February 29, 2012

Spot that pizza

MSU champs

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Both men and women’s basketball take win against Eastern New Mexico.

College hangout offers new pizza crust to attract more customers.

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Thornberr y prods students to balance budget Trimming financial flab stumps participants BRITTNEY COTTINGHAM MANAGING EDITOR

Last Wednesday, MSU students had some very important decisions to make.

They were charged with the task of balancing the federal budget.

Their choices: eliminate the dollar bill, increase the gas tax by 25 cents or repeal the 2010 health care reform legislation.

U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, along with the Concord Coalition, led 38 students through an interactive exercise designed to fix the nation’s monetray problems.

The Concord Coalition, a national, grassroots organization, conducts more than 60 exercises a year with both democratic and republican politicians.

After being broken up into special

committees, students were able to craft their own version of the federal budget.

The goal was to reduce the projected 10-year federal deficit.

“The exercise asked if we wanted to take away money from the safety of Amtrak,” senior history major Sierra Trenhaile said. “I never thought that Amtrak was a federal issue. I assumed it just involved the state. Our committee decided to take money away from Amtrak.”

Each point was discussed and decided by majority rule. The committees also had to consider economics, public policy and politics.

Senior nursing major Zach Davis was chosen as chairperson for his committee and said he had no idea how multifaceted the budgeting process was.

“I think it’s great that the congressman wants to hear students’ opinions,” Davis said. “It shows that he is interested in

what students want and so are his constituencies.”

Students learned that when it comes to making the tough decisions they have to look at all the options.

“This is very critical because some people lose and some people gain,” sophomore finance major Elisa Pierre said.

The congressman received a summary of each committee’s decisions to take to Washington when the real budget is on the house floor next month.

Thornberry said student opinion is important to him, especially on the issue of Rep. Thornberry (center) surrounded by MSU students.

Photo by KASSIE BRUTON the federal spending.

“The debt that we add now is going and they are just unsustainable because to have to be paid for by students who That is wrong.” they go up and up,” Smith said. “Those Phil Smith, southern regional director are going to work for years to come,” he of the Concord Coalition, said the defiare the ones that the government really said. “If you think about it, students are cits that concern him most are those that needs to get a hold of. The government going to have to work more and more will be implemented in the near future. and pay more and more taxes to pay for “Those deficits are going to be larger the bills that my generation is raking up.

THORNBERRY pg. 3

Board re-ups Rogers’ contract three years CHRIS COLLINS EDITOR IN CHIEF

Fossils stored at Bolin.

Photo by HANNAH HOFMANN

A BONE TO PICK Board votes to relocate fossil collection to UT ERIN WRINKLE FOR THE WICHITAN

Baby armadillos float motionless in jars of greenish fluid.

Nearby lie the broken bones of almost every imaginable animal.

In another room, eyeless bats lay interred in a pull-out drawer.

No, this isn’t Frankenstein’s laboratory. It’s the fossil collection tucked away on the second floor of Bolin.

Most students, however, don’t know about this chamber of horrors maintained by the biology department since the 1950s.

And it’s not just any fossil collections either – it’s one of the largest collections in Texas. It’s also one of the largest in the country.

This prehistoric collection will be leaving MSU by way of the University of Texas this summer. Along with the collection, MSU will be giving up decades of student data from the collection.

“It may seem strange to you to be giving a valuable fossil collection to the University of Texas, but I assure you it is the right thing to do,” said President

Dr. Jesse Rogers at a Board of Regents meeting this semester.

Walter Dalquest, a former MSU biology professor, started the collection.

He served at MSU for more than 50 years and wrote several hundred publications in his field. Dalquest died in 2000.

Dalquest’s former graduate student, Dr. Frederick Stangl, worked alongside him. Stangl also added to the litany of fossils.

Stangl continued his research with Dalquest when he became a professor of biology at MSU in 1984.

“We did a lot of stuff together. He was a really neat guy,” Stangl said.

Stangl oversees the collection now.

For years he has been maintaining, protecting and acquiring new fossils.

But there’s a problem: Stangl will retire this year, leaving no one in charge of maintaining the collection.

This, Rogers said, is one of the main factors in moving the fossils to UT. Stangl said his biggest concern about leaving MSU is making sure the collections are properly taken care of so they can last a long time.

Field zoology students have added to the collection as well.

The students in the class found the

artifacts and documented their works.

Stangl said these documents will be given to UT along with the fossil collection.

“The collection belongs to the state, so they were never just for Midwestern, they were for research,” Stangl said.

Even though the fossils won’t be on campus, Midwestern will continue to receive credit for its findings.

Stangl and other researchers will be allowed to view the collection for future research findings.

This is not the first time MSU has lost the collection to other universities.

In 2007, Texas Tech received some of the collection and has the opportunity to receive more.

With the fossils, researchers use the collection to look at DNA and determine traits about various species.

The fossils have also been the source of several publications, some written by former students.

Stangl said he will miss doing what he loves at MSU and will continue to enjoy his love for animals by doing research in the mammal collection still located at MSU. A teaching collection will remain on campus for biology classes.

The Board of Regents has voted to extend the contract of President Dr. Jesse Rogers another three years.

The contract, which will come up for renewal again in 2015, was extended by the Board in a closed session at its February meeting.

Too many important things are happening at the university for him to leave, Rogers said in an interview with The Wichitan. Among them are a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) visit, dean searches, a new Texas Legislative session and a new five-year master plan for the university.

“This is just not a good time to be on a presidential search,” he said.

SACS is scheduled to visit the university this year. During the visit, representatives from the accrediting body critique the way MSU is run.

This will be the fifth time Rogers has seen them come to MSU. The president said the team who initiates the visit works “through the president.”

“I need to see that process through to help everyone,” said Rogers.

And there’s another problem: the new

Texas Legislative season starts in January, Rogers said. University presidents are required by law to speak before several legislative bodies, including house appropriations and the legislative budget board.

“I’ve had extensive experience of doing that and knowing how to prepare testimony,” he said.

Testifying in January is crucial to the success of the university, he said.

“You definitely want them to know what the university needs, what we’ve been doing well, that kind of thing.”

Currently, the university is searching for two deans and possibly a new provost. Rogers’ leaving now would just create one more problem, he said.

Also, Rogers and other administrators have been in the process of creating a five-year master plan for the university.

They pitched it to the MSU Board of Regents in mid-February.

Rogers said he’s now invested in the plan he helped to guide.

“We really need to do several of those projects. I’ve made commitments to

CONTRACT pg. 3

New leaders head Annual Fund, Charitable Trust SARAH LONG FOR THE WICHITAN

Wichita Falls resturanteur Steve Shipp and attorney Erwin Davenport have been appointed by the Board of Regents to run the Annual Fund and Charitable Trust, respectively.

In recent years MSU has taken quite a beating when it comes to the budget.

