Collegian T he Cameron University
Monday, September 9, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
Volume 89 Issue 1
McArthur becomes CU’s new president Tyler Boydston
increase in tuition for the 2013 to 2014 school year. Managing Editor According to McArthur, the reason for the tuition Cameron University’s increase is based on new president has already employees’ benefits as well begun work on ensuring as resources to further that the school keeps students’ education. evolving along with its “The mandatory cost community. for our employees for President John insurance benefits is a McArthur, taking over significant factor but also after Dr. Cynthia Ross’s providing our students the retirement this summer, educational resources in the began working at CU nine library increased licensing years ago in the summer of costs and computer 2004. costs,” McArthur said. “I was hired as the Dean “We want you to have the of the School of Science and best technology possible Technology,” McArthur inside the classroom, and said. “I had a wonderful unfortunately, that costs opportunity to work with money, and a portion of that a great array of faculty and costs is held by the students staff from agriculture to in the form of tuition and zoology, and that was a fees.” great adventure.” McArthur also said McArthur went on to he looks forward to the become the President for opportunity to hear Academic Affairs two years Photo courtesy of CU Public Affairs from students on campus later and held the position regarding their future. until he saw the application “The most exciting thing for CU President. A smiling face: President John McArthur poses for a picture with graduate Sirah Cole at the reception following for me is to be able to listen The process for his the 2013 Hooding Ceremony. McArthur took on the position of president following Cynthia Ross’s retirement. to our students. How can new position on campus initiatives he plans to their degrees. There’s a new I applied and tried to show including students, faculty, Cameron help them move included an interview panel reinforce on campus. piece of software we bought forward in their success in writing why I was a good community members and and a written essay. our regents to convince “The initiative I’m most and implemented last year fit. “ and their learning? At the “The application called Degree Works. It His writing did just them further. The interview excited about is called same time we want to be process for president wasn’t ‘We Want You Back,’” will be open to all students listening to our community. that. After a long wait, a was an interesting process. very different from the soon. It lets us run every panel of dedicated Cameron I learned a lot about myself McArthur said. “We What type of employees application process from and a lot about Cameron have so many students at student’s transcript against University faculty members, will they need in four or any other campus job, University even though I Cameron who have gotten every Cameron degree students and interviewed five years? Do we have the particularly a university program. So if you want him. McArthur said he has had worked here for nine a good start on their degree programs to meet faculty member job,” education, but they stop to try English on for size learned even more about years.” those needs? For me, how McArthur said. “An for whatever reason. We or Journalism on for size, the university through this As McArthur stepped I see Cameron evolving or advertisement was put out process. into his new position, have an initiative underway you can see how close you changing, is that as Lawton, in the Chronicle of Higher are to a degree in that area “After a wait, and a little he has also taken part in this year to reach out to Fort Sill and Duncan begin Education describing what and choose your schedule while longer wait, I had the the Plan 2018 initiatives those students and clearly change, Cameron’s going to the experiences and skills for Cameron University identify for them what correspondingly.” opportunity to interview be right next to them as a the university would like and has considered what they need to do to finish Cameron has also seen an dedicated partner.” with a broad panel, to see in its next president.
New businesses brought to Lawton community Kaylee Jones
opening Aug. 25. The project was Assistant Managing Editor commissioned by Hunt Properties Inc. – a The prayers of Lawton privately held real estate shopaholics have been development, leasing and answered. management firm based The grand opening of out of Dallas. The company the Lawton Marketplace specializes in “regional took place July 28, with and neighborhood retail the doors of major retailers centers built around strong like Target and Academy demographics and anchored officially opening to the by national tenants such as public. Kim Garner, a Target, Home Depot, Walsenior Communication Mart, Kroger, Safeway and major at Cameron Belk.” University, is one of such Hunt Properties is self-professed shopaholics. also involved in six other “I think [the projects across Oklahoma, Marketplace] is a wonderful including in Enid, addition to the Lawton Muskogee and Shawnee. community,” Garner said. The Lawton Marketplace “I’m just happy we have it has been estimated to cost here, and I don’t have to around $45 million to drive to Oklahoma City develop. or Wichita Falls or Dallas Barry Albrecht, anymore. It’s more variety.” President of the Lawton-Ft. The Lawton Marketplace Sill Economic Development currently contains a variety Corporation, said the of new stores: Kirkland’s, Marketplace has been in Dress Barn, Famous the works for two and a half Footwear, Chuck E. Cheese, years. Lane Bryant and Pet Smart. According to the Lawton The most recent opening, Chamber of Commerce’s TJ Maxx held it’s grand
website, the Lawton-Ft. Sill Economic Development Team is comprised of “community professionals coming together to collectively achieve common goals.” One of these goals, according to Albrecht, is to grow Lawton responsibly. Since the grand opening, Albrecht said: “Traffic counts are up. We’re seeing more and more license plates from as far out as Texas. We know that our vision for Lawton is to become the regional employment center for Southwest Oklahoma, and the development on 82nd street is key to ensuring that happens.” Garner, who expressed a similar opinion, said, “I don’t think people are going to take their money away now, since they see that Lawton has more for us in our community.” The current stores are only the first of three phases of the project. An online PDF of the site plan reveals that future
prospects include Panda Express, McDonald’s, City National Bank and Mattress Firm. Although what is coming next is still up for speculation, Lawton residents are already casting their votes for what stores should come next. “Best Buy,” said Zach Radd, a Junior International Language Studies and Linguistics major at CU. Confessing that he still has not been out to visit the Marketplace, he expressed his hope that the recent development will attract other national companies to Lawton. “It would be really sweet if we could get a Best Buy,” Radd said. “There’s nowhere to get electronics right now.” The Marketplace is estimated to be the largest project of its kind in 35 years for Lawton, and with each new opening, it Photo by Kaylee Jones appears that Lawton has acquired a worthy target. Shopping spree: A local shopper walks outside the Your move, Best Buy. local businesses on 82nd street. The grand opening of the Lawton Marketplace took place on July 28.
Electrical cord causes campus-wide outage Kali Robinson
Firemen arrived soon after the alarm sounded but left once they discovered the cause of the problem. Sports Editor “I don’t want to say it made the day more exciting because it is a serious thing, but I think it’s just an inconvenience,” Brisolara A campus-wide power outage occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. During construction on a water main, said. “No harm. No foul. I think everything will end up all workers struck an electrical cord responsible for powering a large right.” Although the workers who caused the outage immediately portion of Cameron’s electricity. realized the problem and began working to fix it, for many on Without electricity to properly ventilate the cooking areas in the McMahon Centennial Complex, smoke collected and set campus, this meant no access to air conditioning, elevators or dorm rooms. off fire alarms. Matthew Brisolara, who works in the Cameron Jeff Larson, CUTV’s Video Production Manager, was setting Book Store, was working in the building when it occurred. up for a show when he realized what had happened. “We went outside probably 15 minutes after the power “We were doing our news cast for CU News, and as we were outage happened because it took that long for the fire alarm to go off,” Brisolara said. “That’s when everybody got kicked outside.” setting everything up, one of our programs was down,” Larson
said. “We were currently trying to fix that and all of a sudden, the lights just started flickering. All of our equipment went down.” Larson said he and coworkers were unplugging machines trying to find the problem and were relieved when they found out that they did not cause the technical difficulties. According to Larson, CU News was postponed until after Labor Day. With the library shut down, students who lived on campus did not have access to printers or the Internet. Power was restored in the same day, and although some equipment took longer than others to reboot, Aggies had access to air and Internet before the holiday.
