For nearly four complete decades, Vicki Henson has served the Cameron community, focusing her energy on veterans and service members from the very beginning.
Henson applied and interviewed for a position as Veterans Coordinator in 1986 while working as an administrative assistant at Oklahoma State University (OSU).
“Specifically, my education was geared toward working in higher education,” Henson said. “I moved to Lawton for the position, that’s when I started working with veterans and fell in love with it.”
Henson completed her undergraduate degrees earning an Associate from Murray State, and a Bachelor from Oklahoma State University (OSU), before working on her graduate degree in Higher Education Administration, also at OSU.
“I’ve always been the Coordinator of Veteran Affairs — my title has changed a few times over the years,” Henson said. She was initially under the Admissions and Registrar office, as Assistant Director of Records and Coordinator of Veteran Affairs.
Then, she became the Assistant Director of Admissions and Coordinator of Veterans Affairs after a reorganization of departments.
After the last reorganization, Henson became the Assistant Director of Financial Assistance and Coordinator of Veteran Affairs, which is her current title.
The Veteran Affairs office falls under Financial Assistance at Cameron, and while they work closely together, they adhere to different guidelines.
“The department of Financial Assistance is regulated by the Department of Education,” Henson said. “Whereas the VA office responds to what the regulations are for the Department of Veteran Affairs. We intertwine and operate as one big unit.”
Cameron’s campus is nestled in Southwest Oklahoma near Fort Sill, one of the largest artillery and air defense army bases in the nation. Their collaboration and commitment to bolster the Aggie’s efforts, never go unnoticed.
“We have fantastic local community support of the veteran organizations, and the military support that we receive from Fort Sill,” Henson said. “So, it’s made a unique opportunity to be able to provide services to our campus community, and constituents, and offer a variety of services that are unique in the state of Oklahoma.”
Aside from her dedication to the
What’s Inside
Cameron community, Henson has served in multiple leadership roles and other positions within several veteran adjacent organizations across the state of Oklahoma.
Henson was the President of the Oklahoma Association of Veteran Coordinators and Counselors, as well as the Western Association of Veteran Education Specialists (WAVES).
“The Western Association of Veteran Education Specialists originally started as a regional organization with 12 states, and then it went to 28 states,” Henson said. “I was President of it twice, and it went National in my leadership role.”
Henson explained that WAVES is a partnership between the Federal VA, state approving agencies, and the school certifying officials, with a vision of collaboration and ultimate customer service.
“The goal is to share expertise with
the different entities in the State of Oklahoma, like the business officers, the advisors, the college registrars’ organization, the financial aid, the ones who process veteran benefits in higher education.”
“We had over 400 attendees at that conference, so it was very successful,” Henson said.
The current OVESA President, Angela Coleman, presented Henson with the award on Oct. 7, at the super conference.
“Henson has been a steadfast advocate for military-affiliated students at Cameron University, dedicating 39 years to supporting veterans, activeduty service members, and military dependents,” Coleman said. “Vicki has guided countless students toward achieving their educational and career goals, helping them navigate the path to degree completion with care and expertise.”
“ Benefits are not stagnant, they are always changing. So, it’s always important to come take advantage, and see what we might have to offer, because it can make a difference.”
- Vicki Henson Coordinator of Veteran Affairs
each other so that we can better serve our institutions, the veterans and active military populations,” she said.
The Oklahoma Association of Veteran Coordinators and Counselors changed names a few years ago to the current title of Oklahoma Veterans Education Specialist Association (OVESA), but has remained virtually the same organization.
“I’ve been President of that group four different times over the years,” Henson said.
OVESA recently awarded Henson with the Francie Wright Lifetime Achievement Award, for her dedication and service at the Oklahoma Higher Education Super Conference, for which Henson served as a member of the logistical team to coordinate the major two day event, held on Oct. 6 and 7, 2025.
“Other people did more than I did, but I did play a role in supporting that conference,” Henson said, “and it’s the first time that we have brought together
Henson was honored to receive this acknowledgment, especially because of the special woman from which the award gets its title.
“It’s named after Francie Wright, who was the first education chief at the Muskogee VA office,” Henson said. “She is an exceptional person in providing customer service and always striving to think outside the box, and to look for ways to better improve services, and what we’re doing for our constituents.”
Henson added, “It’s all about working together collaboratively, in partnership to be able to improve and offer the best services possible to our veterans, and the heart of that award is to be awarded to people who share that vision.”
This isn’t Henson’s first significant recognition for her efforts; she was the recipient of the Bill Pearson Lifetime Achievement Award in the past, which was another great honor by a pioneer in her field.
