The Cameron University Collegian February 9, 2015

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Monday, February 9, 2015

Volume 92 Issue 2

Online program makes affordable colleges list Jacob Jardel

online degree programs.

“We’re designed as a university to Assistant Manager Editor focus on providing quality education @JJardel_Writing so that our students can effectively Cameron University recently compete with students at any degree ranked 13th in BestColleges.com’s they get from any place in the list of the most affordable four-year world,” Burgess said. online degree programs.

Cameron has almost 1600 Cameron placed the highest of students enrolled in at least one any Oklahoma school on the list of online course this semester and 50 undergraduate programs, which another 200 enrolled in a hybrid is based on tuition rates for 12 credit course, which mixes online and hours of online study. classroom components. Distance According to Dr. Sylvia Burgess, Learning Coordinator Lisa Restivo associate vice president of academic noted the diversity of those enrolled affairs, affordability is not the only in online courses. thing that sets Cameron apart from “It’s virtually everyone,” she other online programs. She says said. “You do have some who are program improvements are made stationed overseas, or a mother who daily. would rather take online courses and The motivation to keep these not pay daycare for their children. improvements going has come in But then we have students who take part from the makeup of other both face-to-face and online courses

for various reasons.”

Burgess added that analytics shows a surprising trend in the makeup of online courses.

“Our data shows that the vast majority of those who take online courses are on-campus residential students,” she said, “which always stuns us.”

According to her, the flexibility of the online programs has provided non-traditional and working students with assistance in keeping on track with their degrees.

“The benefit to those students is that it allows them the flexibility to work at midnight and work on weekends,” Burgess said. “They can still move steadily toward getting their university degrees.”

When combined with the convenience of not taking up physical classroom space, this

assistance embodies what Restivo considers one of the online program’s most vital goals.

“That’s the biggest thing – how we’re going to try to expand for ITV and to help those [students] graduate and to pick up our retention that way,” Restivo said.

These combined resources exhibit the changes made to the online programs since the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Cameron first started offering online courses.

According to Burgess, these factors have also contributed to the population growth of online classes.

“In the early 2000s, we had somewhere around 400 or 500 students at any given time taking online courses,” Burgess said, “and we had a larger drop rate back then because they weren’t prepared for it.

“As technology developed,

students were much more prepared for what happens in the online environment, and it’s no longer unusual to them. That’s a big reason why the enrollment is growing.”

The online courses and programs continue to expand, according to Burgess and Restivo, especially when it comes to expanding tools to help students and instructors work better in real time and adapting the curriculum to the national standards of the Quality Matters rubric.

“All of the new courses being developed will comply with the Quality Matters rubric, and we will be moving all of our courses to compliance with the Quality Matters rubric,” Burgess said, “which is extraordinary to meet student needs to provide information and communication tools.”

FISTS OF FURY

To find out how Lawton MMA fighters did on Jan. 31, see Page 8 Photo by Krista Pylant

Small changes for a big difference Marie Bagwell

there,” Naifeh said. “So if you have an entire bag full Staff Writer of plastic bottles but then In keeping with this year’s someone comes around and puts pizza in it, that entire sustainability festival theme, Cameron University students, bag is now wasted.”

Naifeh said one possible faculty and staff could soon solution would be for the see changes in sustainability Go Green Committee to practices on campus with the start recycling education. establishment of the new Go He believes seminars and Green Committee. workshops would be the best Several buildings around campus already have recycling route to educate students, faculty and staff of recycling receptacles for cans, paper practices. and plastic. But Dean The Go Green Committee of Student Services and would also provide an member of the Go Green avenue for different ideas recommendation committee Zeak Naifeh said one of sustainability practices problem with the current from students, faculty and recycling is they are not used staff. Naifeh said those who properly. wish to contribute ideas to “The problem is when the committee would do so someone put other trash in by contacting anyone on the

committee to make their suggestions.

Current Chair of Faculty Senate, Dr. Sarah Janda, said the Go Green Committee has been a work in progress since 2009.

Janda said one of the responsibilities of a standing Go Green Committee would be deciding who is responsible for all of the programs, including who would be responsible for collecting recycling.

With the festival year being sustainability and the Go Green recommendation committee being wellorganized and consisting of members from the Student Government Association, Physical Facilities, Physical Plant and the Science

Photo by Charlene Belew

Department, Janda is optimistic that President John MacArthur will approve a standing committee.

Janda said she feels the Go Green Committee is important “because over

the last several years there has certainly been a move, whether for budgetary or environmental reasons, or both, to find ways to conserve, to improve recycling policies to make campus

greener.

“I think they could get quite a bit done and have a very positive impact on the campus… I’d be very happy to see it come to fruition.”

Janda said.

What’s inside Alpha Sig approved to charter

Opinions on modern racism

Whang performs “Three B’s”

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News

February 9, 2015

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Business fraternity presents charter Jacob Jardel

Photo by Jacob Jardel

Assistant Managing Editor @JJardel_Writing

The Sigma Chi chapter of Delta Sigma Pi showed they know how to take care of business over the last few years.

Cameron’s chapter of the co-ed fraternity for business majors presented their charter plaque to the School of Business at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 in the lobby of Ross Hall.

The ceremony culminated an almost three-year road toward official recognition.

Master’s of Business Administration student John Williams, Vice President of Community Service for Delta Sigma Pi, voiced his joy both for being in the organization and for being able to present the charter.

“It’s an awesome thing,” Williams said. “It’s been a great opportunity.”

Senior accounting major and Vice President of Chapter Operations Yvonne Moore was one of the original members of Delta Sigma Pi when it petitioned to become a fraternity in Feb. 2012.

After three years of work, she felt that it all paid off when they presented the charter.

“To finally present the actual charter to the School of Business has just been a

Shake on it: Delta Sigma Pi Vice President of Chapter Operations Yvonne Moore (right) presents the Delta Sigma Pi charter plaque to Dr. John Camey, Dean of the School of Business, at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 in the Ross Hall Lobby. The three-year chartering process for the Sigma Chi chapter culminated with this reception. major accomplishment,” she said.

Moore presented the charter along with a copy of the petition the original members sent to the national office and a scholarship key plaque. The scholarship key plaque commemorates those graduating seniors with the highest GPA in the School of Business.

Scholarship and similar opportunities are what make Delta Sigma Pi participation a unique experience according to Moore.

“We provide professional development and community service,” she said.

“Scholarships are available, and we just have a lot of fun being together.”

Williams added that these

experiences differentiate this fraternity from other forms of Greek life.