2
News
September 9, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
CU @ Duncan
Photos by Carson Stringham
Step by step: The Simmons Center recently opened their doors to CU-Duncan students. Sophomores Rebecca Bowman and Ryan Cox make use of the facilities.
Simmons Center invites CU-Duncan to get fit for free Carson Stringham
in Duncan can now enjoy a full gym membership as part Copy Editor of their college experience. All a student must do is go to There is a new perk for the Simmons Center, show Cameron University students identification and the Center living or attending school in will issue them a membership Duncan, Okla.who want to stay physically fit but do not feel card. Camp said Cameron and like traveling all the way to the the Simmons Center have had Lawton campus to do so: the a working relationship with use of the Simmons Center’s each other for the past 10-12 Recreation Center. years. However, Cameron has Susan Camp, Director of only used the facility for its the CU-Duncan campus since convention and theater wing as it opened in 1994, said the agreement is the product of her part of the CU@SC series. For the series, Cameron’s School desire to give the students in of Liberal Arts utilized the Duncan a chance to have the same amenities as those on the facilities to hold recitals and art shows. Lawton campus. Camp said since CUWith facilities such as an indoor track, weight room, pool Duncan began offering fitness classes in the Duncan area, and many other features, the the Simmons Center was the students who attend classes
obvious place to go; however, there was never a steady agreement made for long-term use. Camp wanted to change that. “In the course of the last few years,” Camp said, “I have talked with the Simmons Center, to the administration and to Vice President Holland about various funding sources. I wrote a proposal to the Student Activities Committee, which is mostly made up of students, and they were very supportive.” Camp said her proposal allowed for Duncan students to have access to the Center through funds through SAC; separate funds were used so that the faculty and staff could enjoy the membership opportunities as well. Camp said the Center has graciously
offered discount membership prices for the spouses of students who wish to use the facility. For couples who wish to take advantage of the deal, child care – which is not included in the student membership – is another advantage of the Simmons Center. Camp credits Bill Robinson, Adjunct Professor in the Health and Physical Education Department, with being instrumental in helping to make the merger a success. Camp said Robinson instituted the Walking/Jogging class in Duncan, and she knew he would be able to spark interest about the Center. “He has really done a great job of getting the word out,” Camp said. “He remembers every student he has had
since he started the class. He makes it fun because he is so enthusiastic.” Camp said there are plans to add more classes in order to take full advantage of the Center’s facilities. She also said through their Center memberships, students will be able to participate in any of the classes given at the Center, not just the ones that are scheduled through Cameron. “Whether students want to go and participate in water aerobics at seven in the morning or go Zumba at five in the evening, whatever classes are available to all Simmons Center members are open to the students as well,” she said. Any student who wishes to participate in the Simmons Center’s athletic leagues, such
as basketball or volleyball, will have to pay extra to do so, but the everyday classes are still free. As far as more physical fitness classes being added to the CU-Duncan curriculum, Camp said there has been some discussions about adding a Walking/Jogging II class as well as possibilities for a Zumba class, yoga class and even disc golf. Camp said she is looking forward to receiving more feedback from the student population on other courses they would like to see offered. “I am just waiting for students to tell me what they would like,” Camp said. “Once I know, the Health and Physical Education Department and I will see what we can do.”
Relay for Life makes stars of volunteers Sarah Brewer Staff Writer
Relay for Life of Comanche County is giving its volunteers the star treatment during the first-ever Relay Glam Purple Carpet Reception. Starting from 4 to 7 Sept. 10 at the Lawton American Cancer Society (ACS) Office, Relay for Life of Comanche County will roll out its purple carpet and celebrate the 100 years of the ACS and Relay For Life. It will also recognize its volunteers for their dedication, recruit participants and team captains to finish the fight against cancer and premiere services for cancer patients. According to Event Leader and ACS Staff Partner Lyndse Tatum, some services have been available to cancer patients for some time. One such service gives patients a way to feel beautiful while coping with chemotherapy and other forms of treatment. “We would also like to introduce patient services that we have at the Lawton office,” she said. “A lot of people don’t know that we have a wig room which is free to cancer patients — they can come and get a wig.” According to Tatum, Cameron University will set the stage for one event that will support cancer research. She is inviting the community to take part in CPS-3, a grassroots effort that
analyzes questionnaire responses and determines the likelihood of either having or preventing cancer. “Oklahoma is really fortunate to participate in this study,” she said. “If your age is 30 to 65, you are invited to participate. It is a really great study, and we are lucky to be a part of it in Lawton.” The American Cancer Society Epidemiology Research Program will be initiating the study. Its goal is to enroll at least 300,000 adults of various racial and ethnic backgrounds from across the United States. For Tatum, there is no such thing as having a small role in the ongoing fight against cancer — she said she wants to engage elementary school children in the Relay Recess. This program transforms students into superheroes through prevention education, fundraising activities and fun outside of the classroom. She said she is hoping enough volunteers can green light the project sometime this year. Tatum said she is hoping to gain volunteers to start a planning committee for another event that will benefit canine companions that serve as caregivers to cancer patients. Resembling the annual Relay for Life, Bark for Life will include costume contests, purple bandanas for pups that participate and a survivor walk for the dogs and the humans who care for them. “There are a lot of patients that come into our office that talk about how they don’t have family around them as they undergo
treatment, but their dogs were by their side the whole time,” she said. After participating in Bark for Life in Altus, Tatum said she brought the event to Comanche County because she wants to include as many people as possible. “We created this event for our dogs that are caregivers, and we do have dogs that have cancer as well,” she said. “It is a way for the dogs to get out, and it is a way to reach a new demographic because cancer doesn’t discriminate — and that includes dogs.” To add some Hollywood glitz to the casual come-and-go soiree, Tatum said cameras will flash in the photo booth and volunteers will walk a purple carpet. Tatum said she found these ideas for the event while perusing Pinterest and thought it would encourage participants to have fun. “Celebrating and making it glamorous to be a volunteer is exciting,” she said. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to give up your evenings and come to committee meetings or to go out and raise money. I think it is glamorous to be a volunteer.” However, instead of handing out trophies for acting ability, Tatum said organizers will give out prizes as way of thanking Relay for Life volunteers. “Our volunteers are the stars of Relay for Life,” she said.
