Dec. 7, 2016

Dec. 7, 2016 | Midwestern State University | thewichitan.com | Your Campus. Your News. | Vol. 81 No. 14

GOAL: $50 MILLION

COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN BEGINS EMILY SIMMONS REPORTER

A

$50 million fundraising campaign has been set into motion and promises improvements across campus based on the needs and wishes of staff, students, and the community.

“This campaign is about building resources to help MSU become even greater,” Anthony Vidmar, vice president of university advancement and public affairs, said.

Vidmar is leading the planning and implementation of this comprehensive campaign. A comprehensive campaign supports programs of all types, and focuses on the priorities of an institution. Vidmar said he wants to increase the amount of resources for students so they can invest in an education that will benefit them after graduation.

“The campaign is about helping to make sure that the future value of an MSU diploma is even more worthwhile than the current value,” Vidmar said.

The campaign will depend on alumni, current students, staff, and donors to fulfill Vidmar’s three goals that will lead to the success of the campaign. Vidmar said the campaign’s focus will be on increasing awareness of MSU, increasing engagement in MSU, and increasing the giving to MSU. “I want to connect to our donors to MSU in a way that’s most meaningful to them,” Vidmar said.

This campaign raises money by increasing awareness and involvement with the school and Vidmar said he hopes this will increase the numbers of donors.

Vidmar said he is encouraging involvement from young alumni to spread awareness of the school and its programs.

In addition, the campaign will tie into the school’s longterm strategic plan, putting donations into endowments, which allow money from donors to be invested, and earnings

to be spent over time.

A campaign like this has not been launched before at MSU, largely because a few wealthy donors, in addition to state funding, have supplied the school’s needs.

“The school built a local-based philanthropy that served them very well, but now the college and its needs are growing,” Vidmar said.

Vidmar said it is time to find donors who want to further reward the students and their growing programs.

Raising the $50 million takes place over the next seven years beginning in spring of 2017.

“Comprehensive campaigns typically go from six to 10 years. It’s not something you want to rush,” Vidmar said.

Results of the campaign will be seen throughout the seven years, and improvements will be implemented as money is made available.

“It’s a process, not an event,” Vidmar said.

Vidmar said they hope to have most of the money raised by 2022, MSU’s centennial year.

“What are the next 100 years at MSU going to be like? We’re setting the stage,” Vidmar said.

After six informational sessions in mid November, the campaign is in its quiet phase of planning and development, and Vidmar said they want to raise about 70 percent toward their goal before the public phase of the campaign begins. During the public phase, the community will be more involved.

“Right now we want to solicit input and get people interested,” Vidmar said.

Vidmar conducted public forums for students, staff, and the community to gather data toward determining the priorities of the campaign.

“We’re trying to match the needs of the staff and students,

see CAMPAIGN pg. 4

State Representative James Frank will deliver the commencement address at 10 a.m. Dec. 17 at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Approximately 490 students are candidates to earn their degrees this fall.

THE LAST 10 DAYS DEC. 7 7 p.m. | Yoga at Moffett Library DEC. 8 9 a.m. | Finals Tent 5 p.m. | Coloring & Button Making at Moffett Library 5:30 p.m. | Women’s basketball vs. Angelo State 6 p.m. | Fantasy of Lights Musical Performance 6:30 p.m. | Spanish Conversation 7 p.m. | Concert: Jazz Band and Midwestern Singers 7 p.m. | Finals Frenzy 7:30 p.m. | Men’s basketball vs. Angelo State DEC. 9 Last day of classes 6 p.m. | Opening reception: Senior art exhibition DEC. 12 5 p.m. | Therapy Dogs at Moffett Library DEC. 13 5 p.m | Charlie Chaplin’s City Light at Moffett Library 6 p.m. | Fantasy of Lights Musical Performance DEC. 14 5 p.m. | Therapy Dogs at Moffett Library DEC. 16 3 p.m. | Mass Communication Senior Documentaries DEC. 17 10 a.m. | Commencement

WHAT DO THE STUDENTS WANT?

