Features page 3 Oklahoma at War
Sports page 7 Aggie Baseball
A&E page 5 Minute to Win It
THE C A MERON UNIV ERSIT Y
Monday, January 23, 2011
Collegian w w w. a g g ie c e nt r a l .c om
Volume 86 Issue 12
Academic Festival continues with Robin Wright
Photo courtesy of CU Public Affairs
By Elijah Morlett Managing Editor
Cameron University’s major triennial event, the Academic Festival, continued on Jan. 19 with award-winning journalist and foreign policy analyst Robin Wright. The festival, “Afghanistan: Its Complexities and Relevance,” features five speakers over the academic year, covering major issues in a country that is filled with controversy. Wright is the fourth speaker of the series. CU President Cindy Ross said that it is great to have a person such as Wright at the event.
“Afghanistan is a nation shrouded in mystery that has been catapulted to the world stage,” Ross said. “Cameron University is honored to have renowned foreign policy analyst Robin Wright share her perspective on this compelling central Asian country.” Wright has reported from over 140 countries on six continents. She has written for “The Washington Post,” the “Los Angeles Times,” “TIME,” “The International Herald Tribune” and several other outlets. Wright touched on several areas of Afghanistan, highlighting major issues that existed before and during the American occupation of the country.
One major issue is the treatment of women in the region. Wright claims that while the area has some benefits for women, the drawbacks are much more prominent. “Women of Afghanistan have been deprived of so many rights for so long,” Wright said. “It is one of the worst places to a be a woman.” Wright believes that times are changing. She said that women are slowly starting to mark a new era in society. “We’ve crossed a threshold where
women understand that they can be a part of change,” she said. “This is the beginning of empowerment.” Another issue that Wright addressed was the current transitions of power in the area. For Afghanistan, the issues are coming from the United States. “[The US] is good at military strategy in the country, however we are lousy at rebuilding Afghanistan as a new nation and new government,” she said. “I hope that I’m wrong, but it seems that our good intentions were interrupted by bad planning.”
See ACADEMIC FESTIVAL Page 2
Students celebrate holiday with service By Amanda Goemmer Newswriting Student
Photo by Amanda Goemmer
A day on, not off: A CU student cuts down cedar trees in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Several students used their day off from school to do community service around the area.
On Monday, Jan. 16, while many were at home relaxing in bed, more than 400 students and faculty members from Cameron University joined community volunteers to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors fallen civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Martin Luther King Jr. Twenty project sites in need of service were scattered across the city and surrounding areas, including Pioneer Park Elementary School, Elmer Thomas Park, and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Along with the day of service, former U.S Ambassador and congressman, Andrew Young visited the CU campus for a press conference, and was also the key speaker at CU’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration banquet later that evening. The day kicked off early, with most volunteers arriving at project sites by 9 a.m. At Pioneer Park Elementary School, students and members of the Lawton community added some fresh paint to the interior of the building. Meanwhile, volunteers at Elmer Thomas Park scoured the landscape for trash and unwanted debris. More than a dozen members of Cameron’s International Club volunteered to work at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. According to Donna Phillips, a long-time volunteer at the refuge, the students provided a much-needed and often surprising service to the park. “Anything not native to this area, we try to eradicate.”
Phillips said. “They’re going to be cedar lopping.” Today, the students were helping to eradicate an invasive species of salt cedar trees, which, if allowed to proliferate, would overrun the refuge and potentially annihilate the oak tree population. Each student volunteer received a heavy-duty pair of gloves and a pair of hand-held pruning shears. After a brief discussion on how to properly recognize and cut down the invasive saplings, students went to work. International Club member Minh Le, a Vietnam native, spotted the first cedar tree. The green foliage stood out clearly from the golden brown leaves of the nearby oak trees. As instructed, he knelt down and cut the salt-cedar sapling completely at the base to ensure that it would not continue to grow. The group cheered, and then scattered. They had limited time and were very excited to begin the long day’s work. While the International Club was snipping saplings, other volunteers worked at various stations throughout Lawton. According to Steve Sassaman, CU’s Student Activities Specialist, the service projects were wrapped up at around 1 p.m. By that time the International Club members had successfully disposed of roughly 2,400 salt cedar saplings. This is the second year that Cameron students have celebrated the Martin Luther King holiday by volunteering at the refuge, and their work is very important.
See SERVICE Page 2
Greek life gaining momentum on campus By Teewhy Dojutelegan News Editor
Greek life at Cameron University has continued to evolve over the years. There has been a significant increase in recruitment of members in the past three years. Greek organizations are gearing up for another round of recruitment, also called rush, for the spring semester happening in a few weeks. Former president of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity and former Greek Council president Tommy Smith, a Public Relations senior, describes rush as a time when members of Greek organizations meet interested individuals. “Rush is that period when we meet potential members,” he said. “Then there is also a kind of informational meeting where you talk about the specifics of Greeks.”
According to Kevin Stieb, current president of the Greek Council on campus, Greek life is the attempt of someone to be a part of something better than themselves. Steve Sassaman, Student Activities specialist and adviser to the Greek Council described the ideal Greek as people who best exemplify the meaning of social excellence. “The ideal members are those men and women who are willing to go out of their way to make meaningful connections with everyone they come in contact with,” he said. “They must also have a passion for community service” Sassaman also said Greek membership gives a chance for a person to affiliate with a group of like-minded people. “Membership in a Greek letter organization provides an affinity group of others who embrace the individual’s values,” he said. “They also provide an opportunity to
further develop their leadership skills.” Stieb said every organization has its own set of rules concerning recruitment. “Every organization has its own requirements,” he said. “The only broad statement you can make is that you are a Cameron student and in good standing with the university.” According to Stieb, membership dues usually about $200 to $700 depending on the Greek organizations are used to fund events on campus. “[Dues] often go to help with campus-wide events, brotherhood or sisterhood events,” he said. “They also go towards offsetting the cost of going to regional conventions and insurance carried by the organization.”