The college experience: If you teach it they will learn Kaitlyn Stockton
that committee, and we were looking at a number of Copy Editor things we would like to do on campus that we thought With the school year in full would be supportive. It was swing, Cameron University decided that the best thing has welcomed a new addition to do would be to have some to its campus: The Office of place where we could just be Teaching and Learning. that all together and just have Currently located on the someone be responsible for it fourth floor of North Shepler, and coordinate it,” she said. the office is a new addition “There is a lot of attention created to assist freshmen put on getting students to be and other students in their more successful in college, transitions to Cameron getting students to graduation. University. We want to see students The office is composed Photo by Kaitlyn Stockton complete our programs once of a director, administrative they start. They have invested assistant and four full-time Open door policy: The door to CU’s new Office of Teaching and Learning is a lot of hopes, dreams and instructors all dedicated to now open to students in need of help when transitioning to Cameron. The office energy.” helping students navigate was created to foster academic success and enhance a student’s college experience. To assist new students in their way from the first days of the transition to college, three college up to the day they earn only the Advisement Center, support that helps students to production. Overall, the university success courses their diplomas. but also the tutorial labs across be successful.” committee’s goal consisted have been created. Designed Assistant Vice President for campus. Dr. Kingsley said the of making sure students specifically for incoming Academic Affairs Dr. Margery “We’re a unit that combines office came to be after many taking these classes – mostly freshmen, these courses Kingsley – the director of a lot of the academic support discussions with the Top 30 freshmen level courses – cover such topics as note the new unit – said the office services that students use – a group of faculty members received the highest quality taking, study skills and test was created to help students in their freshmen year,” Dr. who represent the 30 courses experience. preparation. find success in their academic Kingsley said. “We provide that produce over 45 percent “We were working with Overall, these classes are careers. The unit oversees not supplemental academic of Cameron’s credit hour Top 30 last year. I was chairing intended to help students
learn the ropes to Cameron University. “We have a lot of students in the university success courses,” Dr. Kingsley said. “It is in the hundreds for sure. These classes used to be relatively small courses, but now all new students who are coming in with less than 24 hours have to go through one of the university success courses. We have had them running all over campus to try to identify different offices and resources that they are going to need. They seem to be having fun.” Dr. Kingsley said she is proud to be part of this organization because she is able to help students similar to herself. As her parents knew little of the college experience, the new director said she was on her own for a majority of her undergraduate career. With this background, Kingsley said she hopes she can make a difference in some student’s college career.
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A&E
September 9, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
Foam dance benefits community
community.” For Raeven Bird, Student Life Editor an English Education From 9:30 p.m. to sophomore, her first time midnight, Aug. 29, the attending the Foam Dance Programming Activities Party was an experience to Council (PAC) held their remember. ninth annual Foam Dance “It was a lot of fun,” Bird Party. The event took place said. “The foam party was in Cameron University’s one of the most fun campus Fine Arts Courtyard. events I’ve been to. It was When entering the a great chance to have fun gate into the Fine Arts with people outside of Courtyard, the atmosphere class and unwind from the was warm as people piled stresses of the first couple into the amphitheater. weeks of class.” Blake O – the DJ – was Bird said it was a good playing today’s hits while idea to require canned food foam filled the pit. PAC donations to enter the Foam members f lanked the two Dance Party. She said that foam machines and used while students are fortunate Photo by Charlene Belew water hoses to soak people in many ways, providing in the front of the crowd. As Cue the foam: Students attend Foam Dance Party for a night of music and community service is people entered, they recieved something that should dancing at the CU Fine Arts Courtyard. The event took place Aug. 29. water and candy. always be considered. Students were still “I feel like Cameron Dance Party had around originated from CU’s Holland said. “It feels good required to have a current students are very fortunate, 1,200 attendees and brought close relationship with the to contribute to make a CU ID to get themselves both to be in school and to roughly 3,700 pounds Lawton Food Bank. better community, and and one other person have fun events so helping of food to donate to the “We have a responsibility three little canned goods through the gate, and they Lawton Food Bank. to educate students, but we can make them feel like they the community should be were required to bring Vice-President of also have a responsibility were able to contribute. The something we really want three canned food items per Student Services Jennifer to do,” Bird said. “A little to make students good 3,700 pounds of food will person. This year’s Foam donation is no big deal.” Holland said the idea citizens in our community,” feed a lot of people in our
Charlene Belew
Bird said she had a fun time being in the foam pit with so many people. She believes the only thing that could have made the foam dance better would have been to add more foam. “The water was about ankle deep in the very front,” Bird said. “The water spraying was a little excessive, so we were completely soaked. The foam was actually pretty warm. I think the foam party could be improved by adding more foam.” PAC co-chair and Psychology senior Sidney McCormack said the Foam Dance Party is always a good time for students. This year, they could have fun while helping the community. “It’s tons of fun. Everyone who goes says they enjoy it completely,” McCormack said. “This year, you could come, have fun and help the community.”
Fifty-two seasons: a legacy of music Sadie Jones A&E Editor
At 8 p.m. Aug. 24 in the McMahon Memorial Auditorium guests gathered to listen as an elite group of musicians filled the stage with “A Legacy of Music.” Conducted by award-winning director and Cameron University alumnus, Maestro Jon Kalbf leisch — the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra began their 52nd season. CU Professors, John Moots, Doris Lambert, Dr. James Lambert, Dr. Kirsten Underwood and Senior Percussion major, Quinton Williams represented the CU Music Department. The evening opened with Mozart’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio Overture. The upbeat yet complex piece allowed each performer to be heard as they played vigorously until the Overture concluded. As stated in Maestro Kalbf leisch’s “Notes on the Music,” the overture tumbled right into the action without stopping. The second piece — Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor — included three
movements, Allegro molto appassionato, Andante and Allegro molto vivace. The piece showcased the string instruments along with the evening’s featured soloist — 1994 winner of the Louis D. McMahon International Music for Strings Competition and world-renowned performer — Violinist, Lee - Chin. Executive Director of The Lawton Philharmonic, Peggie Hightower, said Chin has performed all over the world but was specifically impressed with the Louis D. McMahon International Music Competition she competed in — and won — nineteen years ago. “When I visited with Chin,” Hightower said, “she said she was fascinated with Louis D. McMahon’s vision to have the competition and she is very dedicated to supporting the Arts.” Although she has won several competitions all over the world, Hightower said Chin holds a special place in her heart for the Louis D. McMahon competition. “Out of the two awards that mean the most to her, the Lawton competition was one of her favorites,”
Photo by Sadie Jones
Lawton Philharmonic’s 52nd season: Members of the Philharmonic warm up before they begin their performance at 8 p.m. Aug. 24 at the McMahon Memorial Auditorium.
Hightower said. “The reason was because she admired McMahon’s loyalty to music and was willing to come and perform for the Lawton Philharmonic today because of that.” Followed by Mendelssohn’s threemovement piece and intermission, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, Op. 47 closed the evening. The Principal Trumpet Player, Moots said
Symphony No. 5 was his favorite piece of the evening. The Philharmonic is composed of professional musicians from across Oklahoma. “There are only three rehearsals before the concert, and it can be a challenge to be consistent — especially when the brass section has not played together in four months,” Moots said. Shostakovich’s
Symphony No. 5, Op. 47 consisted of four movements — Moderato, Allegretto, Largo and Allegro non troppo. Maestro Kalbf leisch said the symphony was Shostakovich’s response after being denounced for his Fourth Symphony. “The Soviet authorities banned many of Schostakovich’s mature works,” Maestro Kalbf leisch said. “He was at one point attacked for writing ‘muddle
instead of music’ and when he was denounced after his Fourth Symphony — he wrote the Fifth in 1937 and was immediately successful.” Maestro Kalbf leisch said although Schostakovich’s music has been criticized as derivative and vulgar, he believed Schostakovich was successful in bringing emotional power to his music.
