An Update from Interim President Askins
Amanda Purser Managing Editor
Since Fall 2024, Cameron’s Interim President Jari Askins has been crucial to the assistance and guidance of Cameron University.
An Oklahoma native with a background in both journalism and law, Askins took over the role at an important time in the university’s history.
An opening for Cameron’s highest leadership position became available after former president John McArthur retired last spring, after nearly two decades of service.
This announcement led the Board of Regents to initiate a lengthy and thorough selection process in order to designate Cameron’s next president. In the meantime, the board requested a temporary leader to manage the daily tasks and decisions that are necessary for the effective operation of the university.
Askins has over four decades of service dedicated to the state of Oklahoma, which began after earning her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
While she has no former experience in education, Askins rose to the challenge and has appreciated the many aspects of such a dynamic role since taking over.
“I knew I would enjoy being on a college campus,” Askins said. “Being close to home and part of the state that I am most familiar with has really been comfortable.”
Stepping in as Interim
President came with a multitude of challenges; some of the biggest were budget constraints and finding adequate resources to ensure the Cameron community could excel in every aspect possible.
Askins explained that Cameron is coming into a new legislative session where requests for appropriations will be made.
“In my mind, there are so many things that we need and that I get requests for,” Askins said. “So part of my job is trying to explain to the (Board of) Regents that we are good stewards of what we have, but that our faculty and staff and students could do more, with just a little more.”
Askins finds the time spent interacting with students the most rewarding thus far.
While Askins hopes her peak as Interim President is yet to come, she has several goals in mind to accomplish before her time with the Aggies comes to an end.
“The effort to migrate the IT system to a new network so that we can get the bandwidth we need to have, to operate in today’s world of technology, is so much more difficult than anyone had expected,” Askins said. “So if we can have it done before my time is finished, I’ll consider that a major accomplishment.”
Candidates for Cameron’s next permanent president have officially been narrowed down to two options, though the Board of Regents still has plenty of time in the long selection process to determine the
best choice.
Askins said her service as Interim President has provided insight into the kinds of skills prospective university presidents will need in the future.
“We’ve had a very engaged executive council, and I have absolutely enjoyed the discussion among the people we’ve had around the table and their input,” Askins said. “I think the
new president needs to be a fundraiser; I think that’s true for a president on any size campus across the country. Because we are a lesspopulated state than many, I think it’s harder to raise money.”
Askins explained the importance of networking with Cameron alumni and local businesses to get them to see the value of Cameron’s educational
mission and why they should invest in it.
Ultimately, Askins’ best advice to the future president is to listen, observe and absorb.
“And I would say engage with the community,” Askins said.
“Cameron is not a secret, and we don’t want it to be the best kept secret, we want it to be the best known and best value for higher education in this part of the state. We want
every community around us to recognize that and support it.”
Askins doesn’t have immediate plans after passing on the reins to the incoming president, but she is hopeful that something new will come along that will allow her to continue being of service in some way.
“If it involves [the] young people [of] Oklahoma, I’m sure I am in on it,” Askins said.
Courtesy photo
Cameron’s Presidential
Selection Process
Matthew Hasley Staff Writer
Cameron University’s selection process demonstrates a commitment to choosing a leader who will continue to advance the university’s mission, vision and academic goals, rather than just filling a position. As the student body, faculty, staff and surrounding community await the announcement of a new president, the anticipation is not just for a new leader to take up the mantle, but for a new chapter in Aggie history.
The Board of Regents, who oversee Cameron University along with the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Rogers State University (RSU) appointed Jari Askins as interim president to maintain stability following Dr. John McArthur’s resignation which set the stage for a leadership change unseen in over 10 years.
However, this was a temporary placement, and the board made the message clear: the process must be thorough and dedicate the necessary time to finding a leader who will carry Cameron into the future with probity and a vision of success.
A search committee formed, including members of the student body, faculty and staff of Cameron University, along with members of the Lawton and the Southwest Oklahoma community.
The Board of Regents, with help from the Public Affairs Office on campus, then developed a prospectus. This document offered a detailed look at Cameron University’s history, mission and expectations for its next leader, which is available as a downloadable PDF file on the university’s presidential search website.