See GREEK Page 2
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January 23, 2012
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Mystery Dinner: A murder staged in Fort Sill By Fern Cepeda News Writing student
A murder took place in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, but it was no ordinary murder. This murder was planned and performed in front of an eating audience. “Murder 101,” a comedy mystery dinner theater production, took place on Jan. 13 at the Fort Sill Patriot Club. Ken Freehill and Darryl Allara organized the event, and volunteers were encouraged to play the roles in the production. Shane Dunlevy, Community Recreation Officer, was one of the coordinators for the comedy mystery dinner. He was instrumental in planning the event. Dunlevy said the production began in September. “We started planning back in September. The Army Wide arrived on Sunday, and started rehearsing on Monday with volunteers,” he said. “Thursday was dress rehearsal and Friday was the show.” Tickets to the show cost $35 per person, and the ticket included dinner and beverages. An open bar was also available for guests age 21 and over. The comedy mystery dinner started once all the guests arrived. Patrons chose a celebrity, after which a host greeted and guided to their seats. The evening started with the meal served buffet style. Once seated, “Aaron Burr High
Photo by Fern Cepeda
Murder Scene: A chalk outline depicting the position of a dead body was one of the props used in the production of the play. School Reunion” started. While dining, audience members were encouraged to take notes and ask questions in order to help solve the mystery. Audience members could volunteer to be an active part of the production, or could observe. When the audience heard the school’s mascot – the Dueling Pistols – participants were encouraged to raise their hands in the air with a gun sign and yell, “Go pistols.” Participating audience members
were also recognized as part of the reunion committee, glee club, staff members, athletes or cheerleaders. Laura Batule, Ft. Sill Army Volunteer Corps Program Manager, found the volunteers’ role in the production to be a success. “The casting call for volunteers was very successful,” Batule said. “Seventeen volunteers committed to this project and did an incredible job developing their characters
ACADEMIC FESTIVAL continued from page 1
Photo by Aaron Gill
A tough life: Robin Wright, Journalist and foreign policy analyst, talks about the effects of the war on Afghani women and children. Wright goes on to say that it is important to get the Muslim community to work with the Americans. “We do not want them to think that it is just us forcing our own beliefs and customs against their traditions,” Wright said. “My great fear is that we spent more time and money in Afghanistan at a huge cost to the nation’s image without much to show for it.” The fi nal issue that she referenced was the education of the women in Afghanistan
and the citizens of the United States. “Only one in 20 females were literate during the Soviet reign in Afghanistan,” Wright said. “Even now, 13 percent of women are still illiterate in the country. Basic education should be the biggest priority for women in Afghanistan.” For the American citizens, she said that the reality that the United States must face is that its people may not be prepared for the upcoming changes in the world.
“Americans do not know enough about the world,” Wright said. “We have some of the greatest resources and one of the best education systems, however we do not utilize it. Other societies are more prepared for globalization than Americans are.” “Afghanistan: Its Complexities and Relevance” will continue on March 15 with General (Ret.) Stanley A. McChrystal. Additional information can be found at www.cameron.edu/festival7.
GREEK continued from
page 1
“Membership in a Greek letter organization provides an affinity group of others who embrace the individual’s values,” he said. “They also provide an opportunity to further develop their leadership skills.” Stieb said every organization has its own set of rules concerning recruitment. “Every organization has its own requirements,” he said. “The Sassaman explained hazing as a problem many organizations face that is wrongly perceived as a vital part of Greek organizations because of a few promulgated incidents involving Greeks.
“Hazing is an issue faced by many membership organizations,” he said. “However, because of a few highly publicized incidents involving Greek organizations, it is perceived as an integral part of Greek organizations, which it is not. He also said Cameron University has Zero tolerance for hazing and students understand this. “The university has a strict no hazing policy for all of our student organizations and in working with each Greek organizations,” he said. “The members understand that such acts are detrimental to the
potential members’ experience.” Stieb thinks the past Greek Council president was exceptional and hopes for more participation from other campus organizations. “The past president of the Greek Council was an extraordinary leader,” he said. “That being said, I hope for more participation from every organization on campus.” Students interested in joining Greek organizations are encouraged to visit Steve Sassaman in the Student Activities office, located on the second floor of the McMahon Centennial Complex.
and providing us with clues throughout the evening. As an audience member, it was very interactive and I felt like I was part of the performance. It was great to see audience members be such great sports when identified as former members of the Glee Club and get up to sing their Alma Mater.” “Murder 101” had a large turnout. Of the 243 tickets sold, there were 238 attendees. Shane Dunlevy was surprised at the crowd the event drew in. “I had no idea we would have the response that we did,” He said. Dunlevy said the show was advertised through their
market, MWR, and K-LAW radio. Another marketing area was with Lawton Constitution writer, Mitch Meador. The story appeared in the Sunday, Jan. 8 edition. Kellie Jones, 23-year-old attendee, read about the mystery dinner in the local paper. “I heard about mystery dinner from the Lawton Constitution. There was a big article about it,” Jones said. “I decided to go to it because I thought it was going to be like Clue. I had a good time and I would do it again.” Dunlevy said the idea of a mystery dinner came to the headquarters, and since they hadn’t done anything like it before, they decided to give it a shot. They are still going through financials to see how much money was raised alltogether for this event, though Dunlevy estimates around $4,000 was made. Monica Wood, Publicity Specialist for MWR, enjoyed herself at the event as well, and talked about plans for a similar event. “It was a unique and hilarious event to bring to Fort Sill,” she said. “Next year they plan on doing Murder 2.0 and I am hoping they bring it to Fort Sill.” Dunlevy said that he would like to do an event like this once again due to its success and is looking at other opportunities. “There are new events on the horizon, but none of them are confirmed,” he said.
SERVICE continued from page 1 “We rely on volunteers a lot, we always need volunteers.” Phillips said. After the day of service ended, the celebration continued on CU’s campus. A press conference featuring Ambassador Andrew Young commenced in the McMahon Centennial Complex at 5:15 p.m. During the conference, Young touched on an array of topics, including international trade, social justice, and Dr. King’s theory on the triple evils of racism, war and poverty. Ambassador Young encouraged the audience to seek to understand the world around them. “Instead of being afraid of the world, we have to know more about the world.” Ambassador Young said. The final event of the evening, the 28th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration banquet, co-hosted by Cameron Campus Ministry and Cameron University, was held at 6:30 p.m. in CU’s fitness center. Banquet attendees included the recipients of Cameron Campus Ministries Humanitarian award, Senator
Constance Johnson, Major General David C. Halverson and Mayor Fred Fitch, along with Ambassador Young. After opening remarks, dinner and Ambassador Young’s keynote speech, Mayor Fitch presented Ambassador Young with the key to the city of Lawton. Ambassador Young was an essential contributor to campaigns that led to the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and later, the Voting Rights Act of 1965. As the evening concluded, three individuals received Cameron Campus Ministries Humanitarian award, in honor of their adherence to Dr. King’s teachings and philosophy, including community involvement, humanitarian service and dedication to the practice of non-violence. These individuals were Director of Lawton Public Schools Professional Development Center Cheryl Monts, retired LPS teacher Sylvia Williamson, and MacArthur High School student William Douglas Scott III.