Amelia’s Closet opens up her doors to Lawtonians Sarah Brewer
has been her dream since she was a 12-year-old girl, and her When senior Elementary daughter has inherited this dream as her own. Education major Kayla According to Perez, the Meckes took a pair of scissors to sever a ribbon for Amelia’s namesake of the boutique, Closet Boutique, a shop that Amelia, had a faithful heart sells clothing and accessories and a penchant for fashion. for women, she saw prayers “Amelia is my mother’s come to completion. name,” Perez said. “She lost Meckes and her mother, the battle to ovarian cancer Carolina Perez, own and about 17 years ago. She used manage Amelia’s Closet to pray in her closet, and so Boutique. Their vision for my daughter came up with Amelia’s Closet Boutique the name believing that her formed when they began prayers are still out there for selling from their home us — it is in honor of her.” last summer, and to Clad in crimson blazers, celebrate their arrival at members of the Lawton their downtown location Redcoat Ambassadors took on C Avenue, Meckes and Perez held a ribbon-cutting note of this tribute while ceremony on the evening of they were there welcoming Aug. 23. Amelia’s Closet Boutique Perez is a CU graduate; to Lawton. Customers she received a bachelor’s were crowding the store to degree in Business peruse its current collection: Administration. Perez said Chevron-stripe maxi dresses, opening her own boutique floral print blouses and woolen winter coats were
Staff Writer
some of the most popular items among display that evening. Meckes said she had been waiting for the right moment to formally open her shop to the public. “We have been wanting to do the ribbon cutting for a while — we had to join the Lawton Chamber of Commerce in order to that, so we finally joined,” she said. “It is a great resource for local businesses.” Meckes said scheduling the official debut for Amelia’s Closet after promoting the boutique during the recent CU Paint the Town Black and Gold Fair made business sense. She has since made it possible for customers to purchase items from her store online and via telephone. “It has been a game of marketing, getting the word out and letting people know that we are here,” she said.
“We have our following, so hopefully having our grand opening now will give us more of a following.” Meckes described her clothing as a collection of chic, feminine pieces that can transition from season to season. “My store has a vintage feel; we have clothing that is very girly,” she said. “We want women to feel good in our clothing.” Meckes said she wants
to distinguish Amelia’s Closet Boutique from other department stores. “We want to be as unique as possible because we do not want everyone to have what our customers have.” While she selects items that appeal to her own style and aesthetic, Meckes said she also handpicks pieces that fit the style and flatter the shape of as many women as possible in hopes of making them feel beautiful.
Meckes said she wants every detail found in Amelia’s Closet Boutique — the whimsical decorations, the handwritten messages scrawled on the dressing room mirrors and the mix of Christian and secular music — to put customers at ease. “When I thought about opening the store, I wanted it to be a place where my grandmother’s prayers could dwell and give people a whole other shopping experience.”
Photo by Sarah Brewer
A dream come true: (Left) Carolina Perez and daughter Kayla Meckes (right) cut the ribbon and officially open Amelia’s Closet to the public on Aug. 23.
4
Voices
September 9, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
Shooting in Duncan raises concerns
Tyler Boydston Managing Editor
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Editorial Staff
Managing Editor - Tyler Boydston Asst. Managing Editor - Kaylee Jones Student Life Editor - Charlene Belew A&E Editor - Sadie Jones Sports Editor - Kali Robinson Copy Editors - Kaitlyn Stockton, Carson Stringham Aggie Central Editor- Jack McGuire Archivist - Jack McGuire
Newsroom Staff
Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Bukonla Aloba, Sarah Autry, Sarah Brewer, Casey Brown, Maurice Buckner, Ekanem Ekpenyong, Jacob Jardel, James Meeks, Holden Rowe, Haley Swinford Circulation Manager - Sarah Brewer Advertising Manager - Kaylee Jones
Newswriting Students
Tyler Brumbalow, Maurice Buckner, Kaleb Castillo, Nicole Clobes, Ekanem Ekpenyong, Mikaela Greene, Nicole Hartvigsen, Trevon Herbert, Krista Hubbard, Charles Johnson, Jennifer Landers, Chase Mallow, Lora Miller, Christina Nalsen, Misty Neal, Kaley Patterson, Peyton Presgrove, Hannah Smart, Jonathan Tuckwell
Faculty Adviser
Mr. David Bublitz
About Us
August 16 was a difficult day for Duncan, OK. Shots rang out in the small town on that afternoon as three teenagers shot and killed Australian baseball player Chris Lane. As sad as the situation was, the events that followed were even more disheartening. Being that Duncan was my hometown, I was quick to defend it. I saw news articles left and right talking about the delinquency of the town, and it hurt me to think that Duncan may only be known for the worst aspects. The truth is, though, that Duncan has had situations like this before. It does not necessarily mean that it is a bad town, though. On Labor Day, the Chris Lane Memorial 5k took place in memory of the fallen athlete. In a grand show of support, over 400 people arrived to pay tribute to Lane and show their support for his close friends who have been dealing with their grief for the past few weeks. Not only did people from Duncan show up, but also people from throughout Oklahoma came to show their support. Duncan is that kind of community. When I was in the hospital as a result of a seizure of unknown origin during my senior year of high school, I returned home a week later to an outpouring of get well cards, and welcomed back by a multitude of friends and
Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
public, I decided to check out their Facebook pages like every other curious person would do, but what I found was absolutely sickening. What I was disgusted by were the reactions of people on Facebook to the murders, rather than the actions of those who had committed the crime. While their posts showed that the murder was planned or at least thought up before they went out with the gun, their friends’ responses sickened me. A friend of one of the teenagers involved in the murder created a group on Facebook called “Free Bug” a few days later with the intention of getting the teenager in question released from jail; the last time I
checked, it had 24 likes. There were 24 people who didn’t understand the gravity of the situation in which one man had his life taken away because three teenagers said they were bored. The number of people in support of the teenagers was not the only disgusting thing, however, as many people began posting severe amounts of hate speech on one of the boys’ pages. The page has since been deleted, but I got to see it before its deletion and I was appalled. Grown men were posting about prison rape and wishing awful and terrible things upon these teenage boys. Grown men were posting these things. The grown men posting angry
things to Facebook were citizens of Duncan, but were not representative of the town as a whole. Duncan, a town that I will forever hold in my heart, has been torn apart by the senseless actions of three teenage boys. So remember to keep Duncan in your thoughts. Remember to be sensible. Remember that there are good people in the world. More importantly, remember more than anything else that the actions of the few do not outweigh the actions of the many. While there are and always will be bad and destructive people in the world, there are far more good-hearted people; it’s not such a dark and scary place.
Fifteen life lessons learned from college
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 free of charge. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.