• Georgia Magee: biology freshman | “We need newer lab equipment in Bolin, and newer animals to dissect.”

• Holden Hall: computer science sophomore | “Bolin needs remodeling, and we could use more scholarships.”

• Daniel Espinoza: music education sophomore | “We need a new performance hall because Akin isn’t big enough anymore to accommodate our bigger groups.”

• Gabrielle Stokes: nursing sophomore | “An interactive hospital for simulations would be really useful.”

• Camille Khan: radiology sophomore | “A new band hall would be great, and McCullough-Trigg needs repairs.”

• Ciera Phillips: psychology junior | “We definitely need more parking spots.”

• Whitney Atkinson: english sophomore | “We could use better food services, more classroom space, and more safety measures.”

2 | Dec. 7, 2016 |

S TA F F E DI T OR I A L

Stadium should not be priority OUR VIEW: The $50 million comprehensive campaign money should go toward other priorities before a multipurpose stadium.

Last week, administration presented a $50 million comprehensive campaign for the next 100 years at MSU. They asked for student, faculty and staff opinions, ranging from scholarships and increased salaries to a multipurpose stadium and budget realignment. While we feel that a stadium is important for the campus, building a stadium could take a majority of that $50 million, and we have bigger fish to fry.

Tarleton State University’s stadium renovations cost $24.2 million, and its capital improvement plan was set at a pricey $162.7 million. While a multipurpose stadium would be incredible for the athletic department and could increase both recruitment for the university and game attendance, it costs too much to be a top priority and would use a vast majority of the total campaign money.

The $50 million we have for a 100year plan should be going to renovations for the residence halls and on campus apartments, tutoring center, and the other priorities and concerns for students, faculty and staff.

wichitan

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Vol. 81 | No. 14

Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room B103 3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 • wichitan@mwsu.edu thewichitan.com • @wichitanonline

Getting my degree: take two W

hen I started college, I was an 18-year-old who had no idea what I wanted to do. I knew I loved music but I had no guidance out of high school. I started at MSU majoring in music education, then switched to music performance. I really didn’t want to teach in a school environment, so an education degree really wasn’t for me. Music had always been a love of mine and Jeanette being in that department was one of the highlights Perry of my college experience.

I finally graduated with a Bachelors of Applied Arts and Sciences, married with one child and one on the way. Although I had completed a degree, I still really had no idea what I wanted to do. I started working in one job after another, selling wedding apparel, and becoming a credit union teller.

When I started working for MSU in 2012, my husband brought up going back to school. I guess the thought hadn’t even occurred to me. The longer I thought about it, the more I was seriously considering furthering my education. I had nothing to lose, but I still didn’t know what I wanted to major in. I had always been a musician and performer — that had consumed so much of my life.

I sought guidance from family, friends and other people I trusted to decide what I wanted to do. I looked at the catalogs and tried to find things I was interested in.

I started doing some public relations work for the Wichita Falls

Community Orchestra. I learned how to network with local media. I learned how and who to contact to get things I needed done.

I started learning how to put together fliers and programs. Then I started helping with PR and advertising with the Andrew Raymond Duncan Memorial Arts Benefit. It seemed that one project after another started falling into my lap. I liked doing it and I was picking it up very fast.

It finally hit me that I had the answers to my questions right in front of me. I just wasn’t paying attention to what I was adept at.

My decision was made — I decided to major in mass communication with a minor in PR and advertising.

I’m now in year three of my degree and I love it. Every class I take is interesting to me and, so far, I haven’t taken one I dislike. It is very applicable to my job now and with every class, I’m learning so much more.

I wish I had had this guidance the first time around. I have a new appreciation for the journey I’m taking now. My education is so much more important and valuable to me than it was before.

My advice to those just starting their journey is to make sure that what they are majoring in is not only something they enjoy, but also something they would be okay getting up every morning and doing. Take your education seriously. It only took the second time around for me to truly appreciate my own education.

