis reached out to her and told her that everyone had said her name.
“I feel really good to have the support of all of my colleagues and to know that they want me to be here. That they have my back and that we’re working together as a team.”
Assistant Professor Dr. William Carney only has good things to say about the change in leadership.
Carney said, “I’ve been looking forward to it! There’s a learning curve, certainly. But I think it’s smooth for the most part because luckily, Dr. Schneider had been working with Dr. Underwood, the previous chair, on how to do the job. So she came into the job knowing a lot,” he said.
Carney is excited to see Schneider in this new role as she has a true willingness to try different things.
“She’s very open to teaching in different ways and learning about teaching with technology and what works best,” Carney said.
Carney said students should look forward to having such an influential person lead the department.
“You have a good person at the top, very knowledgeable, very studentcentered, and a genuinely nice person. So, I have a lot to look forward to,” Carney said.
One of Schneider’s biggest plans for the first year is simply to learn the job. However, as a new chair, she does want to commit to bring in new energy and a new attention to the department.
“I don’t think we need to change
what we’re doing because we do amazing things here, but I do think that the university and the community at large don’t really know what we’re doing here,” Schneider said. “We’re trying to work on ways that we can get the word out, marketing, having more public events, and having ways that people from the rest of Cameron and from the rest of the community can see what we’re doing.”
To get more students motivated to be involved, the department is working on better communication, more updates through social media and a better-developed Blackboard.
“The CEFL department is also looking for a student worker to help out,” Schneider said.
The value that leaders implement is important when stepping into this role.
“I really think the value of community is number one,” Schneider said. “I think that that’s the point of education. That’s the point of higher education.
“You could go and you could get a degree doing a correspondence course. You can get a degree doing
something that’s online and you’ll have a degree and you’ll have credentials, but that’s not what education is fully about. Education is about building a community,” she said.
Schneider said, “There are folks that might not even finish their degree, but the time they spent here is really valuable, like meeting people, forging those connections. Networking is about building your family, building a community.”
Schneider’s main goals are both making sure that she is bringing the department together and cultivating the community that she has with students.
“I think we all had that sense of community and togetherness disrupted in 2020 and 2021 when a lot of classes were remote and not present,” Schneider said, “And now that we have the opportunity to be present together again, I think we need to value that togetherness and to do as much as we can together because that’s really valuable.”
Schneider is incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to be the
CEFL department chair.
“This is not a one-leader department. Everyone is leading in their own coursework, their teaching, their research, the labs and the areas that they are overseeing, and I could not do it without them,” she said, “And none of us could do any of it without the students. We’re here because of the students, and we’re here because of what you’re doing, and the choices that we make are based on what you all need and what you all want.”
The patience that faculty and students have shown make Schneider grateful and excited for the future.
“We’re all learning and adjusting to a lot of new systems and a lot of new positions, not just in this department, but across the university,” Schneider said, “where we have acting deans and acting chairs and a brand new university president, and we’re all developing these new systems. So we’re in a time of immense change — which can sometimes feel chaotic, but that’s also a really exciting time because there’s all these new opportunities.”
Investiture Announced
Makayla Flenoury Voices Editor
Cameron University has hosted a series of events in preparation for the Presidential Investiture of Dr. Shane Hunt.
Hunt said the Investiture is an inspiring tradition.
“All of us that serve in this role are stewards of this university,” Hunt said. “So, whether that is President Askins, or President McArthur, or President Ross, we’re all stewards, and it’s our responsibility during our time to advance and make it (Cameron) stronger.”
Hunt has been very active on campus to get students excited for the ceremony.
Hotdogs with President
From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sept. 3, in the Bentley Gardens, students on campus had Hotdogs with the President. Students could come
and enjoy hotdogs or compete in a speed eating competition.
Campus and Community Reception
From 2-4 p.m., Aug. 28, in the MCC lobby, Cameron University put together a Campus and Community Reception, with a buffet for attendees to enjoy.
Duncan Breakfast Reception
From 7:30-11 a.m., Sept. 4, Hunt held a Breakfast Reception, where he spoke with students in attendance.
Presidential Investiture
At 3 p.m., Sept. 9, in the University Theater, Cameron University is hosting the Presidential Investiture ceremony for Dr. Shane Hunt.
The Investiture is a formal, traditional ceremony that bestows a new university president with the official authority and symbols of their office. This often includes academic regalia and a ceremonial medallion.