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family. Duncan is that kind of community. Back in December, a friend of mine passed on as a result of a tragic car accident. She was someone who I had gone to high school with and stayed in touch with in our years post-graduation. When she passed on, our show choir from junior and senior years reunited to say goodbye to her, and when I got to her funeral, I saw that our former choir teacher had come along with the new class of students, all in their uniforms, just like my friend would have wanted. Duncan is that kind of community. In the weeks since the shooting in Duncan, things have looked grim. People called in threats to Duncan Public Schools, and my friends and family in town were in panic mode. I was along for the madness. I had to sit back and wonder whether or not my own nieces and nephews were in good hands as they went to school. Duncan will be forever changed by the senseless murder of an innocent man, that much is more than well known. What I didn’t expect to see after the event was the amount of hate speech spewed across the Internet by faceless individuals wishing death and even worse upon those who had committed the heinous crime. After the names of the suspects were released to the
Kaylee Jones
Assistant Managing Editor
There are a lot of college lessons I wish I wouldn’t have had to learn the hard way. It’s not as though someone wasn’t there to warn me, but it seems we learn what is right for us by first learning what is wrong. So here they are, a gift to you, 15 of the lessons I’ve learned throughout the last four years of college. 1. College is not like high school. You have to be more disciplined. You’re
responsible for making your own schedule and attending your classes. Your teachers are not going to babysit you. This means do not take 8 a.m. classes, especially during the summer, especially during the summer you turn 21. Guilty. 2. If you’re going to stay in the dorms, shower shoes are a must. Also, don’t spend a lot of money on decorations; you’re going to hate them in two years.
Our Views
The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Aggie 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.
Photo by MCT Campus
3. Get involved in something on campus. It can be anything: a Zumba class, an intramural team, a sorority or even the newspaper. You don’t have to go to every event hosted by every organization on campus. However, if you do, you’ll get lots of free food. 4. Another lesson, free food is your friend. 5. Food lesson number two: ALWAYS carry change for vending machines. You’ll thank yourself when you only have fifteen minutes between classes and your stomach won’t stop rumbling. 6. Work a job while in school. Working will teach you lessons you won’t learn in the classroom. Plus, college is expensive, and it’s nice to be able to treat yourself every once in a while. 7. Treat yourself. This is important. College can be stressful. Take time to reward yourself when you meet goals. Get a massage. Give yourself an entire night to play video games. You deserve it, and it’s your responsibility to make sure you are treated the way you deserve. 8. Learn to nap. This is key to college survival. 9. Invest in a f lash drive. While you’re at it, invest in a good winter coat, umbrella and a sturdy backpack. 10. DO NOT DOWNLOAD CANDY CRUSH. Period. 11. Don’t buy your books until after the first class when you’ve received your syllabus. You might not need them, or you might be able to share with someone. 12. There are a lot of college expenses you can avoid. Amazon.com will be your best friend. You can have a Prime account for 50 percent off with
your student discount. The advantages of the membership are well worth the money you’ll spend. 13. Send thank you cards, whether it is to scholarship committees, teachers or anyone who offers you a helpful hand. People like to be appreciated and will remember your kind gesture when you need them in the future. 14. Don’t be afraid to make major changes. If you’re not happy, change something. Don’t stay in an unhappy relationship. Don’t major in a subject you hate. I moved here for a speech and debate scholarship; I now work for the newspaper. I love my job. 15. My last piece of advice is that there is no college survival guide. Improvise. You’re going to procrastinate, pull all-nighters and need extensions. You’re going to sleep through your alarm, miss classes and disagree with your teachers. Don’t beat yourself up when you fail to meet a goal, and don’t forget to reward yourself when you complete a task. College is an experience in which what you get out of it depends greatly upon what you are willing to put into it. In closing, I’ll say this – whether this is your final year or you’re new to the college scene, no matter what college you choose, there are always going to be hurdles. It’s not about winning the race, and sometimes it’s not even about finishing; it’s about running no matter what. Don’t sit on the sidelines in college. And, never be afraid to learn lessons the hard way. Best of luck.
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Student Life
September 9, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
International Club prepares for banquet Casey Brown
meeting will be canceled as members of the club will be Staff Writer at the International Festival. CU’s International Club Everyone – regardless of held its first meeting at nationality – is welcome to 5:15 p.m. on Aug. 30 in the attend the monthly meetings. Wichita Room. Over 40 The International Office’s members, a guest speaker Administrative Assistant and two advisors were in Heather Whisenhunt said attendance. Elections were the International Club is held for the position of open to everyone, but each Public Relations Officer. month the club will place Games, door prizes emphasis on one country and a discussion of the to discuss its traditions International Student and food culture. Students Scholarship Banquet took will often prepare dishes place. from their home country to International Club provide others with a taste of President Geno Vasquez led their homelands. the meeting. He explained “It is not just for the purpose of the club, held international students,” she an election for the vacant said. “They like anybody to officer position and discussed join. The more, the merrier. ideas for a place to visit this Usually the meetings will semester. have one country a month To Vasquez, the present and talk about their International Club is more food culture. Sometimes the than a student organization; students will try to prepare it is a place for Cameron’s something from their home diverse student population to country that the people can make new friends. taste.” “One of the goals of Elections were held for International Club is so you the at-large Public Relations can get to know people and Officer. Six students were have fun,” Vasquez said. nominated, and Mary “We have trips, and we have Omoyele of Nigeria was events where you can help elected. She joins President out. It also helps you with Vasquez, a senior Biology your people skills.” major from Mexico; Vice Meetings are held the President Rushna Shrentha, last Friday of every month. a senior Biology major from However, next month the Nepal; Treasurer Maria
Photo by Casey Brown
Photo by Casey Brown
A race to build: CU International Club members compete against each other and the clock to build the tallest, freestanding straw building. The meeting was held at 5:15 p.m. Aug. 30 in the Wichita Room. Muehlfele, a senior Business Management major from Germany; Secretary Asiana Gurung, a junior Biology major from Nepal; and SGA Representative Agnes Ajose, a Biology major from Nigeria. Women’s basketball coach Tom Webb was in attendance to offer support to international students. He told students the Athletics Department is available if they may ever need help. Webb said the International Club is an organization that supports the Athletics Department by cheering at their games.
“I’ve been at Cameron for six years, and you guys have been a great organization of support for us,” Webb said. “At our games, we hear your loud cheering, and it is good. The louder the better.” Members reconnected with old friends and made new ones over dinner and games. Six teams competed in Straw Games. Each team had one package of drinking straws and 10 minutes to build the tallest freestanding structure they could. Some teams started out slowly, but toward the end of the 10 minutes, all six teams were concentrating on building.
The second place team had the strongest structure that stood the longest, but was about half an inch short of the first place’s building. A prize was also awarded to the most diverse table, a tradition at every meeting. After Straw Games, Vasquez called the meeting back to order to discuss the banquet and ticket sales. The banquet not only helps the club, but also provides scholarships to international students. “Every year we do this banquet to raise funds for the International students’ scholarships,” he said. “What
we do is sell tickets. With those tickets, people get to see a show, and there’s food provided. Whatever we raise there goes to the scholarships. We also do a silent auction. We need everybody’s help.” International Club Advisor Marcella Gustafson said the members of the club will be selling tickets. Tickets will be sold for $15 per student or $20 for nonstudents; for those who wish to buy multiple seats for their family or organization, a full table – consisting of eight seats – will cost $120. The banquet will be held Oct. 5.
