Collegian T he Cameron University
www.aggiecentral.com
Monday, September 16, 2013
INSIDE News
Cameron holds job internship fair for students to look into possible careers.
Page 2 A&E
PAC sets up a t-shirt tie-dye event on campus.
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Student Life
Volume 89 Issue 2
CU’s Plan 2018 makes debut Tyler Boydston
campus’s previous master plan. Managing Editor “Dr. Karla Oty was writing the progress report The Plan 2018 list of initiatives has been set forth for Plan 2013 while I was for Cameron University and gathering data for Plan 2018,” Keller said. “When is starting to take effect. we were having these Dr. Christopher meeting sessions with Keller, Chair of the faculty, faculty would talk Communication about what we did well and Department, wrote Plan what we could improve on. 2018. Keller began conducting Knowing where you’ve been is such a critical step into research regarding the planning where you’re going, initiatives of the master so I had to study diligently plan in August 2011. on Plan 2013.” Kellers’ Plan 2018 also The use of social media borrowed some ideas from tools helped Keller and Plan 2013, basing new those involveed receive decisions on what worked feedback from staff and what did not from the
members to assist in the organization and writing of Plan 2018. Using these tools, Keller was able to alert faculty, students and community members about the meetings regarding Plan 2018 that would happen over the course of the following year. “We had our initial planning meeting in August of 2011, and so I created some social media tools that helped us to organize and capture data so people could login to a site, and they could leave anonymous comments,” Keller said. “They would see the meeting schedule over the
year, and there would be an option for people to take surveys.” Keller said he met with each individual organization on campus to ensure every group was involved in the process. “This also included going to the Lawton Chamber of Commerce, the Duncan Chamber of Commerce, getting feedback from the Duncan campus and Duncan adjunct workshops,” Keller said. As Plan 2018 directly affects CU students and faculty, Keller ensured their voices would be heard. “It was all about
faculty feedback. It was a transparent process and it was getting feedback from faculty and students that made it a community-driven document,” Keller said. The creation of Plan 2018 took 14 months, starting with research in August 2011 and ending with the document’s final publication in October 2012 after being submitted to the Board of Regents. Though it was published in 2012, it is now coming to fruition.
See PLAN 2018 Page 2
Lawtonians take off for 3Mile Thursday Kaitlyn Stockton Copy Editor
The Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce wants Cameron University’s students and faculty to run. On Sept. 5, the organization welcomed Lawton citizens to partake in another edition of the 3Mile Thursday. Debra Burch, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, sees the race as a way to improve not only the health of Lawton citizens but also the vigor of the city’s workforce. The event occurs every first Thursday of each month. An advocate of healthy lifestyles, Burch said the Chamber of Commerce created the event to promote fitness in the community and create a wealth of businesses. She runs on the belief that a strong workforce will only attract more businesses to the Lawton and Fort Sill area. “3Mile Thursday is an event to encourage people to take up a healthy activity in a social environment in downtown Lawton,” Burch said. “We don’t just want an event once a year; we want something that is ongoing to help people develop a healthy lifestyle.” Unlike other races or marathons, Burch said 3Mile Thursday presents members of the Lawton community with a chance to run or walk at their own pace. As the race is open to all ages, she said registrants will find a variety of participants.
Photo by Kaitlyn Stockton
Running with a purpose: Lawton Fort Sill community members run as part of the 3Mile Thursday. The event, put on by Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, was set to promote healthy living. “It is not a contest. It is not a competition,” Burch said. “You will see strollers. You will see every age group. You will see people that are walking and talking or running and
talking. Some are very serious in their efforts to get better.” Burch said that because the race is free, a person only has to register to enter the 3Mile. While
previous enrollments led to some complications, registration can now be done with the simple click of a mouse. “The easiest way to enter is to go online,” she said. “In fact, as it started, we were taking registrations over the phone for people, but now that we have the online process up, we are walking them through it.” To lead these races, Burch has contacted local “celebrities” to direct participants on the complex route. Dan Mullins Nissan’s Jacob Johnson led the run. The local celebrity took citizens around a tour of downtown Lawton – one stretching from second to 11th Streets. Participants not only saw glimpses of the local businesses along C Avenue, but also caught sights of historical buildings such as City Hall. Burch said, “People that can run or walk three miles in the heat are worthy of celebrity. The first one was led by Chief of Police James T. Smith. We often get people who come in and say ‘I want to lead. I want to do this.’ It is exciting to have that kind of enthusiasm.” Burch recently contacted CU to see if any of its leading officials would be interested in directing the 3Mile. After many discussions, one man has agreed to become a walking leader: President John McArthur.
See 3MILE Page 2
Lecture probes the mind and its functions Jacob Jardel
Students swim and play at a greek life event.
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Sports
Physical well-being becomes a focus around CU.
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in the process of learning. She spent the rest of the Staff Writer lecture addressing the different biological processes that occur Dr. Janet Zadina in the process of learning and stimulated the masses at her lecture “Using Brain Research recall. One of her main points was that different parts of the to Enhance and Energize brain work together to get Instruction” at 1 p.m. Sept. everything done. 4 in the CETES Conference Pamela Holland, instructor Center. of developmental reading, Zadina, an educational wrote the grant that brought neuroscientist who founded Zadina to Cameron. Holland Brain Research and Instruction, spoke to Cameron first saw Zadina give a similar lecture at the National students and faculty about Association of Developmental her research in the field of Education (NADE) enhancing education by way Conference in Denver. of enhancing one’s brain. Holland said, “I really The three-hour lecture also enjoyed the information she featured segments with gave. When I got back, I audience participation. talked to my dean [current She began her lecture Vice President Dr. Ronna with information relating Vanderslice] and explained to the biological functions of her how I really enjoyed two the brain to the process of particular speakers. learning. After elaborating “She encouraged me to on the technical definition of submit it to the Lecture learning, she addressed how and Concert Committee. I the brain reacts biologically submitted two proposals, to different stimuli during the and this was the one that got learning process. accepted.” Through this part of the Dr. Mary Dzindolet, Chair lecture, Zadina emphasized of Psychology at Cameron, the roles of repetition, reinforcement and importance was not familiar with Zadina’s
Photo by Jacob Jardel
For science: A group of students volunteer for a quick ‘pre-test’ during Dr. Janet Zadina’s lecture on enhancing the brain. During the task, students had to answer true or false to a series of questions by standing in different ends of the room. work prior to this conference. She said, “I knew very little about her, but I got very excited because one of our student learning objects for the B.S. in Psychology is that students can take psych principals and apply them to their personal life, to social issues, and to cultural issues. To me, this scholar is the epitome of that.” After the lecture, Dzindolet asserted that her excitement was well due. Dzindolet said, “I thought
it was wonderful. It was very entertaining, informative, and I loved how she had what she called ‘action plans.’” In these action plans, Zadina emphasized the points she made in the form of lessons instructors could use to help their students pick up on things better as well as tips for students to study better. Dzindolet found herself using Zadina’s advice in her statistics class the very next day. Dzindolet said, “I thought to myself, ‘If I can relate the
lesson to their lives, they’ll get more out of it.’ I remembered how she said that people don’t like to be spoon-fed things, so rather than me telling them how to do the assignment, I made sure to give them the opportunity to get it on their own.” These action plans, given throughout the lecture, were part of Zadina’s overall message to the audience to use the knowledge they obtain in order for it to stay in their heads.
