Apr 4

THE CAMPUS

April 4, 2018 – Volume 111 Issue 23

OCU’s future is

Three women chosen as university leaders

T

hree different women were selected for high offices in the university within this semester.

Trustee Martha Burger was chosen as university president March 25 and is the first female president in the university’s history.

Alumna Jennifer Rodgers was appointed campus police chief Jan. 3. Jordan Tarter, English junior, was elected Student Government Association president March 27.

This is the first time women have occupied two of these three positions, and some students are responding to this change.

Beth Carter, entertain-

ment business junior, said she’s excited about campus leadership.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing what they accomplish and what they do and how they serve the campus to the best of their ability,” Carter said. “I think that women do great things when they’re empowered.”

Carter said she has always felt personally empowered to pursue what she wanted in life.

“As my mom told me, ‘bitches get shit done, so don’t be afraid to do what you want,’” she said.

It’s not unusual for leaders on campus to be women.

Some of the university’s high-

est positions are occupied by women, including Catherine Maninger, vice president for finance and business operations and chief financial officer, and Joey Croslin, vice president for human resources, chief human resources officer.

“I think we’ve always had a pretty balanced proportion of gender on our administrative teams,” Croslin said. “In fact, we’ve, at some times, been more female than male, but it will be interesting to see how our chief executive officer manages us and leads the university.”

Croslin said it’s a benefit that the university president and police chief both happen

to be women because they can offer a new perspective. She said she has a lot of respect for her female colleagues in administrative roles.

Croslin is on the board of trustees and was a part of the selection of the new university president. She also led the search for the next chief of police.

“I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve been provided here at OCU, and I think those opportunities are based on my merits and qualifications and experience, and I’m always been very grateful for my supervisors that have believed in me and for the team that I have,” Croslin said.

Croslin said she feels empowered by fellow leaders.

She said the focus on hiring or electing officials isn’t gender, but how qualified applicants are.

“As an inspirational affirmation, you’re thinking about your own professional career and who you aspire to be, it’s kind of inspiring to see females in positions of leadership,” she said.

Madison Clark, dance management junior, said it’s necessary for OCU to have a female president who encourages women to speak out.

“I think it’s important right now, especially because of all of the recent news in sexual harassment and kind

of undermining women in the workforce,” Clark said, “Knowing that we have a voice keeps women from being scared of what they want to do.”

Because OCU is 65 percent women, the leaders of the campus should reflect that, Clark said.

Clark said she admires women like Jo Rowan, director and chairman of the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment.

“I think becoming a mentor is a result of being mentored and knowing women who are good role models and set standards for themselves and have goals,” Clark said.

Martha Burger

Jordan Tarter

Jennifer Rodgers

Burger is an alumna and member of the board of trustees since 2008. She said she is humbled and proud to be the first OCU female president.

“I’m really excited to be able to serve OCU and Oklahoma City in this way,” Burger said.

Burger has been a part of the United Way of Central Oklahoma Women’s Leadership Society and was a speaker at the 2017 annual Women in Leadership Conference hosted by the Meinders School of Business.

“In my career in the business world, there were several times where I’ve been the first woman at whatever it was, so I don’t think about it a lot,” she said. “But I am now realizing, as people are reaching out to me, how proud I am of that.”

Burger said she is motivated to inspire other women through her work.

“I have sponsored and mentored and developed women who are professionals in the business community for decades, so I think this is one more way that I can pave the way,” she said.

Burger said she is excited to connect with students on campus and mentor them in a positive way.

“It’s just so energizing to be around that environment, and I’m really thrilled to interact with and hear what’s on the minds of the students.”

Some students also expressed their approval of Burger’s selection.

“Her experience as a woman is probably very valuable,” said Madison Clark, dance management junior. “I think she could offer a lot to the student body, to how student government is run, how academics play a part into our campus as far as moving forward with female careers, and I think she can bring some good insight to men as well.”

Administrators also said they’re excited about Burger’s new position and would like to get to know more about her.

“It’s an exciting time for Oklahoma City University with Martha Burger coming in as president,” said Joey Croslin, vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer.

“We’ve never had a female president, so it will be interesting to see how she leads the university.”

Tarter is the first woman to serve as SGA president since 2014.

Tarter said she thinks women are often seen as being less qualified, which is why she’s happy to see women in high leadership positions.

“I think it is amazing to see so many women stepping up and taking these positions, not just because they’re women, but because they’re right for the job,” she said.

Tarter said she's excited to see what Burger and Rodgers accomplish, and she said both women are qualified for their positions.

“When I look at the police chief and I look at the new president of the university, I see women that have worked hard to get past any stereotypes, any discrimination... women that have earned their places,” she said.

Tarter said her friends and, especially, her family inspire her.

“I have so many powerful men and women in my life,” she said. “It’s not just women who inspire me to be a woman of power. It’s the men around me as well that are diligent, fair and hardworking that respect me because I’ve earned their respect.”