“Bill Pearson was one of the Regional Office Directors for Muskogee,” Henson said. “He also went on to be the only one from Oklahoma to be Deputy Under Secretary for Veterans Benefits, which was the highest civil service position that is not a political appointee. He did amazing things for our veterans and had an amazing philosophy in that he worked to bring all the different entities together to work in partnership.”
Henson’s busiest time of year is during Fall, specifically in November around Veteran’s Day and the many events she and her team coordinate such as the Resource Fair, Vet Fest and the
Veteran’s Day observance ceremony.
The Cameron VA conducts these events to help to share information and make both students and the local larger veteran and active military community aware of the vast array of benefits.
“I encourage people to come, because even though we offer the fair regularly, it’s an ever-changing group of individuals, and information, and the laws are constantly changing,” Henson said. “Benefits are not stagnant, they are always changing. So, it’s always important to come take advantage, and see what we might have to offer, because it can make a difference.”
Henson’s impact on the Cameron community has undoubtedly made a difference, as evident by the success of our veteran students and service members, in part from the VA office on campus and resources they consistently provide.
“I’ve had individuals come to me after some of these events, and tell me that literally they have changed their lives,” Henson said. “They were able to get a disability rating increase because they came to an event that we offered and were able to get something done within a day.”
Henson acknowledged that her office’s ability to communicate with the Federal VA is impacted just as it is for students, due to the current federal furlough.
However, they are still working to assist and connect students with resources for continued success until the federal government reopens.
“This is a challenging time for all of our students; we encourage them to contact us and let us know if they are having difficulties, and we will do our best to work with them on a caseby-case basis, depending on what the challenge is,” she said.
Henson’s best advice to students is to enroll in classes for Spring '26 as soon as possible, so that they can submit claims, and give the Federal VA a little more time to process those claims.
“Because, I’m hopeful that everything will be back to normal by the time we get ready to start in the spring,” Henson said.
Henson has no plans to slow down or retire anytime soon, even after four decades, and her vast career of service to our community and state, she has more to accomplish and assist with.
“I’m continuing to work at this time. I love my veterans, and I love our community; we’re blessed to have a very special community in LawtonFort Sill. So, at this point I am just enjoying serving our veterans and our community.”
For more information on available resources or to learn about utilizing VA education benefits, email the Cameron VA office at va@cameron.edu or call 580-581-2301.
Cameron hosts annual Veteran events
Cameron’s Coordinator of Veterans Affairs, Vicki Henson has been working hard to coordinate all of the Veteran related events this fall, and despite the complications of a government shutdown limiting her options, most of her annual events are in full swing across campus.
The following is a schedule breakdown of what has happened and is to come during Cameron’s 2025 Veteran Events:
At 10:15 a.m. on Nov. 5, Cameron ROTC fired “Big Ollie” the cannon on campus, to kick off the Veteran’s week events, on the east side of the pond in Bentley Gardens.
At 1 p.m. on Nov. 11 the Veteran’s Day observance ceremony will take place on campus on the north side of Howell Hall, in the area known as Veterans Grove.
This ceremony is following a free lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Shepler Cafeteria, provided to all veterans and active-duty service members.
On Nov. 3, volunteers planted 7,000 flags around campus, which is an honored tradition that began around 2011. Initially, the flags were to memorialize the fallen service members from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, in support of the National
Although the Roll Call has ended, Cameron maintains this tradition to continue honoring all current veterans, and service members who will be future veterans within our community. The flags will remain on campus until Nov. 12 when the Veteran Observance is completed.
The Bishop schools’ leadership classes, as well as local 4H clubs reached out to Henson to coordinate their assistance with volunteering for flag planting. Henson said that this event wouldn’t be possible without all of the special volunteers who come to campus and participate in planting these small, but numerous displays of patriotism.
The Veteran Resource Fair started around 2012. The event occurs every six months because Henson feels resources and information need to be constantly updated and available to anyone who might need them.
“I always look at it that a year is a long time to not offer the resources in a military community because of transitioning military personnel and active-duty servicepeople,” she said.
Vet Fest became a part of the events a few years later, bringing additional key speakers on campus and providing valuable information on Federal Veteran Affairs resources, medical services, disability claims and mental health assistance, to name a few.
The current government shutdown has severely impacted many areas and organizations that rely and depend on federal resources, and the Vet Fest event is feeling the effects as well. Henson has pivoted and changed the scope of the festival this year, combining the event into a big Resource Fair, due to a lack of federal employees and entities available who have been furloughed.