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January 23, 2012
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Deployed CU student tells of life in military By Tiffany Martinez Staff Writer
Philip Hale has just turned 23 and his birthday could not be any more different than the last. Hale has been deployed making this birthday a true celebration. This U.S. soldier will be given the greatest birthday present of all: the gift to look into his parents’ eyes for the first time in five months. In 2011, in an effort to help reinforce war efforts, more than 2,000 members of the Oklahoma National Guard were sent to Kuwait and Afghanistan on a ninemonth deployment. The National Guard is a primary reserve military force. Widespread advertisements about the camaraderie, discipline and acceptance that the National Guard offers soldiers has caught the eye of many young people. The National Guard assists with tuition and college expenses, heightening the appeal of recruitment offers. An Army brat himself, Hale has wanted nothing more than to follow his father’s example and establish his own military career. Family values, country pride and unyielding loyalty are of the highest importance to this young soldier. “My inspiration behind joining the military had to do with three things: pursuing a college degree, making a better life for my future family, and following in my dad’s footsteps,” Hale said. Throughout childhood Hale traveled the country with his father. From Texas to Indiana, Hale finally found his place at Fort Sill, Okla. during high school. During this time, Hale took on the commitment of joining the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. “JROTC greatly influenced my life,” Hale said. “Four years of it made me want to stick with the military life.” Hale quickly learned that there was more to military life than he even realized as the son of a master sergeant. “[The military has] shown me how often we can take the small things for granted. It’s shown me camaraderie,” Hale said. “It’s shown me how important it is to be able to depend on and trust the man beside you.” Hale graduated high school in 2007 and joined the National Guard upon enrolling at Cameron University,
Photo courtesy of Phillip Hale
A day in the desert: Soldiers from Alpha Company, 1/160th Field Artillery Battalion stop for a photo in Camp Virginia, Kuwait. SPC Phillip Hale, second from the right, decided to put his college education where Hale is majoring in criminal justice. But, halfway through his sophomore year, Hale felt he wanted to do more. He volunteered to go to Afghanistan in December 2010. “I had been in [college] almost three years and felt that I had done nothing. I was tired of being a ‘slicksleeve’ and not having a combat patch on my right arm,” Hale said. “It was kind of like practicing and practicing on a sports team as a kid. You’re nervous, but you finally go up to the coach and say ‘Put me in the game, I’m ready.’” Hale put he’s proud of his decision to put his education on hold. He said that every service member should go on at least one deployment. “When I got my orders, although I had volunteered to go, there were still so many different feelings that came with it,” Hale said. “There was excitement, nervousness and fear. There was also that sense of pride though, knowing that I was about to do something that very few people are willing to do.”
Hale said that his destination was switched from Afghanistan to Kuwait ten days before his departure. When he arrived, Hale and the rest of his unit met with a different culture. The things he misses the most: American food and family. “We have a McDonald’s, a Subway, and a Charley’s on my camp,” Hale said. “But there is a difference in the taste that is very noticeable.” He plans to visit family and friends in a several different states when he is granted leave in late December. Anxious and in high spirits, Hale is counting down the days to his leave. “This birthday is going to be very special. I’ll just be excited to be home and to be able to see all my loved ones,” Hale said. “People constantly thank all the soldiers for doing what they do, but I’d like to give just as big of a thanks back. If it were not for the love and support that we have back home, our jobs would be ten times harder. It’s nice knowing we are being thought of and that we have people waiting on us to come back.”
Oklahoma at War unites journalism students from Cameron University, Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma with the Oklahoma Press Association in telling the stories of the deployment of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Oklahoma National Guard a half-world away in Afghanistan. Visit routes.ou.edu/oklahomaatwar for all the stories published for the project.
Casualty notification called an ‘honor’ Soldiers from the Oklahoma National Guard reflect on difficult assignment By Elijah Morlett Managing Editor
Pairs of soldiers from the Oklahoma Army National Guard have approached several homes this year bearing news that no family would want to hear. These soldiers in dress uniform, an officer and a chaplain, have traveled across the state to inform parents and spouses that their loved one was killed in combat in Afghanistan. This summer, members of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed to Afghanistan in support of ongoing combat operations. Fourteen Oklahoma soldiers have fallen in combat so far from this deployment. Captain Franklin Alexander of the 45th Fires Brigade, headquartered in Mustang, OK, is assigned to a casualty notification team of the Oklahoma National Guard. After performing two casualty notifications, he said that the task is never easy, though it feels as if it belongs as a soldier’s duty. “It’s probably the most honorable job you can have in the military,” Alexander said. “It’s also one of the hardest jobs and something you don’t want to have to do. Once a soldier is killed in combat, notification centers call assigned personnel to let them know to be ready to give a notification. According to Alexander, it takes about eight hours to receive the official information to notify the families. “The National Guard does a phenomenal job notifying and taking care of the families,” Alexander said. “You wish there was less time between the phone call and the actual notification, but there is a lot that goes on in theater before we get that information.” Alexander described the moments before the notification as truly difficult. Being able to control your own emotions are crucial to the process, as the notification process follows a specific script and procedure. “The worst part of the process is knocking on the door,” he said. “At that point, there is no turning back. When the family sees two uniformed service members, they know what they are there for.” From that life-changing moment, the
Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma National Guard
The Ultimate Sacrifice: An honor guard carries the remains of a fallen soldier. Following the initial notification, the assigned casualty assistant arranges the funeral and aids the family in other needs. responsibility transfers from the casualty notification officers to the casualty assistant officer. Sergeant First Class Steven Sullivan, a CAO that is currently aiding a soldier’s family from this deployment, said that his responsibility is to report to the family within four hours from the notification. “I introduce myself to them and let them know I’m there to take care of any of their needs,” Sullivan said. “I help them with paperwork, getting the soldier’s finances and life insurance in order, funeral arrangements and the dignified transfer of the body.”
The dignified transfer is the ceremonial movement of the remains of U.S. Armed Forces personnel from overseas, held at Dover Air Force Base, Del. CAO’s travel with the families to Dover to escort them and the soldier’s remains back home. “You’re right by the spouse the entire time,” Sullivan said. “We were on the plane to Delaware within 12 hours to watch the dignified transfer.” Up until the funeral, the officer is with the family on a daily basis. Afterward, the time with the family becomes less frequent. The CAO is assigned to the family
for up to six months. “It’s not easy, but you have to be the one person the family can turn to that’s not breaking down,” Sullivan said. “You have to be their rock. You can’t break down during this time.” The military provides counseling for the families as they go through a massive transition in their lives. Though it is an emotional time for the family and the assisting soldier, Sullivan said he would not want a different assignment. “It’s a privilege and an honor to do this,” Sullivan said. “The military sees to it that the family is taken care of.”