Tarter said sometimes it can be difficult to be a woman in power.

“I have definitely been talked down to,” she said. “I have been talked over, but I feel like being president of SGA would be helpful because, sometimes, to have a larger voice, you need a bigger podium.”

Tarter said she’s excited to see conversations changing and leading to equal opportunities for all genders.

“I firmly believe, as more and more qualified women are earning positions of power, that we will begin to see great leaps and bounds for equality and understanding,” she said.

Alison Sloan, acting sophomore and public relations representative for Tarter’s campaign, said she became emotional when Tarter won.

“It’s just a really exciting time for Jordan and women in general right now,” Sloan said.

Sloan said she hopes people can normalize women in power so it’s not as shocking.

“It’s almost like women can do whatever men can,” she said.

Rodgers earned a Master of Arts in criminal justice administration from the university and served as adjunct professor in the criminal justice program.

She was sworn in Jan. 29 as the first female campus police chief.

Rodgers said she’s excited about the new female leaders on campus because they were the most qualified.

“We’ve all been selected for our particular background,” she said.

“I don’t think it had anything to do with being female, it just was a coincidence that it had never happened before.”

Rodgers said she looks forward to working with Burger and Tarter to continue moving the university forward.

Rodgers said her job comes with hurdles, especially for women.

“We’re not as easily accepted because of old stereotypes of women,” she said. “I want to do the job for the same exact reason that a man would want to do the job. The difficulty is that I felt like I’ve had to work harder for the places I’ve been able to get to and the jobs that I’ve had.”

Rodgers said the OCU community has been welcoming and inclusive, a difference she’s noticed from “mainstream America.”

“I’ve been on police calls as an officer away from campus in my old job, where I would step out of the car and the calling party would say ‘Oh, they sent a girl,’ and they wouldn’t want me there,” she said. “I would be so shocked because I’m thinking, ‘I’m a well-trained officer ready to take whatever on and risk my life for this person, and they don’t want me there.’”

Rodgers said she’s always had to prove herself every day and continues to do so.

“It’s not like you get to this point and you’re done proving yourself. Every day there’s another challenge and another decision and another obstacle. So it’s a continual process, not a one-time thing,” she said.

Rodgers said having female leaders is important, especially for younger women.

“I don’t see myself as a role model, but for a younger person, they may see that in me,” she said. “I would be honored for them to see that in me.”

By Miguel Rios, editor-in-chief emeritus, and Zoe Travers, editorin-chief, contributing: Emily Wollenberg, associate web editor

Students devise performance about sexual harassment, #MeToo Movement Zoe Travers

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Students are collaborating to create a showcase piece about sexual assault and conversations surrounding sex.

Zoe Settle, acting senior, is working on a play for her devising class that involves subjects from the #MeToo Movement. This will be a part of Workshop Wednesday today, and the final performance will be May 2.

Workshop Wednesday is a monthly performance of proj-

M MEDIAOCU.com

ects from a special topics theater devising class. Performances are every first Wednesday of the month.

Settle mentioned her idea to Greg DeCandia, professor of theater, and they began discussing the potential of this as a final project.

“Ever yone was excited because I think there’s something everyone can relate to in the #MeToo Movement,” Settle said. “It’s not just about sexual assault. It’s just about how our culture treats sex and how our society acts toward women.”

The project began with Settle and her team creating advertising campaigns, videos, articles, and tweets about different messages toward women and subjects related to sex and sexual harassment.

“We’re showing the reality of how sex actually is treated and approached outside of schools, so like showing this perfect abstinence-only reality versus what our reality really is, which is getting catcalled and being worried to walk alone at night or go to parties,” Settle said.

Settle said she’s excited for

the openness of the show, and she’s excited to start a dialogue about the #MeToo Movement.

“Sex, in general, is something that people have a hard time talking about,” she said.

Settle did a similar project last year. Settle and Franziska Harms, acting senior, co-directed a production called Really Really as part of a weekend of sexual assault awareness. The show was not permitted to be on campus because officials said the content of the piece wasn’t relevant to the season, so they had to perform the piece at a

student’s house.

Rachel Necessary, acting junior, is part of the devising performance. She said the plan is to perform a scene that takes place in a court. She also said she’s enjoyed working with Settle and seeing her passion for the subject.

“She has idea after idea with this,” Necessary said. “She’s been really collaborative with all of us."

Necessary said it’s important to have shows like this because many of the subjects within the #MeToo Movement happen

to college women. She said the show makes people feel empowered.

“I think some of those stories and experiences we can share, so that we can say to students that, even if you feel like you’re not being heard or even if you have an experience that you haven’t shared, that you’re definitely not going through this alone,” Necessary said.

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opinion Women in powerful roles possess ability to set a new standard Women are earning leadership positions in increasing numbers at OCU and should continue to do so.

Women have always had leadership positions at OCU in the past and have contributed to OCU in impactful ways.