Jeanette Perry is a mass communication junior.

Stop abuse before it starts P

hysical abuse covers anything where there is bodily harm being inflicted upon another person. This includes but is not limited to: biting, scratching, kicking, pushing, pulling and slapping. Emotional abuse on the other hand includes but is not limited verbal offense: intimidation, shaming, bullying, threatening or gaslighting. Gaslighting is denying that certain events Wadzarai happened, making the other person feel stupid or Dzvurumi irrational.

In psychology, the “foot-in-the-door” phenomenon is the tendency for people who have first agreed to small things to later comply to much larger things. This is how abusive relationships work — they hardly ever start out with intense violence or forcefulness, but they warm you up to it slowly. We ask people, “Why did he start dating her, or why did she start dating him?” but most times, the abuse (physical or emotional) was a gradual process throughout the relationship. It starts off with one’s feelings being invalidated, or a gentle nudge. Of course, the most sensible thing to do at the time is give the other person a second chance. I think that is where most people go wrong.

If I had only known that the first time I was emotionally abused that I was supposed to run. Perhaps it all would have turned out differently. But no, as victims of abuse, we have been psychologically conditioned to accept or even made to think we deserve the abuse.

I write about this because I have experienced emotional abuse. At that time I had no idea that I was being emotionally abused. My feelings were invalidated; I was made to feel worthless and made to question my own sanity. I can tell you this is a kind of pain and insanity I never want to experience again.

We need to stop ourselves from justifying an abusers’ behavior with statements like “at least he does not hit me” or “ she threatened me because she is crazy in love with me.” The moment you think that, you have officially accepted abuse. I will tell you that authentic love never constitutes abuse. It also took me a long time to swallow that kind of truth, yet it’s so difficult for me to write and convince people to let go of any abusive relationships. My wish for readers is to love yourselves and choose yourselves over any kind of abuse. I am alive; I survived. No one saved me because I saved myself, I think its time you saved yourself, too.

Wadzanai Dzvurumi is a marketing senior.

EDITOR: Kara McIntyre

Copyright ©2016.

DESIGN EDITOR: Justin Marquart

The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Alyssa Mitchell, Kara McIntyre, Rachel Johnson, Bridget Reilly, Emily Simmons, Jusdon Hollie

ADVISER: Bradley Wilson ISSUE STAFF: Emily Simmons, Jeanette Perry, Wadzanai Dzvurumi, Stephen Gomez, Garrett Hutchinson, Dewey Cooper, Rodrigo Mireles, Brendan Wynne, Dylan Hall, Alyssa Mitchell, Yareli Lora

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 (250 words or fewer) and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a email address, telephone number and address.

| Dec. 7, 2016 | 3

PHOTOS BY ALYSSA MITCHELL | THE WICHITAN

Students from WFISD Elementary Honor Choir sing at the MSU Burns Fantasy of Light Dec. 6.

Elementary school choirs sing at Fantasy of Lights STEPHEN GOMEZ REPORTER

SGA holds final meeting of semester

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ights are on, get them ready. On the steps, at Hardin. It’s a cute little sight, the children singing tonight. Jack Frost nipping at their nose. The children of Fain, Wichita Falls Independent School District, Ben Milam Elementary School choirs warmed up the chilly night at 6 p.m. with Christmas songs and hymns.

While the Fantasy of Lights was going on in front of them, they helped spread the holiday spirit to all who would listen.

“I really love it. It’s such a tradition here in the community,” Laura Burnam, musical teacher for Ben Milam Elementary School, said. “It’s a good way of bringing together everyone in the community especially those who are new here.”

The MSU-Burns Fantasy of Lights has been a tradition here for 42 years on the lawn of the Hardin Administration building. The tradition of musical groups at Fantasy of Lights brings smiles and joy to its audiences.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the local talent to showcase to everyone,” Dirk Welch, coordinator of the MSU-Burns Fantasy of Lights, said.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to come out hear the local choirs and enjoy the holiday spirit.”

