THE C A MERON UNIV ERSIT Y

Collegian

Monday, September 12, 2011

w w w. a g g ie c e nt r a l .c om

Academic Festival highlights “The Kite Runner” By Megan Bristow Managing Editor

With a formal greeting by Cameron University President Cindy Ross and 21-year-old Accounting senior Barkley Kirk, Dr. Khaled Hosseini took the CU theater stage at 7:30 p.m. on August 30, 2011, to kick-off Cameron’s 7th Academic Festival: “Afghanistan: Its Complexities and Relevance.” Previous to taking the stage, Dr. Hosseini hosted a question-and-answer session with both students and faculty. A discussion with President Cindy Ross centered around his life, books and his native country as well as a formal question and answer session with the audience unfolded. Having spent a large part of his life in his hometown of Kabul, Afghanistan and writing two books, “The Kite Runner” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” Dr. Hosseini was able to introduce participants to the heart of Afghanistan that may not always be seen on television coverage of the war there He said that even though the country was very poor while he was growing up it was still a wonderful place to grow up. “It was very peaceful and very beautiful. I am very conscious though of the fact that even then Afghanistan suffered extreme poverty,” he said. By paying attention to Dr. Hosseini’s book, “The

Kite Runner,” readers can gain a sense of life in Afghanistan and how that life changed as the country fell to the hands of Al-Qaeda. Personal experiences inspired his writings during this change from peaceful Afghanistan to war-stricken Afghanistan. Dr. Hosseini went to the same school, liked to write short stories, lived in the same neighborhood, and flew kites as the main character in the novel is known to do. “There are bits and pieces of me all over the pages even though the order of events and the portrayal of the characters is all fiction,” he said. According to Dr. Hosseini, much of the idyllic society that was once found in Afghanistan has been destroyed by years of war. During a visit to Kabul in 2003, Dr. Hosseini personally witnessed the devastation of the war. A second visit in 2007 displayed a dramatic improvement in the rebuilding of the city but recent years have reintroduced some of the damage by the reorganization of the Taliban. Although some lasting changes have been made, Dr. Hosseini fears that many of the freedoms that Afghan citizens are beginning to enjoy will eventually evaporate. Dr. Hosseini stated that this would certainly be a great tragedy when reflecting on the heavy price that has been paid and the better quality of life that would be possible for them. These freedoms include freedom of press, more humane treatment of women

Volume 86 Issue 1

Informing Cameron Since 1926 Aggie News Freedom from smoking

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Aggie A&E Foam dance party

Courtesy CU Public Relations Office

Inside “The Kite Runner”: Dr. Khaled Hosseini reads a passage from his international best-seller. The event formed part of Cameron’s 7th Academic Festival, Afghanistan: Its complexities and relevance.

and advancing technology such as social media.

See KITE RUNNER Page 2

Campus construction to continue until fall 2012

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Aggie Sports Former Aggie makes it big

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CrossRoads Lawton fights cancer

Courtesy of President Cindy Ross

Courtesy CU Public Relations Office

Rennovations: Plans for the improved east side of campus are quickly becoming a reality. Construction began during the summer and is expected to continue until the fall of next year.

By Tahira Carter News Editor

Cameron University students, faculty and staff who were away for the summer returned this fall to find the east side of campus undergoing a makeover. The construction began during the summer months and is currently nearing completion. To facilitate the landscaping changes, a section of the University Drive was closed and a new, slightly detoured route was provided for drivers. Cameron University

President Cindy Ross expressed her satisfaction with the project and the reasons behind its elaboration. “It is something that I have wanted to do ever since we constructed Cameron Village,” President Ross said. “This will give the students who live in the village easy and safe access to the main part of campus.” The extension of the gardens was expected to be completed before the beginning of the fall semester but the high temperatures experienced during the months of June and July

made construction delays unavoidable. As a result, students – especially Cameron Village residents – have had to take a few more steps as they made their way to and from classes. Senior Interdisciplinary Studies major Stephanie Belter appreciated the aesthetic and practical benefits of the change, but commented on the inconvenience of on-going construction during the semester. “I think it is awesome. It is really pretty,” Belter said. “I think the fact that they closed off part of University

Drive is better because it is safer, but having the construction done now is not the best idea.” Students uncomfortable with the nuisances of midsemester construction may need to boost their tolerance: while construction on the Gardens will be completed soon, the east side of campus will still be a hard hat zone. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Academic Commons is scheduled to take place on Sept. 15. “We are very excited to transform the old Student Union and turn it into the Academic Commons,” President Ross said. “The project will cost a little over $4 million, half of which is being provided by private donors who have been so generous to Cameron University.”

See CONSTRUCTION

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Aggie Voices Remembering 9/11

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For additional news and features, look the Collegian up at www.aggiecentral.com

Aggie News 2 Freedom from Smoking Programs in full swing

September 12, 2011

www.aggiecentral.com

By Amber Lindsay Staff Writer

In light of the tobacco free policy on campus, Cameron University is offering the American Lung Association’s “Freedom from Smoking’’ a seven week program held at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Wichita Room of the Shepler Mezzanine. Dr. Joe Langley, Director of the Southwest Area Health Education Center, will lead the program. According to Dr. Langley, the program is being offered due to Cameron’s campus becoming tobacco free. He said the administration thought it would be a good idea to provide ways for those addicted to tobacco to quit. “As CU was looking to adopt a policy to make the campus tobacco free, the administration thought it would be a good idea to provide some kind of help for those who currently smoke to quit if they wanted to,” Dr. Langley said. According to Vice President for Student Services Jennifer Holland, CU’s 15-month transition from a tobacco friendly to tobacco free campus included providing many resources for students, faculty, and staff to utilize if they wanted to quit their tobacco habits.