The university has received less funding from the state every year, forcing administration to find money elsewhere.

A client at Davenport’s law firm created the MSU Charitable Trust in 1989.

After the death of trustee Frank Gibson, the Charitable Trust Board recommended Davenport to serve in his place.

Gibson was one of the original trustees in addressing issues regarding the drafting and creating of gifts and endowments to the trust.

“We are fortunate in Wichita Falls to have a community that realizes the positive impact of MSU,” Davenport said.

“Gifts from donors are invested and administered in accordance with the terms of the trust or the particular endowment agreement to benefit in those areas that are most needed and that carry out the intentions of a particular donor.”

Davenport said without organizations such as the MSU Charitable Trust, students, faculty and the entire community would be adversley affected.

With 35 years of experience as a trusts and estates lawyer, Davenport said he is confident that his working knowledge will be beneficial to the ongoing activities of the MSU Charitable Trust.

Davenport attended MSU 44 years ago and said he couldn’t imagine how his life would be if he didn’t attend the university.

“Contributing to MSU is an investment in the lives of students who de-

FUND pg. 3

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February 29, 2012

Experts shouldn’t stereotype There are just too many students who don’t fit into the “it” crowd.

Labeling every introverted stuChardon High School was dealt dent is simply implausible and not a a tragedy Monday when a teenager solution to the dangerous shooting opened fire on students with a semitrend. automatic handgun.

T.J. Lane, the student identified Three students died and two other as the shooter, was described as a students were wounded. “good kid” by the family lawyer.

As per usual in a situation like “He’s been doubling up on his this, experts are speaking up to help classes with the intent of graduatfigure out why the teenager open ing this May,” said Lane’s lawyer. fired on innocent students.

“He pretty much sticks to himself It can be easy to label potential but does have some friends and has shooters as the loners, outcasts or never been in trouble over anything weird ones. that we know about.”

But who is so much of an expert Lane was not a student at Charthat he or she can pick out the dandon High School. He was attending gerous loners from the people who Lake Academy, an alternative school just enjoy solitude? for at-risk youth.

School administrators cannot He wasn’t suspected to be dangersimply put a watch on students who ous, yet he opened fire on a cafeteseem strange or appear to be outria full of high school students. casts.

It seems nothing differentiated our view

Lane from any of the other students at the school, yet Lane was the one who killed three (so far) and wounded two others.

Should all the at-risk kids be put under surveillance because of Lane’s actions?

It is simply impossible to pick out the traits of a killer from a crowd of kids.

Each person has something different that makes him or her tick.

Currently there is no known motive for the shooting, which proves even further that school shootings are hard to stop unless there are obvious signs of violence or cries for help.

Experts may have good ideas when it comes to looking out for the safety and prosperity of the greater population, but not every good idea is an idea that works.

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Editor in Chief: Chris Collins Managing Editor: Brittney Cottingham A&E Editor: Anastasia Reed Op-Ed Editor: Kaja Salsman Sports Editor: Damian Atamenwan Web/ Photo Editor: Hannah Hofmann PRINT Advertising manager: Rachel Bingham ONLINE ADVERTISING MANAGER: Brandi Stroud Copy CHIEF: Kristina Davidson COPY EDITOR: Mollie Collins adviser: Randy Pruitt INSIDE LAYOUT: Cora Kuykendall contributors: Orlando Flores Jr., Josh Hayter, Tolu Agunbiade, Andre Gonzalez, Stefan Attanassov DELIVERY: Brian Meurer INTERN: Kassie Bruton

Copyright © 2012. The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication.

Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University.

The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief (350 words or less) and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a telephone number and address. The editor retains the right to edit letters.

Taking a second to ‘share’ could save someone’s life

KAJA SALSMAN OP-ED EDITOR

Facebook has over 845 million monthly users.

Eight hundred and forty-five MILLION people!

When a juicy rumor sneaks its way onto Facebook, it spreads like wildfire.

Everyone knows about it: your friends, your family, your friends’ friends, your coworkers and your grandmother who doesn’t even HAVE a Facebook!

So why is it that something like a rumor can spread so quickly, yet when it comes to doing good, people have a hard time sharing?

I’ll have to cite what brought this column about: Early Friday night I posted a Facebook status. It received many “likes” and many comments. It wasn’t inflammatory, but it wasn’t important either.

I also posted a few different comments in a few different Facebook groups I’m in. They all got feedback.

On Sunday afternoon (after posting on my own Facebook as well as Facebook groups I’m active in) I posted a link to a bone marrow donor center

website (www.getswabbed.org) No one commented. No one shared.

No one “liked”. No feedback whatsoever.

I have 1,483 Facebook friends and posted the link on five different pages.

One of the pages administrators even deleted the link.

Why? I don’t know. It wasn’t inflammatory and it wasn’t offensive. It was an effort to raise awareness and possibly find more donors.

When there is a charity event, a fundraiser or a blood drive, people go at a snail’s pace to repost the event or the news. And sometimes they just overlook it entirely.

Obviously doing good in the world is not juicy enough news these days.

And I’m not talking about those dumb “share this and orphan Cynthia will receive $0.10 per every repost” statuses.

I’m referring to the actual events that people need to see. The events that don’t get a multi-million dollar advertising campaign to get people’s attention.

News flash: television commercials and billboards cost tons of money. Money is something most non-profits and foundations are severely lacking.

It’s not as though pressing “share” on something positive to help the community or help save a life will ruin some bitchy girl’s reputation or run her Facebook friends straight to the “unfriend” button.

Or could it be that people don’t “share” because they think if they don’t physically participate they won’t make a difference?

The fact is, the more people who

share something on Facebook (like an event for charity or a blood/plasma drive), the more people the event reaches. Awareness is key.

If one person asks 10 people to share something, then each of those people can ask 10 more people to share.

All of a sudden, that one person that you asked to share turned into 100 people. It doesn’t take much.

People seem to be under the impression that their 30 seconds of time is more importantly spent lurking on their 7th grade crush’s Facebook page rather than possibly saving a life.

This leads me to my next question.

Has society lowered the value of life so significantly that people are unable, or cannot be bothered with, to take 30 seconds out of their day to spread the word on a good cause?

Is the value of a human life so low that people really don’t care what happens to another person?

I know there are a lot of people on this planet, but each person is important to someone else.

People in the hospital suffering from leukemia have friends and family, loved ones and dreams. They have a life, just like you and me.

How would it make you feel if your brother or sister was in the hospital on their third round of chemotherapy?

Wouldn’t you want people to care?

Wouldn’t you want someone to spread the word about saving your sibling’s life? You would argue that it would take them 30 seconds to share it on Facebook.

But in that case your loved one benefits from it, right?

Imagine how those families feel right now. People are overlooking good causes and cries for help in exchange for the latest news on Snooki or Lindsay Lohan.