Photo by Ciera Terry Graphic by
Makayla Flenoury Voices Editor
American Eagle started a controversial ad war when they released their “Sydney Sweeney has great genes” campaign.
I’m sorry, “jeans.”
American Eagle is attempting to capitalize on sexualizing Sydney Sweeney and the Republican agenda of white supremacy.
Many people have said that liberals are overacting and being too woke, but with the state of the world right now, the American Eagle ad contributes to the fire.
Trump actively works hard to get rid of any diversity efforts and his administration targets immigrants.
So why create an ad campaign that supports Trump’s agenda?
American Eagle knew exactly what they were doing and even gained Trump’s support.
In the most sexualized ad, Sydney Sweeney says, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue.”
Why did American Eagle mention genes, especially if the goal of the ad was to bring awareness to domestic violence?
You-Know-Who thought blonde hair and blue eyes were superior and racially pure.
Think about it — this is blatantly intended to promote eugenics.
American Eagle chopped it down to clever
wordplay. In defense of the ad, they said, “(it) is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.”
Sydney Sweeney is a famous white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. As far as I’m concerned, there is no story being told in the American Eagle ad — other than the story of eugenics.
Then, there is the issue that the hypersexual nature of the ads is fueling a problem that’s already so deep in society: the original message of the ad was to bring awareness to domestic violence.
The message conveyed wasn’t even in the same universe; instead, the advertisement objectified women.
The only inkling of domestic violence awareness is the butterfly on the limited-edition Sydney Jean. Butterflies are used as a motif for domestic violence survivors.
To further prove my point, American Eagle seems to be playing on the Calvin Klein ad campaign from the 1980s that featured 15-year-old Brooke Shields.
The Calvin Klein ad talked about genetics, evolution and selective mating with euphemisms of racism and eugenics while sexualizing a minor.
Sydney Sweeney is not a minor, so why take inspiration from an ad that starred one? The emphasis on genetics and objectification of women in both ads proves that American Eagle wanted to promote eugenics.
Who was American Eagle’s target audience? According to the American Eagle Outfitters Review, their article Decoding the American Eagle Customer Demographic shows that American Eagle targets 15- to 25-year-old women.
Sexualizing Sydney Sweeney is not for women. If anything, the ad can easily create insecurity in young women. Other brands used the controversy to promote their own ads.
Old Navy created a post in response to American Eagle. Their ad featured a woman of color with the caption “These are the jeans your other jeans warned you about. All the washes, all the sizes, every style, fit to flaunt.”
Old Navy used the play on “gene” and “jean” to show they accept all genes. Sorry, jeans.
Old Navy did a pretty good job of using American Eagle’s uproar to bring the audience to them, but GAP does it better.
GAP collaborates with Katsey=e, a pop group of six women who are all of different origins.
Sophia is from the Philippines, Yoonche is from South Korea, and Manon is from Switzerland with Ghanaian and Swiss-Italian roots. Three of the members are from America; however, Daniela is Cuban-Venezuelan, Lara is Indian-American, and Megan is Chinese-Singaporean.
They created a marketing dream by letting Katseye do what they do best: perform.
GAP created an ad music video using the song “Milkshake” by Kelis. Doing the ad this way allows people to feel entertained rather than being sold something. The choreography shows the functionality of the jeans and allows people to recreate the dance on different social media platforms like TikTok.
GAP’s ad is skyrocketing in attention.
To further prove my point, the majority of the background dancers are dressed in black and brown denim.
The GAP ad is a complete turn away from the intended push of white supremacy in the American Eagle ad.
GAP chose the song “Milkshake” to add another layer to the ad. The song is a play on the sexualization of Sydney Sweeney; it’s no secret what she gets oversexualized for.
GAP shows that ads don’t need to be hypersexualized to sell.
In conclusion, American Eagle had every option to make an ad that emphasized a different message, like domestic violence.
But American Eagle chose to push eugenics. The fact that Old Navy and GAP capitalized on American Eagle shows that minorities still have the power and support to push back.
In this case, brands using other brand’s failures to capitalize on their sales isn’t unethical — it’s standing up against prejudice.
THE ETHICS OF ADS
Ciera Terry News Editor
Since the creation of money, ads have always had influence. In order to get buyers, vendors have always had to sell their products from having workers in the street shouting “buy one, get one for free” to having sign spinners outside a business promoting the best deals.