“This year is a little different because of the federal shutdown. We won’t have the speakers that we’ve done before with Vet Fest, so it’s kind-of impacting that a little bit,” Henson said.
She added, “We are going ahead with the Resource Fair, and I have approximately 20 different organizations coming in. It’s amazing — when we offer this — I get a new organization or two that I can bring to the Resource Fair and have them share information.”
Henson urges all veterans, service members and family members to take full advantage of these events on campus that showcase a multitude of vendors with valuable information for them in a convenient location.
Henson said, “There are a lot of services — and free services, that don’t cost them anything — and benefits that are available to them, that they might not realize that they can take advantage of. It can help them to improve the quality of their lives and their family’s lives.”
Military Veterans Resource Fair
Remembrance Roll Call initiative.
Amanda Purser Managing Editor
Photos by Ciera Terry
Veteran Mental Health Awareness
Amanda Purser Managing Editor
There is a heavy burden carried by those who serve our nation in any branch of military service, but perhaps more by those who deploy overseas to serve in combat zones.
When you consider that this invisible baggage is undetected by those who veterans and service members encounter each day, it adds an extra layer of complexity.
Leaving your home, family and all your familiar comforts to join the military is a demanding and stressful undertaking. Not many people are willing to take that challenge in life.
Pew Research from May 2023 reported only about 1% of the U.S. population serving on active-duty military service, and 18 million living veterans at the time, representing only about 6% of our country’s adult population.
The research displayed the demographic breakdown of that 6% among primarily war-time service, from the conflicts of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War and peacetime members.
A service member doesn’t have to deploy or see combat to experience mental health issues during and post-service, and one of the most common issues reported is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is a psychiatric disorder caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event, affecting around 10% of the U.S. general population at some point in their lifetime, with a much higher prevalence in active-duty military personnel and veterans, according to an abstract by the National Institute of Health.
Evidence suggests that the prevalence of PTSD in deployed U.S. military personnel may be as high as 14-16%. Large-scale screening efforts have been implemented by the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
After serving 15 consecutive months in a combat zone, while I was on active duty in the U.S. Army, I recall the transition upon our return and the significant re-acclimation process we underwent.
Being in Iraq was undoubtedly stressful, there was a constant fear of the unknown, pressure to always be ready and the uneasiness that comes with the adrenaline and crashes from various threats on any given day.
well as the ever-present scorpions and camel-spiders which were terrifying to an arachnophobe like me.
Alarms would sound when there was an incoming mortar round or missile heading for our FOB, and we had no idea where it was coming from or going to land, until the impact was made. Within a few months of our deployment, air-defense assistance showed up with equipment for better surveillance and even weapons to shoot projectiles out of the sky. Before our support arrived, our stress levels were heightened daily. We had little, if any time, to truly rest or relax and our nervous systems were in a constant state of fight or flight.
Many soldiers I served with faced far more intense circumstances and experiences, and there were those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country who didn’t return home with us. I know that so many of us come back with the weight of invisible scars and mental anguish that we find hard to discuss and process, even decades later.
The Mayo Clinic explains that a person can experience PTSD from a personal experience or having witnessed an event that can render them with lasting effects. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the event, in addition to other disturbances.
These symptoms may start within the first three months after a traumatic event but may not appear until years later. PTSD symptoms are generally categorized within four groups: intrusive memories; avoidance; negative changes in thinking and mood; and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person.
Given the prevalence and potential consequences of PTSD among veterans and active-duty military personnel, development and continued evaluation of effective screening methods is an important public health need.
According to Matthew Miller, Executive Director VA Suicide Prevention, in an article from Dec. of 2024, “VA releases 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report which shows a small increase in suicides, less of an upward trend than the year before.”
We have seen a significant rise in organizations and resources to help prevent and address the significant numbers of veteran suicides, as a consequence of the staggering number of PTSD diagnoses among the veteran and service member populations.
recognize the warning signs of a mental health crisis and prevent veteran suicide by intervening before the crisis occurs.
WWP reports some common signs to look out for, in order to help spot suicidal behavior and ideations and help intervene if someone you know is struggling.
ACTIONS: Giving away possessions; withdrawing from family, friends, school, or work; loss of interest in sports or leisure; misuse of alcohol or drugs; impulsive or reckless behavior; self-harm; extreme behavior changes.
PHYSICAL: Poor sleep; over or under eating and weight loss or gain; sexual interest changes/loss; complaints of pain or emotional disturbances.
COMMENTS: “All of my problems will end soon.” “No one can do anything to help me now.” “Now I know what they were going through.” “I just can’t take it anymore.” “I am a burden to everyone.”