Significantly, this year, women are becoming the first females in their positions. In January, Jennifer Rodgers was named the first female OCU police chief.

Martha Burger was named the first female OCU president last week. Both leaders were selected because of their experience, dedication and commitment to students.

Women traditionally don’t have the same opportunities as men in the workplace. Only 25 percent of executive and seniorlevel positions are occupied by women, and only 6 percent are CEOs according to Catalyst Research and Strategy Development. Studies show that women are paid 70 to 98 percent of what men are paid for doing the same job. Yet the National Center for Education Statistics

found that women earn almost 60 percent of all undergraduate, graduate and doctorate degrees.

We live in a diverse society, and our leaders should reflect that. Diversity of thought leads to better problem solving, creativity and critical thinking, according to an article in the Scientific American. Not only is gender discrimination harmful to women, it hinders the progression of society.

If more women were in leadership positions, more action would be taken to solve issues women face. By seeing women in these prominent roles, other women would be more inclined to apply for, run or succeed in positions of power. Girls need mentors to look to when they dream of being the first woman president or the CEO of their own company.

Organizations like Girls on the Run, Girl Scouts of America and GirlStart provide leadership opportunities and empower preteen girls to pursue their passions. When college students volunteer with these organiza-

Talk Back “What class are you most excited about next semester?”

tions, they create lasting relationships with girls. Having a strong female mentor to look to during these crucial years of development can motivate girls to take on leadership positions and continue the empowerment cycle.

Female students should look to strong mentors like Rodgers and Burger or find their own mentors who inspire them to run for public office, stand against injustice or be a leader in their community. Women should continue to take on leadership roles at OCU to create a more diverse and representative university environment. Students should work together to create an encouraging environment that promotes female leadership and collaboration.

“I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard... we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.”

-Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist

“I'm looking forward to my capstone class.”

“Aural Skills 3 and German diction”

Mary McLain film production junior

Annelise Harlan vocal performance freshman

“Aud tech”

“Probably writing for the screen with Professor Billy Palumbo”

Katy Yates acting junior

Grace Babb mass communications junior

“I'm looking forward to tap.”

“Documentary film, taught by Bryan Cardinale-Powell”

Emily Tryon acting junior

Jacob Keen film production junior

Postmodern novel blurs reality, defies concept of truth Imagine you’re in Las Vegas. Now imagine you’re driving. Now imagine you have an inordinate amount of ether, cocaine and LSD in your system, and then you’ll be somewhere close to this little book I decided to pick up off the shelf recently.

Most know Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas for its 1998 film with Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro, but the 1971 novel off which it was based is of much higher quality, if just as incoherent. The novel follows the book’s author, Hunter S. Thompson, under the fictional name “Raoul

Duke,” and his lawyer, Oscar Zeta Acosta, under the fictional name “Doctor Gonzo.”

This novel is considered fiction, nonfiction and even journalism in its 47 years of existence, as well as “gonzo journalism,” a genre the novel birthed. It’s defined as “journalism with no claim of objectivity.”

On top of being an oxymoron, this definition also blurs the line on what can even be considered true. It tells the story of Thompson’s own reporting in Vegas, but gives him a fictional persona. It relays true drug-addled events

Chandler White is an English junior from Meeker, Oklahoma. He likes gothic horror and good hip-hop.

in his life, but joins them together in a less-than-accurate way. It’s this tricky persona that has given readers headaches trying to categorize just what the hell Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is.

As a general premise, the two journalists are assigned to cover a motorcycle race in

Vegas, doing incredibly hard drugs all the while, and, fittingly enough, are eventually reassigned to cover a narcotics convention intended for police officers. Sounds tame, right?

But, then again, who is to say that they did cover this convention, or a motorcycle race, or that they were in Las Vegas at

all? It’s these kinds of questions that Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas delights in asking and leaving unanswered.

Thanks to drugs, the narrative goes between fact and fiction almost at random, going from a realistic drive down a desert road into a sudden attack of bats, causing them to drive off the road. Duke sits calmly in a hotel lobby waiting for his room key, but then Thompson decides all of the guests should turn into alligators and start attacking him. This proves a frustrating reading experience, but hidden inside is a kernel of postmod-

ern truth.

Most people would like to think of truth as a straightforward concept that can be captured with a pad, pen and vigilant eye. But are we not human? Inevitably, all we can really know for certain comes from our own perception, and, if you’ve inhaled enough mescaline and ingested enough acid, you’d probably be writing about alligators and bats too.

In this way, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is simultaneously the fakest possible news you’ll find and, somehow, the realest possible news as well.

Columnist addresses gender inequality within societal standards A hush agreement, an alias, $130,000, and the President of the United States.

Does this all sound familiar?

If you think it does, you’ve been keeping up with our president, the leader of the free world, and his alleged affair with a porn star.

In no way am I accusing President Trump of this affair, but at what point does it end? I suppose it doesn’t ever end. Women continue to raise their voices against men who use their power to take advantage. Some men, like Harvey Weinstein, are left in ruin, but our president remains untouchable.