“We spent 15 months communicating our change in policy, and in that time we offered cessation programs through Dr. Langley,” Vice President Holland said. “Along with those, the Wellness Center has offered hypnotherapy and counseling and we have promoted the 1-800-QUIT NOW hotline.” Dr. Langley noted that Freedom from Smoking also encourage participants to utilize the 1-800-QUIT NOW hotline, saying that participants are not only provided with free nicotine gums and patches, but are also offered counseling when the desire to smoke is at its worst. Dr. Langley explained that the Freedom from Smoking program has the highest success rate of all the programs he has seen. “This is a very hard drug to overcome,” Dr. Langley said. “There are some who are able to quit cold turkey, but most people can’t do that. Even with this program, which is the most successful that we were able to find, the success rate is only about 29 percent.” According to Dr. Langley, Freedom from Smoking is a seven week, eight session program. He noted that the first three weeks are spent preparing to quit. He also said that there are two meetings in the fourth

Photos by Ishia Saltibus

Trashy yet addicting: Cigarettes are an addiction-forming habit that not only is damaging to a person’s health but can also take away from the beauty of a landscape. CU went tobaccofree in August but students are still looking for ways to light up. week, the first marks the day participants actively quit smoking. The second, he said, is more of a support session and takes place 48 hours later. Dr. Langley explained that the final three weeks of the program are spent supporting participants in their lifestyle change. He said that many people trade smoking for other bad habits, and they want to make sure that is avoided. “The last three weeks are about focusing on what you need to do to maintain your lifestyle change which includes things like asking how are you doing, are you doing your relaxation exercises, are you using your patches, are you exercising, are you maintaining a healthy diet,” Dr. Langley said. “We don’t

want them to trade off one unhealthy lifestyle for another. The whole idea is to become healthier.” Dr. Langley said that the program was originally set to begin Aug. 30, but those who had signed up did not attend. “We were to have started this last Tuesday, but, unfortunately, no one showed up,” Dr. Langley said. “We had several people signed up, but smoking is a tough habit to break. I suppose they decided they did not want to go through with it.” Dr. Langley said that he now plans to try to begin the program on Sept. 6. He said the program and the workbook are free to all of CU’s students, faculty, and staff. Dr. Langley encourages all

students, faculty and staff who desire to quit their tobacco habit to attend the program, not only for themselves, but for those around them. “People die of cancer and other illnesses caused by second hand smoke every day,” Dr. Langley said, “so the motivation to not smoke is not only for the health of the person trying to quit but for everyone else around them.” According to Vice President Holland, the Freedom from Smoking program is also available online. She said that information for that as well as the 1-800-QUIT NOW hotline can be found at www. Cameron.edu/tobaccofree.

KITE RUNNER continued from page 1

Crosswords ACROSS 1 “__: Miami” 4 Host of “The Price Is Right” 9 “Cat on a __ Tin Roof” 12 “Rumor __ It...”; movie for Jennifer Aniston 13 “__ of Two Cities” 14 Goof 15 Oahu or Maui: abbr. 16 Excessive enthusiasm 17 Actor Vigoda 18 “Evening __” 20 Fasten again, as one’s shoelaces 22 “__ Talent” 26 “The __ Burnett Show” 27 Switch positions 28 Coach __ Parseghian 29 Alien visitor of old sitcom 32 Uptight 35 “60 Minutes” longtime correspondent 39 Main character in “The Sound of Music” 40 House for Nanook of the North 42 Traveler’s overnight stop 43 Up to the time that 47 Monogram for Coret ta’s late civil rights husband 48 Lemony drink 49 Late actor Christopher 50 Building wing 51 Scandinavian airline 52 __ up; totaled 53 Actor Stephen __ DOWN 1 Actor McBride and others 2 White House resident 3 Main religion of

Indonesia 4 “Candid __” 5 “One Day __ Time” 6 Raced 7 Actor __ Marienthal 8 “The Wonder __” 9 Patricia of “The Middle” 10 Planetary paths 11 “One __ Hill” 19 Twelfth month: abbr. 21 Sense of self-esteem 23 Hot under the collar Bunny 24 Feldman or Haim 38 Esther of “Good Times” 25 Rachins and Thicke 39 Farrow and Kirshner 29 Actress Peet 30Greene of “Bonanza” 41 “The Sooner State”: abbr. 44 “__ and Stacey” and others 31 Night that we watch 45 Georgette’s hubby on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” “CSI: NY”: abbr. 46 “__ Got a Secret” 33 Went by ship 34 ABCD followers 36 Mary’s sister on “Little House on the Prairie” Solutions on page 5 37 Fudd; nemesis of Bugs