Each person who knows about a way to help is one person closer to helping find a solution, to helping find a genetic match to someone who is dying and counting on an absolute stranger.

Here in Wichita Falls there are plenty of events listed on Facebook.

The 4th Annual Fashion Show for CASA is taking place on March 8th.

Currently there are 30 guests claiming they are attending.

For the event “The Day After 12-212012” there are currently 1,554,264 guests attending.

Obviously it takes a person a second to click a “yes” button. Where are our priorities?

Going out for a night of fun and spending all your money on shots and beers doesn’t qualify you as “broke” when someone asks you to come to a benefit concert. It qualifies you as selfish and self-gratifying.

I know there is good in each person, no matter what race, religion or background they possess.

But why are we so caught up in ourselves? Self-preservation is big these days. What ever happened to being selfless?

There are plenty of people who go out of their way to help others.

Every time there is a natural disaster tons of people go out to help their neighbors in need.

That’s when there’s a disaster. If there isn’t huge national media coverage,

people seem to shy away from helping.

Yes, MSU holds plenty of events that benefit charities and those in need.

Many times even the students that organize the events are getting something out of them. They have a charity event on their resume that and they fulfill their duty if they are in an organization.

I know it’s not all for their own personal gain. There are those who do it because of the good in their heart as well.

I’m not one to judge who is who, but I’m just making the observation about the issue as a whole.

It seems that what has become more important in college these days is making the grade, creating the resume and having impressive lines to put on said resume.

But what about the other people? The people who can’t even begin to worry about a resume? The children laying in hospital beds wondering if they’ll even make it to second grade aren’t worried about looking good on their future resumes.

Maybe it takes some sort of personal trauma to spark the drive for a better world in some people. Unfortunately, that’s not really possible. You can’t traumatize every person in order to get them to fight for the cause.

It’s time for youth and young adults to become aware of other people.

The world doesn’t revolve around you and gossip. Take a second to help someone out. You could save someone’s life. That is much more gratifying than spreading that nasty rumor about your ex-best friend from high school...

JOHNNY BLEVINS

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CONGRESS from pg. 1

Rep. Thornberry speaking at MSU. Photo by KASSIE BRUTON had the time to fix these problems when the economy was good and blew it.

Smith, who has worked for Concord Coalition for 17 years, said issues such as the budget disproportionately affect young people, but they are underrepresented.

“Young people are constitutionally prohibited from running for offices so even constitutionally young people are discriminated against,” Smith said. “So young people are underrepresented in Congress and they are overrepresented in terms of having to pay for these problems over the long haul.”

Thornberry said the increasing debt and deficit limit students’ opportunities.

“In order to turn this around we’re going to have to enlist (student) aid,” he said. “A lot of the programs like Social Security and Medicaid are going to have to change and they are going to change

for younger people. It is important for them to understand why they have to change and this is what I hope they learned from the exercise.”

Thornberry said students are more informed about political issues such as federal budgets and the national debt than they have been in the past.

“The Internet brings so much information right to us, but still it is a little different to know it than to have to go through these exercises and make the big decisions,” he said.

Thornberry said this exercise was helpful for him to hear students’ conversations and decisions. “(This exercise) helps me do a better job representing them and everyone else in our area,” he said. “I hope it is good for the students as they learn where their money goes and the kind of decisions needed to get our fiscal house in

order.”

Thornberry said to really balance the budget students will have to deal with harder programs that affect real people.

During the Clinton administration, the fiscal year 2000 had a federal budget surplus, making it the largest in U.S. history The federal budget was balanced and the federal deficit was erased.

Since then, Thornberry said there are two critical reasons why the budget has shifted dramatically.

“The economy slowed down, so less money in taxes went into the government,” he said. “Secondly, we had 9/11 and we had to spend a lot more money on defense. The problem is we didn’t cut other things. So we increased spending on defense and didn’t cut anything else and the taxes went down.”

Thornberry said the deficit started to decrease until 2008 when America had an economic slowdown.

“Then we had the stimulus spending and other things that just opened it up to historic proportions,” he said.

The exercise doesn’t really deal with what’s happening with the current economy, which Thornberry said is slowly growing.

“When the economy grows, more people are working and more people are paying their taxes,” he said. “That also means more money coming into the federal government and it shrinks the deficit. That is a very good thing, but now we have way too many people unemployed.”

A big challenge for representatives in Washington, he said, is to provide some certainty so businesses can make decisions, grow and get the economy moving again.

“The number one thing I was impressed by is how serious students take this and the high level for discussions,” he said. “They just aren’t making casual decisions. They are making the values involved and the consequences of these decisions. To me, that is incredibly encouraging because it does show that young people are taking this seriously and that is very important to me.”

your campus/ your news

CONTRACT from pg. 1

Dr. Jesse Rogers has served as MSU president since 2001.

He recently had his contract extended for three years.

Photo by HANNNAH HOFMANN

donors that I’d be here long enough to see that at least they got started. They were irreversible. I want to make good on those commitments.”

But administrators may not have gotten the response from the Board they expected when the plan was laid before them – though members approved the “concept” of the plan, they quibbled over most parts of it.

“The Board knows we need to do these things. And I need to keep reminding everyone, faculty, students and Board, we’re doing this for the growth of the university.”

That’s precisely why he needs to stay another five years.

Rogers was vice president of academic affairs in 1977 when he applied for the position of president. Though he was one of three finalists for the position, Dr. Henry Moon won the job.

“I was at a point in my career where I would have held any position to help the university.”

Rogers served as interim president in 1980. He went back to serving in the vice president capacity after Dr. Louis Rodriguez was hired in 1981.

In 2001, Rogers finally got his chance to serve as president of MSU. He said some of his biggest achievements during his tenure as president are completing the Dillard College of Business Administration and gaining COPLAC accreditation.

“We have built and we own one of the finest buildings on campus,” Rogers said about the Dillard building.

He’s also proud that the college of business is accredited by AACSBI. “If you’re not accredited you can give degrees, but for business colleges that is the special accrediting body.”

COPLAC accreditation is also a big deal, he said.

“I’m very proud of us joining COPLAC. I love the idea of a public liberal arts college because of what it stands for. It identifies what we are.”

He said another of the university’s biggest achievements is starting a mechanical engineering program.

“That was done almost exclusively with private money. We couldn’t have pulled our resources out of operating funds.”

He said people’s views of engineering have changed dramatically in the past few decades.

“Engineers here get a broad, liberal education as well as good engineering training. We have educated people as well as technical people who are now in a position to do social good.”

MSU has raised admissions standards twice in Rogers’ tenure.

“It takes a lot of courage to do that as a university.”

FUND from pg. 1 serve the same opportunity that I received,” Davenport said. “I would encourage our alumni to give.”

After a national search, Shipp, local SalaDeli owner, was hired at a $60,000 salary as annual fund director.