What is this insensitive behavior all about? As a man, I look at myself and other men and question why things are like this. Women are objectified so often in

our society. Our president treats his own wife like an appliance and has alleged affairs with scores of women.

In addition, men are more likely to sexually assault or rape than women, according to RAINN.org Media is a contributing factor in the objectification of women. A vast majority of Disney movies–movies of any kind–result in a female looking to a male for help. There are exceptions, but few.

In the classroom, many aren’t taught about gender equality or consent. We’re taught about these things outside the academic world–from the worlds of Hollywood and the music industry. Sometimes we are just completely misinformed. The music industry and Hollywood have taught men and women that this is a

inequality, the horrible treatment of women in the workplace or assault and rape. So, let’s stop assaulting. Let’s stop objectifying. Let’s start seeing women for who they are and not what they look like. Let’s stop saying, “A woman is incapable of holding the office of the president,” and start saying, “Anyone born in the U.S. is capable of holding the office of the president.”

Change is formidable, but let’s stop fearing it. Men, we have work to do. Let’s not be mad or threatened when we hear that. Let’s acknowledge that women want to help change things for the better.

They want to be treated like humans, not a gender. They want to earn more positions of power. They want to be paid the same. They want to stop being objectified. They want

to stop being the majority of victims involving harassment, assault and rape.

No one gender, ethnicity or background, is directly responsible for the way things are. Things are not the way they should be. So, let’s do our part. Let’s stop letting our president get away with his abhorrent and disgraceful treatment of women. Let’s stop letting men of power do the same. Let’s listen.

Let’s learn.

I am especially proud this week to be an OCU Star.

Our president, police chief and president of SGA are all taking on positions previously held by men. This isn’t because OCU is attempting to hire more women to prove a point, but because OCU is giving the jobs to the people who deserve them.

Fine Arts Center

in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

TheatreOCU presents: Three Sisters at 8 p.m. in Burg Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

Spring Contest Powwow in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center

TheatreOCU presents: Three Sisters at 8 p.m. in Burg Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

SATURDAY TheatreOCU presents: Three Sisters at 2 p.m. in the Burg Theater

Symphony Orchestra concert at 8 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

Harrison Langford is an acting junior from Las Vegas who loves golden retrievers and the New York Giants.

man’s world.

We learn that it’s okay to be accused of assault and brag about it and still go on to become the leader of the free world. We learn that it’s okay to chase women around and not take no for an answer.

It is a commonplace belief in American society that men are superior to women, but men and women each have their strengths and weaknesses. So, why are women treated as if they are inferior?

They have fewer positions in government, despite the fact

that they are more likely to attend and graduate college.

St a t i s t i c a l l y s p e a k i n g , women are paid less than men.

They are forced to buy things to keep up with Hollywood’s ever-changing and impossible beauty standards and influenced to buy hygienic things that men aren’t. Women are the ones who child-bear and have to completely change their lifestyles, but men are still statistically paid more.

Society, we need to do b e t t e r. I d o n’t h a v e t h e magic answer to solve gender

Campus Calendar Calendar items must be received in the Newsroom or stupub@okcu.edu by noon Friday for inclusion in the following Wednesday issue.

TODAY Summer/Fall 2018 enrollment begins for undergrads with 60+ completed hours THURSDAY Summer/Fall 2018 enrollment begins for undergrads with 30+ completed hours

Baseball vs USAO at 6 p.m. at Jim Wade Stadium

continues for all students who have not registered

TheatreOCU presents: Three Sisters at 8 p.m. in Burg Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

Business & Industry Networking Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in Meinders School of Business

FRIDAY Summer/Fall 2018 enrollment

The Bassoon Platoon at 6 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick

The Campus has served the Oklahoma City University community since 1907. It is published Wednesday during the academic year, with the exception of holidays and exam periods.

THE CAMPUS April 4, 2018, Volume 111, Number 23

Editor-in-chief: Zoe Travers Editor-in-chief emeritus: Miguel Rios Associate Editor: Sage Tokach Copy Editor: Chandler White Photo Editor: Elina Moon Community Manager: Lauren Berlingeri

2

Associate Community Manager: Harrison Langford Web Editor: Nicole Waltman Associate Web Editor: Emily Wollenberg Staff Writers: Rodney Smith, Callie Dewees, Jessica Vanek, Mallory Scheidel

SUNDAY TheatreOCU presents: Three Sisters at 2 p.m. in Burg Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and let-

Photographers: Hannah Rogers, Carolann Stout, Tiffany Kashala Columnist: Caroline Hawthorne Videographer: Emily Haan Proofreader: Tyler Patton Ad Representative: Emily Jones Circulation Director: Kalen Castor Faculty Adviser: Kenna Griffin

ters to the editor. All letters must be signed and include the writer’s phone number, address, major, and classification. The staff reserves the right to edit all letters. The staff also reserves the right to refuse letters without explanation. Letters can be sent online at mediaocu.com, emailed to stupub@ okcu.edu or dropped off at the Newsroom in Walker Center for Arts and Sciences. Submitted items may appear on MediaOCU and in the print edition.