Dr. Hosseini explained that much of the trouble in Afghanistan began when countries such as the Soviet Union began invading. A civil war eventually broke out and that lead to members of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban leaving the country in turmoil. Members of the U.N. and the United States scrambled to help after the events of September 11. Although great strides have been made in the fight on terrorism, the country is still in need of rebuilding. According to Dr. Hosseini, Afghans do not want someone to rebuild for them. They want assistance, but no handouts. They are a proud but grateful people. If they could recieve enough civic and economic space the Afghans would attempt to rebuild their country on their own. Dr. Hosseini also pointed out some areas in which the Afghan people could improve and help rebuild their county. He used the city of Kabul as an example. “The challenge is to modernize Kabul and engage the elderly and women in the areas that they are not valued. A key question is what will happen to women if the Taliban comes back,” Dr. Hosseini said. “A country that does not recognize the importance of women will never succeed.” The treatment of women in Afghanistan was a large focus of his second book, “A Thousand Splendid Suns.” Through his books, Dr. Hosseini is able to target areas of social injustice and, in a sense, combat the issues by making people aware of them. Dr. Hosseini engaged the audience and described to them vividly how life in Afghanistan used to be, what war has done to it, and how it is changing even now. Dr. Hosseini also explained that he has been working on his third novel for a year and a half without giving much of a hint as to the developing plot. “I am working on it, and it is coming along,” Dr. Hosseini said. President Cindy Ross thanked Dr. Hosseini for his insight throughout the evening. “You were the perfect choice to kick-off our academic festival,” President Ross said.

CONSTRUCTION continued from page 1 The Academic Commons will house a number of academic services and the Department of Communication’s Convergence Journalism program. It is expected to be completed by the 2012 fall semester. Under the leadership of Dr. Matt Jenkins, President Ross said that plans for future construction are already being developed. “Shortly after I became President at Cameron University we developed a Campus Master Plan to lead us through 2015. We are not yet at 2015 but we have done all the construction, so we need to update our Campus Master Plan for future growth and development,” President Ross said. Cameron University has undergone over $55 million in construction during the last eight years and, with the addition of these two new projects, this figure is expected to be well over $60 million by next year.

September 12, 2011 www.aggiecentral.com

AGGIE NEWS

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Aggie Voices

September 12, 2011 www.aggiecentral.com

The Purpose of Remembering Megan Bristow Managing Editor THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Editorial Staff

Managing Editor -Megan Bristow Asst. Managing Editor-Elijah Morlett News Editors - Tahira Carter, Ishia Saltibus Crossroads Editor-Ashleigh Fletcher A&E Editor - Rashmi Thapiliya Sports Editor - Aaron Gill Variety Editor - Staff Copy Editor - Dianne Riddles Aggie Central Editors- Elijah Morlett, Mitch Watson, Kyle Bush

Newsroom Staff

Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Tiffany Martinez, Teewhy Dojutelegan, Sarah Szabo, James Meeks, Amber Spurlin, Brandon Thompson, Brenna Welch Circulation Manager - Matt Thompson Advertising Manager -Megan Bristow Photographer-Kelsey Carter

Newswriting Students

James Meeks, Aaron Gill, Nicole Bucher, Cody Gardner, Scott Haney, Kelsey Carter, Teewhy Dojutelegan, Adrian Alexander, Megan Bell, Tyler Boydston, Leah Ellis, Troy Flewellen, Angela Goode, Simone Graves, Jack A. McGuire, Cassidy Morgan, Markita Nash, Lizzie Oluwabukunmi, Miranda Raines, Dianne Riddles, Alexander RosaFigueroa, Thomas Smith, Lindsey Yeahquo

Faculty Adviser

Dr. Christopher Keller

About Us

The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Edmond Sun via the Duncan Banner.

These colors still do not bleed. The flag still waves. Americans still stand free on the shores of their homeland. Sunday marked the 10-year anniversary of September 11. Many events all over the world have already taken place in remembering this day. Calling it an anniversary, as much of the globe is doing, seems wrong to me however. An anniversary seems to give it too much of a feeling of celebration. Although according to definition, anniversary is a correct word choice; I feel that it gives too much of an air of celebration to the tragic events that happened 10 years ago. Common anniversaries are events such as a couple’s 25-year anniversary of marriage or a town’s 100year anniversary. Is it really right to use the same word to remember the anniversary of one’s death, a devastating natural disaster, or much less September 11? Regardless, people took the time this past week to pause their busy lives and remember the events of that day. I am sure many of their thoughts went back to what they were doing that day, the emotions they felt, and the whirlwind their lives may have turned into after that day. I don’t remember that day vividly, not as vividly as I would like anyway. At the time, I was about 10-years-old living in San Antonio, TX. I was home that morning with my mother and my brother, who is two years younger than me. My brother and I were home-schooled at the time so a morning at home was not uncommon. The three of us were huddled around the kitchen table. I believe I was doing something as ordinary as math problems when the phone rang and my father relayed the news to my mom. My family did

Our Views

The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Aggie Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma. Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.

not subscribe to cable at the time, so I remember the radio immediately being switched on. At first, my mother didn’t tell us everything that was going on, but there was a look of panic on her face, and from the tone in her voice, we knew something was wrong. As breaking news story after breaking news story came through the radio speakers, my mind began to piece together everything that was happening. A plane had hit the Twin Towers; many people were already believed to be dead, and others were scrambling for their lives while the buildings burned. But, as you know, this wasn’t the end of that day’s events. Two more planes would go down. One landed in a field in rural Pennsylvania and another in part of the Pentagon. Before the morning was over, the nation was sent into a frenzy of fear, sorrow, and uncertainty. Within minutes of the tragedy, the nation’s leaders were holding Cabinet meetings, press conferences, and just trying to calm the people down while figuring out the best approach. Negotiations were being considered, rescue teams

were organized, and troops were being put on standby. All the while, those towers still burned. Ten years later, a war that resulted from that day still claims the lives of our soldiers. Tears still fall, families are still ripped apart, and lives are still put in danger-all because four planes changed the world we once knew. Regardless of the individual opinion of whether we are wasting our time fighting this war or not, it is imperative that Americans remember what happened on that day. It is necessary that people remember the sacrifices that are being made daily by our soldiers to ensure our country stays free. The country song ‘Have You Forgotten?’ by Darryl Worley comes to mind. The first five lines of the chorus of that song perfectly describe the need to remember that day. “Have you forgotten how it felt that day to see your homeland under fire and it’s people blown away? Have you forgotten when those towers fell? We had neighbors still inside going through a living hell.” I urge you to take time to remember these events. They are a part of our history