The purpose was to find the most qualified candidates who would be interested in coming to Lawton and becoming the president of Cameron University.
Cameron University Senior Director of Public Affairs Keith Mitchell pointed out that once the search committee formed, the advertisement process began.
“They advertised in two or three national higher education publications like the ‘Journal for Higher Education’,” Mitchell said. “They also put advertising in the Lawton newspaper. They put advertising in the Wichita Falls newspaper. They advertised in the
Dallas newspaper.”
This effort garnered over 70 applications, validating the appeal of leading an institution with Cameron’s reputation. The search committee then turned to the daunting task of sifting through all of the applications.
“They got it down to six or eight individuals who they felt were the best of the bunch,” Mitchell said.
He also emphasized the meticulous nature of the selection process, which involved in-person and Zoom interviews leading to the selection of two finalists: Vice President Albert Johnson Jr., an internal candidate with over 15 years of service at Cameron, and Dr. C. Shane Hunt, looking to return to his home state of Oklahoma from his current tenure as Dean of the College of Business at Idaho State University.
Cameron then hosted each candidate, both experiencing identical days of engagement on campus, each having a dedicated time to interact with students, faculty and community members.
Mitchell described the intent behind the plan of action for each candidate.
“The search committee, the regents and the university are doing everything they can to have a level playing field,” Mitchell said.
Questions for the meetings came from faculty and staff surveys, ensuring the candidates’ visions and capabilities were thoroughly assessed by those directly impacted by their potential leadership.
Following the conclusion of campus visits, the search committee will inform their recommendation to the Board of Regents, who will then conduct their own interviews of the two candidates with a goal to have the new president in place by the start of the Fall 2025 semester.
During this time, the university will prepare to keep its community members informed on the decision once it’s been made and before any public announcements.
The new president will not only lead the Aggies academically but also must engage deeply with the surrounding community, while understanding Cameron’s role in Southwest Oklahoma’s economic and educational landscape.
CU hosts OBI Blood Drive
By Blake Eastwood Staff Writer
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 21, Our Blood Institute (OBI) held a blood drive in the Wichita Room of the Shepler Center.
Donors could schedule appointments ahead of time and walkins are always accepted too. OBI is a non-profit organization that serves Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas hospitals with all of their blood needs.
OBI Mobile Senior Supervisor Tina Pena was on site and explained that the organization’s objective is to be prepared for any medical situation.
visiting Cameron is to obtain 25 successful donations.
Cameron’s Student Wellness Center Director Tessa Craig has hosted two blood drives since taking over in October 2024.
“What we hope for participants is to become lifelong donors.”
- Tessa Craig Wellness Center Director
by Amanda Purser
“That is our goal,” Pena said, “to make sure that we get enough blood for the hospitals for patients in need.”
She expressed her passion for helping to save lives and explained that working for OBI is not just a job. Pena also said that their goal when
Craig came in to check on the drive and said that the Wellness Center wants students to be involved within the local community and give blood whenever possible, especially after learning that one donation can save up to three lives.
“What we hope for participants is to become lifelong donors,” Craig said.
The process of donating blood with OBI is simple; donors
sign-in and ensure they have a photo ID with them. Next, they will do a private health screening with one of the employees which consists of giving a blood sample and answering a few questions. Eligible donors will then make
their way to one of the phlebotomists and begin the process. The procedure time varies depending on the patient and method of donation, but it takes less than 20 minutes on average. When complete, donors may enjoy a snack or
drink provided by OBI while waiting in the observation area for a few moments. Anyone looking to give blood can donate go to the OBI facility located at 211 SW A Avenue in Lawton.
Donors can also look up locations for future blood drives on OBI’s website at www.OBI.org.
The next blood drive at Cameron will be in April, and anyone interested in volunteering to help promote future drives should contact Amanda Purser at amanda. purser@obi.org.
Circulation station: A Cameron University student donates platelets as part of a blood drive hosted by Our Blood Institute (OBI). OBI will host a second Spring blood drive in April.
Photo
Cameron Presidential Candidate: Albert Johnson Jr.
Cameron Presidential Candidate: Dr. C. Shane Hunt
Courtesy photo Courtesy photo
Impr I sonment
Ciera Terry Page Editor
Choice is a curious thing.