2 PLAN 2018 continued from page 1
News Branded for life: lessons in social media September 16, 2013 www.aggiecentral.com
Communication major, was the first to answer. “If I were to answer these The plan has given three questions in one word, Cameron a glimpse into it would be ‘money’,” Gentry what is to come for the said. “What does developing a university. personal brand mean to me? It “It’s going to and already means more money.” has been put into effect.,” Expressing a different Keller said. When the sentiment, Demarco Bell, a president mentions things graduate student majoring in that we produce through Organizational Leadership, Plan 2018, you can see that said, “I agree. Money, financial he is very serious about stability has a lot to do with following the strategic this; but for me, if I were to use planning where the one word, it would be ‘service.’” university as a whole was After a few minutes of able to voice its concerns.” discussion, Brown brought Keller’s background the group back together to on campus and interests conclude the lecture. involving Cameron helped Brown opened the floor to suit him for the role of for questions and encouraged writer and organizer of Plan students to visit career services, 2018. Photo by Kaylee Jones which can be found on the “I had been the Chair second floor of the Cynthia S. of the Faculty Senate on Making it personal: Wendy Brown prepares her PowerPoint to present on the importance of social media campus,” Keller said. “I awareness in creating one’s own personal brand. The lecture was the first of 17 for CU Succeed’s Workshop series. Ross Building. Students hung around had been interested and to learn about “Creating Your Taylor Thompson, CU’s change your personal brand,” Kaylee Jones afterward for discussion. remain very interested in Personal Brand.” Brown said. “If it’s not the Assistant Managing Editor Coordinator of Diversity As she expressed the campus self-governance After issuing a warm Affairs, greeted each student message you want to send, importance of the topic, Brown that we do as faculty, and I “It’s all about you,” were the at the door with notes for the welcome to the room, Brown clean it up.” summarized her point in a think through conversations words that kicked off Cameron lecture, a ticket for the raffle explained personal branding, Throughout the single word, “Future,” she said. with then Provost University’s first workshop of and an offering of refreshments. or “the process by which presentation, the audience was “I think it’s really important McArthur and President the CU Succeed Series for the individuals differentiate Thompson explained the very interactive, raising hands, for [students] to understand Ross also knowing that I Fall 2013 semester. change in location, as formerly, themselves and stand out answering questions and even that, now that they’re in college, was a solid writer, good The workshop was from a crowd by identifying the CU Succeed workshops interjecting themselves into that’s what we’re here for, to organizationally, managing scheduled during lunchtime and articulating their unique had been held in The the lecture with comments prepare them for their future. big projects, being the on Sept. 11 in the Buddy value proposition, whether Centennial Room of South regarding personal branding. That’s what personal branding Collegian adviser and Green Room. A murmur of professional or personal. …” Shepler. Near the end of the really does; it creates that having the desire to help noise from downstairs drifted She followed her “We figured maybe we presentation, Brown hit the doorway. It’s really important.” out, and so Dr. McArthur through the open doors as could catch more students if we PowerPoint closely, lights and asked students to Students interested in approached me and asked Wendy Brown, CU’s Employer moved it over here,” Thompson emphasizing the importance break up into discussion groups attending other CU Succeed me if I was interested in Relations Coordinator, of social media awareness for said. to discuss three questions workshops can contact possibly doing this. I didn’t prepared her presentation at Accordingly, seven students, future job opportunities. regarding personal branding. Student Development for more know what I was getting the podium. “We’re looking at ways to and one professor, showed up Tanika Gentry, a freshman information. into, but I said ‘of course.’”
Part time jobs fulfill full time promise Sarah Brewer
According to Matthew Barrington, the general manager of the Panda Express in Decatur, Texas, the CU Part Time Staff Writer Job and Internship Fair was the ideal setting for employers In the beginning of September, Cameron University to meet potential student employees. students and alumni searching for employment and “We definitely want to include the community, internships met with prospective employers. and especially if there is college nearby, so we want to Eighteen companies came for the sixth-annual Part Time get involved with the college itself and use this as an Job and Internship Fair from 2 -4 p.m. on Sept. 5 in the opportunity to employ students and give them work while McCasland Ballroom located in the McMahon Centennial they are going to college,” he said. Complex. Students and alumni had the opportunity to Barrington said he took the position with the American interview with possible employers. Chinese restaurant chain because it gives its associates the Wendy Brown, the Employer Relations Coordinator opportunity to grow in tandem with the company. He said at CU Career Services, was responsible for inviting these he was able to build rapport with students and was firm in companies to campus. Brown said the event benefits the cautioning them against sacrificing their education. organizations that take part as well as the student and “While you’re in school, you have odd schedules, so alumni in attendance. you need to find an employer who is willing to work with “We try to get any local company that is interested in you and be flexible with the schedule — not someone who hiring for a part-time position and understand the needs will demand 48 hours a week from you — and wants to for ours students and the needs with their schedules and encourage you to continue your education,” he said. their classes and are willing to accommodate,” she said. “If Freshman Lindsey Comer came to the Part Time Job they are open to that, we are willing to have them here at and Internship Fair with her friends to look for her first job. Cameron.” Comer has yet to declare a major, but she has already learned Tables were available for completing paper applications. that most college freshmen are in similar financial straits. Some students had several forms to fill out, and Brown said “I think all freshmen college students have no money this space was to make an otherwise tedious process more other than what comes into loans or what they work for,” comfortable and more convenient. Some students came Comer said. to the event wearing ready-to-work office attire and were She took applications from Burger King, McDonald’s and prepared to impress with their resumes. Comanche County Memorial Hospital because the locations Photo by Sarah Brewer “We always hope for it; we just want as many students of each are close to where she lives. Without precious to be able to actually get jobs as possible,” she said. “If we working experience and a car of her own to drive, Comer Step on up: Jennifer Pruchnicki mans the Career can open a door to a job that they didn’t even know was said she has fewer jobs to consider, but she is thankful to Services table as CU students and alumni sign in at the available, then we feel we’re doing our job.” have an easier way to get hired. sixth-annual Part Time Job and Internship Fair. Eighteen Some of the available positions came from companies that “Since I have never had a job, it is actually pretty companies, including newer businesses such as Panda are on the verge of opening their doors for the first time in complicated to get one here in Lawton — especially since Express, were all in attendance as students in workLawton. Panda Express is one of the several businesses that it is a college town,” she said. “This fair is really helpful ready attire strove to impress with their resumes. are offering positions before their grand opening. because you actually get to meet your employers.”