A new face to the Collegian and AggieCentral

Letters Policy

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 collegian@cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Nance Boyer 2060 or at www. aggiecentral.com.

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

A way to Remember: A flag with the names of the victims is just one of ways that Americans are remembering what happened 10 years ago. Over 2800 people died on that day alone.

now, and one of the purposes of history is to help us remember and learn from our mistakes. Our leaders have not done everything right. There were mistakes made before the attacks. Security should not have been as loose at it was before the attacks. Americans were almost completely taking for granted the peaceful life that we lived. We needed a wakeup call; unfortunately, it took a tragedy for us to realize the threats. There was at least one positive consequence of these attacks however. During the few months after the attacks, this nation was unified like it had not been in years. Suddenly, all the arguments seemed petty in light of the hurt that families were going through. Most people shared common feelings towards the agencies that had attempted to destroy our country, shared sympathy with those who lost loved ones, and experienced fear for family and friends that were affected by that day. If we forget what happened that day, we run the risk of forgetting the risks that could be threatening us after this war is over. Therefore, I urge you as an American to ask yourself “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” as Alan Jackson suggests in his song. Remember the people that gave their lives that day from people working in the Pentagon or the Towers to the firefighters and emergency crew that didn’t make it out. Remember the soldiers that continue to give their lives for our freedoms. Regardless of your political views, there is no excuse to not remember. These colors still do not bleed. The flag still waves. Americans still stand free on the shores of their homeland. We must never forget.

Elijah Morlett Assistant Managing Editor

The students working for the Cameron Collegian and CUTV, along with the media of the world, have embarked on a new journey that puts our university with all the media sources around the world. We have entered the age of convergence. Print, audio and video are being brought to the masses through the power of technology to inform the people of the world with what they want to read, see and hear. We have been working to deliver content to our readers in every way we can. The Cameron Collegian will continue to be delivered to newsstands every Monday. CUTV can continue to be viewed from Cameron University’s network across

campus. The Collegian has expanded the paper and added Crossroads as a new section of the paper. This section will feature community stories, local entertainment and different lifestyle articles that will definitely make an impact. Our website, AggieCentral. com, has been updated and new features have been enabled over the last year so that our content can be accessed from any computer and can interact with various social media platforms. Our video content is HTML5 enabled, allowing

several smart phones’ mobile browsers to view our content without the need for a Flashbased player. Also, the articles are reformatted when being browsed with a mobile device, allowing easy access to our content on the go. We will be introducing our app in the near future. Soon, everyone will be able to download the AggieCentral app for iPhones, iPads and Android devices. Our staff will make an announcement as soon as the apps are available in the iTunes App Store and Android Market.

All of this is gearing towards the combining of the Journalism and Radio & Television departments that will take place when the renovation of the Academic Commons is completed. Our staff welcomes any letters to the editor and comments. Our content is expanding at a rapid pace, and there is plenty to look forward to. Welcome to a new age of the Cameron Collegian, CUTV and AggieCentral.com We are Convergent Journalism. Defined.

Photo by Elijah Morlett

Makeover: AggieCentral looks a little different this semester to make the site more appealing to the eye and easier to navigate. In addition, an app for mobile devices is being released.

September 12, 2011 www.aggiecentral.com

AGGIE A&E

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CU Graphic designer honored By Rashmi Thapaliya A &E Editor

Graphic Designer Melanie Barfield was rewarded with an Excellence Award during the annual Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) summer conference held in Ardmore. Barfield, a Cameron University graduate and a staff member in the Office of Public Affairs earned second place honors in the Special Publication category. She was awarded for the 2010 Oklahoma Research Day booklet.

Photo Courtesy of Melanie Barfield

Graphic Designer: Graphic Designer Melanie Barfield was awarded with an Excellence award during the annual OCPRA summer conferennce.

“It is always a good surprise to win an award,” Barfield said. “An award makes you feel that you are doing something right.It also looks good in your resume.” The booklet included the names of people who participated in the research day. The 60-page booklet took Barfield about two weeks to with different categories and the names of the participants under each category. “The booklet was well organized and user friendly,” Barfield said. “It was not very dynamic but it was easy to read.” Barfield graduated from CU with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design in 2005. Her first job after graduation was in the Print Center at Office Depot. “The job was not a real graphic designer job but it taught me project management and time management,” Barfield said. Her second job was at Color Graphics where she worked as a graphic designer for a year before gaining employment in the Office of Public Affairs at Cameron in 2007. Barfield’s duties as a graphic designer for CU include designing advertising materials for CU. She also designs posters for events, brochures, billboards, invitations, newspaper advertisements, T-shirt designs, and others. “It feels great to be an

employee at Cameron,” Barfield said. “I enjoyed being a student of Cameron and I enjoy working here as well. Working here is a great experience for me and people who I work with are amazing.” Barfield said that she would continue to participate in the competition next year. “We enter in different competitions every year,” Barfield said. “We participate in different categories and it is always fun to see what gets picked up.”