If you suspect someone you know is dealing with the above symptoms and may be suicidal, its recommended to do the following:
Ask directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?”
Stay calm and be present: Let the person talk. Don’t judge them. Just listen.
Offer support: Let them know they are not alone. Often, people just need someone to hear them and support them.
Ask if you can help connect them to resources.
If there’s immediate danger or a suicide attempt has occurred, get emergency support immediately.
It’s okay to ask and taking that step shows bravery, compassion and empathy. Breaking the silence and talking openly about suicide is a powerful step toward reducing shame and helping veterans feel safe to seek help.
The Department of Veterans Affairs launched the Veterans Crisis Line in 2007, with 14 trained responders working out of a call center in Canandaigua, NY.
They have grown this valuable resource to include online chat and text services, with 1,100 responders across three call center locations. Responders are available 24/7 to help veterans, active-duty service members and their families through a crisis.
We were stationed on a remote Forward Operating Base (FOB) near the Iran border, and we regularly dealt with enemy forces, sand storms, extreme heat, limited resources, unfamiliar territory and cultures as
Some of these efforts are being conducted by the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), with education, insights and resources to help understand and
If you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of assistance, dial 988, then press 1, chat online at veteranscrisisline.net, or text 838255 to receive free, confidential support.
Don’t struggle in silence. Speak up, reach out and together we can overcome this difficult process.
A VeterAn Story
22-year-old Mario Flenoury sat in the courthouse awaiting his sentence. When the judge brought down their gavel, Flenoury was left with an ultimatum that would change his life forever: Join the Military or go to jail.
Flenoury grew up in Warren, Ohio, where he attended Warren G. Harding High School. This is where he met his future wife, Erica Flenoury. They didn’t connect at the time. They weren’t even really friends, but life found a way to bring them back together.
Years later, after getting in trouble with the law, Mario faced that big ultimatum. On May 13, 2004, Mario enlisted in the Army.
By this time, Mario was with Erica Flenoury, raising her 4-year-old son, Adonnis Washington.
Avoiding time in prison wasn’t the only reason Mario decided to join. He realized how he could build a better future for his family.
“You know, the job stability,” he said, “The medical coverage, which at the time you (Makayla Flenoury) weren’t born, for your brothers and your mom.”
When Mario left for basic training at Fort Sill, OK, the couple had only been together for three months. Mario didn’t tell Erica he was leaving at first, but he ended up making Erica a promise before
he left.
“He didn’t tell me like a month before he was ready to ship,” Erica said, “And I was pretty mad. I ended up driving him up to MEPS, and his leaving was delayed. So, he called me and said, ‘It’s only been two days without you, and I can’t imagine the rest of my life without you, so when I come back, we’re gonna get married.’”
Fort Sill became a meaningful place in Mario’s military career — the base where it all started and where it would end twenty years later.
After completing basic training, Mario and his family were stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, where they lived for thirteen years, an unusual stretch for a military family.
Mario’s Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was 13 Bravo. He appreciated the job’s straightforwardness and structure.
“Regular, just like army stuff, you know, like motor pool Mondays, checking the vehicles, making sure everything is able to run,” he said. “I knew what I was wearing every day. I had a set schedule for a long time. I knew what I was doing.”
Shortly after Mario arrived at Fort Riley, he experienced his first deployment. From January 2005 to 2006, Mario spent his time in Iraq.
Erica, now pregnant, and her son were left at home.
“We were newly married, and he’s new to the Army. I’m pregnant with our
first child together, and he has to go to Iraq,” Erica said. “It was hard. We were definitely a team, but I was by myself.”
Mario briefly came back for his daughter’s birth but had to return to Iraq soon after. Mario believed his biggest achievement was his children.
“Even though I was the soldier, y’all still have to experience those things too — As far as deployments.” Mario said, “Like I’m home and then I’m gone for a year. Seeing y’all grow up and seeing the young adults y’all become. But on the more Army side, passing my boards and getting promoted.”
Erica also believed that their children were their biggest accomplishments because of how much the military affected their childhood.
“When I was a child, we were a very tight extended family. I was always at my aunts and uncles, my grandparents.” Erica said. “I hate that they didn’t get to experience that. And your dad was gone. He missed birthdays, Christmases, but we tried to make the most of it. We would have a family game night with your dad on Skype.”
Mario deployed three more times after that, again, to Iraq in 2011-2012, Kuwait in 2014-2015, and South Korea in 2017 for nine months.
In 2018, the family was given another ultimatum: move to Fort Sill, OK, or deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan. So, the Flenourys went to Oklahoma, where
Mario now served as an AIT instructor.