3MILE continued from page 1
“He’s going to do it,” she said. “He said he would. He will be a walking leader, so he may have some of his students or staff be the running leaders because it was people from Cameron who developed the route. He told me he would walk in November; however, I still have to confirm that with his scheduler.” After the race, local businesses offered discounts to participants. Nearby restaurants White Buffalo, Charley’s and Chick-fil-a even provided runners and walkers with free food and drink as long as they had one of the 3Mile wristbands.
Burch hopes the project will only continue to grow and spread the message of having a healthy lifestyle. She sees her event as a way to usher in change for the Lawton community. “They can run down C Street and see all the merchants there and learn more about their community. We have the wonderful races at Elmer Thomas Park. We have the wonderful sidewalks down Flower Mound Road. The community is truly becoming healthier and walking more. We want to keep the momentum going,” Burch said. “We hope it will just run by itself.”
Photos by Kaitlyn Stockton
CLASSIFIEDS You can walk it; you can run it; you just have to make it: Lawtonians keep up the pace during 3Mile Thursday. Encouraging healthy living, the event takes place on the first Thursday of each month.
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Student Life
September 16, 2013 www.aggiecentral.com
BBQ takes science off back burner Sadie Jones A&E Editor
Cameron University’s Biology Club recently joined the School of Science and Technology to welcome professors and students to their annual picnic. The event took place at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 6 on the lawn of the Science Complex. The Biology Club sponsored the picnic and invited the departments of Physical Science, Military Science, Agriculture Science, Mathematical Science, Computing and Technology and the Biological Sciences, as well as to the general campus population. Each faculty member who attended brought a side dish. The hotdogs and hamburgers were bought and prepared by students of the Biology Club. Senior Biology major and President of the organization, Sam Ristedt, said the picnic not only welcomed those whose focus is in the science field but any students or
faculty members who wanted to come. “We give students who are interested a place to hang out with others,” Ristedt said. “No one wants to come to an event by themselves. If they bring someone who is not involved in the science department — that’s fine — it still gives them a chance to see what the department is about.” The Biology Club, an entirely student-funded organization, received a five star rating last year from the CU Student Organization Star Rating program and, so far, Ristedt said student attendance in the organization has increased. “There were 60 people who attended the picnic and at the first Biology Club meeting on Aug. 23. We had a very good turn out,” Ristedt said. Although students’ involvement during the beginning of the year fluctuated, Ristedt said that those who are involved are attracted to the Biology Club because they enjoy the sciences
students an opportunity to be in leadership positions, and it is good for whenever they are applying for medical school.” Ristedt said she believes it is important for students to meet and communicate with professors outside of class, and the picnic provided a way for students to do just that. “The event was designed to welcome professors and students,” Ristedt said. “We try to focus predominately on freshman students because this is the year they are most likely to be involved, and we want them to become familiar with the department and professors from the beginning.” The organization’s events Grill masters: Biology Club President Sam Ristedt (left) and member Aaron are varied throughout the year. Bevington (right) take control of the BBQ. This event was open for all Cameron The Biology Club’s events for students to attend at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 6 on the Science Complex lawn. the semester include weekly meetings with activities and and want to be more involved and career focus,” she said. her college experience as well guest speakers, a Halloween with their professors and As a member of the Biology as preparation for applying to party on Oct. 28 and fellow students. Club since her sophomore year medical school. convention trips. “It does not matter if you at CU and an applicant for “The official purpose of To be a member of the club, are a Biology major, Allied Medical School at Oklahoma the Biology Club is to provide Health or Pre-nursing — University — Ristedt said fellowship for biology students students must pay a five-dollar fee. Meetings are held at 12 this club gives students the being a member of the club as well as those interested in opportunity to meet others while also in a leadership the biological sciences,” Ristedt p.m. every Friday in Room 105 who share common interests position has greatly benefited said. “But I believe it also gives of the Science Complex. Photos by Sadie Jones
Sig Tau brothers rush into new semester Charlene Belew Student Life Editor
Sigma Tau Gamma, a social fraternity at Cameron University, held its annual rush week from Sept. 2 to Sept 6. All male students were encouraged to participate in the weeklong rush event. Events during the week included Monday’s Kickoff cookout, Tuesday’s poker run, Wednesday’s arm wrestling, Thursday’s Manlympics and Friday’s informational meeting. These events were held publically throughout the campus. Any person interested could attend the events, though they were targeted toward the male audience. Zak Rajpari, a Communication junior and current Vice President of Membership for Sig Tau said that joining the fraternity introduced him to other activities on campus that he might not have considered doing before. He has been a part of the fraternity since spring 2012. “It opens so many doors for you,” Rajpari said. “I don’t know how many hook
Photos by Charlene Belew
ups I have gotten in terms of getting somewhere in student organizations. I am an Aggie Ambassador, part of the debate team and part of the Student Government Association. If I didn’t do Sig Tau, I would just have done debate. It opens the window for you to have a real college experience.” Some of the events, including the poker run, the arm wrestling competition and Manlympics, had prize money available for winners. Winners of these events included Damian Porter, Ethan Hitchcock and Trent Files. Files said that participating
in the rush activities was best decision he has ever made. The informational meeting was held at 12 p.m. on Sept. 6 in the Wichita Room. Those interested in joining filled out an application that made them eligible for a bid into the fraternity. Once a bid is accepted, new pledge members go through a 10 week process to ensure that they are compatible not only with the fraternity but also with new pledge members as well. During this time, the fraternity engages in rituals, both secret and public, to educate pledge members while making
The events: (Left) Sigma Tau Gamma brothers and potential pledges play a game of ninja at the informational. (Above) Competitors chug rootbeer and try to burp the loudest in the Manlympics tournament. (Right) Sig Tau Steven Haber introduces Trent Files as winner of Manlympics. Students who did not make it to the informational have until Sept. 27 to contact the fraternity for information on rushing. them better men. Pledges are also taught six enlightening principles including benefit, excellence, leadership, learning, integrity and value. Rajpari said that Sig Tau is more than the surface appearance of good connections and a highly social organization. Not only are the members united with a longterm sense of brotherhood and morality, but Sig Tau members are active in other organizations including SGA. Brothers of the fraternity also strive to make their name known in the community. “We do as much community
Staff Writer
Riding the waves: Cameron University’s greek students play a game of water volleyball while enjoying the cool waves of the pool. The Luau and Pool Party was held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 6 in the Aggie Rec center.
see us reclaiming our five-star organization. I see us winning the Greek Olympics again. I see us winning the Sig Cup. I see us just dominating this campus. Hopefully, I come back in ten years from now and the Greek system is thriving here.” Rajpari said that students who have missed rush week and informational have three weeks to contact the fraternity for information on initiation.