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January 23, 2012
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Society limits personal creativity
Aaron Gill
Asst. Managing Editor THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
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Editorial Staff
Managing Editor - Elijah Morlett Asst. Managing Editor - Aaron Gill News Editor - Teewhy Dojutelegan Crossroads Editor - Dianne Riddles A&E Editor - James Meeks Sports Editor - Matt Berberea Copy Editor - Alex Rosa-Figueroa Aggie Central Editors - Aaron Gill, Mitch Watson Archivist - Mitch Watson
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Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Megan Bell, Tyler Boydston, Kelsey Carter, Fern Cepeda, Leah Ellis, Rachel Engel, Angela Goode, Jessica Goodman, Sarah Holloway, Tiffany Martinez, Lizzy Owoyemi, Miranda Raines Interns - Sarah Brewer, Colin DuRant Circulation Manager - Matt Thompson Advertising Manager - Elijah Morlett Photographer - Kelsey Carter
Newswriting Students
As I sat in the chair looking at the speckled ceiling of the shop, I started to wonder: do people not really understand why I do this to myself? Why can people not just accept me for who I am without judging my physical appearance? The needle started to puncture my skin as ink filled my pores and the rush of adrenaline coursed through my body as the artist simply asked, “are you okay?” Every time I sit down on the cold leather of the chair in a tattoo shop, these same questions seem to make their way into my thought process just before the tattoo machine starts up with a roar that makes my heart race. I am a person with multiple tattoos – all of which mean something dear to me – and I often wonder why Americans still look at tattooed people as outcasts. I started getting tattoos when I was 18-years old and have yet to even think of approaching anything near stopping. There are some people that like to express themselves in song , and there are others that find different creative outlets in which they can express their true selves. The question that my parents have always asked me, however, was, “What are you going to do when you get old and have tattoos all over your body?” My response was always the same and very simple: “I will be old with tattoos.” The only thing that keeps me from getting my arms sleeved out is the negative connotation that some companies hold against people with tattoos. I have done some research on a few corporate jobs, and under qualifications some employers have stated that visible tattoos will not be tolerated. When I see this it pisses me off because it makes me realize that people are trying to silence our creativity. Now, I know most people reading this would say that I am just being ignorant, but hear me out. If an employer states under qualifications that they want an applicant that is creative or artistic and then goes on to state that visible tattoos will not be tolerated, is that not a contradiction in itself? It is almost as if they want us to just fall into the lock-step of society and be someone who is rejected for actually expressing their creativity for a job in which creativity was a requirement. When I go to a job interview, my first question when the interviewer asks me is always, “What is your policy on tattoos?” Looking at the current employees, I can tell what the policy is, but I like to ask to see how different people feel about tattoos as a whole. Now, if it is a corporate decision to not allow visible tattoos I can understand and somewhat respect that; however, when it comes to individual store managers making a policy to cover tattoos because they feel their customers will see the employees as “bad eggs,” the decision infuriates me. People need to realize that tattoos are not always put on one’s body with the hope that they will be seen in a different light. Granted, there are occasions where people associate tattoos with gangs, but when
Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
Temporary pain, eternal pleasure: Neil Nakahodo color illustration of woman with arm tattoo that says “Broke Not Broken”; can be used with story on how the recession colors generations in different ways. The Kansas City Star 2010.
parents tell their children they are not allowed to get a tattoo due to this stereotype it instantly silences that individual’s creativity. The more I research tattoos, the more I learn about where they started – how people have been getting tattoos since the Neolithic period, using them to tell stories. Is this not what we do today? I know that my tattoos are conversation starters, with a story behind each one. I love to tell the stories of my tattoos because it lets me tell people the story of my life in a form that is in many ways like a picture book. The time will come that people will stop giving other people a hard time for having tattoos, and though that time may be years from now, when it comes, the day will be a glorious one. People are slowly starting to become more accepting of the community I associate myself with, and this growing tolerance excites me. Now all I am waiting for is corporations to fall in line and become more accepting. Here’s to hoping.
Fanatics ruin game experience
Valera Ainsworth, Adrian Alexander, Amanda Goemmer
Faculty Adviser
Dr. Christopher Keller
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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.
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Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks. All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to collegian@cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Nance Boyer 2060 or at www. aggiecentral.com.
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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.
Tyler Boydston Staff Writer
The last time I went to watch college football was an Oklahoma University game in 2009. I can’t tell you which team OU was going against that night, I can’t tell you what the final score was and I can’t tell you any details of the actual game whatsoever. This might be a result of me being a nerd who only remembers movie details, or my horrible memory or possibly the drunken fans around me that entire night. Actually, yes, I believe it was the drunken fans at the game, specifically the two who started screaming at my sister and me when we were trying to get to the car, and the ones in the fight I saw on my way home. The real reason that I couldn’t enjoy the game that night was because complete fanatics were surrounding me on all sides. A fan likes a team and will cheer for it at each game, supports the team and is generally a good representative of
the fan base. A fanatic, on the other hand, takes everything to the next level and beyond. A fanatic is the first person to get violent when someone questions his favorite team, or tells him that the movie he loves so much is complete crap. At what point do we finally say that we have taken our love of something too far? At what point do we stop being fans and start being fanatics? That’s a question I’ve considered addressing for quite some time. There was a recent video that went viral, finding its way on YouTube in early January, which found New York Rangers’ fans and the Philadelphia Flyers fans fighting each other outside a steak house after the Winter Classic game between the two hockey teams. It wasn’t until I saw this video that I finally decided that this issue of fanaticism needed to be addressed. Now, some people will immediately think that I’m generalizing all sports fans as insane and easy to anger. That couldn’t be further from the truth, though. I grew up in a household where sports meant a lot. I played soccer and baseball as a kid, my dad was a huge fan of OU and we went to several Duncan High School football games while I was in grade school. That last part might have been because my sisters were in the band, but nevertheless my parents actually paid attention to the game while I sat there with my Sega GameGear in hand playing whatever game I had grabbed
before leaving the house. What I saw at those games was a family that actually cared about sports, but not a family that cared enough to start any kind of fights. In fact, the only fight I ever saw at a high school football game wasn’t even about game itself. Admittedly, though, I’ve picked on sports long enough, so I’ll go ahead and turn the focus on the nerds of the world, myself included. In 2010, an incident at the San Diego Comic-Con temporarily delayed presentations of two of the panels, as two attendees fought over a seat, resulting in one of them being stabbed in the eye. Some nerds care so much about going to a panel for “Cowboys & Aliens” that they are willing to stab a man in the eye to see Harrison Ford from a closer distance in the crowd. Of course, this article has been talking about violence, and while that is terrible, we also have to think of people who are spending elaborate amounts of time and devoting portions of their lives to specific movies. In the summer of 2011, I made the grave mistake of going to see
Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
the final “Harry Potter” film in Oklahoma City at a midnight showing. I arrived 10 hours before the movie was supposed to premiere, only to find a line of people stretching from the bottom floor of the Quail Springs Mall to the second floor, wrapping around that floor as well. I sat across from a Victoria’s Secret, watching fans walk by in costumes over the course of the next few hours, some of who had probably been at the mall since it opened. When I went to go get food, leaving two of my friends in line, I realized that I was just as much a fanatic as the people I made jokes about. In the end, I guess I can’t really say anything bad about fanatics who dress up in costume for events. The violent fanatics, though, are still a problem that we as a society need to face. We all know someone who uses their favorite team, favorite movie or favorite band as an excuse to act a certain way. While we don’t have to seek out help for each and every person, we should at least talk to them about the way they behave, and try to be there as an outlet.