“The annual fund is a clearing house for MSU,” Shipp said. “Gifts are sent to many areas at MSU, based on the donors’ desires.”

To date, the Annual Fund has collected $172,701. From October 2011 to January 2012 the Annual Fund took in

$139,911 in contributions.

“The Annual Fund is a young entity just coming up on 10 years old,” Shipp said. “While there have been fluctuations from year to year the overall experience has been very positive.”

Shipp said consistent annual giving allows MSU to have some flexibility in making plans and choices critical to its future.

“Donor dollars also allow the university to respond to immediate challenges and opportunities,” he said.

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MSU to add new academic program Interdisciplinary engineering is slated to become a program at university BRITTNEY COTTINGHAM MANAGING EDITOR

Engineering chair Dr. Sheldon Wang wants his graduates to be the jack-of-alltrades when it comes to the engineering industry.

To assist students in their career goals post-grad, the McCoy School of Engineering is expanding its program by adding a new undergraduate interdisciplinary engineering program.

The new program will include courses from the current mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering programs as well as energy system design.

The manufacturing engineering program will be phased out by September.

“Mechanical engineering gives people a very good well rounded education, however, the interdisciplinary engineering program will focus on sustainable engineering resources like wind mills and solar energy,” Wang said.

The new interdisciplinary program will have additional math requirements.

“In the current mechanical engineer-

ing program, we do not require statistic quality control class, but in the new program that will be added,” Wang said.

Wang said the interdisciplinary engineering program would provide each graduate with a foundation of knowledge and training upon which to build a successful career.

Wang said the engineering industry is become more multidisciplinary so that requires students to have a training of more than one discipline.

“The remaining manufacturing industry is getting more high-tech,” Wang said. “The traditional, cheaper, low-tech and not so environmentally friendly ones have moved to China. We are getting greener and more efficient so our education model should reflect that.”

Some industries prefer to hire graduates with a manufacturing engineering degree rather than a manufacturing engineering technology degree, Wang said.

Currently five full-time faculty members are staffed in the department.

“Combining the strengths of the current faculty members and sync the interdisciplinary engineering program, we will focus on sustainable energy resources, manufacturing,” Wang said. “It is a good thing to do and we can utilize this interdisciplinary program as a platform.”

Wang said by next spring they would add two additional faculty members for

The McCoy School of Engineering has proposed a new undergraduate interdisciplinary program to start in September.

Photo by HANNAH HOFMANN

not only the interdisciplinary program, but for a future masters program.

If this new program is successful, Wang said this could lead to the department branching out into other portions of the engineering industry such as civil or civil environmental engineering.

Only a few universities in the country

International Badge Day

offer an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary engineering program.

The closest mechanical engineering program is at the University of Texas at Arlington.

“This is an unique program that we can offer to students in the surrounding areas, not only to the Metroplex,” Wang

Collins Tuohy

Paper is old school?

National Panhellenic Council npc.com

Fellowship, leadership and a lifelong commitment to community service are the daily themes in the lives of sorority women — from our college members to alumnae.

On Monday, March 5, these women — who number in the millions — will celebrate International Badge Day during National Women’s History Month. On that day, all of us will honor our separate and distinct Greek-letter affiliations by wearing our badges or letters.

It’s a day set aside to acknowledge successful women around the globe, whether they are U.S. senators or university freshmen working for humanitarian aid in far-away continents.

The National Panhellenic Conference, one of the largest and oldest women’s organizations in the world, is not alone in celebrating and acknowledging all that women do. Other groups, such as the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations and the National Multicultural Greek Council, celebrate in their own diverse ways to recognize women.

Each group is distinct in its fraternal bonds, and each will celebrate in different ways. But all will be celebrating the diverse interests

CAMPUS BRIEFS THURSDAY March 1 Join UPB in the food court from 9:30 to 10 p.m. for a night of board and card games! Free food and drinks are provided!

FRIDAY March 2 Come celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with UPB for BINGO Night! Its in the CSC food court from 9 to 10:30 p.m.

SUNDAY March 4 Before hearing Christopher Gardner speak, see his story in the film “The Pursuit of Happyness”. The movie will be shown at 3 p.m. in Shawnee.

THURSDAY March 1 Join the Moffett Library for a workshop focused on

said. “We want to expand to other regions of Texas and maybe if (the new program) is successful in the near future we want our engineering program to be nationally known and attach people to Wichita Falls and Midwestern.”

of women.

On March 5, campuses and chapters across the globe join to celebrate achievements in science, community, government, media, literature, art, sports, medicine — and those female leaders who have had an impact on the development of self-respect and new opportunities for girls and young women everywhere.

Each year there are still “firsts” for women; some are recognized, some are not. Let’s pause to take a moment and reflect on all that we do in our deeds and words and recognize the milestones achieved.

Imagine what may happen during the next year as we continue to work together to break down barriers. Women rarely travel their paths alone. And we won’t on this special day either.

On March 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the student center, head to the badge day booth to write what Greek Life booth to write down what your Greek chapter means to you.

Also, sign in at the Greek life office if you are wearing your badge. the chapter with the most signatures wins a prize.

being successful at research projects. The program will be in Moffett Library from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Moffett 212 A. FRIDAY March 2 The Education Career Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The career fair is open to all MSU students and alumni who are interested in pursuing a career in education.

SATURDAY March 3 MSU Radiology Club is holding a benefit concert at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Iron Horse Pub. Admission is $6 and proceeds will help members attend a conference in Houston.

MONDAY March 5 KDChi is hosting a Koozie Sale! Profits support the KDChi Foundation.

Well, we got videos too. www.thewichitan.com

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Liquor.Beer.Wine Bar & Club Supplies

Happy Hour 10% Off 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Liters of Liquor & ALL Wines Collins Tuohy. a part of the real-life family portrayed in the movie “The Blind-Side” spoke to the packed Akin Auditorium last Wednesday Night. Tuohy talked about her family and what living with the now pro-football player was really like, but her main emphasis was on helping others, and that if people are always so happy around Christmas time because they are giving, why don’t people give year-round.

Photo by HANNAH HOFMANN

TUESDAY March 6 Artist Lecture Series presents Christopher GardnerThe Pursuit of Happyness at 7 p.m. in Akin Auditorium. The event is free to MSU students with their student ID. MONDAY March 5 If you are a member of a fraternity or sorority wear your badge with pride on International Badge Day! From 2 to 4 p.m. in the Student Center, head to the Greek Life booth to write down what your Greek chapter means to you.

TUESDAY March 6 The Imagine Graduation Fair will be from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, March 6-7 in Comanche Suites.

POLICE BLOTTER TUESDAY Feb. 21 An MSU Officer questioned a subject concerning a vehicle he was driving. The subject was arrested for failure to identify upon providing the Officer with a false name and date of birth.