Greeks make waves with pool party Sarah Brewer
Photos by Sarah Brewer
service as we can,” Rajpari said. “One of the things we like to do is raise money for causes. Our national cause is the Special Olympics and our local chapter does Books for Kids. We try to raise money for those two organizations as much as possible.” With 18 active Sig Tau members on campus, Rajpari said that they are expecting to add an additional 10 members through the initiation process. Rajpari said he sees a bright and promising future for the fraternity. “Looking forward, I see great things,” Rajpari said. “I
Summer is ending, but the Cameron University Greeks came together to soak in the fun before the semester is fully on its way. Members of the CU Greek Council made the Aggie Rec Center the location for their Luau and Pool Party, and their temporary island getaway at 2 p.m. of Sept. 6 was their first campus event of the academic year. Their respite went on with little fanfare — it took minutes to dress the guard rails with grass skirts, stick palm tree and pineapple decorations to the walls and grab leis for the guests to wear, but these additions set the theme of the event in place. Stereo speakers pumped out recent radio hits like “Roar” by Katy Perry and “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake, and the music gave the party some pop. Niki Streussnig made arrangements for the celebration after the members assembled at the start of the academic year. Streussnig is a junior Elementary Education major, an active member of Alpha Phi and is serving Cameron University Greeks as the Vice President of the CU Greek Council. Rather than pick a theme on a whim, Streussnig said she specifically chose the beach treatment because it was the best idea for the occasion.
“Hawaiian luaus are meant to celebrate togetherness after wars and conquests,” Streussnig said. “Summer was a break for us and most of us did not get to see each other, so we thought, ‘why not have a luau and celebrate being together again?’” Members of the most active fraternities and sororities made an appearance at the event and were eager to mingle with their peers. Streussnig said she was expecting a modest showing and was happy to have the company that came. “With the limited advertising that we had for this event, we had a good turnout,” Streussnig said. “Most of the members from Alpha Phi and Sig Tau showed up, and those are the ones that usually do.” Instead of partaking in an extravagant affair, the Greeks took advantage of the causal poolside atmosphere and played a game of water volleyball. Teams formed at random, and students splashed each other with each serve — they forgot about keeping score and were playing purely for their own recreation. Even if Streussnig had forgotten about securing the net for the event, the party would have gone on without the game. “We are addicted to volleyball it would seem,” Streussnig said, “and
at the last biweekly Greek Council meeting that we had, they [the members] were like, ‘is there going to be water volleyball there?’ And I took that into account, so I had to ask at the last minute to have the net put up, so that went well — we always enjoy water volleyball.” For some students, like sophomore Biology major Kristian Jaimenez, the game was like any other get-together with his Sig Tau brothers. Jaimenez is starting his second year as a member of Sigma Tau Gamma, and he came to enjoy the party with the other CU Greeks. Since his fraternity promotes fitness with its regular trips to the gym, Jaimenez said the water volleyball match was just like any other Sig Tau outing. “We like to be active; we do not just party all of the time. We like to hang out and go to the gym every once in a while and play some sports like soccer or football. We actually have a Sig Cup with the Alpha Sigs and us. It’s a little sports competition, and it is fun.” Jaimenez said he enjoys fellowship with other members of the fraternity and getting back with the Greeks each season. “I just love just hanging out with the guys, and I love just hanging out with the Greeks. They’re fun; they’re a good bunch of people,” he said. “We like to have a good time — always.”
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Voices
September 16, 2013 www.aggiecentral.com
Reading between the colored lines
Carson Stringham Copy 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 - Sarah Autry, Sarah Brewer, Casey Brown, Jacob Jardel, James Meeks, Holden Rowe, Haley Swinford Circulation Manager - Sarah Brewer Advertising Manager - Kaylee Jones
Newswriting Students
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
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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Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks. All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@ cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www. aggiecentral.com.
I have been fortunate to have dealt with blatant racism only once in my life. As an adopted person of Mexican decent, I tended to stick out in the predominantly white circles that I associated myself with as I was growing up in my parents’ home. My parents are both Caucasian. They learned early in their marriage that they could not have kids, so they decided to adopt. Through their journeys in the military, they ended up adopting my sister and me from Mexico, my brother and second sister from Peru, and my baby sister from Korea. Growing up, I always felt awkward going out to eat or attending activities such as carnivals or fairs because I felt that onlookers were judging my family, maybe even thinking racist thoughts or uttering cruel things under their breath about my siblings and me, or worse, my parents. But I never actually encountered any sort of aggressive racism until I was a high school senior living in Pennsylvania. Back then I played soccer on a traveling team for the YMCA which competed against the varsity teams from high schools from all over south central PA. On one particular occasion – I can’t remember what city or school we played against – I got the best of an All-state player by slide-tackling the ball, forcing him to trip over it and fall on his face. It was a legitimate move, one I would have performed on any
opponent at any time in any other situation, but for some reason this guy took it very personally. For the rest of the game, whenever he came near me on the field, he would sling various racial slurs at me just loud enough that I would hear them but not loud enough for the referee to penalize him for unsportsmanlike conduct. The only thing that kept me from whooping him later was being able to laugh at his stupidity – you see, he thought I was Chinese, so the racial slurs were not directed at me as a Mexican-American. Now, as a married man with four kids, I worry about the kind of life my children will have growing up in the world as mixed race children. My wife is Korean, so our children have a combination of her almond eyes and fairer skin mixed with my large, open eyes and darker complexion. I think they are gorgeous – the best looking kids in the world. My wife was also adopted as a child, but she has lived the past 28 years here in the United States. She doesn’t remember anything about her previous life other than vague images; in terms of upbringing, she was the quintessential American teenager. However, being married to my wife, I have noticed that Asian Americans are treated very differently from other minority groups in the U.S. A perfect example: my family went out to eat at a Chinese restaurant and my wife was standing at the buffet deciding what to eat; a
woman approached my wife, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Excuse me, but you’re out of fried rice.” Really? Just because an Asian person is standing near the food, that means they work there? Another example: my wife was working as a server at one of the local eateries when a customer told her she spoke very good English. This one boggles my mind because every person who speaks English had to learn it at some point in his or her life – everyone. So, if I go up to a Caucasian person and tell them they speak English very well, is that wrong? Both of these examples involve what I would call “ignorant racism” – racism due to a lack of understanding. While I still think that making such generalized snap judgments is wrong, I suppose that assuming my wife worked at the buffet could be understood, even excused, given the context.