A&E
January 23, 2012
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Making it ‘Facebook’ official
By Miranda Raines Staff Writer
When she signed on, the sting to her heart as she saw his changed relationship status was unbearable. She wondered, had the past few months meant nothing to him? All of the cute status updates back and forth, the “likes” on everything he wrote and the number of pictures she had tagged him in, were not enough. They had announced to her 857 friends that they loved one another. Wondering how she would ever get over this feeling of despair, she received an inbox message from a guy she went to school with, a feeling of joy came over her as she forgot the name of the last dude. Social networks, specifically Facebook, have made an impact on the way society views relationships and the way they are maintained. Who comments on, or “likes” one’s statuses can have an impact on the relationships one hold with others. Samantha Hogue, a concurrently enrolled student, has used her Facebook to allow new friendships to turn in to relationships. “In using Facebook I have encountered people that I otherwise would likely not have,” Hogue said. “I met a guy through
Facebook that I later had a relationship with, he still says I broke his heart.” through Facebook that I later had a relationship with, he still says I broke his heart.” Social networks provide both positive and negative influence to relationships. Brooke Higgins, a Pre-Nursing student, enjoys the opportunity for her and her boyfriend to exchange feelings openly. When my boyfriend says something sweet to me, either on my wall or in his status, it makes me really happy and I love doing the same in return,” Higgins said. Hogue said that although she can see the positives Facebook brings to a relationship, it leaves room for problems. “Facebook opens couples to the jealousy and judgment from others who maybe are not in as happy a situation,” Hogue said. “It leaves them open to sabotage, with something as simple as liking photos, making wall posts, or connecting with the opposite sex.” To add a friend is easy with the click of a button, but to maintain an ongoing relationship on a social networking site has its challenges. The dynamics of relationships and dating are changing with the increasing popularity of these sites. The sincerity once held in a relationship is being minimized by a website. Dani Blackburn, an Account-
ing Major, and her boyfriend Tim Lundquist, mutually feel Facebook and social networking have changed the way people display their emotions or feelings towards one another. Blackburn said that the integrity of a relationship is based on how it is perceived by others in the social network. “Couples are able to project their relationship more than ever before, but it also leaves relationships open to interference from people that would have otherwise never been in the picture,” Blackburn said. Lundquist views Facebook as more of a dating site than a mere social network. “I believe Facebook is used more than dating websites, it is free and those that are looking to date have the option to not block their information, making it easier for potential relationships to start,” Lundquist said. Blackburn and Lundquist said neither of them accept request from people they do not know, and view Facebook as a way to connect with friends and family, this is the way they maintain trust and open communication. Social networking sites like Facebook are a sign of the times. Dating and relationships are brought to new audiences when manifested through these sites. As Blackburn said, “We all know it is not official till it is Facebook official.”
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photo by Miranda Raines
Selecting a relationship: These are the relationship statuses that Facebook users use to classify their relationship status. From Single, In a Relationship and Domestic Partnership. Users can even declare themselves divorced for other users to see. A status is like a public announcement but allows users to proclaim their status without notifying friends and family members.
Biology Major wins ‘Minute to Win It’ ByTyler Boydston Staff Writer
The game show “Minute to Win It” has come to Cameron University. As the finale to Cameron’s ‘Welcome Back Week,’ which
took place the first week of the semester, students participated in an event full of challenges lifted from the NBC game show. The event took place at 9 p.m., Jan. 12, in the Shepler Center Ballroom. The TV show that the event was based on began in 2010,
Photo by Tyler Boydston
Victorious: Kevin Steib poses after winning “Minute to Win It.” The event was held Jan. 12 in the Shepler Ballroom.
and follows the rules of having increasingly difficult tasks that contestants need to finish within a minute time frame. The Programming Activities Council (PAC) presented the event, and Sidney McCormack and Melissa Flores were the hosts. Zeak Naifeh, the Director of Student Activities for PAC, explained the rules of the game. “The game consists of two people going against each other at a time,” Naifeh said. “The first to get the task finished wins and goes to the next round. This repeats until there is just one person standing.” The challenges consisted of different events that had been featured on the TV show, such as stacking building blocks on a contestant’s head, covering a contestant in toilet paper without the use of the contestant’s hands and unscrambling the pieces of a cereal box all within a minute. In the chance that neither contestant finished within the minute time frame, the two contestants involved in the specific challenge battled it out with a game of rock, paper, scissors to decide the
winner. With the tournament style of the game, the 16 contestants, picked out through a ticket system, were reduced to eight on the second round, then to four on the third round, and then to the final two. The the winner of the final round was Biology major Kevin Stieb. According to Naifeh, the “Minute to Win It” activity is a new one for PAC to host, and it was because of the students that it came to the school. “It’s something new and different,” Naifeh said. “It’s something that the students wanted to do.” Naifeh also says that one of his favorite parts of his job as Director of Student Activities is seeing the students participate in events. “My favorite part is the students,” Naifeh said. “I love seeing the students have fun and enjoy the college experience. So often you’ll see students just go to class and go home. It’s good to see some students getting out and having fun.” According to Naifeh, PAC also has other activities set up for
the rest of this semester to bring students together in the same way that the “Minute to Win It” did. “PAC has been working since early November on getting the events for this semester ready,” Naifeh said. “We have our movie nights throughout the semester.” Steve Sassaman, Student Activities Specialist for PAC, is already preparing to plan events for the big week of Homecoming in February, during which there will be activities on a daily basis. “A lot of our activities will be during Homecoming week,” Sassaman said. “We’ll have something every night that week.” PAC is also preparing for their expected amount of students at each event. “Our events usually average around 120 people,” Sassaman said. PAC not only has events during Homecoming and the Welcome Back Week, but they are also preparing for activities throughout the course of the semester. “We’re going to have a lot of activities,” Sassaman said. “We try to have an activity each week.”
The Gold Mine: A literary treasure By Sarah Brewer Staff Writer
Discovering the talents of the writers and artists of Cameron University is as simple as picking up and reading an issue of “The Gold Mine,” the CU student literary journal. “The Gold Mine” is entirely the creation of the students; while the origin of its name can easily be derived from the mascot and backdrop of the university, the moniker was also chosen because the journal unearths some of the best work of students, faculty and staff, like a prospector would strike it rich in a mine. A panel of readers selects literary submissions featured in the journal, and the aesthetic theme of each issue of the journal develops from the artwork the editorial staff receives. Because of the journal, authors have been able to share their work
with a wider audience. Dr. Hardy Jones, the faculty adviser of the journal, has noticed the increasing number of literary submissions from authors from various backgrounds. “Some of our authors are not necessarily liberal-art majors,” Dr. Jones said. Dr. Jones also mentioned that students who are interested in working out their ideas tend to bring in a variety of genres, including science fiction and in personal essays. Seth Copeland, the Managing Editor of the second edition of the journal, saw not only an increasing variety and number of literary submissions, but also noticed how the journal has formed a community of authors on campus. Copeland said: “Written works can reveal the personalities of their authors. It has been interesting to see how authors shine through their work.”