OCPRA is comprised of public relations professionals from the state’s public and private colleges and universities. The organization endeavors to increase the professional skills of its members, as well as promote higher education. Colleges and universities across Oklahoma entered more than 500 projects in 30 multifaceted categories. The categories included writing, graphic design, marketing, audio, video and multimedia. Barfield said that graphic design is fun if you are a

creative person. “It is fun and challenging at the same time,” Barfield said. “You should be fast and creative while trying to get the best result and meeting deadlines.” Barfield said that she would like to earn her master’s degree in Graphic Design in the future and teach at the college level. “It will be some time before I start my master’s degree,” Barfield said. “Till then I will keep on working and getting more experience.”

Graphic Courtesy of Melanie Barfield

The Winner Booklet: Graphic Designer Barfield was awarded for the 2010 Oklahoma Research Day Booklet. The booklet included the manes of people who participated in the research day.

Fall semester kicks off with foam dance party served,” Flores said. around the campus, and “We also had volunteers through words of mouth. A & E Editor helping at the gates, “We want the checking bathrooms, and newcomers to think that Foam. Dance. Fun. making sure everything Cameron is a fun place to The foam dance party be and where they have was held in the Fine Arts was going well.” Flores said that events various activities they can Courtyard on Sept. 1. The like the foam dance participate in and make event is organized by PAC party helps CU students friends.” and is the most popular socialize with each other The weather was PAC activity. and have fun at the same perfect for this year’s About 1500 students time. She said that foam dance party. The participated in the PAC advertized for the water sprinklers and foam foam dance party this event by posting flyers helped the dancers cool year, which started at 9 around the campus, off while dancing in the p.m. and concluded at putting it in the event hot weather. midnight. calendar, writing in chalk Student IDs were scanned to ensure that guests were enrolled during the fall semester. Each student with a valid Cameron ID was allowed to bring one guest. Melissa Flores, PAC co-chair and a senior majoring in Psychology, said that the foam dance party was more organized this year. “Last year, there was no scanning system,” Flores said. “ This year student IDs were checked at the gate and each student was allowed to bring two guests.” Flores said that the purpose of one guest per student with a student ID was to create a safer environment for students. The participants danced to the beats of different genre of music played by the DJ. The music featured during the party included pop, hip-hop, R&B, techno and others. Flores said that volunteers contributed to make the event a success. Photo by Kelsey Carter “We had volunteers in A sudsy heaven: Students are tight and packed together a concession stand where as they enjoy the party. The foam dance takes place every fall water and candies were and is one of the biggest PAC events of the year.

By Rashmi Thapaliya

Photo by Kelsey Carter

Everybody on the dance floor: Students danced to the beats of music during the foam dance party held on Thursday, Sept. 1. About 1500 students attended the event.

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AGGIE SPORTS

September 12, 2011 www.aggiecentral.com

Volleyball team gears up for fall season By Brandon Thompson Staff Writer

Cameron vol leyba l l is geared up and ready for another fa ll season of play. T he Lady Ag gies hope to improve on last spr ing’s record and make some noise in the conference. T he Ag g ies have opened up the season w ith a 1-1 record and have severa l more games on the way. Head coach, Doug Tabbert, is confident in his team. Tabbert’s squad has added some new faces that he hopes w ill have a major impact on the success of the team. One of the new additions to the team is redshirt freshman Kel le Car ver. Tabbert said that he thinks Tabbert can make an immediate difference on the r ight side. “Kel le Car ver, if she is hea lthy, is a ver y good player,” Tabbert said. “She g ives us a big ar m and block on the r ight, if we keep her hea lthy she is an

impact player.” A lso, Tabbert noted that Julisa Ocasio, a junior from Puerto R ico, could help the Ag g ies improve on last season’s record. “A nother new comer is Julisa Ociaso,” Tabbert said. “She is a setter and just a rea l ly ta lented, a llaround sk il led player that can do a lot of things for us, and I think she w ill have a big impact.” According to Tabbert, another key ingredient to the success of this team is retaining what they lear ned last spr ing. “I thought we accomplished a lot in the spr ing,” Tabbert said. “ We were able to br ing in some new ideas and our players were ver y receptive dur ing the spr ing.” Tabbert a lso said that he thought his team had numerous strengths. He ex plained that he is confident in his team’s abilit y to control the ba ll and set his str ikers up. “I think we are going

to have prett y good ba ll control and I think our setting is solid,” Tabbert said. A s w ith any sport, Tabbert emphasized the impact of attitude and effort on the success of the team. Tabbert said that he had never questioned his team’s effort in a match. Tabbert a lso pointed out that the team is starting to build some chemistr y, which could have an impact on their per for mance. “I think ours is prett y good,” Tabbert said. “At this point, we have got rea lly good chemistr y so far and it w ill impact us in a positive way.” One focus of the Lady Ag gies this fa ll is to w in the games that are close. According to Tabbert, the Ag gies cannot let the close games slip away. “ We need to compete in a ll of them and the ones that are there for the tak ing,” Tabbert said, “we need to find a way to w in.” For these close matches to go the Ag gies way, Tabbert said that he thinks the team needs to be able to generate a little more offense. T he Lady Ag gies are sure to make more str ides as the season progresses. Tabbert said that he thinks that this Ag gies team is ver y coachable. He ex plained that their w illingness to lear n w ill show when they hit the f loor this season.