But when does advertising become unethical?
In order for something to be socially unethical, there should be societal and personal consequences for violating the ethical standard. If there’s no outcry from the general public or no genuine consequences, many people ignore the ethical violation. Even if that action is insensitive, that person or organization gets a pass.
The line between morals and ethics is always fluctuating; society
can sometimes witness an increase in more conservative views when the rest of the world decides that it’s okay to have them especially in the entertainment industry.
There has been an outcry regarding the famous advertisements starring Sydney Sweeney (“Euphoria”) and Gavin Casalegno (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”) because the ads contain explicit word play that infer white genetics are the best.
The ads make people question what era society is entering and whether or not ads (things we see 24/7 in today’s society) are actually in our best interest.
What is now considered okay to put out into the world and what isn’t any more?
Culturally, in the past few years, the American people have been more Progressive while our government has shifted more Conservative.
Ads like the Sweeney ad are released with little to no regard for diverse perspectives — and they still gain presidential support. It makes those supposed progressive outcomes seem lackluster.
The past five years, the distinction between culture change versus political change has become actually quite pronounced.
A lot of progressive laws have begun to be flushed out, slowly
being replaced with a much more Conservative policies. The recent pushback for diversity, equity and inclusion speaks of that. Ads about human DNA that conclude that certain genes are better than others reflect the questionable morals racking over the country right now. I hate to be that person (I don’t) but actually everything is political.
The only reason advertisers can feel comfortable emphasizing eugenics is because society is receptive to it.
GraphicsbyCieraTerry
Student Government Association Priorities and Outreach
Angelica Martinez Student Life Editor
As the semester picks up, Cameron University’s Student Government Association (SGA) is working to modernize its structure and strengthen its role as the voice of the student body.
Drafting of potential legislation is already underway as SGA leaders push for reforms.
Throughout the year, SGA members will vote on constitutional updates to ensure the governing documents reflect the current needs and realities of Cameron students.
SGA Vice President Brason Janoe is directly involved in preparing updates to the constitution for the coming year. “The constitution hasn’t been changed since 2018, while the bylaws haven’t been changed since 2008. The student body is a lot different than it was a decade or two
decades ago,” Janoe said. “So we’re going to try to bring it to 2025, to this new decade, so we can help improve it for people that come on after us.”
A major part of the reform effort involves rebuilding the senate.
SGA President Conner Holt explained the benefits of reform. “The senate, as it currently stands, has had maybe 10 students serve in that capacity in the past decade,” Holt said. “In that time, there could have been over 130 different people that could have served.”
Holt estimates that restructuring the senate could increase SGA participation by at least 25 percent, giving more students the chance to engage in decision-making and expanding representation across campus.
To close the gap between SGA and the student body, leaders are also working to connect with students directly. Holt said he strives to understand student needs by being visible at events across campus. By attending sports games, student organization activities and arts events, he aims to “show that SGA is listening and that SGA is available.”
He recently represented SGA during the President’s Ice Cream Break alongside President Shane Hunt and former President Askins from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 21 in front of Nance-Boyer, where he had the chance to talk to students about the mission of SGA.
Students are encouraged to share their ideas and concerns in several ways: attending SGA meetings, contacting leadership through email, visiting during office hours, or simply speaking to officers in passing.
Both leaders emphasized that student voices remain one of SGA’s highest priorities, and they’re working to make participation as accessible as possible.
Students can also become SGA representatives for their clubs or organizations. Representatives serve as liaisons between student groups and SGA, voting on legislation, requesting funding for events and ensuring their peers’ voices are heard. Janoe encourages students to get involved as representatives.
“Just come and talk to us. Come and see us. If you want to have a greater impact, it’s really important to pay attention to what’s happening on campus and think of ways to continually improve it.”
“Just come and talk to us. Come and see us,” Holt said. “If you want to have a greater impact, it’s really important to pay attention to what’s happening on campus and think of ways to continually improve it.”
- Conner Holt SGA President
Janoe added, “We love student feedback. We love criticism. It helps us get better and understand what students truly want.”