TUESDAY Feb. 21 An MSU student reported that he was assaulted in the game room at Clark Student Center by a known suspect.

SUNDAY Feb. 26 An MSU Officer stopped a vehicle for running several stop signs. Upon investigation, it was determined the vehicle contained four minors who had consumed alcoholic beverages.

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February 29, 2012

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Engineering students racing their self-made robotic cars. (left) Dr. Salim Azzouz counting down the start of a race. Photos by HANNAH HOFMANN

i Zoom zoom! i

National Engineers Week activities includes robotic car race RACHEL BINGHAM PRINT AD MANAGER

Most MSU students have heard of the McCoy School of Engineering, but many do not know what exactly goes on in that small place tucked behind the Dillard building.

Last week marked the annual National Engineers Week that takes place every year during the third full week of February.

MSU’s American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) chapter observes this week by performing various compe-

NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

(Tagesschau): The French law violating freedom of expression was not passed after being deemed unconstitutional. The law would’ve denied Armenian genocide.

(Fox News): A train wreck killed 49 people when a packed train wrecked at the end of the line in Buenos Aires. There are people still trapped alive and there may have been fatalities. We don’t know if there are dead people” in the wreckage. Argentinian officials say this is the worst train accident in decades.

(CNN): The 85-year-old Senegal president says he will face a run-off in the current presidential election. Wade’s popularity has plummeted since his first term in 2000.

(CNN): Gas prices might be heading toward the $5-a-gallon mark in the U.S., but UK journalist James Foxall says in some European countries, gas is approaching $12 (MSNBC): A British photographer escaped from Syria Tuesday after being trapped for days in the besieged central city of Homs.

(MSNBC): Gunmen opened fire on an all Shiite passenger bus in Pakistan in an apparent sectarian attack on Tuesday, killing 18 people. Police say the attack looks like it was targeted by armed men from the local Sunni community.

(BBC): More than 7,500 people have died in Syria since security forces launched a crackdown on dissent last March, a senior United Nations official says.

titions and holding events.

“Previously it’s been more simple stuff, like an egg drop, but we’ve tried to make it more advanced,” ASME-MSU Chapter President Zach Skelton said.

This year, they held events including an engineering banquet, a bridge bust and a robotic car race.

According to freshmen mechanical engineering majors Elisabeth Hare and Carlee Craig, S.H. Rider High School and Jacksboro High School were given tours of the engineering labs last Wednesday.

During their visit, they were given engineering demonstrations and high school students participated in a paper airplane contest.

“We do things for National Engineers Week and Homecoming,” Hare said.

“This is the only time that we have back-

to-back days of activities and competitions. Other times, we have meetings and tours of places.”

One of the big activities that occurred over the week was the robotic car race.

In this event, competitors had one hour to come up with a design and complete construction of the robot.

“Each team was given a kit, and we had to come up with the design,” Craig said. “It’s just like Legos with a motor.”

When the hour was up, the teams competed two at a time to find the fastest car.

After all eight teams competed or were disqualified for not being ready, Sophomore mechanical engineering major Jose Pedraza was found to have the fastest robotic car.

When asked if he took the entire hour

to build it, Pedraza said, “I spent thirty minutes figuring out the design. Then I took the rest of the time building it.”

Runner-ups were teammates Alex Petree and Thomas Reardon, Junior mechanical engineering majors.

On Friday, ASME competed in a bridge bust competition.

“We make bridges out of Popsicle sticks and use a machine that measures the force it takes to bust the bridge,” Hare said. “Whoever’s takes the most force wins.”

The National Society of Professional Engineers began National Engineers Week in 1951 in association to George Washington’s birthday.

George Washington is considered the nation’s first engineer.

MSU seeks entrepreneurs CHRIS COLLINS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MSU students can win $1,000 just for having a good idea.

Well, that’s not exactly correct. But a student who has a good business plan can pocket the money with Idea MSU. Idea MSU, a business venture contest run by Dr. Jeff Stanbaugh of the Lalani Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise, is now in its third year.

Stanbaugh will host two information sessions about the competition this week. One was held Tuesday and one will be held Wednesday afternoon.

“This is about creating a business. So ultimately what judges judge an idea on, ‘Is this a viable business solution?’”

Though sometimes it’s touted as a “business plan” contest, Stanbaugh sees it as more of a planning contest “It’s just four pages. No financial pro-

jections. We’re really not asking people to write a business plan. We’re asking for something that would be a viable business opportunity.”

Idea MSU was modeled after Idea WF, a similar contest for Wichita Falls.

“We just branded off that idea,” he said.

Last year the prize was $500. This year the prize money has doubled.

“That ($500) just didn’t seem to cut through the clutter to get the students’ attention. This is cash that goes to them.

It’s cash money.”

The prize money, Stanbaugh said, is “generously donated by Wells Fargo.”

He approached bank representatives about doubling the prize money before this year’s contest began. Their answer: yes.

“We hope that that $1,000 is going to catch people’s attention.”

A team from Dillard won the prize the 2010. Students in the McCoy building won in 2011.

About six people entered the inaugural competition two years ago. About 10 people entered the most recent contest.

Stanbaugh expects more than 10 people to participate in 2012.

“It grows every year.”

Entries are judged by three criteria: innovativeness, business opportunity and feasibility.

Stanbaugh said the best thing about the contest is that students get to be creative and also figure out how to profit from their own ideas.

“You’re not promoting someone else’s idea. You’re promoting your own idea.”

For more information, visit this link: http://business.mwsu.edu/entrepreneurship/ideaMSU.asp

Got Ads? Students, Faculty & Staff can post free classifieds online at thewichitan.com/classifieds *must use your mwsu.edu e-mail

SOUND OFF

Q: A:

What are your spring break plans?

“I am going to Philadelphia for a wedding.”

Chris Green Graphic Design freshman

“I’m going home to see my family and to get ready for a wedding.”

Jose Sanchez Undecided Sophomore

“I’m going home to see my boyfriend and my family

Kim Pruente Nursing Junior

“I’m going to Rio de Janiero with my mom.”

Lorraine Foix Undecided Sophomore We’ll be in the student center every Tuesday this semester finding answers to the issues you care about.

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Photos by KASSIE BRUTON

The Spot adds new flavor to its menu Popular local pizzeria introduces changes to reputable menu.

RICHARD CARTER AND KATIE LEE FOR THE WICHITAN

Red walls adorned with local artists work and wooden tables with mismatched chairs set an ambiance only one place in town could offer at Wichita Falls’ finest pizzeria, The Spot.

Since opening in December of 2008, The Spot has been a popular late night place for original hand-tossed pizza and fried dessert treats.

Located right across from Sikes Senter mall on Midwestern Parkway, Jason Benford’s little pizza shop offers up a small local business feel mixed with an almost surreal hipster vibe only found in Brooklyn, New York.