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

Bump, set, spike: The Aggie women’s volleyball team is off to a great start this season. Jenna Risolli went up for a block in the team’s first of the season earlier this month.

Denied: The Aggie women’s volleyball team is ready for the remainder of the season. Senior Adrianne Lawson made a leap above the net in order to block a Southern Arkansas

Editorial: For the love of the game By Aaron Gill Sports Editor

Since I was three years old, my family and community dubbed me an athlete. To some, this is just a regular phase in their lives. To others, this is what defines them. Being an athlete is something that is much more than fame and fortune. It is the adrenaline you feel when the lights hit you for the first time at night. It is the feeling you get when the crowd is chanting your name or screaming after you make the game-winning shot. However, does this still hold true to all athletes today? In recent years, there has been much speculation that athletes get paid too much,

that athletes are becoming greedy with their earnings and they have forgotten what it means to play for the love of the game. When a child is asked what his/her favorite part of a game is, the child may have countless reasons why he/she plays that game: money is probably not going to be one of them. As I was growing up, I wanted to play Major League Baseball so bad that I would do just about anything and learn any position to achieve that goal. However, my dreams were put on hold on March 6, 2006 when my sister and I were involved in a head-on collision. We were rushed to the hospital after the wreck. The

doctor said that I was no longer allowed to play baseball due to internal damage that my body had sustained in the accident. I remember crying for weeks simply because I loved baseball. Knowing that my MLB dreams were shattered, ripped my heart in half. I vowed that any sport I played in place of baseball would be played for the love of the game. I started running during middle school and I never thought that I was very good until after my wreck. A high school coach told me that I would never be what I wanted to be because I played every game with too much passion. This statement confused me. It became my mission to prove to that coach that I could do anything I set my mind to do. I started training as hard

as I could and made sure that my body was ready for cross country season during my senior year in high school. I literally ran until my feet bled. Regardless of the weather, I ran because I loved it and because I had something to prove to the naysayers. I made it to the Texas State Meet in the fall of 2008 where I placed eighth overall and made the second team all-state ranking. I did it all because I loved the sport, I did it for the sense of self-pride and I did it to prove that I was a good athlete. I did not do it for the money. Certainly many professional athletes face similar hardships; however, how many still play for the love of the game rather than the annual argument for more money?

“The difference between the old ballplayer and the new ballplayer is the jersey. The old ballplayer cared about the name on the front. The new ballplayer cares about the name on the back,” said Steve Garvey, a first basemen in the MLB during the 1960s and 1970s. I completely agree with this statement and I am sure that many others would as well. A professional athlete should be a role model for kids, not someone who wants nothing more than fame and fortune. Multiple accounts of athletes being charged with crimes over the years have made many sports fans wonder why they liked a particular athlete in the first place. How does society expect children to look up to men who set up false pretenses for the children to play under? What happens when children start playing sports only with the hopes of making big money? Why can athletes not play for the same reasons that the fans who sit in the stands hope the athletes play for? Why can professional athletes not be like my kindergarten t-ball team and play because the sport is fun and provides a good time on the field, playing for the love of the game? Perhaps, one day professional athletes will wake up and realize that the game they play has become nothing more than a monetary object rather than the game they got hooked on during their childhood. Maybe my ideals about professional athletes are outrageous, but maybe, just maybe there is one athlete out there who will start a movement after remembering what it is to play for the love of the game.

September 12, 2011 www.aggiecentral.com

7

AGGIE SPORTS

Men’s golf preps for fall season By Aaron Gill Sports Editor

The Cameron University men’s golf team is gearing up for their upcoming season. The Aggies will have their first tournament in Abilene, Texas and are sporting a deep roster leading into the season. Sixteen men will make up the Aggies golf team this season and among those sixteen, nine familiar faces will be returning to the course. Coach Jerry Hrnciar is looking forward to what lies ahead for the Aggies. “Seeing as how we have four returners and a fifth that played a lot last season, I have pretty high expectations,” Hrnciar said. After last years AllAmerican Jason Timmis graduated, Hrnciar needed to do some recruiting to compile a team with the potential for multiple All- Americans. “All five of my starters this year are capable of being All-Americans,” Hrnciar said.“There were times last year where some of these guys could have made it but they had a stretch either early or late in the year that kind of diminished their chances.” Coach Hrnciar is looking to shape the young men into a team that could collectively take a number one spot in this year’s regional standings before heading into nationals. “Well, conference I do not really care about. I look at it from a regional/national standpoint. We need to be in