“We try and focus on the personal and professional side of development,” he said.

“We do have socials, we do get together to do community service projects and we also do professional development events every semester.”

However, he made sure to

differentiate the experience of Delta Sigma Pi from an honors society such as Delta Mu Delta, the honors society for business majors.

“There isn’t a GPA requirement,” Williams said.

“As long as you’re meeting the criteria to be a goodstanding student at Cameron University and are majoring in a Business major, you’re

eligible to join.”

Joining the organization would put a student in a position to be one of over 250,000 members in Delta Sigma Pi, spread among the over 250 national chapters.

Moore noted that the makeup of the Sigma Chi chapter offers an experience unique to Cameron University.

“We are a wonderful mix of traditional and non-traditional students,” she said. “We have the youthfulness of the incoming younger students and the maturity, connections and networking abilities of the older students.”

Williams added that it brings this diverse student population together under a common thread.

“It’s a great opportunity for fellowship among students of commerce and business,” Williams said. “It gives them the opportunity to meet and intermingle.”

He said one other advantage of Delta Sigma Pi as an organization reaches beyond the walls of the classroom and board room.

“By us creating more organizations like this on campus,” Williams said, “it gives more exposure to Cameron and increases the opportunities for people coming to school here.”

She is Safe: addressing trafficking in Oklahoma Tribune News Service

Marie Bagwell

“It is an organized criminal activity that takes away a person’s freedom, and they are coerced into a Staff Writer life that they did not bargain for,” Sanders said.

Sanders said the majority of girls in the United At 12 p.m. on Jan. 27 in the Wichita Room, the States who are taken into human trafficking are Wellness Center hosted speaker DeAnna Sanders runaways, children from broken homes and children from the non-profit organization She Is Safe (SIS). who have been abused sexually and/or physically.

SIS aims to “prevent, rescue and restore women “Traffickers work in a way to feel like they are and girls from abuse and exploitation in high risk helping the girl, and she doesn’t know the difference places around the world, equipping them to build lives of freedom, faith and a strong future,” according at that moment in time in her life,” Sanders said.

The traffickers will treat the girls well, make to the SIS mission statement. sure they are fed, clean, given somewhere to stay Sanders said she has been with SIS for the past and often bought nice things like jewelry and cell three and half years, working out of her home in phones.

Sanders said the girls are often lured into Duncan, Okla. with mainly girls and women in a false sense of safety and security, but that quickly Indonesia.

Even though SIS is an international organization, changes.

“They are drugged, they are manipulated and they also help raise awareness of human trafficking they are repeatedly raped over and over again until in the United States. they are subjected to the will of their traffickers,” “The reality is it’s happening right now, around Sanders said. “Then they have no recourse, then they our world, in our state and in your city,” Sanders said. “Women and girls are being trafficked.” don’t know what to do.”

Human trafficking is an issue of global slavery Oklahoma is a hot spot for human trafficking and a question of power and enslavement. because of the intersecting interstates, I-35, I-40

and I-44. This intersection gives the traffickers ease of getting their subjects to major cities and even to Canada.

According to the 2014 “Trafficking in Persons Report”, “The United States is a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children – both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals – subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor, including domestic servitude.”

Nearly 30 million people are trapped by modern day slavery, which includes sex and labor trafficking.

It is the largest growing crime in the world and the third-largest crime behind drug and weapons trafficking.

Sanders said even though awareness is being raised, trafficking is still a rising issue because people are willing to pay and are always going to be willing to pay.

Another problem, Sanders said, is that people know it’s happening, but they aren’t willing to help.

She said it’s important to become educated about what is happening locally and to make some noise to legislatures.

Cameron to see housing policy changes in 2015 Vicky Smith

Student Life Editor @pinkwritinglady

Over the past year, the Cameron University Student Housing positions and policies have undergone changes, but Lee Wilkerson, director of student housing since March 2014, said he plans for a year of stability.

Wilkerson said at some universities, a hall director position is contracted as a two or three year position, in which the third year is

dependent on the person’s performance during the first two years.

Since that’s not how the position is contracted at Cameron, Wilkerson said he hires the most qualified person.

“I want to give, for whatever time period we have them, the best we can to Cameron and to the residents here,” Wilkerson said.

He said students who serve as resident assistants (RA) are also held to a high standard.

“This year,” Wilkerson said, “we’ve had a few

leave us for graduation [or] for other reasons…

[Sometimes it’s] the struggle between academics versus being an RA because it is a tough job. I mean you’re never really off duty…

People are always looking at you.

“We do occasionally have to release people from positions because of the fact that they’re not necessarily performing. We put certain things into place so that when a student needs a resource, they not only have a resource, but they have a good example as well.”

As for the living conditions of Shepler dorms and Cameron Village apartments, improvements are in motion.

According to a press release, “Rates for residential apartments in Cameron Village and residence hall rooms in the Shepler Center will increase [by four percent] to allow the university to continue modernizing the Shepler residential facility and to fund increased maintenance in Cameron Village.”

Wilkerson said the university conducted substantial research prior to setting the price of the new rate, which will take effect Aug. 1, 2015.

“We do know that [for] several of our students,” he said, “that’s one of the great draws of Cameron: the affordability and the low debt, but [we] also still account for all the things that need to be done and need to continue to look to improve.”

In a press release, Glen Pinkston, vice president of business and finance, said Cameron administration has worked diligently and takes pride in its ability to offer affordable housing options, remaining one of the lowest in the state and nation.

“Our students report that they are

Cameron housing rates 2014-2015

2015-2016

Double

$775

$815

Single

$1300

$1365

4-Bed, 9-month

$2550

$2625

2-Bed, 9-month

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Shepler

Village

For full pricing info, visit http://www.cameron.edu/mediareleases2015/housing-board-rates2

appreciative of the improvements made in both Shepler and Cameron Village,” Pinkston said, “yet during listening sessions, additional amenities were identified. The proposed housing rates will partially fund continued improvements.”

Wilkerson said some areas of improvement in housing will include the flooring and fire alarms of Cameron Village, as well as the showers and elevator card swipes of Shepler dorms.

“I do hear students as they talk,” Wilkerson said, “and their concerns with what they have…

I’m glad that they’re concerned. I’m glad that they actually take note.”

February 9, 2015

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Student Life

Eta Rho given the go to charter Jacob Jardel

chartering paid off.

“It’s awesome,” Carpenter Assistant Managing Editor said.