Recently, owner operator Jason Benford has made changes, which is bringing in more traffic at night and during the day—a time when the restaurant had been closed up until this month.

One change has brought a new chef to facility. Chef Deniz Kader, who until recently had operated a catering company in the Big Apple, has joined The Spot as a chef for late mornings and afternoons.

She worked in London in the fashion industry before moving to New York and

developing a catering company called Izmir Delights.

Kader met her significant other through a mutual friend and relocated to Wichita Falls.

With a second chef on staff, Benford has increased the daily hours of the restaurant to now be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. through 4 a.m.

“I am transitioning The Spot from what it was, to your regular all-day-long and-availablef-or-dinner--pizzeria,” Benford said.

After Benford had a meeting with Chef Kader, he added New York Style Thin Crust to the eatery’s menu.

Peace, Love & Lipgloss

The recipe comes from a well-known New York City pizzeria, Pizza Suprema, acclaimed most recently in the Wall Street Journal and on Fox News.

The new crust is perfectly baked and made from a savory combination of herbs and spices.

With the new recipe and the extended hours, he said, “I’m seeing better traffic flow already.”

Benford also reduced the cost of large cheese pizza to $10 plus the cost of toppings.

The pizza is amazing!

People who have been to The Spot know the quality of their cheese and numerous toppings.

The cheese was amazingly melty (is

that even a word?) and the crust was crunch until the last bite.

This pizza is definitely worth seconds and worth the extra “whole pie only” price.

If you appreciate a good thin crust or hand tossed pizza, this eatery is highly recommended.

Not only is the pizza great, he staff is also very friendly and helpful.

The free jukebox in the back plays everything from The Black Keys to Johnny.

People can’t help but feel relaxed in the puffy booth bench while you wait.

It offers the same for students as it is within walking distance from campus.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Bronzed beauty

Spring Break is just around the corner, and everyone is preparing for beach trips, job interviews, and relaxing with friends. Whatever you plan on doing this upcoming week, every girl needs a bit of a sun-kissed look – and it’s much healthier for your skin to achieve this look the fake way.

With all of the self-tanners out there, many girls don’t even attempt one of them. There are so many that leave streaks or stain your skin orange, so what’s the point? That’s where girls like me come in – the kind of girl that likes to experiment with different brands and products, and can lead you in the right direction.

SELF-TANNER Clarins Delicious Self-Tanning Cream ($42 at sephora.com) is one of the best out there. It goes on evenly, while also hydrating your skin – resulting in dewy, rich, tan skin! It smells great too, so you don’t feel self-conscious about smelling like you bathed in self-tanner. You must wait at least five minutes before dressing after application, and I recommend not wearing light colors, unless it’s had a few hours to settle. The only problem: the price.

So if you’re not comfortable with spending that much, L’Oreal Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Salon Airbrush SelfTanning Mist ($8.97 at Walmart) creates a deep tan in minutes. There is no wait time, because it dries on immediately. Bonus: the product is guaranteed not to streak. Just make sure that you

BRONZE MAKEUP

RACHEL BINGHAM PRINT AD MANAGER

hold the can an adequate distance away so that the little tanning molecules can work their way onto your skin evenly.

The only problem: the bottom of your feet will turn orange if you’re standing on tile. I recommend standing on an old towel.

BRONZER Now that you have created that perfect tan without damaging your skin with harmful sunrays, add a glow to your face with bronze makeup.

Too Faced Leopard Love Complexion Perfection Kit ($30 at sephora. com) will give you everything you need to brighten and bronze those cheeks.

Sweep Peach Leopard underneath your cheekbones, along the outer ridge of your nose, below your lower lip, and under your chin. This will accentuate the angles of your face in seconds. Swirl on Candy Leopard to the apples of your cheeks to give yourself some color.

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Tie your eyes into the bronzed look with Silk Naturals Eyeshadow – Bareback, Saddle Up and Colt ($4 each at silknaturals.com). These shades are imitations of Urban Decay Naked Palette - Naked, Side Car and Darkhorse.

Line your eyes with Ulta Automatic Eyeliner – Black/Brown ($7 at Ulta).

Finish off your eyes with a few sweeps of Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Mascara Waterproof – Black Drama ($5.94 at Target).

Complete you bronzed look with Laura Mercier Stickgloss Lip Colour – Courtisane ($20 at sephora.com). This glossy lipstick will add shine and color to your lips without feeling too matted and caked on.

If you prefer to buy your products all from one brand or in kits, Nars has two great kits that will have you bronzed and glowing! Nars Sea of Love Set ($49 at Sephora.com) focuses on giving you that peachy-pink radiance with a touch of bronze. Nars Wicked Attraction Set ($49 at Sephora.com) includes a pearly pink eye shadow, blush/bronzer duo, eye shadow primer and golden “Spring Break” lipgloss.

Voilà! You look gorgeous, sun-kissed and ready for whatever Spring Break has to hold!

What beauty topics would you like to read about?

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Name: Monya Brown Major: Art with an emphasis painting Why did you decide to study art? “My dad was an artist. He’s a house painter and he paints his own art on the side.”

What do you want to do as a career with art? “Use my skills and knowledge of art to better someone else who doesn’t have those skills.”

Check out Mony’s art at www.thewichitan.com

E-mail ideas: wichitan@mwsu.edu

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Wednesday February 29, 2012

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MSU breaks even at ‘Fling’ invitational MSU MUSTANGS FOR THE WICHITAN

Courtney Bingham matched a career high with four hits as Midwestern State ripped Texas-Permian Basin 9-4 in the Best Western Premier Spring Fling Friday night at North Lakes Park.

MSU jumped out to an early 3-0 lead scoring runs off of a Kim Jerrick sacrifice fly, a Kelly Schaefer double and a Courtney Ford single in the first inning.

The Mustangs added another run in the second when Nicki Duff came plateward on an RBI-single by Bingham before the Falcons rallied with three runs in the third.

Freshman starter Lindsi Glenn settled in to improve to 8-4 on the season while allowing four runs - three earned - on eight hits with three strikeouts and a walk to notch her ninth complete game of the campaign.

The Mustangs salted the game away with an unearned run in the fourth before Lisa Licata and Elena Bennett drov e in runs in the fifth inning to push the lead to 7-3.

Senior third baseman Mallory Mooney drove in two more insurance runs with a double to the left-field gap in the seventh.

Bennett added her fourth three-hit game of the season as the Mustangs legged out 17 hits for the second season. The junior from Carrollton scored two runs, drove in another and stole her 14th base of the season. Jerrick and Duff had two hits each as MSU upped its team batting average to .368.

Bailie Summers took the loss for UTPB to fall to 0-1 on the season allowing seven runs on 14 hits in four innings, while Anna Hollingsworth led the Falcons’ order by going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. The collapse spoiled a great showing by freshman starter Brenna Hennan, who allowed one run on a run-scoring single

by UCM’s Madora West in the third inning. Hennan permitted just five hits in 5 2/3 innings with a strikeout and a walk, but did not factor in the decision.