I didn’t grow up in the best neighborhood, and I witnessed many children become products of their environment.
When a community is suffering from poverty, life cannot be seen as black and white.
Instead, life is about meeting dayto-day needs — there are no other choices. There is no time for dreams or hope when you are forced to gamble with a system that doesn’t accommodate your struggles.
When a person’s life has been about struggle, and survival, many people
resort to actions that aren’t commendable by the government — but they are merely doing what’s necessary.
Life is no longer about what’s right or wrong.
As a person with family members who have been convicted and sentenced 25 years to life, my perspective on imprisonment looks different.
I have lost people due to crime by death and by imprisonment, and I cannot ever shame those who are prosecuted.
More often than not, when people in power speak of correctional facilities they say things like “Inmates get what they deserve,” and “Inmates shouldn’t do crime if they can’t do the time.”
In my opinion, about 50 percent of the prisoners shouldn’t actually be incarcerated.
Bold statement, I know.
And the American justice system is known to have implict racial bias.
According to Prison Policy Initiative, Black Americans make up 32 percent of the population in prison systems; however, Black Americans only make up to about 13 percent of the U.S. population.
In total 80 percent of all inmates come from low income housing and poverty.
And I wonder what that punishment is meant to do.
It’s a fact that imprisonment in America is dehumanizing.
How is stripping someone’s identity and humanity seen as “correctional?”
Is it meant to “correct,” like so many say, or is it meant to exploit?
Who gets to ask these questions?
Who has the power?
Who gets to decide who’s worthy of life and who is not?
It’s human to make mistakes.
It’s human to grow into
a new person.
It’s human to be gentle and kind, but it’s also human to be angry and upset at the world.
There are those who are privileged and have safeguards to fall on: a savings account, a support system.
Most people think struggles could never happen to them, but life is hard.
Accidents happen, a tire blows out, a car breaks down, a support system starts to crack.
Life can be completely ripped from under your feet without you having any clue it was coming.
I don’t need someone to sit me down and tell me how proud they are of me that I “made it out.”
I write this only to remind readers that those who are incarcerated are undoubtedly human.
There is nothing that separates us from them, except pure chance.
When attempting to cope with the political climate we are entering, I often turn to art.
I’ve found the relationship between art and injustice beautiful.
Art can be the expression and the voice of the marginalized and the oppressed.
It can take up many forms, poetry, creative writing, painting/drawing, film, etc. — all of it can be proactive.
I watched the movie “Sing, Sing,” recently.
The film is based on a true story of inmates at Sing Sing correctional facility in New York, who created a theater program in order to cope with their incarceration.
“Sing, Sing” was released in July 2024, and although the movie was initially released in only a select few states, the film production team recently released it nationwide in theaters for everyone to watch.
In at least 43 states, the production team was able to give incarcerated people a chance to see the impactful film in their correctional facilities.
Not only that, but a majority of the actors who played inmates in the film were previously inmates, themselves, in real life.
Art forms such as film have a huge opportunity to impact and change how people view the world — expecially a world that may be so separate from the viewer’s lived experience.
When we talk about change and struggle, we must not forget that the most freeing act and strongest sign of resistance and change is always to create.
After watching this film, I sobbed in the theater because it asks the question that no one does: What does it mean to be imprisoned in America?
For me, it means to be disillusioned that imprisonment corrects anything.
Graphics by
Ciera Terry
Nosferatu
A Gothic Masterpiece
Amelia Lozano A&E Editor
Robert Eggers’ latest film, “Nosferatu,” is one for the lovers of all things Gothic horror.
The film released on Christmas day. It is a remake of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent picture of the same name, which was heavily based upon Bram Stoker’s novel, “Dracula.”
Confusing origin, I know.
Set in Germany in the 1830s, Eggers’ “Nosferatu” follows Ellen Hutter (played by Lily-Rose Depp), a young woman with a troubled childhood who is haunted by the vampire Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard).
The cast also features Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe, Aaron TaylorJohnson, Emma Corrin and Ralph Ineson.
Anybody who knows me might be aware of
my passion for horror and vampire media (see the Voices page of The Cameron Collegian, Volume 111, Issue 6) – so I was, of course, very excited to see “Nosferatu.”