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

Fore! The Aggie men are taking the course and swings are in full effect for the fall season. Sophomore Michael Kelly and Coach Jerry Hrnciar watched as freshman Felipe Anzurut worked on his swing in a recent practice. the top ten in the nation. I feel are set for this season. make a 22 or its equivalent to that is what our postseason “I do not make a big deal out walk on to the team. We only goal is,” Hrnciar said. of the individual goals, I just have like 3.6 scholarships to Coming into the season, kind of let that happen. But, if spread out among the players Cameron is the only Oklahoma they play good and contribute so some of my returners are school left in the Lone Star to the team’s success looking considered walk ons going Conference after realignments. to get into nationals, then into the season. Number two “When we lost those individual goals and mine go is that they need to show that teams it certainly reduced the hand in hand for these young they have shot under par in numbers considerably and the men to help achieve our top competition. Three, I want to competition,” Hrnciar said. ten in the nation ranking or make sure they have a good The conference play will not better,” Hrnciar said. temperament for the game,” just be a walk on the course for With so many new Aggies Hrnciar said. the Aggies. coming onto the course this However, there is one thing “Abilene Christian is still season, Coach broke down that Hrnciar looks for in his strong and always will be. And his recruiting standards players above most anything some of the other schools are for incoming freshmen and else. getting stronger, so we will transfer students. “We call it grinding. That still have our hands full in that “First of all, they have to means when the going gets respect,” Hrnciar said. make a 20 on their ACT or tough we get going and I need Coach Hrnciar is ready to the equivalent on the SAT to see that in my athletes,” see how his Aggies will live up in order to be considered for Hrnciar said. to the high expectations that scholarship and they must This year the Aggies have

added many new athletes to the team and Hrnciar is looking forward to how they will adapt to a new setting. “Well one of them is Bradley Ferrell who was the first alternate in the U.S. Amateur qualifying. Corey Bounds is another one who has some experience in the background who can do well. Weston Ward has tremendous natural ability. “Bobby Good from Pennsylvania has some good credentials as well,” Hrnciar said. After last season, Hrnciar is looking forward to seeing what happens after his Aggies have had the summer as some extra practice time. “Kregg Wood has had a good summer, Brady Porter has had a good summer. Michael Kelly has played pretty well this summer. Austin Weaver hasn’t had as good of a summer but he’s working at it pretty hard now. Jacob Caldwell is coming off a shoulder surgery and we are waiting to see what he is capable of doing. Trey Lawson who is one of my better players has not had as good of a summer as he wanted but I am not too worried because he performs well. Also, Garrett Smith is our returning senior and he has experience and has played a lot of golf,” Hrnciar said. The Aggies will start their season off on Sept. 11 in Abilene, Texas. For more information or the team’s schedule visit www. Cameronaggies.com

Former Aggie in the big leagues By Brandon Thompson Staff Writer

October is just around the corner and with the chill of fall in the air that means one thing to baseball fans; it is time for the Major League Baseball Playoffs. This year, baseball fans from Cameron may have a new team to root for. The Atlanta Braves selected former CU player, Chase Larsson, in the 2011 MLB draft. Larsson, selected in the 6th round, finished last season with a .432 batting

average. Larsson is currently in the Atlanta Braves farm system. He is completing his first year of rookie ball and looking to work his way up to the show. According to head CU baseball coach, Todd Holland, Larsson is just beginning to learn what professional baseball is all about. “It is his first year of rookie ball,” Holland said. “He is just learning the ends and outs of it.” Holland noted the

Photos courtesy of Sports Information

Stepping up to the plate: Chase Larsson is on his way to stepping up to the plate for the Atlanta Braves if he works his way up from the farm team. He was picked up by the Braves in the 2011 draft.

transition from college baseball to the professional level is not always an easy one. The biggest obstacle to overcome is moving from an aluminum bat to a wooden bat. “You have got to understand once you go to a wood bat it takes a while to get adjusted,” Holland said. “That is why they have the instructional league.” Holland said that Larsson had been invited to attend a month long instructional camp after the season. He said that only a select few are invited to these instructional sessions, which is a good sign for Larsson. “They invite the good players to instructional; it is a month deal where they go get instruction,” Holland said. “So it’s a positive that he got invited to that.” According to Holland, Larsson has made considerable strides throughout the season. His batting average has improved and he is striking the ball better. “He has been successful, his numbers are up a little bit,” Holland said. “He’s really starting to get it going.” Holland said that he keeps close contact with Larsson and receives phone calls about his former player. Holland said that Larsson has had a big couple of weeks. Coaches have commented to Larsson that he is showing significant improvements with the bat. “This last week during the playoffs he started hitting lines drives and he is being more aggressive at the plate,” Holland said. Holland explained that Larsson is beginning to square up the ball and that this could put him on the

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

Swing batter batter swing: Chase Larsson steps up to the plate for the Atlanta Braves Farm System. Larsson was the Aggies leading hitter last season breaking multiple NCAA records. fast track to the big leagues. According to Holland, a first base coach told Larsson that if he continued to hit line drives like that it would take no time for him to make it. Holland stressed the importance of a tough offseason workout routine for Larsson. He said that if Larsson worked hard he

thinks that he can make it to the Majors. “If he goes home from rookie ball this year and works out, gets big, strong and fast he’ll make it,” Holland said. Perhaps by next fall, CU students will see a former Aggie take the field in the 2012 fall classic.