Outfielder Megan Chartier, who was at bat three times, made a hit and a run against Texas Permian-Basin. File photo DAMIAN ATAMENWAN The Mustangs rallied for a tally in the bottom of the third when Bennett drew a leadoff walk, stole second then tied the game at 1-1 on Mooney’s RBI-single up the middle. Bennett would reach in each of her four plate appearances finishing 3-for-3 with two stolen bases.

MSU took advantage of a Central Missouri miscue in the fifth inning when

Schaeffer reached on an error by the shortstop to lead the bases with two outs for Duff. The senior from Plano tucked a triple down the right-field line to clear the bases and give the Mustangs a 4-1 lead.

Central Missouri chased Hennan in the sixth inning as the Jennies put two on with two out before MSU freshman

Glenn came on and allowed a single to left field by UCM’s Nicole Norberg, but Duff pegged the runner out at home to allow the Mustangs to escape the frame without damage.

The Jennies appeared to be going silently in the seventh as Brittany Martin reach on a single through the left side before Glenn induced consecutive fly outs to the outfield.

But an error extended the inning as the next five Jennies reach based as West, Katie Groves and Jakki Prater drove in runs before Norberg delivered the big blow with a two-run double to right field to give Central Missouri a 6-4 advantage.

The Mustangs would get one back in the bottom of the inning as Jerrick and Christina Roosmalen drew walks and Ford lined an RBI single to right field, but was caught in a run down to end the game.

Glenn took the loss to fall to 8-5 on the season allowing five unearned runs on five hits while walking to in 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Megan Schallom allowed five runs two earned - on seven hits with seven strikeouts and five walks to claim the win for Central Missouri, which improved to 6-2 on the season.

Bingham continued her torrid pace by going 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Mustangs to a 5-2 win over St. Edward’s (Texas) at the Best Western Premier Spring Fling Saturday at North Lakes Park.

Freshman southpaw Glenn came on in relief to allow three hits over seven innings to improve to 9-5 on the season.

The Mustangs struggled in the field with a pair of errors allowing the first five Hilltoppers to reach base in the first inning as starter Hennan failed to retire any of the four hitters she faced.

MSU escaped allowing just two runs after Glenn came on to retire three straight after the first hitter she faced reached on an error. She would send down 15 straight hitters between the

DAMIAN’S HERALD

DAMIAN ATAMENWAN SPORTS EDITOR

It was indeed a dramatic weekend of English football in the Barclays Premier League where Manchester United edged an intriguing victory over Norwich City and Arsenal made a comeback to flog fellow Londoners Tottenham Hotspur.

The Spurs looked as though they had won the North London derby after taking a two goal advantage courtesy of Louis Saha and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Tottenham took advantage of its neighbor’s poor defense as Saha broke through in the fourth minute to tuck in a deflected opening goal. The Gunners had just recovered from the early goal when Mike Dean pointed to the spot after an illegal tackle on Gareth Bale in the 34th minute. Adebayor’s welltaken penalty kick doubled the Spurs’ lead and gave them a bit of security.

Arsenal, on the other hand, was challenging Tottenham’s sentinel but didn’t find it quite easy. Gunners’ skipper Robin van Persie fired a couple shots in attempt to put his team back on track but his efforts were either saved by Brad Friedel or sailed agonizingly wide.

Then right after one of Van Persie’s numerous misses, Sagna headed in a beautiful goal to give Arsenal some hope. Less than three minutes later, the Emirates Stadium watched van Persie complete the comeback with a phenomenal left-footed curler from 20 yards. With that the players headed into the dressing room to ponder the

second and seventh innings.

The Mustangs pulled within a run on Bingham’s RBI single up the middle in the fourth inning then surged to a 3-2 lead after Duff and Ford served up runscoring singles in the fifth.

Mooney tacked on an RBI double in the sixth and sophomore catcher Jerrick added a sacrifice fly to push the Mustangs’ advantage to 5-2.

A disastrous fifth inning spelled doom for Midwestern State in the finale of the 2012 Best Western Premier Spring Fling Sunday afternoon at North Lakes Park.

Pittsburg State plated eight unearned runs in the frame to come away with a 14-10 win as the Mustangs finished tournament play with two wins in five games to fall to 10-7 on the season.

The fateful inning thwarted a great comeback effort by the Mustangs, who overcame an early four-run deficit to claim a 6-4 lead with two runs in the fourth inning.

Glenn retired the first four batters of the game before the Gorillas used the long ball to get untracked in the second inning as Kreslee Ketchem drilled a solo shot and Riley Campbell launched a three-run blow to stake PSU to a 4-0 lead.

Bingham put the Mustangs ahead in the fourth inning with her fifth consecutive hit to drive in Carey Campbell with a single through the right side. Bingham would push the lead to 6-4 scoring when Mooney reached on a fielder’s choice.

Ten consecutive Pittsburg Sate hitters would reach base highlighted by McKenzie Rynard’s three-run homer and Amanda DeCastro’s two-run single as the Gorillas pushed the lead to 12-6.

The Mustangs answered with a run in the sixth before PSU tacked on two more in the bottom of the sixth.

Schaeffer stroked a three-run homer in the seventh to close out scoring.

Bingham, Jerrick and Schaefer had three hits each to pace MSU’s 13-hit attack.

theatrical 45 minutes of football they had just witnessed.

It’s a mystery what Arsène Wenger lectured his side at half time but it sure worked wonders in Arsenal’s offense and granted the spectators pure entertainment. Tomas Rosicky worked his way to the 18-yard box before slotting in a fantastic 51st minute goal to give the Gunners the lead for the first time.

The Czechoslovakian couldn’t have picked a better date to score his first goal in two years.

But Arsenal wanted more and Theo Walcott was the candidate for the next goals. Harry Redknapp and his side were utterly speechless after Walcott’s display of tactical finishing.

Van Persie was strong enough to shake off the Spurs’ defenders right before he rolled a fine pass for Walcott to finish. Walcott was yet again a beneficiary of a quality pass, sponsored by Alex Song. The Englishman rounded up Arsenal’s scoring with delight as the game ended 5-2.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils left Carrow Road ablaze after defeating the Canaries of Norwich City 2-1. Even though Norwich currently has the best away record, Manchester United did not hesitate to cage the Canaries in front of their home fans.

Just seven minutes into the game, Luis Nani picked out Paul Scholes with textbook cross and the latter headed the ball in with ease. It was Scholes’ second goal since his return to Old Trafford.

As stubborn as the Canaries were, they began to trouble United’s defense, but David De Gea was certainly an excellent shot stopper. However, the hosts were able equalize in the 84th minute with a top-drawer shot from Grant Holt.