History Club branches out into community Sarah Brewer Staff Writer
History is written by the victors, so the saying goes, and this year, one Cameron University organization is seeking a triumphant academic year on its own terms. Members of the CU History Club began another era when it met to elect student officers and discuss forthcoming activities on the afternoon of Aug. 30 in a South Shepler student lounge. Student and faculty leadership had a changing-of-the-guard of sorts when Dr. Lance Janda with Instructor Michael Cox came to serve students and again when students chose senior History major Colten Kennedy to serve as their president. Other student members in attendance during this meeting were History majors Owen Sasser, Kelley High and Justin Smith. Its members are part of a continuing CU legacy, Janda said, but chronicling the origin of the CU History Club proves difficult; he said the existence of the CU organization probably predates the 1980s. Regardless of when members were active in
the CU History Club, Janda said they share a fascination for a story that reveals what life was like in another time. “Certainly, most of the faculty I know and most of the students I know may like the intellectual part of history or the statistics or the numbers, but what really hooks them is a captivating story,” he said. Janda said each student has a story that piques his or her own interest, but each connects to it in the same way — through feelings. “Whether it is about someone inspirational like George Washington or about something horrible and dramatic like the Bubonic Plague, something captures their imaginations in an evocative, emotional sort of way.” According to Janda, each person is a potential History major, but the things some students find so alluring about another period in time can render others apathetic. “As a species, we’re drawn to stories,” he said. “Often, we then want to know more about the event or the people that were there. This is also one reason why history is such a hard discipline to recruit for — a lot of young people cannot connect with these things. They
think it all happened back in the day and so it has no bearing them.” However, according to Janda and the members of the CU History Club, one forthcoming American federal observance will make the past relevant to today. Cameron University will commemorate the 1787 signing of the Constitution of the United States of America on Sept. 17. Because the History and Political Science Departments traditionally sponsor and organize on-campus events for Constitution Day, the CU History Club will help to promote the event. Janda said some past speakers have given controversial presentations. The topic for Constitution Day this year — Second Amendment Rights: Right to Bear Arms in Modern Day America — is one also that incites debate. Featuring guest speaker Jim White, a World War II veteran, champion marksman and former three-term president and lifetime member of the Oklahoma Rifle Association, the presentation will give students the opportunity to examine this divisive issue from a perspective that considers its history. Kennedy said he wants the CU History Club to evolve into more of an academic club
while keeping the elements that make it a social club. Pact activities were simple affairs. Members came together to watch historical dramas, and the topics of the movies ranged from the Salem Witch Trials in colonial Massachusetts in the late 17th century to a 1944 plot by German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and to use the Operation Valkyrie to take control of the country during World War II. But this year, Kennedy said, the consensus among the student members was in favor of experiencing history through other means. “We are wanting to branch out,” Kennedy said. “We would like to take advantage and tour some of the historic sites in our area.” Tentative plans include touring the Historic Mattie Beal Home in Lawton and venturing to Geronimo’s grave in Fort Sill. Members of the CU History Club said they aim to be a collective that cares about the past and its effect on the present. “We are the most active zealots of history,” Sasser said.
PAC defines schedule for upcoming September events
Photo by James Meeks
Down to business: PAC co-chairs BJ Loflin and Sidney McCormack took control of the club meeting by discussing upcoming events through the month of September. The meeting took place Aug. 26 in the Buddy Green Room. introduce themselves. were donated to the Lawton James Meeks The Foam Dance Party Food Bank. Staff Writer – the biggest event of the Another event, which The Programming year – was the first item on was held on Sept. 5, was the Activities Council held Tye-Dye T-Shirt day. This the meeting agenda. PAC a meeting Aug. 26 in the members discussed the occasion allowed students to Buddy Green Room to work schedules and entry bring a t-shirt and design it discuss its list of activities procedures for the event. in any color they wished. for the month of September. This year, CU students had “This is a new event we PAC co-chairs BJ Loflin to bring not only their ID are doing,” Loflin said. and Sidney McCormack but also three canned food “It’s a new idea that we are called the meeting to order items to gain entrance into throwing out, and if it’s by allowing members to the dance. These food items something that works well,
we will probably continue to do it in future years.” Next was the PAC retreat held on Sept. 7, which allowed students to meet the PAC members as well as see what the organization does on campus. The event provided students with information on how they could become involved. “It is for anyone wanting to get involved or is new in PAC or even old in PAC,” Loflin said. “This year we are trying to make it more of a family. We want to make it have more of a community sense rather than feel like we only see each other once a week during these meetings.” Funny T-Shirt Day is another event planned for the month of September. On this day, PAC will team up with The Smith Company to allow students to create humorous shirts to wear. Loflin explains that students will be able to create shirts ranging from funny messages to body swaps and celebrities. The event will be held Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the McMahon
Centennial Complex. The last event planned for the month is Movie Night, which will be held on Sept. 17 at the McMahon Centennial Complex Ballroom. The feature film will be Disney and Pixar’s Monsters University. This movie is one of five films that were voted by students to be shown throughout the year. “We picked three or four movies we thought would be good options for the
student body, and then we put them on a white board and had the students vote on those movies,” Loflin said. “We are showing what the students want, not just what we think will be good for them.” Loflin said the movie night event held during Welcome Week at Carmike was an experiment for the organization. PAC has other plans for the fall semester, but they are in the planning stages.
6
Sports
September 9, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
Aggies prepare for Fall ball
Megan Bell
both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. Gamet Staff Writer assisted in leading the team to three Mid-America The men’s basketball team at Cameron University Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) appears to be new and improved for the 2013-2014 championships, as well as one regional championship. season. He coached one Freshman of New head men’s basketball coach Nate Gamet the Year, two All-Americans, two MIAA Players of the has held the assistant coach Year, two All- Region players position for the past five and five All-Conference years at Cameron. Since players. Gamet has a strong his arrival at Cameron, he has helped the Aggies make support system with his wife Katrina and two daughters, postseason appearances in Photo by Kali Robinson Alexis and Avery Jane, by his four of the last five years side. and recruited part of the Right round: Aggie Since Gamet’s promotion, region’s top talent.In 2009men’s basketball player, the new assistant men’s 2010, Gamet held the team Jonny Patino, shows off his to maintaining a grade point basketball coach title skills during a pre-season has fallen into the hands average of over 3.0. Prior to event. Patino, who had of Drew Richards. Cameron, he attained the 10 points in 24 minutes Richards is no newcomer assistant coach position at in a game last year, will to the realm of college his alma mater, Northwest be starting off another basketball. Originating Missouri State University, season with the CU team. for five years after receiving from Rogersville, Mo., Richards went from playing
high school ball to college ball at Missouri State University. While at MSU, he received many honors, including taking part in three National Invitational Tournament teams, being named Coors Player of the Week, obtaining a spot on the Price Cutter Classic All-Tournament team twice and possessing the Guy Thompson Award for top outstanding senior on and off the court. Richards played professionally in Germany with the Erdgas Ehingen Steeples, finishing ninth in the league in blocked shots and in the top-12 in rebounds per game. He then decided to begin his coaching career at Missouri State University-West Plains. Richards guided the team to a 21-10 record, as well as a second place finish in the
NJCAA Region XVI season in his first year. His second year replicated the first, with a first place win in the NJCAA Region XVI season. In the 2011-2012 season, Richards helped MSU-WP attain the record of fewest points allowed in a season since 1807, rank as high as number eight nationally in Team Defensive Average and finish the year ranked number nine nationally. Richards fiancée Caeli accompanied him to Lawton. Along with a renovated coaching staff, the Cameron men’s basketball team has also acquired nine new players- two freshmen, four junior college transfers, and three Division I transfers, from eight different states, including Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, Nebraska, Alabama, Mississippi and Illinois.