“It took four years to @JJardel_Writing finally get to this point. I’m glad to see us finally get to a One of Cameron’s Greek point where we can actually Life organizations started have what we were working the new semester with an towards instead of just affirmation of nearly four hoping and hoping – having years of work. that ability to say we started On Jan. 22, the Eta Rho chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi something, and it’s worked for us.” fraternity received their According to Gatliff, the approval to charter from the work started when national national offices. For many representatives felt that members of the fraternity, Cameron had what it took the news proved a highlight to foster the fraternity on to the New Year.

Senior biology major and campus.

“They thought Cameron fraternity Vice President Jay was a very diverse campus,” Gatliff wanted to celebrate he said, “and they thought upon receiving the news they would have success while at work.

“There were just so many here.”

Upon interviews and positive thoughts going approval to become a through my mind,” he said, “and I could probably say the colony, the process became about fostering not only same for everybody else.” an organization, but also a For founding brother Justin Carpenter, a graduate brotherhood.

“It’s one of those things student in behavioral you associate with your sciences, the years of friends,” Gatliff said. “At working toward the goal of

first, it was 13 or 14 people I never met before, then we started to mold together and become that brotherhood that we wanted to become.”

However, according to Gatliff, it was not easygoing from the start for the group.

“We’d never been in a fraternity,” he said, “so we didn’t know what exactly a fraternity was at first. It was rough, but it definitely paid off when we got that phone call.”

Gatliff said the four years to gain their footing helped in making the work pay off and helped make fraternal business more manageable today.

“It’s ten times easier,” he said. “We have all the right people in the right places and leadership positions. I think we all have an idea of what exactly goes on, what it takes to be in a fraternity and what it takes to run a fraternity.”

Because of this stability,

Gatliff said that Alpha Sigma Phi is ready for great things, from Rush Week to service work with national philanthropies to the upcoming charter ceremony.

He also noted that Greek life through the lens of Alpha Sigma Phi gives members an idiosyncratic view of college life.

“Not only do you get the experience that several organizations would give you,” he said, “you get community service, you get volunteer hours and you get the social aspect of an organization all in one bundle.

“I think it

brings a great group of men together that can really get a lot done together,” Gatliff said.

Carpenter agreed, adding that the chartering will only be the beginning of what is to come from Alpha Sigma Phi. “We’re going to be

the biggest fraternity on campus, throwing the best events,” Carpenter said.

“We’re really going to be trying to push our guys to continue being as good men as we expect them to be.

We’re going to push them to bring that experience to Cameron.”

Courtesy photo

Expanding mathematics beyond the classroom Hafsa Farah

upper level mathematics.”

The mathematics department has hosted the Math Staff Writer Seminar Lecture Series since Fall 2013, and Jankovic is a frequent contributor to the event, which takes places the At 3 p.m. on Jan. 27 in Burch Hall, Dr. Dragan Jankovic continued the Math Seminar Lecture Series with last Tuesday of each month.

In 2013, Associate Mathematics Professor Jean-Jacques a discussion about the Erdös-Mordell Theorem.

Kengwoung-Keumo, along with the math department At the seminar, Jankovic said he hoped the topic of choice would make the talk more enjoyable for his faculty, founded and coordinated the math lecture series. audience.

Kengwoung-Keumo’s vision for the event is for faculty to “I chose the Erdös-Mordell Theorem because it is not use it as a platform to share their research and teaching a highly technical topic,” he said. “It is a beautiful piece of endeavors. elementary geometry, which I think my audience will feel “The goal of this math seminar series is for the faculty, comfortable listening to without feeling they have to know as a group, to share with one another what each of us is doing in terms of teaching and research,” he said. “It is a great way for all of us to be aware of what research projects and teaching methods our colleagues are thinking about and implementing.”

Another of KengwoungKeumo’s major goals of the lecture series is to include students so that they have a place where they see the concepts they’re learning about in class actually applied to the real world.

Kengwoung-Keumo noted the seminar has recently gained popularity on among students.

“Today we had the Photo by Hafsa Farah highest turnout of students in attendance at the Mad about Math: Associate Professor of Mathematics Dr. Jean-Jacques lecture,” he said. “I see this Kengwoung-Keumo shares his passion for math with students. as progress that the word is

getting spread across campus.”

One of the students in attendance was freshman biology major Josie Cebollaro. She attended the lecture to deepen her appreciation and knowledge for mathematics.

“I wanted to know more about geometry,” Cebollaro said, “so I can prepare myself for my future classes that I’m going to have to take, so now I have an idea of it, and I know what to expect.”

Math education major Michele Wornock attended the seminar for the first time. She felt the lecture complemented her coursework and enhanced her perspective of mathematics.

“This lecture fits in with what I’ve learned in classes, like Foundations of Math, and how you go through steps to prove theorems and how you build from one axiom or theorem to the next,” Wornock said. “Like Dr. Jankovic was saying, you have to have this person’s theorem to prove this person’s theorem – kind of like a step-by-step process.”

Wornock felt attending the lecture helped her to better understand how mathematics applies to the world beyond a school desk.

“I know more about what math is,” Wornock said, “about not just learning what math is in the classroom but being able to explain it outside the classroom and using it to do research.”

Math Instructor Irene Corriette said she really loved Dr. Jankovic’s attention to the historical background of his topic.

“I enjoyed the way he tied in the contributions from past mathematicians into the work he was currently doing,” Corriette said. “He has a real passion for the history of math. That was nice to hear because people talk about theorems and the way they’re used right now, but usually you don’t see the background and where it came from.”

Students who are interested in attending a math seminar can catch the next one on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Dear Aggie: when did Cupid say “I love you?”

Dear Aggie,

action.

Before you tell someone “I love you,” be prepared to accept the implications of communicating a message of Sincerely, In Love such depth to the person you care about.

Dear In Love, Love entails responsibility Regardless of your religion – when you tell someone you and values, love is not a love him or her, you imply f leeting emotion or onethat you will sacrifice when night stand. Love, whether life is demanding, forgive for a friend, family member when life is hateful, listen or significant other, is when life is screaming and When is it a good time to say “I love you” for the first time to my significant other?

Inc. 5000 company needs you

hold on when life is slipping away.

Love recklessly defies human nature – It looks beyond the superficial to see the ugly fibers that make up another person, and it keeps looking.

It keeps looking because the beauty within the heart of the other person is what ultimately shines through, whether or not the person is actually “worthy.”