8

CROSSROADS

September 12, 2011 www.aggiecentral.com

Lawton community fights cancer

By Ashleigh Fletcher Crossroads Editor

The Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma are gearing up for their 6th annual Spirit of Survival fundraiser. The Spirit of Survival is a series of race and marathon events held in Lawton’s Elmer Thomas Park. Andrea Hadley, Assistant Race Director of Spirit of Survival, was excited to introduce this year’s events. “This year we will host three championship timed and certified races: The Hulk’n Half Marathon (13.1 miles), The SuperTwins Half-Marathon or Two-Person Relay (6.55 miles) and the Superhero 5k (3.1miles),” Hadley said. “We are also offering two non-certified events: The Superkids Marathon and the Leah M. Fitch Spirit Walk (1 mile).” Hadley explained that racers can choose to participate in as many events as they like. “It is possible to enter in multiple events,” Hadley said. “A person could run or walk in the morning and then come out and walk with a friend in the Spirit Walk or help their child or brother or sister in the Kids Marathon” According to Hadley, everyone who participates is awarded even if they are not a top finisher. “Event participants are

rewarded with a finisher medal, goodie bags and placer medals,” she said. “All Event Participants will also be able to go through a special Runner/Walker Hospitality tent at the finish line.” Hadley sent out a special Spirit of Survival challenge

“I would like to send out a challenge to CU students to find a partner to walk or run with in the two-person relay event.” —Andrea Hadley, Assistant Race Director to Cameron University students. “I would like to send out a challenge to CU students to find a partner to walk or run with in the two-person relay event,” Hadley said. “That is a really fun event.” Hadley explained the theme and mission of Spirit of Survival. “All of our race events are superhero themed,” Hadley said. “Our motto is, ‘Be a superhero in the fight against cancer.’” Hadley described how all money raised during the Spirit of Survival will be used to save lives. “When a person signs

up to walk or run in the Spirit of Survival their monies will go directly to the cancer center’s Clinical Trial and Cancer Research Department, right here in Lawton,” she said. “There is a team of cancer research professionals who use that money to set up life saving clinical trials.” She also included that it is imperative for the community to realize their registration fees are used for cancer research and nothing else. “A person’s registration fee goes directly to the Clinical Trials and Cancer Research Department at the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma,” Hadley said. “It is so important that people understand that the monies do not leave the state or go towards race t-shirts or food or anything else at the Spirit of Survival event.” Hadley mentioned that even individuals not up to walking or running can participate on race day. “We have many volunteer opportunities at the Spirit of Survival,” Hadley said. “This is a huge event and it will take a lot of people to make it successful.” The 2011 Spirit of Survival will take place on October 16 in Elmer Thomas Park. More information regarding the event, registration and volunteer opportunities can be found at spiritofsurvival.com or by calling 580.585.5406.

Photo Courtesy of Spirit of Survival

Victory lap: A 2010 participant of the Spirit of Survival marathon sucessfully completes the race. The Spirit of Survival event is held every year in October.

Novelist finds inspiration in Oklahoma By Megan Bristow Managing Editor

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge can offer individuals the chance to escape from the stress and busyness of life and get lost in the wonders of the outdoor world. To Oklahoma native David Rollins, these mountains also served as the perfect backdrop for his first novel “Sunset Peak.” Rollins was born in Lawton and spent many of his early years here. Rollins attended Middle

Tennessee State University and obtained aBachelor of Science in Aerospace Administration. He eventually joined the United States Army while obtaining his Masters degree. Throught his endeavours, the area surrounding Lawton remained important to him. “Lawton and the Wichita Mountains have always been home to me. I was fortunate enough to have my first Army assignment at Fort Sill in 1996, and I stayed until the summer of 2000. My family and I plan

Photo courtesy of David Rollins

The Perfect Setting: Rollins chose Sunset Peak as the title for his book becuase he needed a mountain that give geographical tags as to where the mountain was. The mountain also provided a lonely and secluded setting, perfect for the story.

graduated from Cameron University helped develop his association to the area and display his goals as a central character to the story,” Rollins said. Even the title of the book provides readers a geographical reference t and clues them in to Rollin’s love for the area. Rollins chose Sunset Peak as a specific location in the tory because it offered a secluded locale. Today, Rollins is working on a second novel, which is also going to be set in the Wichita Mountains. writing is not Rollins only undertaking. He still serves in the Army as Major David Rollins, Chief of Resource Photo courtesy of David Rollins Management at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical At home in Oklahoma: David Rollins has traveled all Center at Fort Hood, Texas. around the country as part of his military service and now Rollin’s book is available currently resides in Fort Bliss Texas with his wife and two for purchase online from kids. However, Rollins says that Oklahoma still feels like Tate Publishing, or at the home. Public Lands Interpretive Association Bookstore at the to retire in Oklahoma once American history and Wichita Mountains Wildlife that time comes,” Rollins culture of the area and refuge. Links to Amazon and said. “I try to visit Lawton the local people and tell a Barnes and Noble can also be and the Wichita Mountains story,” Rollins said. found at his website, www. at least once a year.” “One of the way that davidrollins.tateauthor.com Out of his love for this Rollins adds to the feeling As a piece of advice to the area and the culture that of home is by incorporating aspiring writers at Cameron surrounds it, a novel was Cameron University into the University, Rollins tells born. In fact, many of the story. students to let writing be individuals throughout One of the main something that makes you the story are based on characters, Ranger Nathan happy and stretches your personalities of people he Johnson, attended the imagination. has met here, which helps university. Rollins said that “Write with passion. readers feel at home as they he did this purposely to Write what makes you embark on the adventures provide a reference point happy. Be yourself and and meet the characters in for readers, as well as give find your style,” he said. the book. the character a strong “Writing is a release and “I love the Wichita educational background. mechanism that allows you Mountains Wildlife Refuge “I wanted the Nathan to break any limitations of and enjoyed hiking there Johnson character to have a reality and explore the story most of my life. I wanted solid background and intent that only you can tell. Go to take my appreciation of to his drive and purpose tell it.” the Wichita Mountains, in the story. Knowing he