The choirs consisted of 4th, 5th, and some 6th graders. Fain Elementary School choir had 43 kids singing at 6 p.m. WFISD Elementary School honors choir had 90 kids who sang

PHOTO BY KARA MCINTYRE | THE WICHITAN

Lindsey Shelley, student regent, answers audience questions at the SGA meeting on Dec. 6. Student Regent application deadline is Friday, Dec. 9.

GARRETT HUTCHINSON REPORTER

Students from Fain Elementary School Choir sing at the MSU Burns Fantasy of Light Dec. 6. at 6:30 p.m. Ben Milam Elementary School choir had 30 kids finishing the musical performance at 7 p.m. While the crowd was filled with parents, family members, and people who came out to see the Fantasy of Lights, it lacked students. Carissa Long invited students to come and enjoy the performance.

“It would be awesome to have MSU students to come by and listen,” Carissa Long, choir teacher for Fain Elementary School, said. “It’s a lot of fun and gives lots of kids out to see Fantasy of Lights.”

The Student Government Association hosted its final meeting of this semester last night in Comanche Suites of the Clark Student Center.

This meeting was shorter than most due to the rare occasion that all proposed changes were unanimously passed.

Lindsey Shelley, student regent, gave a presentation regarding her student regent position. The deadline for new student regent applications is Friday, Dec. 9.

Shelley mentioned some of the job responsibilities with being a student regent.

“You are a non-voting member of the Board of Regents, but you are there to present the students’ voice and opinions,” Shelley said.

Mentioning that the student regent position requires the applicants to be service-minded, as well as be willing to serve the state of Texas.

Shelley, being an MSU alumni with a nursing degree, has taken on the student regent roll on top of being an ER Nurse at United Regional.

The time commitment,with no compensation, is a true testament to the dedication the student regent holds.

The room fell silent when she asked about interest regarding the student regent position this coming year, followed by a small joke about keeping their interest in the position secret, as the position holds a very competitive application process.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Finals Frenzy kicks off Thursday Dec. 8 from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. in CSC. SGA also announced that they will be holding its first Waffle Wednesday on Dec. 7 in the cafeteria, offering free waffles to current MSU students.

Marco Torres, history senior, will be stepping down as Chair of the Cultural Committee and passing the torch to Ace Elliott.

Elliott, who is also president of Big Brother Big Sister on campus, announced that they will begin to bring ‘littles’ to MSU every two weeks for 30-45 minutes for the ‘bigs’ to devote time.

The Environmental Science Organization will be a new organization coming to campus next semester.

With finals week approaching, come to one of the many events this week to take a break from study sessions and have a little fun before the Christmas break.

4 | Dec. 7, 2016 |

from CAMPAIGN pg. 1

and we want people to talk about their visions for MSU,” Vidmar said.

At the forums, participants discussed issues and priorities to spend the money on, including scholarships, increase in staff salary, renovations for Bolin Hall, updating technology across campus, and providing more space for students to meet and work together in groups.

“The money will probably be divided between academics, athletics, arts, and university programs,” Vidmar said.

Linda Veazey, associate professor of political science, said, “I hope the school will keep a focus on academics when thinking about how to use the funds raised.”

At the student forum, about eight students voiced a need for a centralized tutoring center, multipurpose stadium, improved dining spaces, and more scholarships. Several of the needs cited by students overlapped with the staff’s wishes, and the staff also brought up a need for a modernized library, graduate school for fine arts, more offices and more parking.

Lindsey Odom, music education sophomore, said she hoped part of the money raised would go toward a new performance hall to replace Akin Auditorium, which has become too small to accommodate the school’s growing ensembles.

At the community forums, emphasis was placed on the importance of the art museum, university programs, and upgrading technology and buildings.

Vidmar said many of the suggestions made by staff, students, and the community could be put into action depending on how successful the campaign is.