Around January 2024, Mario started his retirement process. Instead of going to work, he spent a lot of time at doctors’ appointments and undergoing surgeries. By the time June 1, 2024, arrived, Mario was able to retire with a hundred percent disability.
Mario already spent much of his time in the house and started to grow stir crazy. He spent four months looking for a job, being denied since he was recently retired.
This upset Mario because he doesn’t enjoy being treated as a special.
“I wish that people understood we’re just human,” Mario said. “We’re not special. And not everyone sees it that way, but we’re just humans.”
Eventually, Mario got a job as a government employee to make new IDs for incoming Trainees. His connections there led him to getting a GS job as an Arms Room Specialist.
He retired as an AIT instructor teaching the newbies guns to a civilian Arms Room Specialist. However, the government shutdown is preventing Mario from getting paid and threatening his back pay.
“I’m proud that Mario has dedicated his life and done his duty to this country for twenty years,” Erica said. “Not just for his country but for us, even though our country hasn’t always kept him or done things in his best interest.”
Makayla Flenoury Voices Editor
MOVIE NIGHT AT THE VASKA
Digital Content Editor
At 7 p.m., Oct. 27, at the Vaska Theater, Cameron University held its annual Student Movie Night. This event originally started in the 90s as a drive-in out in a wheat field, since turning into one of the most attended campus events year after year.
Journalism and Media Production Professor Dr. Matt Jenkins began the tradition of Movie Night in 1996 in an effort to provide a place to showcase studentmade films. The films presented at Movie Night come in a wide array of genres and styles, as diverse as the people who submit them for presentation.
While in the past Jenkins has taught courses–such as Corporate Video–that require students to create films for Movie Night (often accompanied by a Public Relations campaign plan to draw in attendees), most of the films submitted for this iconic evening were independent student films.
Nine films crossed the Vaska’s screen Monday evening; the audience laughed until the very end. According to Jenkins’s personal count, there were over 100 movie-watchers in attendance.
The night started with a loaded lobby and lengthy concession stand line, moving into
a theater vibrating with excitement. Introducing the fun of films is a short by Dr. Jenkins’s film company, Misfits of Film, accompanied by a commercial for Cameron’s newest Fine Arts Society, created by Billy Peterson for his Audio Visual Production course this semester.
The next to play were music videos for local band MIND FUNERAL created by Journalism and Media Production (JRMP) student Steven Utter under Wax Wings Productions: the first, a live performance of original song “Under My Spell” and the second, a studio recording of “Giants in the Meadows.”
Following this was the first student short film, a bloody yet silly slasher called “Killing Playlist” by alumna Sarah Monk. This is far from Monk’s first time screening a short film of her own at Movie Night, but she truly set the tone for the evening: “Killing Playlist” is a fun and surprising horror short that stars a killer with a very unique pre-murder ritual, one that includes a specially curated playlist of loud music and busting criminal dance moves.
Sticking to the thusfar theme of bloodlust, the next short film was a black and white silent film titled “Shooter” by fellow JRMP major Brayden Howard starring fellow student Matthew Hasley. In opposition to the former film’s lightheartedness, this
one carries a sense of dread and foreboding as we follow a shoot-out between two men amidst a much bigger, much deadlier war all around them. “Shooter” leaves much to the imagination of the viewer.
In the third slot was Dr. Jenkins’s debut screening of his newest short film “Vapor Trails.” As a dedicated filmmaker, Jenkins always has ideas on the backburner, but it is an honor that he saves the debut screenings of his most favorite creations for Movie Night with the Cameron community.
“Vapor Trails” follows the main character attempting any and all of the most absurd suggestions to help quit vaping, with the help of a well-intentioned friend. There was a new but recognizable face amongst Jenkins’s cast this year: Cameron alumni and current Graduate student Mikel Weatherspoon played a retired-clown-gonegroup-counselor that, in my opinion, stole the show with his ability to swing between ecstatic, happy-go-lucky clown to disgruntled retiree who very clearly hates his new job.
Another familiar name among the “Vapor Trails” cast is our very own Matthew Hasley, although the audience
graduate Skylar Teddington’s short animation, “How to Draw a Stick Figure.”
The film was such a hit at last year’s Movie Night that Jenkins received numerous requests this semester to play it again. “How to Draw a Stick Figure” is simple yet hilarious, a solid mix of good humor and humor that is sure to catch one off guard. It is the only animated film to ever be submitted to Movie Night.