“The more students participate, the more accurately SGA can reflect the student body and advocate effectively for everyone,” he said. SGA meetings begin at 5:15 p.m. on Sept. 15 in Ross Hall’s Johnson Auditorium and continue every Monday. Office hours are posted outside the SGA office in the MCC, Room 208. For questions, comments, or concerns, students can email cusga@cameron.edu, call (580) 5812444, or contact their organization’s representative.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE COLLEGE STU DENT
A Spotlight on Non-Traditional Students
Elizabeth Lehman Staff Writer
Non-traditional students, often defined as those over the age of 25, are increasing in numbers across the country. Most college students today are adult learners, sometimes juggling jobs or families alongside their classes.
According to the CU administration, Cameron University is no different. The institution’s supportive and flexible environment makes it a good school for both traditional and non-traditional students. Some non-traditional students at Cameron are first-generation college attendees, bringing diverse perspectives and life experiences to the classroom. These students often have qualities that benefit
academic environments like maturity and wisdom.
For Eccles Lehman, an ambitious administrative assistant at a child development center, college is about creating something that lasts for her family.
“I really want education to be a part of my family’s legacy,” she said.
As the first in her family to pursue a degree, she hopes it will help her move into a management position and inspire her children to follow in her footsteps.
Like many older students, Lehman has faced the difficulty of balancing school on top of a full-time job and managing her household.
“The biggest adjustment has been balancing school with other responsibilities
like family and work,” she said.
She also described how overwhelming the process of returning to school can feel. “I wish that college understood that we grew up in a different era,” she said.
“All this technology is overwhelming—all the steps you have to take to apply for school, the placement exams—I just feel like that is a lot.”
Lehman said her professors have shown her respect and encouragement, but she still sees a need for more support for students like herself, particularly when it comes to technology.
“I was having trouble with Blackboard and with the technology side of things,” she explained, suggesting that workshops could help students who are unfamiliar with the
digital platforms that are required for success at Cameron University.
With the growing presence of nontraditional students, universities need to adapt to support them and their education.
By recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by non-traditional students, institutions like Cameron University can maintain an inclusive learning environment.
Other non-traditional students arrive with different challenges.
Patric Witt, who spent more than 20 years in construction, had expected to go to college but found himself in the workforce instead.
“I always wanted to go to college,” he said, “but I started in construction when I was 14.”
After leaving high
school as a sophomore, he earned his GED and believed he would spend his life roofing houses. It was only when a back injury ended his career that he decided to pursue a degree.
“It was either try factory work or try to get an education,” he said.
Patric Witt’s focus has been on making the most of his opportunity.
His advice to other students, whether traditional or nontraditional, is practical: “Stay focused. Take your time with life, there’s more to come.
Read Books! You won’t believe how much it helps with literally everything,” he said.
“Make good use of all the resources the school offers; you’ve paid for them after all.”
Cameron University offers a range of
resources designed to support all students, but for non-traditional students, these services can be particularly impactful. Workshops on technology, study strategies and time management could help older students adjust to academic life after years away from the classroom.
By implementing workshops like these, Cameron University can make sure that students won’t feel left behind when they aren’t familiar with the technology. Tutoring and attentive staff can also play a crucial role in student success.
Personalized assistance gives non-traditional learners the opportunity to reinforce what they’ve learned, ask questions freely, and build confidence about their education.
Back-to-School Block Party
An Aggie Tradition
From 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 17, Cameron University hosted their annual back-to-school Block Party on the Shepler Towers’ East Lawn. The event brought together student organizations, university departments and community groups from Lawton to connect with the student body.
President Shane Hunt and school faculty
were able to interact with students in a fun environment before the first day of classes. Attendees enjoyed free hot dogs and snow cones, giveaways, games and an evening of campus-wide interaction.
Photos by Amanda Purser
New Adjunct Music Instructor
New Adjunct Music Instructor Music Department Welcomes Steve Story
Serenity Clark Copy Editor
Cameron University’s Music Department has expanded this Fall semester. One of its new adjunct instructors is Steve Story, a multifaceted jazz musician, performer and educator with decades of experience.
An Oklahoma native, Story has arrived at Cameron to share a lifetime of gathered musical knowledge.
He has long since earned his stripes, having received an MME (Master of Music Education) at Wichita State University in Texas as well as traveling
Ballroom in Tulsa to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Story is not a stranger to Cameron either, having performed at the University’s Jazz Festival numerous times in past years.
These groups will practice and learn together, and Story hopes to be able to perform on campus with these groups later in the year.
Anyone who might be interested is encouraged to join regardless of age,
his teachings.