The first issue of The Campus is free. Each additional issue costs 25 cents. Contents copyright, 2018. All rights reserved.

April 4, 2018

“

news

Police organize self-defense class for students Emily Wollenberg

ASSOCIATE WEB EDITOR

Police are working to host free self-defense classes for the local and campus community.

The class will be at 7 p.m. May 1 in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center and will be open to students only.

Lt. Michael Kavenius said the department is planning a second separate self-defense class for faculty and staff in June.

“We wanted to get better participation for both the students and faculty and staff,” he said. “We want as many as possible to attend.”

Randy Gipson-Black, political science/religion junior and Student Government Association president, said the idea for the class stemmed from #OCUTOO, a March 28 sexual assault prevention workshop. The self-defense class will be an important addition to the workshop, he said.

Mindy Windholz, director of university counseling, also will host a suicide prevention training workshop for students. Windholz is certified to teach the training and has experience helping victims of sexual assault and violence. The date is not yet determined for the training, but it will be sometime in April, Gipson-Black said.

Gipson-Black said he brought up the idea of the self-defense class to university officials in January and contacted campus police for it.

Police Chief Jennifer Rodgers thought it was a great idea and said OCUPD would handle it, he said.

Kavenius said OCUPD officers don’t have the certification to teach self-defense, so the class will be taught by Oklahoma City Police Officer Chris Lambert, head of Talon Training Services, a self-defense instructional organization.

Their goal is “to provide safe, effective and up to date defensive skills for a contemporary environment,” according to their Facebook page “Talon Training Services, LLC.” “They’re just going to teach some basic self-defense methods that students can use,” Kavenius said.

Gipson-Black said the need for the class increased after two attempted student abductions March 7 outside Oklahoma United

It’s important to be able to defend yourself if you need to.

Arianna Muennich dance freshman

Methodist Hall and in Cokesbury Court Apartments’ parking lot.

“After that happened, we really wanted to push the time up,” he said.

Officials were unable to change the date, he said.

Gipson-Black said the class is important for students to attend so they feel comfortable defending themselves.

“We didn’t want to just tell students, ‘here’s what sexual misconduct is, here’s what bystander intervention is and here’s what OCU does in terms of investigating sexual misconduct.’ We also wanted to equip students with the knowledge to defend themselves in case that ever happens,” he said.

Arianna Muennich, dance freshman, said the self-defense class will help students feel safer on campus.

“It’s important to be able to defend yourself if you need to,” Muennich said.

The class will be free for students and won’t cost the university anything because OCUPD is financing the class. Gipson-Black encourages students to attend the class.

“It will be a really beneficial and educational thing that SGA hopefully will continue to do each semester,” he said.

Muennich said she is glad the class is free and accessible to students, and she plans to attend.

“Just knowing basic self-defense skills in any situation can help you,” she said.

Officials recommend students wear comfortable, athletic-type clothing and shoes to the class.

Students must RSVP by emailing studentaffairs@okcu.edu by April 15 to secure their spot in the class.

Maggie Bond, music/economics senior, is planning a separate event for students to take classes with Tim Fancher, self-defense expert and founder of American Street Edge Martial Arts School in Springfield, Missouri. Bond took a class with Fancher on March 12 and said it was beneficial.

“It’s one of the best levels of education you can get. He taught me three self-defense moves I can take with me for the rest of my life and be safe,” she said. “He not only teaches you how to identify an uncomfortable situation, but also solutions, like how to avoid those situations and get out of them.”

Bond said, after the class, she discussed with Fancher the idea of bringing a class to OCU. “He wanted to discuss with me starting a seminar through my university, so I put out some information on the OCU public Facebook page, and I had about 75 people interested,” she said.

Bond said she is working to set up a date and location for the class, and she is considering a Monday evening in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. Fancher’s course is normally priced at about $100 per class, but he is offering students a discount price of $10-$15, Bond said.

“This class is going to go really in-depth,” Bond said. “If you want to be safe for the rest of your life, this is the seminar to go to.”

Bond said she planned the event before she knew about the class with OCUPD and encourages students to attend both.

Debbie Craycraft, senior administrative assistant to the vice president for academic affairs, advocated for OCUPD’s class on the OCU Facebook page but said she supports Bond’s class as well.

“I think it’s great,” Craycraft said. “The more opportunities to learn self-defense, the better.”

For more information on Fancher’s class, students may contact Bond through Facebook.

Native American Society celebrates, crowns Miss Indian OCU Nicole Waltman

WEB EDITOR

The Native American Society and the School of Visual Arts are honoring Native American heritage.

Miss Indian OCU was crowned and the Spring powwow is scheduled for Saturday. A Native American art exhibition is also open on campus through May. Crowning new royalty A new Miss Indian OCU was crowned this semester.