I might even be able to understand why someone would think that an Asian woman would have had to learn English as an adult, particularly in a military town, though it is still a somewhat hard pill to swallow. Someone even asked my wife once if I had “brought her back with me” when they learned that I had served in the army. Again, I don’t think people are necessarily trying to be mean, but it happens so often that I wonder if it will ever go away. The worst display of racism against Asian Americans that I have seen here in Lawton was during the recent rodeo. There was a point between events where two men met in the center of the ring in sumo suits, led by a clown who was trying to imitate an Asian referee. While I can forgive the slightly off-color move of using a woman’s robe as a kimono, as the “referee” brought the contestants together to start the “fight,” he rambled off
a combination of nonsense sounds that were meant to imitate Japanese language; that was inexcusable. Even in joking, purposely making fun of another culture like that is never okay. Without getting into all the various semantics about whether or not it is okay for one to make fun of their own race or culture, we all have a responsibility to be respectful and courteous to one another without preconceived notions or biased opinions. We all need to take people one person at a time; only then can true tolerance and understanding take place. I am relieved that my kids have not had deal with being picked on due to their ethnicity, and I hope it stays that way. So the next time you see an Asian woman standing by the buffet or bringing you your burger and fries, be respectful and don’t just assume that your “harmless” comment is justified. You just might be wrong.
Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
Panic grasps college students
Casey Brown Staff Writer
It is not even midterms yet, but many of my friends (mostly seniors like myself) have already had at least one severe anxiety and/or panic attack. As one of my friends, a fellow English senior, put it, “It feels like the end of the semester usually does, but it is only the beginning of the semester.” For me, the “end of the semester” period is a five and a half week fog of deadlines and cramming for finals. During the first day of
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Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
classes this semester, one of my professors commented that he has seen me at the end of the semester and I usually look pretty crazy. It is a craze that I have become accustomed to, though, after three years of practice. So far this semester the fog has yet to descend, but last week the paramedics were called because I had a meltdown at work, for the second night in a row. Another one of my friends, a dual degree holder in her last semester at Cameron, once said that the end of a semester is like a game of Tetris. Each deadline, assignment and exam is like one of those funny shaped blocks. Those of us with enough experience at playing the Tetris game try our best to look at the end of the semester frenzy as expert level players in the game that is juggling school, work, family and everything else in between (such as washing our laundry and eating). However, this year, the game of Tetris has already begun for many of us. A third friend, one who is constantly busy, regularly sends me text messages that say “I’m exhausted.” I’m exhausted too. We all are. We are beyond exhausted, in fact. During the third week of classes, another friend walked into one of our writing classes just before it began, handed me his homework and said: “I’m about to have a panic attack, so I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be in class today.” So where is this sudden pressure at the front half of the semester coming from? We have all made it through four to six games of
Tetris at this point, so why the worry and panic-attack inducing level of frenzy so early? Well, most of the seniors across campus are hoping to graduate in the spring and then go to grad school or get a job in our chosen career field. For me and my friends that means a writing job. Heh. A fellow writing student describes this process by posting on Facebook, “Every time I so much as look at grad school websites my stomach goes into knots.” We each daydream about walking across the football field in black caps and gowns. It is a dream we have been working towards for years. Each time we leveled up in a game of Tetris by completing a semester without dying, we moved one step closer to seeing the traditional fireworks at the end of the commencement ceremony. What is in between now and then? Well, we must select the schools to which we wish to apply, and then take the GRE, and fill out applications, write essays, ask professors for letters of recommendation, hope we have enough to include on our CVs and not die. All of that comes on top of our regularly scheduled classes, work, family, eating food on a somewhat regular basis and all of the extracurricular activities we attend (you know, for our resumes). This year is unlike any other for seniors. Freshmen year was unlike any other because it was the first year away from home for many of us. Sophomore year was unlike any other because we had friends and started to get involved on campus. Junior year was unlike any
other because we finally got to start taking electives and major classes, or finally decided on a major period. This year is a special year, and we would do well to not forget that, despite the chaos that surrounds us. This year is similar to one other year, however; the senior year of high school. We have all been here before. I took a bit of a break in between high school and college – in the spring I will be going to my 10 year high school reunion and then my college graduation – yet I still remember this same level of anxiousness mixed with a fear of the unknown during 12th grade. This time around, though, I’m proposing we focus less on the fear of the unknown because we have indeed been here before. We’ve already been through this fear and ended up exactly where we were each supposed to. It is only a few weeks into a new semester and most of us have already said we are ready for it to be over with. Yet when this semester ends we will only have one or two left at Cameron. I am not from around these parts (as y’all would say), but over the last four years the Sooner State has grown on me. Oklahoma is now officially a home-away-from-home for me. Why would I rush this year just to outrun the stress? I want to enjoy this year because it is my last at Cameron and in Oklahoma. Plus, senior year has to be more than panic attacks, CVs, and GREs. Whether you are an underclassmen, an upperclassmen, faculty member, or staff: Be brave, my people. We can do this!