In the spirit of reruns and also due to overwhelming requests: the second Vaska screening an older short from Jenkins, “The Last Dive.” “The Last Dive” is trippy and unsettling, with the main character waking up all alone on a submarine at the bottom of the ocean. Jenkins filmed this one inside the actual USS Batfish, a WWII vessel retired in Muskogee, OK.
To counter the ending of “The Last Dive,” which leaves the viewer with more questions than answers, is another newer student film that cuts straight to the point: “Dusk” by JRMP senior Austin Childers. “Dusk” follows a briefcase thief running through dark woods for his life, chased by masked figures and ending in a deadly, Western-style shootout.
The last rerun of
of Pat McGinty,” an older film made by Cameron alumni Cameron Goss and Patrick Turner. When asked what could be expected from this film, Jenkins only said, “You can’t help but want to laugh.”
“Pat McGinty” is as bloody and violent as any horror-comedy can be; it is both disturbing and unserious, hilarious even as viewers turn their heads away from the gore. It is, in my opinion, so clearly the creation of two brothers just looking to mess around and gross people out a little bit. In the end, I believe “The Unfortunate Interrogation of Pat McGinty” made the audience laugh the hardest.
And at the very end of this epic string of movies was “The Newsroom,” a brief mockumentary (also created by Steven Utter) featuring a satirized day in the life of the Collegian Staff.
Each cast/staff member chose a characteristic about themselves or their role on staff and quadrupled it, until everyone was laughing and my
me what it is we as the Collegian staff actually
The Movie Night Q&A panel stretched from one side of the stage all the way to the other, including every single individual who created or worked on any of the nine films from the evening. Jenkins said to me a while ago that a movie isn’t done until it is experienced by others, that it is designed to be experienced by others; I didn’t fully realize what he meant until that moment. That concluded another successful year of Cameron University’s student Movie Night.
Movie Night is hosted every single semester and is by no means restricted to media students only. If you enjoy making movies and have no place to screen it, consider Movie Night. If you’ve never made a movie at all but have an interest in filming, consider Movie Night. Regardless, consider coming to the next student Movie Night and see the magic for yourself.
CU HOSTS STRATEGIC LISTENING SESSION FOR STUDENTS
Mireia Planesas Staff Writer
Cameron University students, athletes and organization leaders gathered at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 27, at Ross Hall’s Johnson Auditorium for a Strategic Plan Listening Session aimed at shaping the university’s future direction over the next five years.
Cameron University President Dr. Shane Hunt opened the event with a message of optimism and ambition.
“We want to make Cameron the best place possible,” Hunt said. “We’re building a new strategic plan for the next five years, and that means dreaming big dreams and finding ways to make student life even better.”
Students representing the Student Government Association (SGA), Greek Life, Cameron athletics and several academic departments were present to share their perspectives.
After the president’s remarks, Dr. Edris Montalvo, professor at Cameron University and moderator of the session, encouraged students to think creatively about
the university’s future.
“Think big ideas,” Montalvo said.
Then, he led a series of discussions focused on three main themes: the past, the present and the future, as well as possible improvements for campus life. When asked about the university’s current strengths, students highlighted educational opportunities, the Rec Center, the library, and Student Support Services (SSS).
However, participants also identified several areas for improvement, including more master’s programs, a better cafeteria, improved transportation for athletes and international students, more dining options, improved facilities for athletics and better funding for the arts and theater programs. Looking toward the future, students shared a “wish list” that included better scheduling of labs for student-athletes, locker rooms for all sports and a new track facility.
Many also expressed a desire for better communication from professors, more in-person class options each semester, and better flexibility for international students moving in and out of campus housing.
When asked what single addition could most improve student life, responses ranged from a community garden to bringing breakfast service back to Shepler Hall. Students explained that these goals all shared a common purpose, to make campus life better and more enjoyable.
Participants also discussed practical ways to achieve these goals, including talking directly with campus dining staff, increasing partnerships with local organizations and improving internal communication systems.
Before the session concluded, students were invited to share additional ideas that had not yet been addressed.
These suggestions were better communication about the maintenance work orders, more student worker opportunities, modernizing campus buildings, recognizing sports teams as they deserve, family passes for athletic events and improving food quality. The feedback collected during the session will help guide the new five-year strategic plan of the University of Cameron to improve the lives of students, academics and campus facilities.
Photos by Serenity Clark
Guillermo Del Toro’s
This is a spoilerfree review of “Frankenstein.”
Guillermo Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” is an adaptation with a steadily-beating heart.
The film follows the life and work of Doctor Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) and the Creature (Jacob Elordi) as he navigates life and humanity.