This film has the incredible feat of
lens that replicates how the eye perceives moonlight; pivotal night scenes are bathed in a stunning monochromatic blue.
On top of that, the ominous use of shadows is tastefully crafted,
exceptional lighting – a trait that has been sorely forgotten in many films of the 2020s.
Several scenes were lit only by candlelight, meaning hundreds of candles were used to perfect the lighting in each scene.
Meanwhile, the nighttime scenes are colorized with a special
adding to the terror of Count Orlok’s visage as well as the hauntings that Hutter faces.
The cinematography of “Nosferatu” is also beautiful.
Clever transitions move the viewer from scene to scene with ease; cinematographer Jarin Blaschke has worked with Eggers on all of the director’s features so far and the partnership has yet to fail them.
What I find especially captivating about “Nosferatu” is how the film manages to uplift Hutter as a heroine even amidst the tragic tale.
At a time when illnesses (especially womens’ mental health) were still written off as “hysteria,” other films might allow this period-typical sexism to negate the woman’s experiences.
On the contrary, Hutter is depicted as a woman burdened by her time, but not stifled by it.
In one scene, the scientist Von Franz (Dafoe) asserts that Hutter would have, in other circumstances, been more appreciated for her connection to spirits.
Additionally, Hutter is
not depicted without deep complexities.
She has love for –and is loved by – her husband, Thomas Hutter; but Count Orlok is also representative of her hidden desires (a typical vampiric allegory).
She is loved in spite of what others deem strange, appreciated despite her woes, and
unequivocally important to the film. Without Ellen, there is no “Nosferatu.”
Of course, much of the praise I hold for Ellen Hutter would mean nothing if I didn’t attribute it to Lily-Rose Depp.
I had high
expectations going into this film but I did not anticipate how much I would love Depp’s performance. She brings a physicality to the performance that is terrifying but captivating. It’s hard not to come out of “Nosferatu” with a deep love for Ellen Hutter and the Gothic genre as a whole. For all of its perfections, I give “Nosferatu” a gleaming 5 out of 5 stars. “Nosferatu” is currently available to purchase digitally.
Tune in to Romance
Your guide to all things romance
Movies: Rye Lane (Hulu) Romance isn’t dead. Wave from boats. Lisa Frankenstein (Prime) Build your own boyfriend! Mississippi Masala (Max) Denzel Washington. Need I say more?
I Want To Eat Your Pancreas It’s okay to steal sometimes. Crazy Rich Asians (Max) High stakes mahjong! Crimson Peak Be wary of that British man.
Books: Outdrawn by Deanna Grey
TJ Powar Has Something To Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake
We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian
TV:
Interview With The Vampire (AMC)
That French man will not save you.
The Great (Hulu)
Sometimes your biggest hater is your husband. Bridgerton (Netflix) These people cannot be chill for one minute.
Normal People (Hulu) Bring tissues.
Ouran High School Host Club (Crunchyroll)
Courtesy photos Graphics by Amelia Lozano
NEW COMMUNICATION
by
Makayla Flenoury Staff Writer
Cameron University welcomes instructor Lindsey Boatright to her new position as a Communication professor on campus. Prior to Boatright joining as the faculty last fall, she worked out of the Student Enrichment Center as a Success Coach.
Before Cameron, Boatright worked at South Plains College as an Admissions and Recruitment
team member. She said that her call to teach and help students runs in the family, with both her parents as well as her younger brother involved in higher education.
Boatright teaches Principles of Communications and Small Group Communications, though her Bachelor’s degree is specifically in Agricultural Communications.
Agriculture has always been a vital part of Boatright’s life; she spent her entire junior and high
school careers participating in both Future Farmer’s of America (FFA) and the Heads, Heart, Hands and Health (4H) program. She grew up competing in rodeos and even received a scholarship to compete at the college level.
More important than anything, Boatright wants students to leave her classroom understanding the vitality of communication and how big of a role it plays in our day to day lives.
“There are a lot of different pieces to communications that some people don’t (know about),” Boatright said. “All of those different things are tied to being effective communicators. That’s the goal: to help students become better communicators in their personal as well as their professional lives.”
Boatright’s classes operate around the many methods there are to help achieve this goal.