The forums provided the university’s wish list, and Vidmar said people were realistic about what they wanted from the campaign.“We’ll use the input from the forums to build our case statement, which will outline why someone should consider giving to MSU. This case statement will be presented to all of our donors,” Vidmar said.

Vidmar said he appreciated the relationship between MSU and the community, and was grateful for the people who wanted to learn more about this campaign.

“We’re grateful for the involvement from the staff, students, and community toward building this campaign,” Vidmar said.

Student motivation, involvement dwindling DEWEY COOPER REPORTER

T

hree weeks.

Only three weeks until the long anticipated semester break graces the presence of students. While many are jumping to complete the 16-week-long semester, others are lacking motivation to finish.

“I’m ready for it to be over,” Peyton Tally, nursing freshman, said.

Many students feel the same as Tally, and Dean of Students Matthew Park explains why.

“There is usually an excitement that accompanies the onset of a new academic year,” Park said. “And during that time the energy and enthusiasm [of students] can translate into new found involvement opportunities.”

Park credits this to the large amount of activities that takes place during the first half of a fall semester.

“As the semester progresses the drop off of motivation and involvement normally drops around mid-October,” Park said. “We see students get busier as time progresses and as that happens their availability decreases.”

Park contributes some of the increased stress and pressure to students trying to do more than they can handle, and also the lack of break in the fall semester.

“During the fall semester, because there is no form of mid-semester break, my observation is that stress and anxiety and the correlation in the decrease of involvement is more prevalent,” Park said.

Park even mentioned that students are dropping two weeks before finals due to the stress build up.

Other administrators see involvement fall towards the end of semesters as well.

“You see a lot more motivation towards the end of the semester to get grades together especially with people graduating either in December or May,” Shayla Owens, student government association president, said. “Motivation for academics is at an all time high when finals come around.”

Owens also mentioned that even though she thinks motivation is picking up, student involvement might not be.

“I really think you have to look at what it is that they’re involved in,” Owens said. “If you look at Greek life they’re getting more involved because they’re getting ready for elections, but then we have our regular organizations that start losing stamina because it’s more about grades.”

2014 FILE PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON

Kevin Bazner, former assistant director in student development and orientation, shows the Presidents of Greek Life the statistics of grade averages of students in different organizations, during a President Round Table meeting.

Owens also has a tip for student organizations.

“Don’t stop planning things towards the end of the semester. If you have all your events stopping in November then you’re doing yourself a disservice,” Owens said.

Matthew Chisholm, coordinator of student transition programs, agrees with Owens on student involvement.

Chisholm added, “We need more effective use of student leaders to draw in and retain other students.”

Students, however, have wide range of emotions now that the semester is drawing to a close.

“I enjoyed Thanksgiving break so much that it is really hard for me to get back into the groove,” Tally said. “My motivation is slacking. I hope that changes soon.”

Tally added that her semester hasn’t actually been too difficult.

Others feel opposite Tally.

“I’m a bit sad that this semester is almost

over. It has been, by far, the best semester I’ve had,” Yolanda Torres, humanities junior, said.

“Something about the combination of the perfect classes and great friends really made this semester stand out compared to the others I’ve had. Finals are bittersweet this time around.”

Torres is also ready for the semester break.

“My niece and nephew are anxiously waiting for their ‘Aunt Jojo’ to come home,” Torres said. “We have lots of crafts planned and of course baking for Christmas. I’m excited to spend time with them because I don’t get to see them during the semester.”

Both Tally and Torres are already re-enrolled for the spring 2017 semester.

Torres added that she has “the perfect schedule for next semester.”

Some are in the middle.

“I feel stressed,” Tifani Ballard, nursing senior who is graduating in December, said. “I have a lot going on in these last few weeks, but overall, I feel relieved. Excited. Worried.”

| Dec. 7, 2016 | 5

Mass comm seniors to present documentaries Dec. 16 BRENDAN WYNNE REPORTER

W PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JUSDON HOLLIE

Kevin Appiah, photography junior, helps Richard Anyaegu, geology sophomore, set up a sweatshirt for his clothing line photo shoot.