“Frankenstein” has been adapted many, many, many times over the years from author Mary Shelley’s original work. The most recognizable iconography of Frankenstein’s Creature is the square-headed, green-skinned, boltbrained, mumbling monster seen yearly in Halloween decorations.
Del Toro succeeds not only in revising this false image, but in making the very act of referring to Frankenstein’s creation as “the Creature” feel wrong. It feels like I watched a child grow
aimlessly and without a name, after all the Creature went through.
I was immediately impressed by Elordi’s tender portrayal of the Creature. I’ve yet to read Shelley’s work — aside from a few excerpts in middle school, I know very little of the original tale — so my first and only exposure to the character was the aforementioned green monstrosity. In Del Toro’s film, however, the Creature is a sweet, childlike figure in the early stages of his life. He’s curious and innocent, following after his pseudo-father/creator much like a puppy might tail its owner.
I admit that I doubted Elordi’s casting as the Creature (especially after hearing the original plan for Andrew Garfield to star in the role), but now, I truly cannot imagine anyone else embodying this role as easily as Elordi.
Despite his hulking figure and grisly appearance, Elordi deeply humanizes the
monster. He’s a gentle giant, kind to people and animals, still fresh and afraid of the world. He attacks when provoked, like an animal wounded by a hunter, but even in those moments, I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the Creature’s plight.
Oscar Isaac is, as always, a fine actor. As a longtime fan of Isaac, I was so excited for him to work with Del Toro — and his performance did not disappoint.
The infamous Dr. Frankenstein is an eccentric man, driven by spite against his father and a morbid curiosity to create life. But after succeeding, Frankenstein is at a loss — despite years of research and development, he failed to plan out how to nurture the life he created. That tension and incompetence sets the stage for the Creature’s plight.
I count myself lucky that
I was able to see “Frankenstein” in theaters (on a very welltimed visit to New York) on 35-millimeter film. The cinematography is crisp and beautiful with sharp, vibrant colors, and the film texture added a lovely touch to the already pristine look of Del Toro’s film.
The costumes are also a thing of beauty. I have a lot of love for Del Toro’s period pieces and the often extravagant
(Mia Goth) has some of my favorite costumes, mostly because they reflect the woman’s colorful interest in insects. She wears vibrant shades of green, teal, magenta and red — beetle-like colors that set her apart from bleaker settings and reflect her offbeat personality.
Dr. Frankenstein has a wonderful set of red gloves and flourishing coats.
The Creature wears layers upon layers of worn fabric to conceal his garish appearance. Overall, the film is a beautiful addition to Del Toro’s already impressive body of work. I’m excited to see it again but sad that the general public doesn’t have the pleasure of seeing this masterpiece in theaters. I rate “Frankenstein” at a loving 4.5 out of 5 stars. now available to stream
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 all 8 gold letters from the next issue’s puzzles 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, and thanks for playing! Gift basket includes: Cameron swag, gift cards, snacks and essentials.
THEME: MILITARY
ACROSS:
1. Movement of troops overseas; a combat mission.
2. A group of soldiers to work together (i.e. brigade, platoon, or battalion).
3. A former soldier; no longer active duty.
4. An officer in training; ROTC title.
5. Task, responsibility, or assignment.
6. A commissioned person.
7. ___ Iraqi Freedom (planned action or mission).
8. Highest commissioned rank in the Army, Air Force, or Marines.
DOWN:
1. Where you begin to train and get into shape for service.
2. Enlisted Army rank (E5).
3. To formally join; noncommissioned.
4. Officer above Lieutenant; commanders.
5. Wounded ___ Project.
6. Position; level of authority (E2 or O3 or CW3).
7. Badge awarded for valor or distinguished service.
8. The weapon issued during 1 Down (MI6).
Amelia Lozano
A&E Editor
Courtesy photos
Jake Thomas Assistant Editor
Starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m on Oct. 29 the Cameron Collegian hosted a blood drive with Our Blood Institute (OBI), at the Shepler Ballroom. There was a total of 27 donors at the event. The number marks a new record for Cameron-related OBI events this year, surpassing the previous goal of 25 donors.
A good majority of the donors were people who scheduled ahead of time; however, those who did not schedule were still welcome to participate. Getting prepped for donations is a relatively easy process as well. All that’s needed is a photo ID, a brief medical background check and a small blood sample to ensure you are ready to donate.
Donors were given the option to choose between three types of donations, being whole blood, platelets and plasma. Depending on what you chose, the entire process can take less than 10 minutes, or up to an hour.
Jake Thomas Assistant Editor
Cameron University’s annual Trunk or Treat celebration was held at 6 - 8 p.m, on Oct. 30 bringing families, students, and anyone from Lawton together for an evening of creativiy and candy.