Just as aspiring authors benefit from the exposure they receive when their work is featured in the student literary journal, students who serve on the editorial staff of “The Gold Mine” also have a hand in designing and managing the page layouts of a formal publication. Dr. Jones explained how students who contribute to the editorial staff of the journal gain the practice that will better equip them for meeting the demands of working for “The Oklahoma Review,” and other publications. “The main goal of the journal was to provide students a venue for receiving feedback on the work that they have done, but also to give them the experience of working in all sides of the publishing industry,” Dr. Jones said. Dr. Jones said he was impressed with the tenacity and commitment that the editorial
staffs of the journal have shown while producing the journal while juggling outside jobs and other classes. Submissions are currently being accepted for the third issue from students, faculty and staff through Jan. 31. Submissions can also be sent electronically to goldmine@cameron.edu. Students who would like to send literary works via e-mail are asked to attach their work in Rich Text format, include the title of the work, genre and their name in the subject line, and list a phone number and e-mail address that can be used to contact the author of the work in the body of the e-mail. Copies of the third edition of “The Gold Mine” can be obtained for free in racks at the McMahon Centennial Complex (MCC), Nance-Boyer, and other locations on campus when they become available at the end of this year.
photo by Sarah Brewer
Looking for gold in the literary journal: Seth Copeland, Managing Editor of the second edition, reads from a page in the student journal. The Gold Mine: Second Edition was made available in December 2011.
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Sports
January 23, 2012
www.aggiecentral.com
Lady Aggies start new year strong By Matthew Berberea Sports Editor The Lady Aggies got off to a great start this season and look to continue their dominance in 2012. The women’s basketball team did not miss a beat in their first action of the new year, netting a win against Texas Women’s University Jan. 4 in Denton, Texas. The game, however, did not go as planned at the start. TWU came out strong early and had built a nine-point lead by halftime. Cameron was unfazed and came out of the locker room strong in the second half. Tom Webb, CU women’s basketball coach, acknowledged the tough first half but knew his team had what it takes to come back from the deficit. “They (TWU) came out on fire. Defensively, I probably had our kids thinking too much,” Webb said. “They did a great job in the second half of executing and playing man-to-man defense. We became more aggressive on the perimeter. Every shot was contested. We did a good job of switching some things. We are just real proud of this group.” The Lady Aggies took the lead on a three-point shot from junior Jordan Kauk in the second half and never looked back. Cameron sealed the victory with clutch free throw shooting, going 14-15 from the line on the night. Next the Lady Aggies played a non-conference game against NAIA opponent Oklahoma Wesleyan on Jan. 7 at the Aggie Gym. The Black and Gold came out strong and were up by 13 with just over 4:30 to play, but Oklahoma Wesleyan battled
back and closed the gap to 34-31 at the half. Coach Webb acknowledged that Cameron hoisted up too many three-point shots, going just 6-16 from behind the arc in the first half. “We shot 16 threes … that’s probably a few too many for us,” he said. “In the second half, we looked inside more. When you are able to do that, the threes will open up for you and you can shoot a higher percentage.” The Lady Aggies did exactly that, feeding the ball down low to senior Sabelle Diata, who scored nine points on 4-6 shooting in the second half. The low post game led to open outside shots which junior Alexis Williams took advantage of going 5-6 from the field for 11 points. Ultimately the Black and Gold were able to come out on top 69-56 for their ninth straight victory. The Lady Aggies looked to extend that winning streak just a few days later at home against Eastern New Mexico. Poor shooting from the floor plagued the Black and Gold and the team found themselves down 25-29 at the half. Despite the tough first half, Cameron came out on fire and took a lead early in the second half. The game remained close until Cameron finally pulled away in the last six minutes. Coach Webb said he was proud of the way his team bounced back from the first half deficit. “We are really pleased with how we finished,” he said. “They (Eastern N.M.) are a good team. Their record may not show it, but they hang with everyone. We let them in the game; we
Photo courtesy of Sports Information
Double down: Senior forward Julie Paunovic directs traffic in a game against Eastern New Mexico on Jan. 11 at the Aggie Gym. Paunovic recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds en route to the 59-47 win for the Aggies. took some shots and gave them opportunities in transition.” The Lady Aggies finished strong with a 59-47 victory, running their win streak to 10 games. The Black and Gold then put their win streak on the line against West Texas A&M on Jan. 14 in Canyon, Texas. Once again the team fell behind initially and went into
the half down 27-34. In what is becoming Lady Aggie fashion, though, they fought back and finished strong in the second half. The team’s ability to come back in the second half was not lost on Coach Webb. “At the end, we executed,” Webb said. “They really, really understand (the importance of finishing). They are tough and really competitive. Their spirit,
they want to battle. It’s fun to be around, fun to coach.” With another great second half comeback Cameron won 6056 and ran their winning streak to an incredible 11 games. The women’s basketball team will face Midwestern State in back to back games on Jan. 18 in Wichita Falls and Jan. 21 at the Aggie Gym, where they look to continue the hot streak.
Men’s Basketball remains dominant By Matthew Berberea Sports Editor
The men’s basketball team was on a roll to end 2011 and have picked up exactly where they left off. After a 9-3 start, the Aggies picked up two quick wins to open up the spring semester and
grow their winning streak to eight. The first game of the spring came at home against the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds. The Aggies started hot and never let up on their way to a 31-18 halftime lead. With ENMU touting a high-powered offense, Coach Wade Alexander knew that they
would need to play tough on both sides of the ball. “We really wanted to lock them up defensively,” Coach Alexander said. “I believe they were the leading scoring team in the conference (coming into tonight). To come out and play ‘D’ like we did was incredible.” After a first half in which the Aggies dominated, the
Photo courtesy of Sports Information
Rise Above: Milton Garner rises up for a jumpshot over two Eastern New Mexico defenders on Jan. 11 at the Aggie Gym. The senior guard scored 28 points and led the Aggies to a 72-57 win.