SGA weekly

Kaley Patterson A&E Editor

@KaleyKayPatt

Lastly, remember that love is both a choice and a commitment. When the right time arises, and you have the right feelings and actions to support these three words, you must understand that your significant other may not have reached that point yet. When you are ready to muster up the courage to say, “I love you,” you can expect one of two things: returned love or a feeling of At the Feb. 2 SGA meeting, Vice President for University Advancement Albert Johnson spoke to the CU SGA governing body about the importance of a Cameron degree and the donors who help make many of those diplomas possible.

“What can you do with your CU degree?” Johnson asked. “Anything.”

Johnson informed the SGA that each degree from Cameron University makes an impact within

discomfort.

If you truly love your significant other, accepting whatever consequences that stem from your testimony of love is imperative.

Sincerely, Aggie

Dear Aggie responses are generated in house by Collegian editorial members and do not represent professional opinion or advice. Tweet to @DearAggieCU.

the community and around globe. He also enlightened the governing body on the importance of donations, why they matter and what they have done for Cameron.

Members of the governing body joined Johnson and Director of Development Maurissa Buchwald in filming a “thank you” clip for an appreciation video dedicated to those who donate to Cameron. The video will be shown at the Donor Appreciation

Dinner on Feb. 26.

Also at the meeting, the SGA governing body elected their king and queen nominees for this year’s homecoming: for king, SGA Treasurer Casey Meeks, and for queen, SGA Vice President Nikki Kirk. The contestants will go through an interview process Feb. 10-11.

At the meeting on Feb. 9, the governing body will read their first piece of legislation for the spring semester.

4

Voices

February 9, 2015

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Tribune News Service

Keeping the ‘human’ in humanity Pop quiz: Given the following song lyric, provide the year the song was released: “‘Can a brother get a little peace? \ There’s war on the streets and a war in the Middle East. \ Instead of a war on poverty, \ they’ve got a War on Drugs so the police can bother me.’”

Know the answer? Give up?

No worries either way – it’s not for a grade.

But the answer is 1998.

Hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur recorded “Changes” in 1992 before its release on Pac’s posthumously “Greatest Hits” album. The song addresses issues prevalent over 20 years ago, notably racism, police

brutality, drugs and gang violence.

This concept sounds familiar.

Another pop quiz: Given the following lyric, provide the song’s year of release: “‘Got no money to move out – \ I guess I got no choice. \ Rats in the front room, roaches in the back, \ junkies in the alley with a baseball bat; \ I tried to get away but I couldn’t get far \ ’cause a man with a tow truck repossessed my car.”

Solved it? Stumped? Also not for a grade, so no big deal either way.

The answer: 1982. “The Message” was Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s biggest hit, known mostly for Tribune News Service

the lyric “Don’t push me ’cause lyrical content hidden behind I’m close to the edge. I’m trying a superficial hook. The above not to lose my lyric is one head,” which of many that evoked social exhibited issues of the some of the era, especially overt or covert life in the prejudice toward projects. black people Things are imbedded starting to within the legal ring a bell. system.

Okay, let’s To avoid do one more sounding like a to prove a broken record, point: here is the point: “There I racism is still a Jacob Jardel go, trapped in problem, people.

Assistant Managing Editor No matter the Kit-Kat @JJardel_Writing again, \ back where you look through or how you the system with the riff-raff justify it, it exists. Just ask the again. \ Fiends on the floor, people of Ferguson, the family scratching again \ … D.A. try of Eric Garner – really, black to give a [person] shaft again. people anywhere. \ Half a mil’ for bail ‘cause I’m Now, I’m not anti-cop. Far African.” from it. The policemen are not This one may seem a bit the problem. The problem is more familiar because it was the inherent systemic racism recent, but no worries for blended into the legal system. drawing a blank if you do.

It didn’t happen overnight.

This cut comes from Jay-Z’s It was there before the days of 2004 song “99 Problems.”

Dred Scott. It grew rampant The song sparked up a lot of in the Jim Crow South. It buzz upon release, whether still happens in modern-day for the video or for the deeper Ferguson and Staten Island.

Yet, there are some who, innocently or maliciously, accidentally or intentionally, downplay or shift attention from the systemic racism.

For example, there are those who proclaim, “All lives matter,” in response to the “Black lives matter” mantra.

While this statement is true because all lives do, in fact, matter, there are two reasons this thinking is problematic.

First of all, it invalidates the experiences many black people are living right now in the same way telling a depressed person, “Everyone gets depressed sometimes,” invalidates their feelings. Intentional or otherwise, that’s how it can sound.

Second, and most importantly, all lives matter – but not all lives are victims of systemic oppression.

Some will argue this second point with a citation of reverse racism in the Caucasian community. It’s true – Caucasian people do experience prejudice because of their race, too. Prejudice, as a whole, sucks.

But racism involves a power struggle, defined roles

of oppressor and oppressed.

Racism takes discrimination and adds an air of inferiority and superiority that bleeds onto a systemic level, literally and figuratively.

I’m really not trying to “White bash.” But just think about oppression and where certain races have fit into the oppressed/oppressor dyad.

More importantly, remember: white people aren’t the problem. The inherent societal racism is.

So, what do we do about it?

Educate yourself. Stay woke. Do not try to invalidate any group with universal statements that erase any oppressed group identity.

Please do not get into a competition of which group is more oppressed – oppression is a malady, not a competition.

Most importantly, remember this quote from John Green: “There is no Them, only facets of Us.” Because we are all people – that’s for sure. But it’s our differences – our various “facets of Us” – that make us truly human.

So let’s celebrate humanity – not oppress it.

THE CAMERON COLLEGIAN is taking applications for the Spring 2015 semester Staff and editorial positions open.

Students of all disciplines welcome.

Resume required.

Portfolio recommended.

Pick up applications at Academic Commons 105 or aggiecentral.com/about/careers and return to AC 105. For more information, call 581- 2997 or email aggiecentral@cameron.edu.

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 for free. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.

Our Views

The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author.

The unsigned editorial under the heading “Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board.

The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma.

Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.

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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.

Managing Editor - Charlene Belew Asst. Managing Editor - Jacob Jardel A&E Editor - Kaley Patterson Sports Editor - Krista Pylant Student Life Editor - Vicky Smith Copy Editor - Kaley Patterson, Vicky Smith Aggie Central Editor- Jereme Cobb

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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.

A&E

February 9, 2015

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5

Whang performs ‘The Three B’s’ Marie Bagwell

Bach, Beethoven and Brahms: Cameron Professor of Music Hyunsoon Whang performed “The Three B’s” at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Duncan Simmons Center. She played different compositions from each composer. Whang performed music from Beethoven for the first time after taking a long hiatus from his music.

of his music again.