Gamet said the team has spent an extensive amount of time on conditioning and individual workouts to prepare for the upcoming season. “The guys have been working real hard, and we are progressing in the right direction,” Gamet said. Gamet predicts a rewarding season for the enhanced men’s basketball team. “I feel that we have assembled a very athletic and experienced set of new players to compliment a strong returning class,” Gamet said. “As a whole, we are more athletic and have better size in all positions compared to last season. As far as predictions, we are going to compete to the max every game. This is a very tough conference, but I like the direction we are headed.”
If you can dodge a pickaxe, you can dodge a ball Tyler Boydston Managing Editor
Cameron University’s fall intramural sports kicked off in style this semester with a dodgeball tournament that took place at 5:30 p.m. on August 28 in the Aggie Rec Center. The event, which began the intramural season, was hosted by PAC and featured teams of students and campus faculty going toeto-toe in extreme games of dodgeball, leading up to the championship match. The intramurals competitions have been going on for several years here at Cameron, and are used as a way to get students and faculty who are ordinarily not involved in sports to participate in a friendly environment. According to Student Activities Specialist Megan Canfield, the teams this year were made up of oncampus organizations and programs as well as groups of friends banding together to make their own teams. “Students get to pick their own teams,” Canfield said. “I can certainly tell that a lot of the teams were grouped by groups of friends or people who are in the same organization. I know that the first-year
Photos by Tyler Boydston
Game on: Intramural dodgeball players put their skills to the test, dipping, ducking and dodging for the right to wear the championship t-shirts. By the end of the tournament, the Dragons went on to win the championship, earning a “Bad Axe” shirt for each team member. Their team picture will be displayed for the year in the Aggie Rec Center within the intramural display case. PLUS scholars all had a team, the second-year PLUS scholars had a team, the staff usually tend to make a team and the rest were groups of friends that I typically see on the same team in intramurals.” The competition within the intramural dodgeball championship eventually boiled down to two teams: the second-year PLUS scholars and the faculty team, with the second-year PLUS scholars coming out victorious. “We were all really impressed that the staff
team made it as far as they did, but they had student help this year.” The Dragons would go on to receive intramurals t-shirts as well as a picture in the display case for the new school year. “I’m working on assembling all of the past years’ winners to put their pictures in a different display case,” Canfield said. The rest of the semester’s events will include 3-on-3 basketball, Ping-Pong, f lag football, tennis, racquetball, volleyball, and swimming, with a triathlon also added
into the mix, all taking place inside the Aggie Rec Center. Canfield said her technique of picking out which sports will be played depends on what she thinks students will want to participate in. “The real decision to me comes to what sports we’re going to offer,” Canfield said. “I try to pick sports that I know students are going to want to play. Some of the favorites are things like basketball and f lag football. Then I try to make sure I pick other sports that might not be incredibly
Experience leads Aggie women into Fall season CU Sports Information
popular, but certainly meet the interests of students who want to play that. For example, badminton might not be very popular, but the students who play badminton love it.” Canfield said she has plans to try to do quidditch and tennis in the spring because she wants to make sure to offer a well-rounded array of sports. Canfield said she wants students to understand the registration cut-off times in relation to the events in order for all students who want to play to be able to be
involved. “To make sure I prepare for all of the sports that are happening, I always close the registration at noon on the day of the competition unless it’s on a weekend, in which case it is that Friday at noon,” Canfield said. “We’re open to all Cameron students with a valid id card, as well as faculty. We do all of our registration online at imleagues.com. After making an account, someone can create a team or sign up as a free agent and hope to be picked up by a team.”
Regis University and will close out the tournament against Colorado School of Mines. Cameron will make a rare LAWTON, Okla. – The trip outside of the lower 48 Cameron University women’s states, traveling to Alaska basketball team announced from Dec. 20-21. Tournament its schedule for the 2013-14 hosts, Alaska-Anchorage will season on Tuesday. The be first on tap for Cameron on Aggies’ season-opener is an Dec. 20 and and then they will exhibition game on Saturday, face either Brevard (N.C.) or Nov. 2 against Oklahoma at Saint Leo (Fla.) on Dec. 21. the Lloyd Noble Center in The Aggies open 2014 on Norman. Jan. 4 with an exhibition in The Aggies will remain Denton, Texas against North in the state of Oklahoma in their first two non-conference Texas before opening Lone regular season games, traveling Star Conference play on Jan. to Oklahoma Panhandle State 8 at Eastern New Mexico. Cameron will then host West (Nov. 9) and Northwestern Texas A&M on Jan 11 at 2 Oklahoma State (Nov. 16). p.m. in their conference home Cameron’s home opener opener. will come against Barclay Midwestern State will close College on Nov. 19 at 6 out the 2013-14 regular season p.m., and they will then host Hillsdale Free Will Baptist on at the Aggie Gym in what will be the team’s Senior Night Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. and Cameron University’s Over the Thanksgiving Photos by CU Sports Information Homecoming Game. break, Cameron will travel to For the third year in a row Golden, Colo. to participate Leading ladies: Jaqueline Strickland (left) and Black and gold: Alexis Thompson, who tied for 24th the LSC Tournament will be in the Colorado School of Lindsey Alexander (right) will be returning this Fall held on March 5-7 at the Allen at the Lady Buff Stamped and shot, returns off redshirt Mines Thanksgiving Classic, to kick of the season for Aggie women’s golf. Both for the 2012-2013 season. Thompson played for the two players assisted the Lady Aggies last year in wins and from Nov. 29-30. In their first Event Center in Allen, Texas. previous seasons, assisting the Aggies with multiple events. game, the Aggies will face hope to do the same this coming season.