Greyhounds proved they would not go down without a fight. At one point the Eastern New Mexico squad pulled within five points. Senior Milt Garner decided he had enough and put the team on his back, leading all scorers with 28 points. “It was another solid performance by Milt (Garner),” Alexander said. “He does that night in and night out. He needs to continue to do that and play well for us. He understands what we need. I think he will only do better, but defenses will get tougher. Eventually, teams are going to make it a point to now allow him to beat them.” Cameron went on to get the win, their seventh in a row, with a final score of 72-57. Next up for the Aggies was a tough road contest against the West Texas A&M Buffalo. Coming into the game, the men’s basketball team had not won on the road against West Texas since 2006. West Texas got off to a quick start as the Aggies fell behind early in the first half. Cameron didn’t lose focus however, and were able to tie the game up at 31 going into halftime. Coach Alexander emphasized the need for a great team effort when playing away from the Aggie Gym. “We had some different players make plays for us
tonight,” Head Coach Wade Alexander said. “All the way down the line up sheet. You’ve got to have them when you are on the road.” The second half proved that this would not be an easy win for either team. The Aggies and Buffs traded buckets and neither team was able to pull away. Seniors Thomas Razor, Milton Garner, and newcomer Walter Battle scored 22, 16, and 13 respectively to help Cameron come up with the big win. “Thomas Razor just played a tremendous game offensively,” Alexander said. “Walter Battle really gave us a lift in the post tonight as well. (Jonny) Patino hit a three in the corner; they (WTAM) gave it to him all last year in the tournament. Then, we attacked the press and Country (Andrew Thomas) got a dunk. It was huge. Great pass, great play.” After their first win in Canyon, Texas in six years and eighth straight win on the season, the Aggies look to carry their momentum into the remainder of conference play The men’s basketball team will face conference foes Midwestern State their next two games. The first game will be at Midwestern on Wednesday, Jan. 18 with the second game coming on our home court Saturday, Jan. 21.
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Sports
January 23, 2012
www.aggiecentral.com
Aggies Baseball gears up for season By Aaron Gill
Asst. Managing Editor The Aggie Baseball team is gearing up for what looks to be an interesting season. After finishing last season with a winning record of 33-16 Coach Todd Holland – in his ninth year at Cameron – is looking forward to seeing how his team’s dynamic progresses from the practice to the game setting. Coach Holland said he started practice earlier this month and has been gauging just where his team will be before opening day at the ballpark on Feb. 1. “Monday we usually have a routine practice, Tuesday and Wednesday we try to get an intersquad game going and Friday and Saturday are back to routine practice,” Holland said. The Aggies have had to change their game plan for this year, Holland said, as they have lost two powerhouse hitters: Chase Larsson and Kenny Held. “We don’t have a Chase Larsson or a Kenny Held that will step up to the plate and hammer you for a three run homerun every other at bat so we need to look at something different,” he said. Coach Holland explained how the Aggies will have to switch up the game-plan a little to make this season one that will place them as a contender in conference play. “The difference with this team is that we have guys that are going to have to know their situation,” Holland said. “They are going to have to know how to sellout for their team and hit a ball to the right side to advance a runner.” Coach Holland said this year he had to put together a team that is going to have to be fundamentally sound in order to be a contender just as every good baseball team should be.
Photo by Matthew Berberea
Batter up: Junior infielder Kevin Waukau steps into the box for batting practice Jan. 18 at McCord Field. The Aggies Baseball team will be looking to build on last season in which they went 33-16 overall and 22-11 in conference play. “It’s going to be hard going from a team that hit homeruns every time to a team that is going to have to run some bases and become a more dynamic team,” Holland said. The Aggies are going to have to take a defensive stance, Coach Holland said, in order to play to their full potential. “There may be a lot more one run games when you don’t have those guys that step up to the plate and hit a homerun then all of a sudden you have a four run lead,” Holland said. “We are going
to have to be on our toes and running some bunt coverage and make sure your defense is all lined out.” Coach Holland took his fall season as his recruiting season, in which he would go and search for some players who could help build on his winning program. According to Holland, the new pitching coach for the Aggies – Bryan Wyatt – has taken the role of preparing the pitchers that Holland finds, working on the fundamentals of their pitching. “Brian is a pitching guy, and
before him I would go look for guys that could throw strikes and fill it up and throw in the zone,” Holland said. “Now that I have Brian, I can go look for a guy that throws hard and that may be a little wild, and now we have someone here to work with them and get them more in the zone bit by bit.” Coach Holland explained that he has a philosophy built up over his nine years at Cameron he abides by when it comes to looking ahead in his team’s season. “The one thing I have learned
from this job is not look forward to the future, but to take it one game at a time,” Holland said. “I understand that Conference play is going to be a grind everyday, and it is really just a matter of us staying healthy and if we can stay healthy then we should have a good year.” The Aggies will start their season off Wednesday, Feb. 1 against East Central at McCord Field. For anyone seeking additional information regarding the Aggie Baseball Team visit www.cameronaggies.com.
last spring. The time is now for students to start supporting our student athletes. This can be the first step towards building Cameron University into a destination school, a university that students from Oklahoma and beyond want to attend. What easier way to build spirit than showing up to a gym and getting loud and rowdy? As a student with two jobs, I certainly understand that we are a busy student body. I know that many of us work hard at school only to turn around and go straight to work. Remember, though, that these athletes also attend school and turn around and practice daily, then play twice a week.