The Canaries were a whisker away from flying high with a Premier League point when legendary Ryan Giggs scored a remarkable injury-time. What a way to celebrate his 900th game for Manchester United!

So there we have it; two top-notch teams turned an ordinary Sunday afternoon into a day to remember. Tune in Saturday as Manchester United crushes the remains of Tottenham.

8 Wednesday

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February 29, 2012

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MSU defeats Eastern New Mexico to claim its sixth conference title.

DAMIAN ATAMENWAN SPORTS EDITOR

David Terrell slam dunks to compliment his seven points against Eastern New Mexico. Photo by KASSIE BRUTON

The D.L. Ligon Coliseum harbored the delighted sensation of achievement and prolific effort Saturday night after the Midwestern State basketball team claimed its sixth Lone Star Conference championship with a 79-64 victory over the speedy Greyhounds of Eastern New Mexico.

But before the Mustangs accomplish the aforementioned triumph, they had to experience a rite of passage which involved a 60-56 loss to West Texas A&M University Wednesday night.

West Texas A&M University took advantage of the Mustangs’ poor start by getting on the scoreboard earlier and going up to ten points ahead in the first half.

However, the Mustangs were able to get double figures from senior guard Michael Loyd and senior forward David Terrell. Loyd played incredibly and was rewarded with 18 points alongside three rebounds while Terrell forced in 13 points and made four rebounds.

Lionel Foster’s encouragement for the Buffs was in the form of 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. Following Foster was Kennon Washington with 13 points, seven rebounds and an assist.

The Mustangs also saw an outstanding eight-point contribution from Keonte’ Logan, who took the liberty of enhancing his scoring against West Texas with double three pointers. JaMichael Rivers was able to slot in eight points as well as four rebounds in attempt to secure a positive score line for MSU. MSU then regrouped and improved its attacking thrust hence defeating Eastern New Mexico to claim the LSC title as well as the no. 1 seed in the league.

Loyd was the architect of the Mustangs’ stampede over the Greyhound and got credit for 16 points while Rivers contributed 15 points his side’s overall tally.

Thomas Colbert celebrates after MSU thrashed the Greyhounds.

Photo by KASSIE BRUTON

Anthony Harris followed the top scorers by sending home nine points, leaving Terrell to round up the Mustang’s exclusive scoring with seven points.

Rivers, who stated poorly, saw his eventual barrage of points as a routine.

“I started out at a slow pace then I was able to make correct shots,” he said.

“I was just doing what it took to make my team win.”

For the Greyhounds, Greg McFarland made a total of 13 points coupled with seven rebounds while Dylan Houlihan and Reggie Nelson registered ten points apiece. However, their hard work was undone by the Mustangs after the break.

The Mustangs’ tenacity in the second half earned them a domineering scoring system, leading them up to a 19-point advantage. Senior guard Melvin Clark’s appearance at the end of the second period rewarded the hosts with five quick points before Chris Buttermore went for a slam dunk to conclude MSU’s scoring.

According to Rivers, the Mustangs are playing exceptionally well but still have a goal to achieve.

“We’re doing good so far but we still haven’t accomplished what we wanted to,” he said. “We want to win the State Championship so we’re taking it one day at a time.”

Darrick Thomas and Thomas Colbert emerged with six points apiece while DeJuan Plummer mustered in five points to make the victory quite evident. Thomas and Terrell led the contest defensively with eight rebounds each.

Loyd perceived Saturday night’s victory as a huge achievement and expressed confidence in the Mustangs’ future.

“That’s what we want to do, win championships,” he said. “That’s just a start, we have a couple more to win.”

After a season worth taking about, MSU will have to concentrate on the LSC Postseason Tournament at the Allen Event Center.

“We had a great start to the season and a nice end as well,” added Loyd. “If we continue with that kind of play, we would be in great shape.”

The Mustangs will face Texas A&M University Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m.

Lady Mustangs earn trip to conference tournament DAMIAN ATAMENWAN SPORTS EDITOR

After slightly losing to the Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M, the Midwestern State women’s basketball team punished Eastern New Mexico with a 64-55 score line Saturday night at the D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

The Lady Mustangs’ encounter with West Texas ended 71-69 to the utmost dismay of the visitors. With just a few seconds more, MSU might have leveled things up if not won. Savannah Carver’s fondness of scoring was apparent in this competition as she made 18 points to lead the Lady Mustangs’ offense.

“I don’t really think about scoring,” Carver humbly said. “I feel scoring is just my drive to the team.”

Andrea Carter also stood up for MSU as she struck with 12 points while Kirsti Degelia lofted 11 points past the Lady Buffs.

“It was a good team we played against but I felt we’re better,” commented Degelia. “We didn’t come out and play as we should have so they took advantage of that.”

Ashley Leven’s 25 points spoke a lot for the hosts who struggled to stay in the lead. Leven was backed up by Devin Griffin, who slid in 13 points and Joni Unruh, who made 12 points.

The Lady Mustangs then went ahead to slowly take their anger from Wednesday’s night on Eastern New Mexico.

“We had a slow start,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Noel Johnson. “Things weren’t falling in line for us.”

The Zias maintained a comfortable lead for the majority of the game but the hosts were resolute on coming out victorious.

“I laid it into them at halftime and they responded,” said Johnson. “I’m proud of the seniors, their leadership and

how they brought this team out of that deficit.”

Carver defined precision by scoring another 18 points to pilot Midwestern State over the Zias. Degelia’s consistency was also in place as the sophomore guard finished with 13 points coupled with seven rebounds.

“We came up tight and with savvy due to emotions accompanied with senior night,” said Degelia. “We did what we needed to do and we got the win.”

Meanwhile, Precious Herring paced Eastern New Mexico with 17 points while Kiara Tate displayed an outstanding performance of 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Jazman Patterson and Karissa Lang rounded up the Lady Mustangs’ colorful scoring with nine and seven points respectively.

“This team is amazing and I’m really happy to be a part of it,” said Carver. “I haven’t experienced something like this since I’ve been here.”

Johnson saw the win as a crucial one for the team and especially for the seniors, who experienced their last home victory.

“Going into the conference tournament with a win is a good momentum for us,” she said. “It gives us a lot of confidence.”

After a difficult start, the Lady Mustang came out with a superb 64-55 finish.

“The bottom line is that we found a way to win,” said Johnson. “ That is also what we have to do in the tournament.”

MSU will commence the Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament against Incarnate Word Thursday.

“It is really exciting going into the conference tournament,” said Degelia.

“We’re ready to go there and prove that Midwestern deserves to be there.”

Tipoff against the Cardinals is set for 12 p.m. at the Allen Event Center.

Ashley Rush goes for a layup in the Lady Mustangs’ victory over Eastern New Mexico Saturday night.

Photo by HANNAH HOFMANN