Student runs successful clothing line from dorm room RODRIGO MIRELES REPORTER

R

ichard Anyaegbu, geology sophomore, does a lot more than just sleep or study in his dorm room. Anyaegbu operates a clothing line from his room, and he held a photoshoot yesterday for his upcoming collection, which he will later upload to his website for people to buy.

Anyaegbu said, “The shoot went well. I’m very excited to bring out these products for the people.”

The name of his brand is called “Life in Threads” or “Threads” for short. Anyaegbu sells hats, shirts, sweatshirts, and plans on expanding his business.

Richard does not have much time since he’s started his business, but he has been very successful for the couple of months that he has been working.

Anyaegbu said, “The brand really started last semester but this semester was when I started working on everything. You could say that last semester I started and set myself a great foundation in order to get everything going this semester.”

He started off his brand by selling hats with the acronym “LIT” on them. He had a photoshoot with models for the hats, uploaded all the pieces to his website, and sold every piece.

Anyaegbu said, “My brand has evolved from starting off just with hats and moving up into designing and selling shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts. I really just developed a vision for

my brand and brought it to life. “ He claims that he is not an ordinary student, judging by all the work that he puts into his clothing line. Anyaegbu said isolation is a major key that contributes to his success.

Anyaegbu said, “I do not have a problem being isolated. I love being by myself because it allows me to sit down, focus, and think about stuff to work on.”

There are other student designers on campus who design and sell their items as well, but he believes that they do not do as much work as he does.

Anayegbu said, “I actually do what I say I want to do. A lot of people speak on what they’re going to do but they show no action.

Another thing is that when people start something and then get spare time on their hands, they don’t use it to work on their craft they’d rather do other tasks. I use all the time I can to work on my brand and my clothing.”

He also believes that MSU has helped him greatly in the development of his brand.

Anyaegbu said, “MSU has played a major role with the success of my business. I used to play on the soccer team here, but I stopped because of an injury. That pushed me in this direction. I’ve been able to use all the resources around me, like the post office and Fain Fine Arts. The production company is so close to campus that MSU kind of brings all of those resources to my doorstep. I don’t even have a vehicle so for me to be able to do all of these things is truly a blessing.”

hile many students prepare for their final exams by spending extra time in the library, or putting in a few more hours in the lab, the graduating mass communication students have spent the entire semester producing one 15-minute documentary.

“You don’t find many areas of profession that require this particular kind of stress,” Hunter Davis-Overall, mass communication senior, said. “We started filming in early September, and began preparations even long before that, but when you really want to develop something great, you have no choice but to start so early.”

Davis-Overall, along with mass communication seniors Bruce Brown, Chris Marten and Conner Wolf, have been following street racers to cast a refreshing light on the sport when they present their documentary Dec. 16.

“What I want people to take away from our documentary is that street racing isn’t really what people see in movies, all the time,” Brown said. “It’s just people, like you and me, doing what they love. I know that I’ve learned so much by just getting the opportunity to follow, and document,

everything that these guys have experienced, and if we’re able to share that experience with more people through this film, then we’ve succeeded.”

Mass communication seniors Cooper Miller, Dylan Pembroke, Courtney Gilder and Yazmin Persaud, will present the other documentary of the session, shedding light on small town life.

“It’s amazing what something as seemingly simple as a documentary can do,” Miller said. “In our case, we’re trying to inform to the audience about real small town life. From the old, outdated laws, to the artistic creativity that can flourish anywhere, we just to make the audience think.”

As the time for presentation rapidly approaches, the students say they feel that emotions are running high.

“We’re all in that weird state of anxious and excited,” Davis-Overall said. “When you’ve spent so much time on something, it becomes your baby. Then, all at once, you have to subject that baby to criticism and evaluation. I’m not really sure it’s the same with something like an essay or a test. You aren’t witnessing someone’s live before your eyes. You’re not turning it into an immortalized memory. We are, and I think that’s an incredible privilege.”