Though he is just getting started as an adjunct instructor at Cameron, Story has arrived with new ideas and a strong drive.
“I’m hoping that what I bring to the table is unique
music courses, regardless of major, as well as increasing attendance at performances hosted by the department, regardless of genre.
Though the last day to enroll in Fall classes has passed,
of his ensemble groups, Story can be contacted at sstory@cameron.edu, with his office located in the Music Building in Room 114. To hear some of Story’s music and performances, his website is located stevestorymusic.com/. Keep those eyes peeled performances, as well!
the country to perform alongside legends like Red Steagall and hitting iconic stages from Cain’s
well as a string quartet.
both his performances and
Attention readers! This semester The Collegian is giving a “thank you” to a special reader. For your chance to win a FREE gift basket , play along! Solve the crossword puzzle below and write down the letter in the gold box. Collect the bolded letters from the next issue’s puzzle to spell a secret word. That word is your entry into the drawing at the end of the semester! Combine the letters together and submit the 8-letter word to aggiecentral@cameron.edu with your phone number included. Stay tuned for our drawing at the end of the Fall 2025 semester.
Gift basket includes: Cameron swag, gift cards, snacks, and essentials.
A class you choose
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The cost for attending school
A student’s primary field of study
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To select/sign up for classes
What you do before 6 Down
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cross country team is preparing for a demanding fall season.
The Aggies will open their season, Sept. 5, at home in the Aggie Duels Cross Country meet.
The women will race at 8 a.m. for 5-kilometers, while the men will compete at 8:25 a.m. and cover 8-kilometers.
Cameron University’s
Their next competition will be Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Midwestern State Mustang Stampede in Wichita Falls, Texas.
The Aggies will continue to build fitness for the key meets ahead.
On Sept. 26, Cameron will return
home for the Cameron Invitational II, a key race where athletes will aim to prove their form and secure a spot in the lineup for the championship meets.
The final tune-up before conference competition is set for Saturday, Oct. 11, at the DBU Old Glory Gallop in Dallas, Texas.
The highlight of the season comes Saturday, Oct. 25, when the Aggies travel to Fort Worth, Texas, for the Lone Star Conference Championships.
There, they will compete for a place at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships, set for Saturday, Nov. 8, in Pueblo, Colorado.
This year, the men’s team will be led by new captain Víctor Ramos Sambade, who steps into the role with motivation and eagerness.
“I assume the role of captain with responsibility but also
with great desire to meet the objectives since this year we have a very good team,” Ramos Sambade said.
According to the Lone Star Conference preseason ranking, West Texas A&M is the favorite to defend the men’s title for the 13th consecutive year, while Cameron is ranked eighth with 229 points.
Ramos Sambade said the team is not focused on this prediction.
“Our objectives are to remain top three in the Lone Star Conference
Championships, finish in the top seven at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships,” Ramos Sambade said, “and try to qualify for the National Cross Country Championships.”
For the women’s team, Captain Gracie Ortiz emphasized that the team atmosphere and their work ethic is great.
“The team looks very strong this season,” Ortiz said, “We have a lot of newcomers that are great additions to the team.”
In the women’s preseason rankings, West Texas A&M is also the favorite, while Cameron is tied with UT Tyler for seventh place with 308 points.
Ortiz says that her goals are to stay on the top four at conference as a team and added that she believes they can surpass the preseason prediction.
The Aggies will continue training with their sights set on achieving their season goals.
senior volleyball player
Clarissa Galindo shines as a libero and defensive specialist (DS), bringing her passion and tenacity to the court.
Coming all the way from El Paso, Texas, Clarissa’s journey to becoming a volleyball athlete in the sport she loves is accompanied by family influence, her hometown roots, and a full commitment to her team.
Clarissa, a JUCO transfer in her second year at Cameron, is majoring in sports and exercise science with an embedded certificate in teaching and coaching.
Before arriving at Cameron, she spent two years at a junior college in Snyder, Texas, which helped shape her into the senior student athlete she is today.
As a libero DS, Clarissa wears a different colored uniform on the court, signifying her role as one of the Aggie’s top defensive specialists.
“You’re running the whole back row,” she said. “You’re the one that passes the ball.”
Despite her self-described “five foot nothing” height, Clarissa loves her position on the back row, as the rush of chasing down shanked balls or a full-sprint Superman dive to save the point fills her full of adrenaline.