Grace Mertz, exercise science freshman, was crowned 2018-19 Miss Indian OCU on March 8.

Mertz is from Northwest Arkansas, so she didn’t have many opportunities to be involved with her tribe, she said.

“Coming to a school in Oklahoma provided me with more options to be connected,” she said. “I joined the Native American Society in hopes of learning more about my heritage and Native American life.”

Mertz said she was encouraged to step into the role of Miss Indian OCU by her peers in NAS. “At first I was hesitant because I felt unprepared, not having grown up actively involved in a Native American community, but I realized this

was an opportunity for me to embrace my heritage and learn while representing my fellow native students,” she said.

Mertz will be honored at the spring powwow.

“In the native traditions, as opposed to someone receiving gifts when they are crowned, they give away,” said Russ Tallchief, director of student engagement, inclusion and multicultural programs. “We’ll give away to the different committee members and honor the position, acknowledge and then formalize the crowning and her moving into her role.”

Miss Indian OCU typically receives a sash, crown and tuition waiver for the year of her reign, Tallchief said.

Mertz said she considers her role as Miss Indian OCU the opportunity of a lifetime.

“During my reign, I hope to encourage more students to join the Native American Society so they too can learn more about the rich cultures of Native Americans,” she said.

Hosting the Spring Contest Powwow NAS will host the 12th annual Spring Contest Powwow.

The powwow will begin at noon Saturday in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center.

The schedule for the powwow is: -Doors open at noon,

Submitted Grace Mertz, exercise science freshman, was crowned 2018-19 Miss Indian OCU on March 8 at Wilson House. Mertz will be honored at the Spring powwow, which will be Saturday.

-2 p.m. gourd dancing, -5 p.m. supper, -6 p.m. gourd dancing, and -7 p.m. grand entry.

President Robert Henry will be honored for his service to OCU at the powwow at 4 p.m.

“OCU’s powwow is one of the best university powwows around,” Tallchief said. “For one thing, we’re a competition powwow. That’s a big deal–we can actually give prize money.”

The different dance contests include women’s buckskin, cloth and jingle/fancy shawl. The men’s contests are straight, fancy, tradi-

tional, and grass.

Prizes are: -Drum Contest, winner takes all $300, -Grand Entry, first place $200, -Grand Entry, second place $150, and -Grand Entry, third place $75.

Tallchief said it costs about $9,000 to host a powwow, and the Native American students worked all year to raise money for it by selling tacos and getting donations.

Kevin Chissoe, accounting junior and NAS president, said he is excited to see the product

of NAS’s preparation.

“All of NAS has been working hard to put this together, so I am excited to see all of our hard work pay off,” Chissoe said.

There are eight active members of NAS, Chissoe said.

“I am helping with a lot of the bigger picture details such as finding volunteers, inviting people to come, talking to our sponsors at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, and ironing out any problems we come across,” he said.

The event is free and open to all students and the community.

“We expect a good turnout this year, but we want as many people to come as possible,” Chissoe said. “Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us throughout the day.”

Vendors also will be present at the powwow.

“It’s a big event and they really need volunteers,” Tallchief said.

“They need help, and it works for community service.”

For questions or to volunteer for the event, students can email Tallchief at trtallchief@okcu.edu or message the NAS Facebook page “OCU NAS.” Showcasing native art The School of Visual Arts is hosting the Native American art exhibition for the second year in a row.

“It’s an exhibition that high-

lights Native American artmaking in Oklahoma City,” said Holly Moye, director of the School of Visual Arts. “It’s Oklahoma artists that are Native American or are working with Native American themes.”

The exhibition is entitled “Spring Equinox.” It opened March 26 and will close May 10 in Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery in Norick Art Center.

Tallchief explained the meaning of the title in a March 5 press release.

“The Vernal Equinox has been observed by Native cultures since ancient times when tribes relied on the position of the sun to inform the annual calendar,” he wrote. “The Vernal Equinox marks the awakening of the sleepy winter and birth of new life in the natural world.”

The exhibition features the work of six Oklahoma artists: Mel Cornshucker, Tom Farris, Wendy Ponca, Erin Shaw, Tony Tiger, and Margaret Roach Wheeler. It is free and open to the public.

“There is a wide range and mix of medias,” Moye said. “It’s a fun show.”

For more information, email Moye at hmmoye@okcu.edu.

Elina Moon Student Publications

He doesn’t even go here Jacob Elliott, music theater senior, takes a selfie with Daniel Franzese, who is famous for playing “Damian” in the 2004 movie Mean Girls. Franzese performed stand-up comedy March 28 on campus as part of his Yass You’re Amazing Tour, which runs until Nov. 30 across the U.S. Above: Daniel Franzese performs stand-up comedy on March 28 in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. After his performance, Franzese answered questions and gave students career advice.

April 4, 2018

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news SHINING STAR

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Music student teaches 11 hours a day to prepare for career Abby McBroom, music education senior, splits her student teaching between four schools.