“I would always schedule Staff Writer my recitals,” Whang said, “[and] my programs At 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 29 would normally be a lot of in Duncan, the Simmons Chopin, Mozart, Bach and Center hosted “The Three B’s,” performed by Cameron Schumann.”

Whang said she had been University’s Dr. Hyunsoon practicing for “The Three Whang.

Whang titled her recital B’s” since summer 2014.

“I’m just ready to be after the famous composers really playing a lot of Johannes Brahms, Johann Beethoven again,” she Sebastian Bach and Ludwig said, “and have a deeper Van Beethoven, and she understanding of his music played music from each and maybe play better than composer. before.”

Concert goers filled the The second piece Whang seats as the stage lights played during the recital was brightened and Whang sat “French Suite No. 5 in G at the piano. She began with Major, BWV 816” by Bach, “Three Intermezzi, Op. a favorite that Whang said 117” by Brahms and ended makes everyone happy. with “Appassionata” by “Appassionata,” or Beethoven.

“Sonata in F Minor, Op. 57,” Whang said she was the final piece Whang built the recital around performed.

The piece “Appassionata” after a started with a very quick long hiatus from playing tempo, slowed slightly and Beethoven. She said she then gained tempo again. played his music often as she was growing up, so she decided to stay away from it for a while, possibly out of respect or fear.

After Interim Chair of the Music Department Dr. Gregory Hoepfner noticed Whang didn’t play Beethoven’s music in recitals, Whang said she decided to play some

Senior music major Kathryn Adams attended “The Three B’s” recital.

Adams said she not only attended the recital because she is a music major, but also because she enjoys Whang’s music.

Adams said part of Whang’s lure is her facial expressions during her fantastic performances.

“I love watching her perform,” Adams said. “She always introduces the music in an easy to listen to way.”

According to Adams, Whang is not only a teacher, but also she is someone who encourages others to perfect their own trade.

“It [her performance] brings a certain livelihood to it that makes me want to go home and practice,” Adams said.

Adams said she will continue to attend Whang’s recitals, even after she graduates from Cameron.

Photos by Marie Bagwell

Theatre department to perform ‘The Heretic’

Kaley Patterson A&E Editor

@KaleyKayPatt The Cameron University Theatre Department will continue the sustainability themed theatre season with “The Heretic,” premiering Feb. 19-22.

A black comedy, “The Heretic” is about Dr. Diane Casell, a skeptic science professor who questions global warming. Her doubts cause tension within her profession and among her

relationships with the head of her department, her daughter and one of her students.

Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Dr. Deidre Onishi is the director of “The Heretic.”

Onishi said she knew the production would be a great play as soon as she read it, but she cautions potential viewers of the play’s adult material.

“People can expect a lot of talk of ‘what is science’ and ‘how do we create these

myths’ and ‘what is the political side of science’ as well,” Onishi said, “and then they can expect a lot of the intense relationships between the characters...

There’s quite a few twists and turns in the plot.”

Onishi said it was challenging to find productions with the topic of sustainability and praises the department chair’s discovery of “The Heretic.”

“It’s a great play,” Onishi said. “It’s not a well-known play, but it’s a really great play I think students would enjoy.”

For four weeks, the cast and musical talents. and crew have rehearsed, “He’s depressed, but designed and constructed he doesn’t want to let it sets, along with creating on,” Williams said. “He costumes and makeup can be funny, but he’s tutorials. Freshman less outwardly funny, and English education major whenever he has something Payton Williams will play to talk about, he gets really Ben Shotter, a student in excited.

Casell’s classroom who is “He’s [also] a musician, subjected to his teacher’s which was kind of one of skeptics. the big points in my getting “I was really surprised to this because he can play get this role,” Williams said, guitar and sing, so they “because for two months I wanted someone who could had thought about getting play guitar and sing for the this specific role. I read character.” for it several times, and Williams participated I thought, like I do after in the other productions every audition, that I did the theatre department put terrible, and I wasn’t going on this year but said “The to get it. Then, I came in Heretic” is a challenge. the next day and almost passed out when I Photos by Kaley Patterson read the [casting] board.”

Confessing it’s easier to play characters similar to self, Williams said he relates to his character’s introvert nature

“Prior to this, I have never had a part in a play this large,” Williams said. “I have 263 lines in this.”

Williams said he is good at memorization and will have to be ready by the time “The Heretic” premieres next Thursday.

“The Heretic” will play at the Cameron University Black Box Theatre located within the Cameron Theatre on the east side.

The curtain will rise at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 and fall at the 2:00 p.m. matinee on Feb. 22. Tickets are free to Cameron students, and reservations can be made by calling the box off at 580581-2478.

Global warming: The Cameron Theatre Department will perform “The Heretic” by Richard Bean at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 19-21 with a matinee at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 22 at the Black Box Theatre in the Cameron Theatre. The production is about a professor who is skeptical about global warming.

6

A&E

February 9, 2015

www.aggiecentral.com

Chase Mallow takes over ‘Film Geek’ Kaley Patterson A&E Editor

@KaleyKayPatt Chase Mallow sat at the anchor desk, sipped from his Batman mug full of water and began repeating, “Liam Neeson, Liam Neeson, Li-am Nee-son.” Syllable by syllable, Mallow felt more confident about his pronunciation of the famous actor’s name.

“Okay,” Mallow said. “I’m ready.”

Five. Four. Three. Two. One. “What is up Cameron Aggies? I’m Chase Mallow, and this is Film Geek,” he said, flashing a smile at the camera during his second

filming of the show.

A senior communication major, Mallow has taken the reigns from alumna Ashli Mathiews as producer and host of CUTV’s “Film Geek.”

“Her [Mathiews] format was awesome,” Mallow said.

“I loved the show and helped her with it, but everyone has their own thing... See, I’m a huge [Steven] Colbert fan.

I love ‘The Colbert Report,’ and I love how he uses a desk.

I like his formality.

“You copy what you like, so I’m gonna wear a suit, maybe, or a jacket with a Batman shirt underneath it.

I’m gonna do my own thing with it.”

Mallow moved around in his chair – back and forth,

up and down – engaging with his audience, pointing his finger at the camera when things got interesting and tossing his pen when in disbelief. An animated Mallow gives viewers a good laugh and knee slap even if the content isn’t hysterical. “[I’m] trying to put a little comic into it,” Mallow said.

“It’s [Film Geek’s] different than what it has been.”