Her love for volleyball began at age eight when her mother signed her up for a recreational team at a local rec center in El Paso.
Clarissa mentioned her grandparents as well, noting that she plays to honor their legacy.
Though her grandparents have passed away, their memory fuels her drive on and off the court.
Growing up in El Paso, a border town rich in Hispanic and Mexican culture, shaped Clarissa’s perspective.
She describes her hometown as “welcoming and homey,” where people are always ready to offer a helping hand.
This environment instilled
her anchor. Her mother, whom she considers her best friend, is her most influential figure.
“She’s definitely been a strong person,” Clarissa said.
She recalls how her mother faced the loss of both parents in the same year.
This strength inspires Clarissa, who FaceTimes or texts her mom daily, seeking advice on everything from cooking to coping with challenges of a student athlete.
Her father, though a busy man with work, watches games when he can via FloSports,
Her favorite memory on the court at Cameron came last year, when the Aggies defeated WNMU on senior night, a game that showcased the team’s potential despite being underestimated by the campus and community.
“Ever since day one, I had faith in every single one of us,” Clarissa said. “Regardless of who was playing what or who was in. I knew that every single one of us had something to bring to the table.”
Balancing the demands of being a student athlete hasn’t
coming back,” she said.
Support from Cameron’s athletic trainer, Mike Dreisbach, however, bounced her back, making her feel close to 100% as she moves into her senior season.
Clarissa’s pregame ritual is simple yet full of meaning.
She listens to a gospel song and says a prayer to calm her nerves. “I’m very anxious,” she said.
This routine helps her find peace, putting her mind at ease before stepping onto the court.
Over the years, her passion for the sport grew.
Clarissa plays alongside her current teammates Jennifer Valdez and Kayla Quintana back in El Paso. Friends now for a decade, Clarissa played under the guidance of Kayla’s father, who also coached them for 10 years.
Clarissa credits her family, particularly her parents and older brother, and her friend Kayla for sparking her passion for the game.
“My family, mainly my siblings, my older brother, and obviously my parents. I’m very driven by them,” she said. “I would [also] say my friends for
in her a sense of humility and gratitude, especially as she witnessed other kids crossing the border daily to attend school.
“We’re so privileged that we don’t have to walk across the border every day to be able to come to school,” she said as she remembers an old friend who faced that very challenge daily just to go to school and play sports.
These experiences made Clarissa appreciate the opportunities in front of her and approach volleyball with a deep sense of purpose.
while her older brother, a former Division I baseball player at NMSU and minor league draftee, and her middle sibling, who played Division II, also inspire her competitive spirit.
On the court, Clarissa’s standout moment came in October 2024 at her junior college, when her team defeated the highly ranked Odessa College in a thrilling five-set match.
“We knew the talent we had on the court, and we were able to seek it that night, seek our whole potential,” she said.
been easy.
Clarissa describes herself as an overachiever aiming for a 4.0 GPA, though she admits to occasionally missing deadlines due to the pressures of practice and studies.
“I’ve learned to definitely manage my time and just overall, learn to not procrastinate,” she said.
A car accident this past summer posed a significant setback, injuring her ankle and requiring both physical rehab and a mental reset.
“It was a mental challenge more than a physical challenge
After tough losses, like those from last season, Clarissa stays motivated by leaning on her faith and perspective. “My worth is more than volleyball,” she said, showing the importance of learning from both wins and losses without letting them define her.
Reflecting on her college experience, Clarissa is surprised by the welcoming environment at Cameron compared to bigger colleges, where professors know her by name and the “homey” atmosphere she feels. She also appreciates the unexpected perks of college athletics, like receiving practice shirts and travel shoes, which she says feels like “Christmas.”
To young girls aspiring to be athletes, Clarissa offers advice coming from the heart and her own experiences.
“Don’t let your sport define your worth whatsoever. Your identity is within yourself,” she
“Just go all out and one thing I would say is, play every single day as it’s your last.”
Cherishing the opportunity to compete and build relationships is important to Clarissa, especially as she recalls those who may never get the chance.
As Clarissa continues her senior year, she carries the lessons of her hometown, the support of her family, and the strength developed through challenges she has faced.
Whether diving for a ball or pouring her heart into her team, Clarissa represents the spirit of a true athlete.
Mireia Planesas Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of CU Athletics Communications
Photo Courtesy of CU Athletics Communications
Photo by Matthew Hasley