Per degree requirements, education seniors spend their final semester teaching at their assigned schools around the area.

McBroom said she mostly observed and helped with sectional rehearsals at the beginning of the semester but gained more responsibilities as the year continued.

McBroom begins the week by teaching fourth and fifth graders at 7:15 a.m. Mondays at Will Rogers Elementary, 8201 NW 122nd St., in Oklahoma City, and Tuesdays at Ralph Downs Elementary, 7501 W. Hefner Road., in Oklahoma City.

Jeremy Scott, Putnam City North High School orchestra director, is McBroom’s main cooperating teacher. Every weekday, they travel to Hefner Middle School and begin classes at 8:30 a.m. McBroom conducts at least one piece for the seventh and eighth grade orchestras every day.

McBroom departs the middle school and drives to Putnam City North High School, 11800 N Rockwell Ave. at 11:15 a.m., eating lunch on the way. She is in charge of the philharmonic orchestra, the middle orchestra for grades 10-12 at the high school and helps conduct the freshman concert orchestra until about 1:30 p.m. The next hour is McBroom’s planning period, and then she teaches and assists the AP music theory course.

The hardest part of the day is switching between age groups so quickly, McBroom said.

“It’s completely different, teaching fourth graders and seniors,” she said. “It’s a completely different experience. On my way from school to school, I think about what to do with each age group.”

After the school day, McBroom works at El Sistema Oklahoma, a nonprofit organization that provides after-school music education for third through sixth grade students. She teaches

When you're having a rough day and struggling with what to say, the students are still supportive.

Abby McBroom music education senior

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Submitted

Abby McBroom, music education senior, student teaches at four schools. Her students range from fourth graders to seniors in high school. McBroom will return to OCU in the fall to get her master’s degree in bass performance. She eventually hopes to teach music classes at a middle or high school.

two bass classes, and her day ends at 6:15 p.m.

McBroom said she is grateful that her cooperating teacher works at multiple types of schools.

“Everywhere is so different,” she said. “At the beginning of my career, this would be a really hard job to take. I understand the importance of being active in the feeder middle school program as a high school teacher, but my ideal job would be a middle or high school teacher, not both.”

Caroline Harrist, music education senior, said McBroom is a great teacher because she cares about her students.

“They connect with her fun personality and love being in her class,” Harrist said. “Her lessons are always engaging, and sometimes she says things like ‘listen to how this pits into your fart,’ instead of ‘fits into your part.’”

McBroom said her summer plans are not solidified, but she probably will teach at a summer enrichment camp in Dallas.

She will return to OCU in the fall to get her masters degree in bass performance.

“When I’m an established teacher, I’d like to play in a parttime symphony in the evenings,” she said.

McBroom said her schedule is exhausting, but she loves being at the front of the room and watching concepts click in the students’ heads.

“When you’re having a rough day and struggling with what to say, the students are still supportive,” she said. “They struggle with things too and most of the time don’t even notice. One day, I was getting my stuff up on the podium for concert orchestra when a student came up and said, ‘Aw, you have lesson plans, you’re like a little teacher.’”

By Associate Editor Sage Tokach

Student affairs to host annual Star Summit leadership workshop Callie Dewees

STAFF WRITER

Student affairs officials are hosting a yearly student leadership workshop.

Star Summit will be from 2-5 p.m. Friday in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. The summit occurs every spring.

Star Summit is a half-day leadership institute facilitated in a workshop-style format, said Levi Harrel, associate director of student development.

“The overall goal of the event is to educate engaged students on how they can be leaders on our campus today and be civically engaged leaders tomorrow,” Harrel said.

The program is designed to offer student leaders a chance to reflect on the year, identify their needs and plan for the future. This year’s theme is “being a reflective leader.”

“We are always looking for new and interesting methods to help

I hope that students learn a bit about who they are as people, as leaders and as followers.

Levi Harrel associate director of student development

educate students along their respective leadership journeys,” Harrel said. “Remarkable leaders are reflective and then responsive. That is what this year’s Star Summit will be focusing on.”

Every student organization, including clubs and Greek organizations, is asked to send two members to participate.

“I’m going to Star Summit to represent Kappa Phi as their cur-

rent president,” said Onnika Hanson, acting junior. “I hope to learn things from other organizations, seeing as ours is currently pretty small, but we’re hoping to grow and have a larger impact on campus, so I hope to learn from organizations that currently have that impact.”

Student affairs officials emailed the link to register for the event.

Interested students can register until the day of the event. For more information, email Harrel at ljharrel@okcu.edu.

“I hope that students learn a bit about who they are as people, as leaders and as followers,” Harrel said. “Being a reflective leader means that each must pause and take note of our successes and failures, and the successes and failures of those around us. I want students to walk away with a greater ability of how to do just that.”

Musicology curriculum changes, new classes offered to students Elina Moon

PHOTO EDITOR

Music faculty are offering new musicology courses to students next semester.