The event had student organizations, university departments and local businesses decorate vehicles and distribute treats, and was all led by Alana MyersYoung, the Director of Events and Activities. Having only been in the position since July, Myers-Young led the event for the first time this year.
“I hadn’t even been to any Trunk or Treat on campus until now,” she said. “But it turned out to be a very wonderful event.”
For all attendees, the event offered an evening of friendly competition and community spirit. Organizations set up themed trunks and tables across campus, while local “Paint the Town” partners joined in to support the university’s efforts to build stronger ties with the Lawton community.
“It’s an amazing time filled with wonderful fellowship,” Myers-Young said. “student organizations full of life and spirit, as well as the departments and offices that support them, and our Paint the Town partners who are local businesses, who want to help support the students.”
event, in order to increase red blood cells in the body, as well as help contributors body adapt to their blood being taken. OBI provided a free T-shirt to everyone involved, as well as a ticket to the Trail of Fears event in Lawton.
Several students and Cameron staff members were on site and expressed their own experiences with the event.
Tashumvi Taylor, a building engineer, said “It benefits the university as well as the community.”
Returning donor and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu player Kyle Cabellero reiterated the importance of giving blood and how it directly relates to him. “I just feel like it’s good to donate,” he said. “My dad’s a firefighter, so he uses stuff like this all the time, and I feel like it’s very needed.”
Journalism and Media Production student Laney Perrine mentioned how she only knew about the event due to the Collegian staff advertising, “When I was at the filming show at the Vaska, there were these people at a stand advertising the blood drive,” she said. “And at first I was nervous, but now here I am.”
OBI has been doing drives like this for a while now, reaching beyond college campuses like Cameron as well. Since it has been over 50 years since they were founded, it’s a given they have the blood drive process down to a science.
OBI Senior Supervisor Tina Pena, spoke on site about the great turnout, and how despite a few hiccups the blood drive was a success. “We went two over for our goal. Our goal was 25 and we had 27,” she said. “So yes, considering where we were and where we’re going to be, I would say it’s been going really well for us.”
Donating blood is a simple process that can save more people than you think. A single donor can save up to three people, which especially adds up over time.
“We appreciate everybody that came out to donate today and save a life,” Pena said.
If you are interested, OBI will be having another blood drive during the spring semester, but will be set up at other locations over the winter as well. For their future schedule, and for more information, contact Our Blood Institute at obi.org or call 877-340-8777.
and staff. Though several local businesses expressed interest, Cricket Wireless was the only partner able to officially participate in this year’s Trunk or Treat.
“They were the only Paint the Town Partner who signed up this year, so they automatically won — but they were such good sports about it!” Myers-Young said.
Myers-Young invited school departments to help out as well. She said the Office of Student Affairs led the way, with strong assistance from Housing, the Dean of Students Office, Wellness Center and her own Events and Activities Office. Email invitations were sent out to all student organizations, encouraging them to sign up. Some of the fan favorite trunks included the Aggie club, Business department, Fine Art and the Wellness Center.
Visitors could opt in a friendly competition by voting for their favorite displays using color-coded foam pumpkins, one for student organizations, another for departments, and a third for Paint the Town partners. The winners were announced at the end of the evening.
“Aggie Club won for the student organizations,” Myers-Young said. “Along with the Wellness Center and of course our Paint the Town partner Cricket
and Mad’s Tacos served food throughout the evening. Myers-Young mentioned that Mad’s Tacos had only been open for a few weeks but were eager to be part of the event.
The event had an impressive turnout as well. The campus originally planned for about 200 visitors but estimated that closer to 300–400 people attended. “The line wrapped all the way back toward the library,” Myers-Young said. “Some trunks ran out of candy — there was only thirty minutes left thankfully but still, you know, how amazing is that? And here I thought we would have extra.”
In addition to the candy, the Trunk or Treat also included a charitable opportunity. In light of recent national events, Cameron University hosted a food drive during the event, collecting nonperishable goods for the Lawton Food Bank.
“Due to recent circumstances in our community — we decided to have a food drive at our trunk or treat to help out,” Myers-Young said.
The effort emphasizes the university’s commitment not only to celebrating with the community but also supporting people in need. By the end of the evening, as the last of the candy disappeared and food trucks packed up, it was safe to say the event was a
The event invited Lawton businesses to connect with the university by providing support for students, faculty
Saving Lives at a new record: OBI phlebotomist takes blood from Editor in Chief, Amanda Purser. Hers along with several other donations surpased the Collegians goal of 25 donors