While the trailer for the new “Fantastic Four” movie played, Mallow shifted his desk and chair to prepare for the interview segment of the show and to make room for his guest Jereme Cobb, who is also the director of “Film Geek.” The coworkers joked and laughed while

Cobb shared his experience interning for a documentary that premiered at the Trail Dance Film Festival in Duncan three weeks ago.

Mallow said without Cobb and the help of his classmates, “Film Geek” would not be possible.

“Whenever we shot the first show, it was just me, Jeff and Jereme – the only ones there at the time,” Mallow said, “and we were like, ‘oh man, we need to get someone.

We need someone to run the audio [and] run the teleprompter.’ We’re going to need the extra hands… You have to rely on other people because you’re not the only one making something or working to make it.”

The trailer for “American Sniper” began rolling next.

Mallow and a friend attended a screening of the Oscarnominated movie, and on the show, they rehashed their thoughts and impressions of the film.

“I’m obviously going to talk about the baby,” Mallow said. “That baby was horribly fake.”

Mallow started wrapping up the show and informed his audience what they could expect next week. His face lit up when he spoke about his favorite television show, the Netflix Original Series “House of Cards.” He and a guest will review the whole season after its release on Feb. 27.

“It is amazing,” Mallow exclaimed. “There’s so much symbolism. I love a show that can go so much in depth…

Not very many shows can do that.”

After he listed off the movies playing at his sponsor theatre, Starplex Cinemas, Mallow signed off.

“I’m Chase Mallow, and like all the movies you can’t watch right away, we’ll catch you later,” Mallow said with two knocks of his pen on his desk.

Episodes of “Film Geek” can be viewed on the various televisions set up in the MCC, the Academic Commons and many other places around campus or on aggiecentral.com.

Photos by Kaley Patterson

Saints Row: where choas literally reigns supreme Jacob Jardel

picks up after the Third Assistant Managing Editor Street Saints gang took over the city of Steelport and @JJardel_Writing earned the adoration of the masses in “Saints Row: The Note: this review contains Third.” The Boss (the player’s spoilers from the series and protagonist) storms a terrorist focuses on the PlayStation 4 camp with his posse, saves the version of “Re-Elected” and world and becomes president “Gat out of Hell.” of the United States.

With each new game in After customization to the series, “Saints Row” turns player specifications, the up the ridiculousness to a new president makes his way to level – usually for the better. a press conference, only to However, with “Saints witness invasion from the Row IV: Re-Elected” and its alien Zin Empire under expansion “Gat out of Hell,” the leadership of Emperor the turn up comes with its Zinyak. own sets of turndowns.

The empire abducts the Developer Deep Silver and president’s closest advisors publisher Volition released and puts the president in a “Re-Elected” and “Gat” on simulation of Steelport, from Jan. 20, 2015. The former which the president and his is a next-generation port of advisor Kinzie Kensington “Saints Row IV” with all team up to escape. the downloadable content, If the premise sounds while “Gat” is a standalone expansion pack for next- and ridiculous, that is because it is ridiculous. It only gets current-gen systems. more so from there. In fact, The story of “Re-Elected”

with “Gat out of Hell” and its “Gat and Kinzie save the president from marrying the Devil’s Daughter” storyline, the absurdity dials up to a new level.

Both games feature openworld gameplay in the same style of the “Grand Theft Auto” series, only on a smaller scope, with fewer places to visit on a smaller map.

However, what it lacks in surface area, it makes up for in entertainment, mayhem, hilarity and customization.

In “Re-Elected,” everything from the weapons in the game to the president can be customized to the player’s preference, but the name of the game is to cause comedic havoc in Zinyak’s simulation.

Fun-side missions, like hacking storefronts, accompany main story missions that feature “Tron”style rescue sequences, mechsuit shootouts and the use of

a plethora of superpowers.

That’s right – superpowers.

The most polarizing aspect of the game was the addition of superpowers, such as freeze blasts, telekinesis and super speed. While some enjoyed the newfound power, others derided it for breaking the game. Overall, though, it only muddies the experience as much as a player allows.

In “Gat,” a player can only customize certain aspects of Gat and Kinzie, predominantly their weapon upgrades and wing style. The superpowers also appear in this game, only modified as a result of using Lucifer’s broken halo for strength.

As was said, the series is ridiculous in various ways.

The storyline, though, is strong as always. Although the atmosphere of many parts of the games are bleak, the writing – though crude – holds true to the hilarity

of previous games. Plus, the sheer madness of many missions and plot points make for fun play.

Besides, who would pass up literally punching the Devil in the face?

The sound of the games varies in strength. “ReElected” has a superb licensed soundtrack sometimes incorporated into gameplay alongside the original score. “Gat,” however, lacks a licensed soundtrack, so gamers play mostly to a seldom-used score and the sounds of lost souls in despair – literally, not figuratively.

Graphically, both games

still use the half-realistic, half-exaggerated art style of the series. “Re-Elected” takes it a step further, using glitches in the system to add to the ambience of a simulation.

Overall, both games are strong efforts for the “Saints Row” series that are definitely worth picking up for fans to experience. Callbacks to previous games add extra depth to both games, especially “Gat.” However, while the games are fun, neither matches the experiences of the “Saints Row 2” and “Saints Row: The Third.”

More A&E reviews online at aggiecentral.com The “American Sniper” controversy New era for Fall Out Boy and fans

7

Sports

February 2, 2015

www.aggiecentral.com

Fastbreak: Black and Gold recap CU Sports Information

Jan. 31 Midwestern State University

Midwestern State snapped the Lady Aggies five game streak, causing Jan. 21 vs. Texas Cameron to fall 79-70 in the A&M UniversityAggie Gym. The loss also Kingsville pushed Cameron back a spot The in the Lone Star Conference Lady Aggies standings to lose their first continued place tie with West Texas their fourA&M. Senior guard Jazzmine game winning Robinson had a game high 22 streak with a 66-58 win points and added 10 rebounds over Texas A&M-Kingsville for her seventh double-double in the Aggie Gym. Junior of the season. Midwestern guard Brandi Leal lead the State had four in doubleAggies with a game high 20 figures with Lisa Hampton points and drained six three- leading her squad with 21 pointers against the Javelina’s. points. Both teams shot 44 Cameron dominated inside percent from the field and the paint, scoring 32 points MSU edged Cameron by one to double the Javelinas total in rebounding with 36. The for the game. Texas A&Mdifference at the end of the Kingsville’s season record night occurred at the foul line remains 0-18 overall. where the Aggies shot 40.9 percent (9-22) and MSU shot Jan. 24 at Angelo 75 percent (21-28). The Black State University and Gold will face MSU one more time in regular season The Black play on Feb. 28 in Wichita and Gold traveled to San Falls, Texas.