September 16, 2013 www.aggiecentral.com
Sports
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Girl, look at that Aggie; I work out Kaylee Jones
of people whose time is limited.” Despite receiving a degree in Assistant Managing Editor Education, Dodson said she became interested in fitness 25 years ago. Every Tuesday and Thursday “It’s something I love,” Dodson afternoon at 12:10, students gather said. in the Aggie Rec Center for a She teaches Fitness Fusion as midday pick-me-up. well as a Walking/Running Club This past Tuesday, two CU & Core Training Class at 6 a.m. on students organized piles of bar bells Wednesdays and Fridays. and balance balls in preparation for “I also teach Power 12, where Fitness Fusion, a new class taught you’re constantly changing.” twice a week by Adjunct Professor Dodson added. “You only have Susie Dodson. so many minutes per station, “It’s kind of a slow growing and you’re going from cardio to class,” Dodson said. “We started weights.” out with two or three, then last Dodson encouraged CU week we had seven.” students to start diversifying their Dodson explained the idea fitness routine in order to keep a behind Fitness Fusion was to healthy lifestyle interesting. implement variety in students’ “Just step out and take a class, workout routines. and just hang with it,” Dodson said. “A lot of people just don’t want “Take as many classes as you can, to come to one class for core,” different classes. I think the thing Dodson said. “I thought, ‘Well, with people who get burned out is maybe if we start implementing you just do one class all the time. other things along with it, maybe You need Zumba. You need core. they’ll start drawing in.’” You need weight class. You just The class incorporates several need it all.” pieces of equipment for use during The goal of the Aggie Rec super sets that work opposite Center is to “promote and muscle groups. encourage the pursuit of a healthy Students rotate muscle groups, lifestyle.” working their legs by going straight Currently, Cameron offers from lunges to squats and back programs such as Spinning, again. ABSolute and Zumba with times “Fitness Fusion is kind of like Fitting in with fitness: Nikole Repp, Sophomore Psychology major, is one of many Aggies ranging from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. an interval class, but you’re just who enjoys fitness. Repp has also volunteered to help other with fitness at Aggie events. Students interested in pursuing working on conditioning,” Dodson a healthier lifestyle can find a full explained. “We’re working on sets… You’re just concentrating on find time to fit a workout session who are just here on their lunch listing of fitness programs offered the buso ball and the kettle bells. working on the core as a whole.” into their day. breaks,” Dodson said. “It’s basically at the Aggie Rec Center on CU’s We’re working on the balance ball, Dodson said the class is “[The class] goes really, really a forty-minute class, and then Wellness and Fitness Calendar. doing bar bell and just dumb bell convenient for those struggling to quickly, so there are a lot of people you’re out of here. It works for a lot
Photos by Kali Robinson
Show down: Tiana Brooker, PLUS scholar, takes on a staff member in a game of hula hoop. Brooker, who has played soccer for years, is passionate about staying fit and healthy. For this Aggie, fitness has become a way of life.
Do work: Rydge Antuna (right) spots Antonio Pereira (left) in the Aggie Rec Center. The Senior Education major and Junior Physical Education major are just a few Aggies who work out on a regular basis.
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Sports
September 16, 2013 www.aggiecentral.com
Aggies win Texas Wesleyan Invite CU Sports Information FORT WORTH, Texas – The Cameron University women’s golf team will be returning home as tournament champions taking the Texas Wesleyan Invitational in dramatic fashion. The Aggies finished the second round with a 298 for the lowest score of the day, and picked up three strokes on the leaders. However, Cameron would be caught up in a three
way tie for first with Oklahoma Christian and Incarnate Word. After a coin flip, CU played first, and with the pressure on the Aggies would card a 2-under on the playoff hole. Neither Incarnate Word nor Oklahoma Christian could match the Aggies score, giving them their first regular season tournament win in program history. “I’m delighted, it was our first overall tournament win since winning the Lone Star Conference Championship in
2007,” said head coach Rick Goodwin. “This is something that was a long time coming for the program, and a stepping stone for our overall goal of making the NCAA Postseason.” “We sweated it out there in the playoffs, both Alexis (Thompson) and Lindsey (Alexander) came up huge with a pair of birdies. After that we had to wait it out and hope.” “We couldn’t have asked for more from our freshman Katie Johnston, she fired off a pair
of 74s, and the rest of the girls rallied around her,” Goodwin added. Cameron’s 298 score was a two stroke improvement from the first round, which at the time was their second lowest mark in program history. The team would card an overall score of 598 (300+298), which was a program best in a tworound tournament. Jaqueline Strickland matched her first round score of 73, and placed second overall with a 146. For Strickland,
this was her highest career intercollegiate finish. Katie Johnston in Black and Golf debut placed third carding a 148 (74+74). Alexis Thompson came away with her first career top-10 finish firing off a 151 (75+76). Kylee JohnsonWickham picked up five strokes from her first round total to finish in 16th with a 155 (80+75). Lindsey Alexander scored a 156 (78+78), finishing in 18th place. Texas A&M Commerce finished in fourth (620), with
Northwood (627), Western Texas CC (640), Texas Wesleyan (642), Centenary (670), and McMurry (671) rounding out the rest of the field. “We just really bonded well as a team over the past few days, and now we have to carry that momentum over next week,” said Goodwin. Cameron will return to action on Monday, Sept. 16 at Angelo State for the Concho River Classic in San Angelo, Texas.
Aggies tame Bison, 8-1 CU Sports Information
LAWTON, Okla. – The Cameron University men’s tennis team opened up their year with an 8-1 victory over Oklahoma Baptist on Tuesday afternoon. Cameron would head into the break with a commanding lead, sweeping OBU in doubles. The Bison would manage to only get four games overall from CU’s doubles pairings. With the 3-0 advantage, the Ags would take two through six singles to give them the 8-1 win over the Bison. Cameron’s only blemish was in number-1 singles with Dennis Merdan falling, 6-4, 6-2. The Aggies will continue their fall season traveling across the Red River to Wichita Falls for the Midwestern State Invite starting on Sept. 13.
Photo Courtesy of Sports Information
Taming the beast: Joao Fazendeiro, Sophomore Aggie who played in the NCAA Division II Tournament last year, helped win against OBU Tuesday afternoon. The men’s tennis team faces the Midwestern State Invitational in Wichita Falls, Texas all day, Sept. 13 through 14.
Toth named LSC runner of the week
CU Sports Information RICHARDSON, Texas – Cameron University’s Thomas Toth will be taking top honors to start the 2013 Cross Country season after
Racing to the top: Thomas Toth, named LSC runner of the week, runs to toward the finish line. This Senior ran a time of 20:08.08 and placed 4th at the UCO Land Run. Toth, who transferred from Canada to become an Aggie his Junior year, has continually placed in events since his arrival and will be running this Fall.
20:08.88, which was good for fourth place overall. The Cameron Cross Country team will be running their next race at Missouri Southern State on Sept. 21 in Joplin, Mo.