Dr. Christa Bentley and Dr. Jake Johnson, assistant professors of musicology, revised the musicology curriculum and will offer seminars in Fall 2018.

“It was a unique situation because we both came in as new hires this year. Typically, you’re working with someone who’s been here a lot longer, and there might be more red tape. But, with two fresh sets of eyes on the curriculum and ideas, we were able to make these changes,” Bentley said.

Musicology requirements used to be a history course, two western music courses and a 20th Century course, but the new curriculum focuses on developing different skills.

“The first course is about research, and it’s done through world music. The second is about writing, and it’s done through western music, and the third pairs those skills together through a particular topic and culminate in a major paper,” Bentley said. “One of these classes will be a seminar.”

The two musicology seminars for the fall semester are American Music during the Depression and World War II, and Sound and Religion.

Bentley will teach American Music during the Depression and World War II. The class will focus on the connections between political and social issues in the 1930s and ’40s and the music composed at the time.

“I paired the ’30s and ’40s together because there are actually really interesting connections between what was going on in World War II and the historical period that preceded it,” Bentley said. “It was a moment when a lot of people were asking questions about what it means to be an American.”

A variety of genres will be covered including: concert repertoire, folk music, jazz, and music written for the stage and screen.

“One of the things in this seminar that I’m really excited about is that it allows us to take an issue and traverse a bunch of genres and styles of music,” Bentley said. “We get this nice little journey that we can go on asking these questions and understanding how genres and points of view are interacting musically.”

Johnson will teach Sound and Religion. He said the purpose of the class is to look at sounds heard in relation to religion, which isn’t exclusive to music. He said the class will involve the progression of sound and religious experiences.

Johnson said students will look at the Bible, the Quran and the Book of Mormon mostly because the former two were originally dictated.

“I think it’s really asking two questions,” he said. “One is what kinds of sounds do we make that are religious and the other is what kinds of religious experiences or religious organizations are possible or organized around the sounds that we make.”

Johnson is working on two books about musical theater and religion and said he’s excited to teach a class related to his research.

The seminars will change every semester, though popular courses may be repeated, Bentley said. The topics planned for Spring 2019 are Gender and Music, and Hip Hop in Musical Theater, which Johnson also will teach.

“We’ll use Hamilton to discuss what happens when you have two genres that are very different from each other collide,” Johnson said.

Johnson said part of the class will involve discussing different racial conversations involving the two genres. He said students they are interested in the different seminars.

“The hope is that students will have a greater interest and see the relevance in music history in their everyday lives,” he said.

Topics haven’t been chosen for Fall 2019, but some of the ideas are migration and music, lieder and the American symphony.

Bentley said the departure from a history-based curriculum is partly because there is too much information to cover.

“You run into the problem that we’re almost 20 years into the 21st century and more and more gets added,” Bentley said. “There aren’t enough hours to cover everything, so you have to make cuts somewhere.”

The seminars are upper division courses for music majors, but if other students show interest, they could be added to the class once students require to take it are registered, Bentley said.

Sara McKean, music education junior, said she is taking Bentley’s course next semester.

“I’m really excited that the music school is changing their curriculum and actively trying to keep up with our current social climate and realizing that their students have different interests and trying to appeal to that as much as possible,” McKean said.

Contributing: Zoe Travers, editor-in-chief

School of Music prepares for final mainstage musical of semester Erik Hamilton

CONTRIBUTOR

Students and faculty are working to produce On the Town, the Wanda L. Bass School of Music’s final mainstage of the year.

On the Town, with music by Leonard Bernstein, will perform at 8 p.m. April 20-21 and 3 p.m. April 22 in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.

The cast and crew started rehearsing the show during the first week of March.

April 4, 2018

“It feels like everyone who’s been given a task has executed the task to its fullest potential,” said Joe Caskey, music theater/ vocal performance freshman.

“We talked about it as a distraction. People want to go to the theater and see something wickedly remarkable and get them away from the negative.”

On the Town is about three sailors who all fall in love with women while on 24-hour shore leave.

“It’s really just about people being able to enjoy the short amount of time they have

together and make the most of it,” said Sydney Epstein, acting sophomore. “Sometimes theater is about taking us away from problems and giving us just two hours to three hours of bliss.”

Tickets range from $14-$28.

There will be a director’s talk with Professor Karen Miller about 45 minutes before each show in Petree Recital Hall.

There also will be a $25 meal at 6:15 p.m. April 20 in the Bass Atrium.

Elina Moon Student Publications

No crying in baseball Andrew Tompkins, acting freshman; Christopher Heron and Cole Cloutier, music theater juniors, and Nick Atkins and Jason Gonzalez Larsen, music theater freshmen, perform in The Baseball Play on March 30 at the Oklahoma Contemporary, 3000 General Pershing Blvd. The play with music was student-written, -composed and -produced through Out of the Box’s Playwright in Residence program.

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