Sports
September 9, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
New coach, new field, new Aggies
7
Kali Robinson Sports Editor
In the beginning of June, Cameron University welcomed their new softball coach, former Aggie, Rodney Delong. DeLong was the first player to be signed on by Aggie head baseball coach Todd Holland. “He was fun to play for and now he’s fun to coach with,” DeLong said. “We have a good relationship, and he is helpful.” Along with being named the 2012 3A/4A Oklahoma West Coach of the Year and the 2010 Region 4 Coach of the Year, DeLong has had 14 players signed to play at the collegiate level. With an overall 211-64 softball coaching record from Cache High School and Lawton MacArthur High School, DeLong hopes to bring some of his own skills to the collegiate level. “I think it’s a lot of the same,” DeLong said. “Fundamentally, we were sound. We outwork people and basically take the same attitude. I think it will breed success just like it did at the high school level.” The McMahon Field and Athletics Center, dedicated this summer, is the new home of the Lady Aggie softball team. The complex includes dressing and locker rooms for the team and umpires, a press box and a concession facility. It also provides an equipment storage room, covered bleachers,
Photo courtesy of Public Affairs
McMahon Field and Athletics Center: Cameron University’s new field and athletics center contains an indoor and outdoor batting cage, a new locker room and equipment storage room, a press box and concession facility, covered bleachers and viewing areas and a new weight room for athletes. Aggies dedicated the center this summer via parachute. landscaped patio spaces with sun shades for additional viewing areas, an indoor practice facility with batting cages for both baseball and softball and a new weight room for all Cameron athletes. The Lady Aggies have an outdoor batting cage behind the right field fence, as well as an indoor cage located in the football stadium field house, which also serves as locker room facilities for the Cameron softball team. Students, faculty, staff and fans are encouraged to come watch the Aggies in action.
This new addition is more than just a spacious, efficient facility. According to DeLong, it is also a recruiting tool. “It’s exciting for the girls, and it also helps recruiting. Kids that we have already brought in to visit the school love it,” DeLong said. “They compare our facility to division one schools. It is definitely a boost to this program.” Sophomore softball player Makenzie Burk said that she is sore already. “We got the new coach, DeLong, and I think he is
going to turn us around,” Burk said “With our assistant coach too, I think we have a great team.” “I played outfield, so the old field had a lot of holes and everything,” Burk said. “It held water a lot, so it was hard to practice out there. The fence was really short, so it was a home run fest for anyone who could hit at all.” Burk said she believes the new fence will give the team an advantage, and the field will be safer. According to CU Sports Information, McMahon Field and Athletics Center
is named in recognition of the McMahon Foundation, which has been a steadfast supporter of Cameron University since 1963 and has provided almost $16 million to the university throughout the years. Previous gifts include the largest single gift - $4 million – in the university’s history for the McMahon Centennial Complex, $1.25 million for the McMahon Learning Center at Cameron Village and $1 million for the Academic Commons. Additionally, the McMahon Foundation
has provided funding for scholarships, support for academic programs and KCCU; athletics programs including tennis, golf and baseball; and construction of the Louise D. McMahon Fine Arts Complex and the McMahon Foundation Tennis Courts. The field is highly visible to traffic along 38th Street and Gore Boulevard, which intersect just to the northwest of the field. Ample parking is available at the Cameron Stadium parking lot, located directly to the north of the softball complex.
Lady Aggies set up season Kali Robinson
“Pre-season polls tend to reflect how the season ended up,” Tabbert Sports Editor said. “We are different than we were With three prep standouts of the last year.” five new signees, the Aggie volleyball This fall, the Aggie volleyball team team prepares to take down the acquired five new signees from Texas, competition. Head volleyball coach three of whom are prep standouts. Douglas Tabbert said that he is Kayla Hebert, a 5’8” setter from looking forward to getting things McKinney, Texas, graduated from going. Heritage High School and intends to In the Fall 2013 Lone Star study medicine after graduating from Conference pre-season polls, the Cameron. Lady Aggies volleyball team lands a “There is an ‘it’ factor to how she berth at the eighth seed out of nine plays the position that is hard to primary teams. Eastern New Mexico, describe, but easy to see,” Tabbert who the Aggies are playing for their said. first home game, was chosen as the Paige Holt, a 5’9” middle hitter ninth seed. from Granbury, Texas, graduated Tabbert, who took a team picked from Granbury High School and 11th in the conference preseason intends to major in either Early polls in 2011 to a their first Lone Star Education or Psychology while she is Conference Tournament berth in attending Cameron. three years as the sixth seed, says that Tabbert said, “Paige is a dynamic he is not concerned. athlete that certainly is capable of
playing bigger than her actual size suggests.” Maci Terrell, a 5’10” outside hitter from Missouri City, Texas, graduated from Hightower High School and intends to study medicine after graduating college. Tabbert said that Terrell has demonstrated some quality skills that should translate very well to success at the collegiate level. Ashley Smith, a 5’5” Libero/DS from Aledo, Texas, graduated from Aledo High School. Smith intends to major in Business Administration or Marketing. Tabbert describes Smith as an athletic and high-energy ball-control specialist who has experienced plenty of success as both a high school and a club player. Kelsie Coplen, a 6’1” middle hitter from Peaster, Texas, came to Cameron after graduating from
Peaster High School. She intends to major in Biology during her time as an Aggie. “Kelsie brings a nice combination of size, strength and athleticism to the middle hitter position,” Tabbert said. “She certainly has the potential to be a solid contributor very early in her collegiate career.” Tabbert expects the new recruits to catch up pretty quickly, popping the new Aggies in with the rest of the team. “We’re not doing anything unique,” Tabbert said before meeting for another practice. The Aggie volleyball team is set to play their first two of eight away games on Friday, Sept. 6, against Christian Brothers University and the University of Central Oklahoma. They will compete against Eastern New Mexico University at 7 p.m. on Sept. 17 in the Aggie Gym.
Going for the kill: Kelle Carver, red shirt sophomore, works on her spike during practice. In her history as an Aggie, Carver recorded 425 kills, 57 blocks and 38 digs. She was also named conference player of the week in October.
Setting it up: Aggie lady volleyball gets ready for the season. Although the team was picked eighth in the LSC Preaseason Poll, the new and improved Fall crew plans to dominate with an even better record than last year.
Experience leads Aggie women into Fall season
CU Sports Information
Photo by Kali Robinson
Photo by Kali Robinson
who have played in multiple events for the black and gold. This includes Jaqueline Strickland, who led the LAWTON, Okla. – The Cameron University women’s Aggies with four top ten finishes and earned a place golf team has started to on the Lone Star Conference prepare for their upcoming Second Team. CU also fall season by taking to the Hill Golf Course on the Fort gets back seniors Lindsey Alexander, Kylee JohnsonSill military post. Wickham, and Aleesha “I was very pleased with our quailing and we have been Holden. Both JohnsonWickham and Holden were hitting around 300 which named to the All-American is what we need as a group Scholars by the Women’s this season,” said Goodwin. Golf Coaches Association. “We’ve been playing well on our home course, so hopefully Sophomore Alexis Thompson returns off a freshman it will carry over on the road campaign where she showed this season.” The Aggies return six girls signs of being a great player
for the Ags. Candice Swartz returns off a redshirt 2012-13 season, and will look to mix well with the team, as will freshman Katie Johnston. Swartz played in all of the previous two seasons while Johnston had an accomplished high school career at Crowley High School in Crowley, Texas. Cameron will compete in five events this fall, beginning with the Texas Weslyan Tournament, Sept. 8-13. They conclude the fall by hosting the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Tournament at the Hill Golf Course, Oct. 22-24.
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The Photo Booth
CU Capsule Cam
September 9, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
CU Capsule Cam
CU Capsule Cam
CU campus aglow for Welcome Week 2013
Photo by Kali Robinson
CU Capsule Cam Photo by Kali Robinson
CU Capsule Cam
Photo by Kali Robinson
Photo by Kali Robinson