“Group activities are really the best way to apply what we learn in class,” she said. “Asking how does this connect with your daily life? Or giving them the opportunity to test out some group work.”
On top of this, Boatright wants her students to practice what they learn outside of class, so they get more confident with themselves and more comfortable with using those skills in everyday settings.
Though her career as a professor at Cameron is just beginning, Boatright has already had a positive impact on the students of the Communication, English and Foreign Langauge department. She looks forward to achieving her goal of helping students become better communicators, and the journey it will take her on along the way.
Cameron University intramurals
By Julian Ebacher
Sports Editor
Cameron’s intramural sports began the Spring 2025 season with indoor soccer, pickleball, cornhole and indoor volleyball. As such, there has been a membership drive in order to get students involved, especially given the relative unknown status of the program.
Supervisor of the Rec Center and the individual in charge of intramural sports, Viaja Dewberry-Fulner said the best way to join or get information about intramurals is at the Rec Center by request.
Prospective players sign up, at which point the path to entering an
intramural team will begin.
Dewberry-Fulner serves in both an administrative role to intramurals, setting up the various events that take place, while coordinating with other colleges in the area, as well as actively recruiting individuals for teams.
“Intramurals have been here for quite some time,” Dewberry-Fulner said, “but since we are low on, you know, enrollment, people don’t really know much about intramurals.”
She is hoping that more students sign up, since a lot of the participants who were previously involved in intramurals have either not to returned or have
already graduated.
This semester began with the return of the indoor volleyball competition.
Dewberry-Fulner hopes an increase in enrollment this year could lead to increased participation in intramural sports.
She added that just last year, the competition had five to six different teams meeting weekly, and even more spectators, be they the friends of the players or simply those who wanted to see the games.
Dewberry-Fulner mentioned the challenges inherent to running a system with such low interest, saying that if nobody actually signs up, then she can’t begin to coordinate with other
universities to set times to play.
Furthermore, this creates something of a vicious cycle, as without teams to play, there is no capability of drumming up interest in the actual games, and the advertising for the program is limited to various flyers and simply mentioning it to anyone who will listen.
That being said, DewberryFulner fully believes
that, if people join the program enough to get it started, interest in intramurals will increase. For more information, contact the Rec Center at 580-581-5555.
Spring Greek Rush Weeks
How Alpha Phi and Kappa Sigma recruit
Alyssa Martinez Student Life Editor
Greek Life is an active part of the experience at Cameron University. Two organizations, Alpha Phi Sorority and Kappa Sigma Fraternity, have spent the first weeks of this semester preparing to recruit and bid on new members to grow their organizations. Recruitment is vital to Greek Life. Entire weeks are dedicated to recruitment; this includes a mix of events hosted throughout the academic year.
These events serve as an interview process for prospective members, as Greek organizations search for
individuals who believe in the group’s goal.
Kappa Sigma hosted their first recruitment week starting Jan. 20. Recruitment included events with competitive games and much socialization. After the events are over, current members decide as a group who to invite into the organization.
Kappa Sigma President Johnathan Gonzalez takes the responsibility very seriously.
“At the end of the day, these are people we are bringing into our organization,” Gonzalez said. “We try to see what type of personalities that these potential members can bring to
the table.” Alpha Phi’s Spring Recruitment will work similarly to Kappa Sigma’s, and is scheduled for the week of Feb. 10 in McCasland Ballroom.
There will be board games, cookie decorating, and other crafts to make.
Outside of designated recruitment weeks, potential members can attempt recruitment via the Continuous Open Bidding (COB) process. COB’s goal is to establish connections with potential members outside traditional Rush Weeks.
Alpha Phi President and Elementary Education major Marya Trevino believes that an accessible recruiting process benefits student
life and morale, including virtual students, who tend to be reached through social media.
“We are trying to overcome that little barrier and find different avenues,” Trevino said.
All Greek organizations collaborate amongst themselves, working on recruitment plans, philanthropy and socialization between groups. This strengthens the Greek community within Cameron, because what benefits one helps them all bring something special to the rest of campus.
“I believe personally that Greek Life is a hidden gem in Cameron University,” Gonzalez said.
Photo
Makayla Flenoury
Courtesy Photo
Viaja Dewberry-Fulner