Angelo, Texas for a contest with Angelo State where the Lady Aggies triumphed with an 80-69 victory for their fifth straight win. Once again, Junior Guard Brandi Leal hit six three-pointers for her second straight game.

Leal led CU with 18 points, going 6-11 from deep, and adding three assists, while LSC leading scorer, Jazzmine Robinson added 17 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Cameron finished the game shooting an even 50 percent from the field, hitting 8-17 from behind the arc and 18-25 from the free throw line. Angelo State out-rebounded CU 41-39 and had more turnovers, but trailed the entire game. The Aggies held Angelo State to shooting just 34.8 percent Graphics by Krista Pylant from the field and 22.2 percent from out deep.

Women’s Basketball

Feb. 4 West Texas A&M-Commerce

The Lady Aggies bounced back from their loss to rival MSU to net a win over West Texas A&M-Commerce 75-69 in the Aggie Gym. Women’s head coach Tom Webb said in a press release, “It feels great to get this win. [The] second half we played like we are capable. We are right there. Sometimes we lose who we are a little bit, but in the second half we settled down, played a lot faster, got up and down a little bit, and put some points on the board.

I am just really proud of our team.” Cameron is now 10-8 on the season.

Feb. 4 West Texas A&M-Commerce

Men’s Basketball

Jan. 21 vs. Texas A&M UniversityKingsville

Cameron rallied back from a double-digit Texas A&MCommerce lead but faded down the stretch to fall 76-71 at the Aggie Gym. The loss to The CU men the Lions is snapped a three CU’s third game skid to triumph over in a row and Texas A&M-Kingsville 78-71 sends them in the Aggie Gym. back down Junior small forward to .500 (10Deondre Ray led the Aggies 10) and 2-6 with 20 points and seven in Lone Star rebounds and sophomore Conference point guard Bruce Barron play. Texas A&Mtacked on 14 points, his Commerce snapped a four highest scoring game since game skid in Lawton to send the second game of the them to 16-5 overall and 5-3 season. in LSC action.

Men’s head coach Feb. 5 vs. Texas Desmond Henry led Nate Gamet said in Woman’s University Cameron with 14 points and a press release, “Every points had a perfect 10-10 night game in this league is Success and six at the foul line. KeDorian tough.

Kingsville’s coach continued for rebounds Sullivan earned a doubledoes a great job, and the CU Women apiece, while double with 11 points and we recruited his kids on Feb. 5 in the Aggie Gym. Cameron Lee hit a team high 10 boards. when he was at a junior A last second missed shot three shots from Jamaal Brantley and college. He does a great

by Texas Woman’s sent the long range for nine Cameron Lee both added job with them, they Aggies to a 67-65 win. The points. Matthew Don 13 points to the CU play hard, they are 77 point scoring outburst by added six points and offense. fundamental, and CU was the largest against a 11 rebounds. Cameron The Aggies shot 50 Texas Woman’s team since an they execute is currently in sixth percent in the second what they are 80-61 win on Jan. 17, 2004. place in the Lone Star half but 36.5 percent supposed to. So The win is CU’s seventh Conference Standings. for the night. we knew this one out of their last eight Jan. 31 Midwestern Texas A&M-Commerce would be a grind for us, but and brings them to State University shot 47.5 percent on their this one was huge for us.”

11-8 overall and side of the floor with four 8-2 in Lone Star The Aggies Jan. 24 at Angelo in double-figures. Christian Conference lost to rival State University Macauley came away with a play. Now Midwestern the Aggies Cameron’s State 88-77 in the Aggie Gym double-double after getting a are tied for road woes for their second loss in a row. game high 20 points and 10 rebounds. second place continued after Despite a closely contested Coach Nate Gamet said with Midwestern State in losing their third first half, the Mustangs in a press release, “I thought LSC standings. Robinson straight game in a 75-57 pulled away in the second the bench stepped up and recorded her fifth double- loss to Angelo State at San half. Cameron came within did really well.

We have a double of the year with 26 Angelo, Texas. Foul trouble six points of MSU near the lot of injuries right now, and points and 10 rebounds. and 27 turnovers contributed end, but could not break the hopefully we will get everyone She also added five assists to the loss against the Rams. deficit. to help spur the CU scoring.

CU shot 41.7 percent from KeDorian Sullivan led the back soon,” he said. “Our the bench came in ready, Zac Leal had 20 points, one short the field, but only hit four of Aggies with 16 points, and of a Cameron high. Charron their 15 three point attempts, Desmond Henry contributed Tabor did a great job and had two really good looks...

Montgomery had her second while going 81.3 percent a double-double with 12 both of them went in, and double-figure day in a row from the free throw line. The points and 10 boards. The with 12 points.

Aggies won the rebounding loss moves CU down to 2-5 in defensively he held down and did what he needed to while Cameron will be on battle 34-32, but turned the conference play and allowed he was in there.” the road for their next ball over 12 more times than the Mustangs to climb up Cameron returns to the two contests starting with ASU and committed 26 to third in the Lone Star court Feb. 11 for a game Tarleton State on Feb. 7 and fouls compared to the Rams’ Conference rankings, tying against Eastern New Mexico then Eastern New Mexico on 17. Jamaal Brantley and Tarleton State at 6-1 in the University.­­ Feb. 11.

Desmond Henry both had 12 league.

Huston brings championship goals to field, dugout Jacob Jardel

“I started when I was five,” Huston said. “I played all Assistant Managing Editor over the diamond, I played @JJardel_Writing everything.”

Aggie fans catching a During high school, he baseball game at McCord Field roamed the diamonds of will notice a new face starting Burkburnett, Texas, where his first season on the bench as he played until he tore his head coach. labrum his final year there.

But Brady Huston’s time in He played some college ball the dugout goes back to a time and eventually transferred to before he graced the Cameron Texas Tech University before pine. Baseball was a family making his way to front office affair for Huston, who credits positions. two people for his love of the “I worked in Triple-A for game. the Florida Marlins affiliate in “I grew up watching the Albuquerque, N.M.,” Huston game, playing the game said. “I worked in the front at an early age,” he said. office, did some GM type stuff “My grandfather was a big in the baseball operations influence on that, as was my realm.” dad. I don’t know what it was However, as his career that separated baseball from progressed, he felt there was football or basketball or soccer more he could do with grass or anything like that. It was beneath his cleats than behind just the thing that I fell in love a desk. With that revelation, with.”