Intramural basketball tournament ends with a “Biggety Bang” Kali Robinson
Photo Courtesy of CU Sports Information
being named Lone Star Conference Runner of the Week. Toth led the Aggies to a third place finish at the University of Central Oklahoma Land Run on Sept. 7 in Edmond, Okla. with a time of
Killaz, led by Cason Troutman, with two wins Sports Editor and two losses. Coming Team Biggity Bang is the HPE Club, led by dominated the 3 on 3 Men’s Brandon Ferraz, with one Intramural Basketball win and two losses. They tournament that occurred tied with the Squad, led by from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Bryan Fitz. September 4th, 2013 at the Last but not least are Aggie Gym. Undefeated the Warriors, led by Isaac with four wins and zero Galan, and the Hoopers, losses, Biggity Bang was led by Marcel Duran. Both just a few ahead of the two teams had zero wins and second place teams, Honey two losses, putting them at Badgers and Big 3. the end of the tournament. The Honey Badgers, led Intramural basketball by Marcus Vera, came in a tournaments, like most close second at three wins intramural sports at and two losses. The Big 3, Cameron, are double led by Brandon Miser, tied elimination tournaments. for second with three wins Megan Canfield, Student and two losses. Activities Specialist, said Tailing the two second that she likes it better that place teams are the Thrilla way.
“I think I just feel really bad when a person comes and loses once, then they are done,” Canfield said. “We had more teams than we had last year sign up to participate, which was great. Everyone seemed to have a good time.” Canfield said that she was excited to see what the girls bring to the table in the women’s intramural basketball tournament, which will be three on three. However, basketball is not all Aggies’ intramurals have to offer. Along with traditional intramural sports, Cameron is offering weightlifting this Fall. “We are doing Men’s and Women’s division and three
different weight classes,” Canfield said. “There are potentially 12 different winners.” Flag football, tennis, racquetball, volleyball, weightlifting and swimming are all available later on this semester for any students to join. “I think the reason that intramurals is so successful is that there is an organized way to play against competitors,” Canfield said about the sports. Students have from the first day of class in the Fall and Spring semesters until noon on the day of intramural tournaments to sign up and create teams for one of nine different sports offered.
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September 16, 2013 www.aggiecentral.com
Peace, Love and Tie-Dye: PAC adds color to campus
Photo by Kali Robinson
Color up: CU students support PAC by stopping by the MCC lawn and tie-dying t-shirts between classes. The first ever tie-dye event was held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 5
Sadie Jones
gloves for students to wear during the dying process. A&E Editor “We had a few items Members of Cameron like bandanas and t-shirts University’s Program that we gave to those who Activities Council (PAC) wanted to participate but added a bit of color to their didn’t have items with wardrobe as part of their them,” Camachl said. “But “Peace, Love and Tie-Dye” we ran out very quickly.” activity. The event took Megan Canfield, Student place from 10 a.m. to 1:30 Activities Specialist and p.m. on Sept. 5 in front of PAC Advisor, said she was the McMahon Centennial very impressed and pleased Complex. with the involvement from Sophomore Business students. major and PAC member, “We counted about 100 Eduardo Camachl, said he students who came by and volunteered to organize participated,” Canfield said. the activity and decided “We encouraged students on tie-dye because it was to give it a try and everyone an activity that had not walked away pleased with been done in recent years their tie-dyed item.” and seemed like something PAC students are students would enjoy. provided with the “What I feel is important opportunity to decide on for students to realize is — activities and organize there needs to be time for campus events throughout fun,” Camachl said. “I like the year. Canfield said PAC being able to make campus a is a completely student-run little more entertaining.” organization and members Students who wanted to who want to organize events be involved were required to are able to volunteer. bring their own materials “We have two chairs who they wished to tie-dye. PAC are elected into position and provided the paint as well as they act like the presidents
of the organization,” Canfield said. “I certainly want to give the students who volunteer an interesting experience, so when students chair or run the event, they are in charge of everything from set up to cleanup to buying supplies as well as advertising.” Aside from weekly campus activities, PAC also organized Welcome Week. The theme was “This Place About to Glow.” “We do not have our events planned around a specific theme all year around,” Canfield said. “However, the title for the tie-dye event was ‘Peace, Love and Tie-Dye’ so we had 60s music playing.” Canfield said students involved in PAC tend to be more involved on campus in general, and being an involved student on campus could be beneficial in several ways. “I think when students realize how one activity or club enhanced their experience, they are going to want to grow with it
and do what they can to help make Cameron a great place,” Canfield said. “The students who are attracted to PAC are students who tend to want to be involved in other things as well.” PAC’s weekly meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. every Monday in the Buddy Green Room. Thirty-five students attended the first meeting and Canfield said she hoped to retain many of them and keep those numbers running high. Canfield said she loves to see more students become involved because they get to make connections as well as new friends. “Many students go to class and once their classes are over for the day, they want to leave,” Canfield said. “My goal for PAC is to increase students’ out-of class-experience because in my opinion, that is what makes college such a great time. I want PAC to give students on campus more things to do to encourage them to stay and be involved on campus.”
Painting the campus rad: PAC member and co-chair of the Peace, Love and Tie-Dye event, Eduardo Camachl assists students in dying their t-shirts.
has toured throughout the United States and Japan with the Brandenberg Ensemble in addition to performing as a soloist and chamber musician. Performing “Beethoven Trio,” “Debussy Sonata for Cello and Piano,” “Debussy Rhapsody for Clarinet and Piano” and concluding with the “Brahms Trio,” the concert brought delicate and disarming melodies together. McKelway said they chose to close their onstage reunion with a composition that was inspired through another relationship between renowned musicians.
“‘The Brahms Trio’ probably has more to do with friendship than just about any other piece that I know,” McKelway said. “At the very end of his life, Brahms decided not to compose anymore. He traveled to Meiningen to conduct the orchestra there — his fourth symphony which also had a beautiful clarinet part. “Clara Schumann told him about a clarinet player she met there named Richard Mühlfeld. Brahms and Mühlfeld became good friends; as a result of their friendship, we have this piece, a clarinet quintet and two
clarinet sonatas.” After sharing the origins of the “Brahms Trio” with the audience during intermission, McKelway disclosed how his history with the music intersects with that of the other instrumentalists. “We were talking about our lives together, and Pegsoon and I last performed this piece 31 years ago,” he said. “Hyunsoon and I have played so many pieces together so many times that we stopped counting a long time ago.” Each musician helped create the program for the concert. “When trying to figure
Photo by Kali Robinson
Trio brings CU audience to its feet Sarah Brewer Staff Writer
Friendship was the focus of a recent chamber music concert when Dr. Hyunsoon Whang, professor of piano and the McMahon Endowed Chair in Music, took to the stage with clarinetist Daniel McKelway and cellist Pegsoon Whang — her lifetime friend and sister, respectively. Taking place at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 5 in the University Theatre, the event was made possible through both Cameron University Lectures and Concerts Series and Smith and Sons Insurance. Admission was free to the public. Hyunsoon Whang said playing the piano gives her the option of performing an eclectic range of music either independently or with many other musicians. “One of the joys of being a pianist is having the ability to perform solo or with other artists,” Hyunsoon Whang said. “The combination of piano, cello and clarinet — a somewhat unique blending of instruments — elevates even the most familiar of classical compositions.” In addition to performing a series of recognizable songs, Hyunsoon Whang shared the stage with familiar faces. She has performed with
McKelway, the winner of the Avery Fisher Award, since the late 1980s. McKelway serves as the Assistant Principal Clarinetist of The Cleveland Orchestra. He has toured and recorded with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and has performed as a soloist and as chamber musician. Hyunsoon Wang enjoys performing with her sister. Pegsoon Whang is a member of the Utah Symphony Orchestra as well as the Quattro Amici, a string quartet, and the Snake River Chamber Players. She teaches at the University of Utah and Westminster College. She
out what should go with the Brahms, the Beethoven is one of the most famous pieces for clarinet, cello and piano,” McKelway said. “It was Hyunsoon’s idea to have the Debussy in the middle of the concert.” The performers bond became apparent throughout the concert when the trio exchanged knowing looks at pivotal moments in the last piece of the evening. Its last note came resonating and trembling before finally expiring. When it did, the audience took to its feet to give the musicians a standing ovation.