These players represent our student body and everything that is associated with Aggie Pride. It is the least we could do to come out and support them on Wednesday nights and Saturday afternoons. Bring your books and study if you need to, but let’s give them some of the energy that they are giving our school. I know that some of you may not be sports fans and that a sporting event may not be your idea of excitement. I fully understand that as the Sports Editor I may be more passionate about this than many of our readers. Consider these events, then, as an opportunity to meet with friends and have a good time. With free admission for students
and a great atmosphere there is nothing to lose. We can all build a stronger sense of pride in our university starting with our great athletics department. Many of the students I speak with simply have no idea when and where the games are taking place. Although there are schedules in the halls, many students are in such a hurry to get to class they never see them. The schedules are also posted online at www.cameronaggies. com, but again many students are unaware. To help combat this problem, we will be adding current team schedules to the sports section of the collegian for all upcoming home games. I am sure that being informed will lead to
attendance and support for our student athletes. Together we can turn the Aggie Gym into a place our players love and our opponents fear. With winning programs in place, strong student support may be the only thing left to take the next step towards national championships. I challenge each and every reader to start showing up to the Aggie Gym and support our teams. Bring a friend or two and use this as a weekly opportunity to forget bout work and school and all of the stress that may be in your life. It is time for us to give back to the student athletes that have been representing us so well. Go Aggies and Back the Axe
Editorial: It is time to ‘Back the Axe’
By Matthew Berberea Sports Editor
Imagine attending a school with great events and outstanding athletics. Imagine a school where the education is truly second to none in its state. Imagine a university celebrating over 100 years of excellence. If you are a Cameron Aggie, you are part of such a university; you just may not realize it. Week in and week out Cameron University puts out top-flight athletics. So far this season the men’s basketball team is off to an 11-3 (8-1 in conference) record while the women’s basketball team is sitting at an incredible 13-3 (8-1 in conference). While these two teams continue to impress, the student section routinely looks like a ghost town at the Aggie Gym. If not for the Lawton/ Fort Sill community, our athletes would be playing in front of next to nobody. In addition to the success of the basketball teams, both men’s and women’s tennis are ranked in the top 20 of the nation this preseason. Baseball is also looking to continue to build off of a great season in which they went 33-16 (22-11 in conference)
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CROSSROADS
January 23, 2012
www.aggiecentral.com
MLK Day of Service at Lawton Food Bank By Dianne Riddles Crossroads Editor
On Monday, Jan. 16, a few members of the Lawton community and about a dozen Cameron University students participating in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day of Service gathered at the Lawton Food Bank (LFB). Rather than sleeping-in on their day off, the volunteers were donating their time, energy and labor to sort and shelve food items, defrost freezers, paint an office, and mop floors in a building in which a much needed community service happens every day. According to the LFB Executive Director Jeri Mosiman, the mission of the LFB is to mobilize the resources of the Lawton community to fight hunger, the causes of hunger and the problems related to hunger. “Our mission is to try to stave away chronic hunger because if you are chronically hungry, you are going to have health problems due to malnutrition,” Mosiman said. “If you have health problems, then it is going to be difficult for you to keep a job and it’s going to be difficult for your children to stay in school.” According to Mosiman, to receive food from LFB, the household must meet certain income guidelines; in addition, the applicant must have: a valid government issued picture identification; a social security card for all household members; verification of address; and verification of employment, disability or social security benefits. If necessary, each applicant family may receive
food once every six weeks. Mosiman said that working families generally do not return every six weeks but they come to the LFB when they are in need. However, Mosiman said that the largest demographic that receives food every six weeks consists of those who are elderly, disabled and/or on Social Security. “Many of those who are disabled, elderly or on Social Security come every six weeks,” Mosiman said. “They just live in fear because they are unable to just pick up overtime or another shift–when they run out of money, they are in
trouble.” Mosiman said that currently she is able to provide about five meals for every dollar donated. “We have some regular donors,” Mosiman said. “There are some churches that donate and some individuals who give every month and we really do count on them.” Mosiman said that it takes everyone working together to take care of a community. “There is not one amongst us who has not come across hard times,” said Mosiman. “We all get hit from time to time, sometimes harder than others and that’s why we are here.
We are really here just to help people get through some hard times.” According to Mosiman, in December, the LFB provided 1200 Lawton households with food. Mosiman said that the shelves are stocked well right now; however the next big food drive will not take place until May and by that time, even with the regular donations of food and money, the food supply could become very low. Mosiman said that the LFB also accepts some clothing and shoe donations, which are given to those who are seeking employment and need work
clothes. The MLK Day of Service is only one day of the year in which people have the opportunity to honor the legacy of Dr. King by following his example, by serving and volunteering in the community. Hunger occurs every day of the year, though, and the LFB works hard to alleviate that burden for those in need in this community. Anyone interested in helping by way of donation or volunteer service may contact Mosiman at 580.353.7994 or by email at lf b1405@sbc.global.net.
Photo by Dianne Riddles
A day of service: Cameron University students help stock donated groceries on the shelves at the Lawton Food Bank. The Food Bank was one of several locations to volunteer service throughout the Lawton community on MLK Day.
Cameron University graduate publishes Sci-Fi novel By Leah Chaffins Staff writer
Jed Fisher, a graduate of Cameron University, has published his first online novel First Enlistment: War for Profit. Fisher used his years of military service and his education from Cameron University to write his first published novel. He hopes that the book will be both entertaining and helpful. Fisher said that the story is science fiction, and that
writing in that genre creates a screen behind which the author can address real-world issues from a position of comfort. “It is a Science Fiction story that takes place two thousand years in the future. I do prefer to write science fiction. It gives me that layer of allusion, that layer of fantasy, to hide behind,” Fisher said. “It gives me the opportunity to tell the truth without getting into trouble.” Fisher explained that the idea for the novel stemmed
from his years in the Armed Services. “I got the idea for this story from serving in the military,” Fisher said. “Also, I had also been reading novels by David Drake which feature mercenary units and the Battle Tech novel series.” Fisher hopes that his book will help other people who are in, or considering, military service. “It is intended as entertainment and I think it might be useful to show people what military service is like
Photo courtesy Amazon.com
Jed Fisher’s first published book: Fisher credits his writing influence to 24 years of military service. However, Fisher said that he developed his writing skills at Cameron.
for the individual in combat arms,” Fisher said. Fisher understands the questions that people considering military service face. He is also aware of the difficulties and concerns that active duty military face during their service careers and hopes the story might give them peace of mind. “Someone who is thinking about serving in the military might get help in making their decision. Someone who is already in the military who is feeling some frustration and has a lot of questions in their head about what they are doing, maybe the story will give them some peace of mind,” her said. “While not necessarily guidance, or telling them what to do, it may help them adjust to the situation.” Fisher is well acquainted with military life after 24 years in the Army. His years of service have provided the foundation from which he writes. Fisher also credited his military career for enabling him to communicate effectively with his audience. “Every bit of what I write was inf luenced by my time in the military,” Fisher said. “It gave me something to write about. It gave me a clear voice to communicate which you can only get from the military.” Even though his military career played a large role in his writing skills, Fisher acknowledges the role CU played in honing his writing skills. “My classes at Cameron helped me because I was able to read other people’s work and critique it and I was able to respond to the feed-back,” Fisher said. Fisher said that while writing was something he has always done, it was not something he was always good
at. “I tried writing before I entered the military but the results were not that good,” Fisher said. “I did not like reading what I wrote before.” Fisher has developed a system of writing that works for him. With the plot in mind, Fisher creates an outline for direction, but with built in f lexibility to bend as needed by the story. “I graph out the story arc and I do a basic outline. I leave room for considerable change or inserting more things into the story that makes it interesting,” Fisher said. “I do have the plot in mind before I start writing.” Fisher is now making the initial plans for a possible series. While the genre is yet undecided, Fisher said the series plot is based upon current events. “I have another series that I want to start,” Fisher said. “It will be action-adventure, but I have not decided if it needs to be Science-fiction or not. It will depend on how current world events play out.” Fisher chose to publish his novel online rather than as a traditional paperback book using an Amazon Kindle account. He said it was an easy process. Fisher said, “You have to open an Amazon kindle account which is free, and up load the text,” While selling the written product is one of the biggest struggles for beginning writers, Fisher said he is pleased with how the book is selling on the site. “I have been really impressed with the sales,” said Fisher. Fisher’s novel, First Enlistment: War for Profit can be purchased at Amazon.com for $2.99.