Huston laced up his cleats once A Texas native, Huston has more – this time in a coaching a place in his heart not only for capacity. the Texas Rangers, but also “I liked the nuances of for the New York Yankees, the game, the strategy of the citing his favorite players as game,” he said. “I liked the informer Yankees first baseman office, but I really felt like I just Lou Gehrig and former needed to be back on the field.”

Rangers catcher Ivan “Pudge” Huston started his coaching Rodriguez. career at Sul Ross State But his love for the game University in Alpine, Texas. was not limited to a spectator’s He moved on to Wharton role for teams in the majors.

County Junior College for He took to the game just as a year and a half before he early as he took to watching it. followed the chalk to a bigger

opportunity.

“I was fortunate to get the job at Seminole Junior College,” he said, “[a] traditionrich junior college there – over 180 guys drafted out of there to play pro ball.”

He spent three years at Seminole before he felt the need to change. It was around that time when former Aggie Baseball Coach Todd Holland contacted Huston about an opening at the assistant coach position.

“When the spot opened, Coach Holland actually called me out of nowhere and asked me if I’d be interested,” Huston said. “I told him I would talked to my wife and see what we thought. We came for the interview and thought it would be a good fit, and here I am.”

One of the reasons Huston took the job was it offered him what he felt like a necessary opportunity to swing for the fences.

“I knew that I wanted to be a head coach, and I felt like I did what I needed to do at the junior college level as an assistant,” he said. “The one thing I didn’t really have was four-year experience.”

After a year of experience, Huston has noted the transition from junior college to Cameron has become easier, especially now that he

is settling in after a year on the road recruiting.

“I think this year it’s been easier,” he said. “I think the people are welcoming with open arms, and the community has been great to us from a fundraising standpoint. So far, it’s been good.”

Huston has taken this positive momentum to add his own philosophy to how the Aggie student athletes approach both aspects of their college careers.

“We just want to be a champion in everything we do – on the field and in the classroom,” he said.

After a season where the team accomplished its highest GPA in history, he wanted to instill this championship attitude in the players – especially on the field, since the Black and Gold have seen a recent slump the last few seasons.

“The last couple of years, we haven’t won very many games,” Huston said, “and that’s a mindset, really. If you set the expectations, guys have something to shoot for.

“Our expectations are just to try and play as well as possible every day. It’s going to be very difficult to win every game. If we put our guys in a position to be successful and stay healthy, I think we have a

Photo by Krista Pylant

chance.”

Huston’s philosophy also focused on one aspect of the game that happens beyond the warning track – fan support for the Cameron Nine.

“I know we play this game in a weird time during the

season,” he said. “It might be 50 degrees, it might be rain, it might be snow – it’s something.

But Cameron baseball exists.

It’s not really about me. It’s about us as a group. Just come out and support us – we could use it.”

8

Sports

February 2, 2015

www.aggiecentral.com

Photo by Krista Pylant

Krista Pylant

punch with a right cross but missed, allowing McSwane to counter him Sports Editor into the cage. McSwane let him @KristaPylant8 go, and once more the two moved about until McSwayne landed Fight fans flocked to the Great a left jab to Cole’s head. Cole Plains Coliseum for Fists of Fury #5 hosted by the Oklahoma State returned with a blind left swing, but Athletic Commission on Jan. 31 in McSwane ducked for the miss and Lawton. immediately grappled Cole, taking Fists of Fury #5 featured him to the floor.

Flipping Cole to a rear mount, eight amateur bouts and three professional fights, each fought McSwane applied a rear naked Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) style in chokehold, but when he realized he could not fully complete the a caged octagon.

Of the 22 fighters, eight submission, he added a cross-face knocking Cole’s mouthpiece out. represented Lawton, two of which took home the prize.

The referee paused the fight On the main card of the night, to replace the mouthpiece, and McSwane took the advantage to Lawton native and Cameron alumnus, Rodney “The Christian” re-slip his arm underneath Cole’s neck to complete the submission McSwane looked to defend his heavyweight title against Wayne and win the fight by tap to retain Cole of Norman. his championship title in just one Once the bell rang, the fighters round.

Lawton’s other win of the night squared off and turned around in came from the amateur heavyweight the cage. Cole went in for the first

bout featuring former Lawton High football player and wrestler Theo Rogers versus Jerrad Goode of Altus.

Originally, Rogers was supposed to fight a 400 pound super heavyweight opponent, but Goode took his place with only two weeks’ notice for his debut fight. As a result, Rogers said he felt confident going into the fight, despite limited knowledge of his opponent “I knew next to nothing about him,” Rogers said. “It just so happened that he was a southpaw, which I found out only the night of the fight. He was a debut guy, so I figured he was going to adrenaline dump on me. My plan was to just feel him out and weather the storm and let him get tired, which I did, but I finished him a bit quicker than I wanted to.”

Rogers and Goode traded punches around the octagon, before taking the fight to the floor in the

first round. Rogers locked Goode’s arms down in a side hold, adding several blows to his head before pressing Goode into a hold for the victory.

Bout seven presented the women’s MMA contest where Lawton native Sabrina Ali went toe-to-toe with Rachel Johnson from Lubbock, Texas, in her debut fight.

Going into her first fight, Ali said she was nervous to perform in front of a large crowd, but physically she felt great. She accepted the invitation to fight three weeks prior and prepared by working on cardio and sparring.

After the opening announcements, the fighters advanced to center cage to touch gloves, but as soon as the gloves made contact, Johnson came quick to land a punch on Ali. The move surprised Ali and struck her as dirty, but she said a fighter has to expect anything.

“I just stuck to my game plan and got in and took her down,” Ali said.

“All three times in the beginning of the rounds, I guess I did kind of freeze up at a moment on the ground. I don’t know what got into me, but I did start to work on my jujitsu on the ground.

“I did almost land two good arm bars, but it was one of those ‘saved by the bell’ moments for her. I wish I had 10-15 more seconds. I was very upset when three elbows were thrown and they weren’t called even when I yelled ‘elbows!’ A good hard knee to the head should have been called too.”

Despite losing the fight, Ali said she looks forward to her next fight and will work to be more aggressive on the ground and box more.

The remaining Lawton fighters who closed out the night included Donald Maddox, Adam Stumblingbear, Ken Perry, Jason Day and Tyson Southern.