Photo by Sarah Brewer
Reunited for an evening of music: Dr. Hyunsoon Whang (piano), Daniel McKelway (clarinet) and Pegsoon Whang (cello) perform in the Cameron Theatre.
CORRECTION In the Sept. 9 issue, “Foam Dance Party benefits community” was written by Charlene Belew as well as staff writer Maurice Buckner.
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A&E
September 16, 2013 www.aggiecentral.com
Imaginations run wild
It’s a t-shirt kind of week at CU as students design unique creations
Photo by Sadie Jones
Photo by Sadie Jones
T-shirt transformation: Kadijah Drewery An all day event: Cameron students flock to the McMahon Centennial Complex from 10 a.m. to proudly shows off her custome made t-shirt. 4 p.m. to take pictures and design their own free t-shirt hosted by members of the PAC organization.
Sadie Jones
event at other colleges and it seemed to work well,” A&E Editor McCormick said. “I told our From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. advisor – Megan Canfield – Sept. 9 in the McMahon about it and we were able to Centennial Complex lobby, have Dan Richardson come the Program Activities here.” Council (PAC) presented The MCC remained busy “Funny Pictures and T-shirts throughout the day and PAC Too.” During the event, recorded 80 students who students’ silly smiles were designed a t-shirt. photographed and printed “Everyone likes a free on to their own customized t-shirt,” McCormick said. t-shirts. “The magazine covers For the first time at seemed to be the most Cameron University, popular with students.” students were allowed to PAC events take a certain be anyone or anything they amount of preparation and envisioned as they posed organization as well as for the camera and watched volunteers in order for the Dan Richardson of Smith activity to run smoothly Agency Incorporated design and be successful. Seven their t-shirt. PAC paid PAC members set aside time the expenses and students throughout their day to received a t-shirt for free. assist co-chair of the event, Junior Psychology major Shaneiqua Hernandez. and Co-chair of PAC, Sidney As a student led McCormick, said everyone leadership organization – seemed to enjoy the activity. PAC hosts events weekly “I have seen this kind of and dedicates their time to
provide a variety of activities to help create an eventful campus. “With all the events we host, we are able to get our name out there about our organization,” McCormick said. “Our job is to provide a fun out-of-class experience for students, and that is what we try to do.” PAC experienced an increase in involvement from the student population within their organization, and McCormick said she hopes to keep that going. “We have had a couple events so far – even for the beginning of the year,” McCormick said. “But we have had a lot of browsing fairs and that has provided a greater number in involvement.” Designed to not only benefit students on campus but also members of the organization, PAC can provide experience to its
members that may help them throughout their college life and into their future careers. “I have been co-chair of PAC for two years now,” McCormick said. “I gained leadership skills throughout high school but they have been perfected as my involvement in PAC increased. I am able to be in a leadership position and involved in an organization where people look up to me, and it has helped me learn to stay calm in stressful situations, as well as work better under pressure.” PAC’s next event will be “Monster’s University” Movie Night set to take place at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 in the MCC Ballroom. Students who are interested in being involved Photo by Sadie Jones with the PAC organization, weekly meetings are held at Rich and famous: Ladaunice Cochran chose 6:30 p.m. every Monday. his design, posed for the camera and recieved his t-shirt. “Funny Pictures and T-shirts Too” took place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 9 in the MCC lobby.
MAGNIFICENT
Magic Lantern relives a classic Maurice Buckner
News Writing Student
The Magic Lantern Film Society opened with a gunslinger. On Sept. 6, Cameron University’s oldest film series began its new season with a showing of “The Magnificent Seven.” Even though a rival football matchup between two of the city’s high school teams occurred the same night, long-time fans of the film attended the event and donated close to $40 to the society. The film, a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 Japanese film “Seven Samurai,” was re-done as a western with an all-star cast. The society became a historic staple of Cameron University. It is older than the majority of the student body. Professor of English and adviser of The Magic Lantern Film Society, Dr. John Morris said the event has come a long way since its small beginnings. “It is in its 32nd year,” Morris said. “It started in the spring of 1982. They showed two films that semester. In those days, they showed actual film until it got too expensive.”
Morris said the organization strives to provide more than just laughs and enjoyment for its audiences. “The idea was to have a classic film series that not only has entertainment value but also educational value,” Morris said. Throughout the year, The Magic Lantern Film Society will show 14 movies. The process for choosing which movies will be shown takes place in the course of an afternoon. The four members – two faculty advisors, Morris and Professor Emeritus Sherry Newell, along with President Carson Stringham and Vice President Amanda Bell – meet once a year to make these unanimous decisions. However, the members are not the only ones who can suggest titles. “The four of us sit down and try to come up with a season,” Morris said. “We solicit from the people who come for films and try to select from all genres.” The criteria for selecting a film is f lexible; there is no particular style or focus that a film has to have, but it needs to be considered a classic in some way.
Photo courtesy of MTC Campus
“The film has to have cinematic merit. It has to have done something new or different, separating itself from other films of its time,” Stringham said. This year, with the luck of the draw, Stringham, had his movie – “The Magnificent Seven” – selected out of the 40 movies thumbed through. Stringham said he submitted the film because it was reminiscent to when he was a child.
“I chose the movie because it was the only western I ever watched with my dad,” Stringham said. “I felt a nostalgic connection to it.” Every third Friday of the month, the Magic Lantern Film Society will be showing a film; the next feature will be “Alexander Nevsky” at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 27 in CETES B. The event is family friendly and food will be provided at no expense.