CRIME LOG Nov. 23

Accident: Duty on Striking Unattended Vehicle | 1:22 p.m. | Parking Lot #16 | A vehicle was reported to have been damaged while parked in lot #16. Suspect vehicle fled the scene without leaving contact information.

Nov. 29

Non-Criminal – Disturbance | 3:37 a.m. | Sunwatcher Village | Officer heard a disturbance at Sunwatcher building #3.

Nov. 29

Accident: Duty on Striking Unattended Vehicle | 9:28 a.m. | Parking Lot # 16 | Vehicle was involved in a hit and run accident in lot # 16.

Nov. 29

Disorderly Conduct | 2:43 p.m. | Sunwatcher Village | Officer was dispatched to Apartment 224 of Sunwatcher due to roommates fighting.

Nov. 29

Assault: Misdemeanor | 6:22 p.m. | Midwestern Parkway | Victim was assaulted by suspect and then suspect broke victim’s glasses.

6 | Dec. 7, 2016 |

Study shows international students thrive academically, struggle with acculturation DYLAN HALL REPORTER

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hey’re not from around here, but for the 589 international students enrolled this fall, not adjusting to the West Texas way of life didn’t stop them from achieving high academic results. A study conducted for EURECA, titled “Acculturation and Adjustment to College,” illustrated that the path of making the university a second home has not been as smooth for some students.

“We decided to do it because we wanted to show how international students adapted to the stress of American culture academically and socially,” Morris said.

Morris said the study was fascinating in how it illustrated the lack of correlation between culture adaptation and academic success.

“We wanted to see how their emotions fluctuated and differed as it pertained to how they perform in the classroom and adjust outside of it,” Morris said.

Of the 589 students enrolled as international this fall semester, only 45 students participated, despite this, Morris said the topic was challenging and extensive, but in the end, her group was pleased with the outcome.

“It was difficult to conduct a successful outreach and it was very time consuming, but the final product was worth all the work in the end,” Morris said.

Only 6.82 percent said they felt associated with American students. The individuals outside the study provide a unique, enlightening and a somewhat shockingly differing perspective:

THE EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE

Management sophomore Greta Lazzarotto from Italy: “I adjusted pretty well to the college environment, people and culture. I was able to

build stable friendships with many people.”

Mass communication junior Amy Clifton from Australia: “Coming from Australia it was a bit of a shock to me but having english as my first language helped me.”

“I settled in fairly easily and made lots of friends quickly during international orientation day.”

“Playing a sport and having a coach that looked out for me helped me settle as well.”

Finance and computer science senior Luca Lalor from Ireland: ”Playing a sport helped me socially integrate with a lot of different people, especially Americans.’

Lalor also said he believes being comfortable presenting helped his communication skills.

“English is my first language so that helps me a lot but also I have conducted a number of presentations which help break a lot of ice socially.”

Exercise physiology sophomore Eirini Kontaki from Greece: Kontaki alluded to a more difficult time adjusting to American culture but stressed that it is possible to adjust no matter where you are from “Coming to university here in a relatively small town with its own kind of lifestyle, was a big challenge for me.”

“I’m from Greece and the first thing people tend to ask or joke about is the economic state in my country and how people are able to live in such bad situations.”

Kontaki admitted it was not easy to avoid and took time for her to manage and become comfortable responding to.

“At first it was difficult to take but I kept an open mind and eventually started to just laugh it off and also inform them that Greece is not as bad as the media is portraying it to be.”

TAFT HAUS A P A R T M E N T S e!

A place to call hom

THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY ACCORDING TO THE EUROPEANS:

Management sophomore Greta Lazzarotto from Italy: “Don’t take jokes and critiques too seriously. Instead of being offended use it as an opportunity to inform people about what your culture really is like.”

According to Lazzarotto, the school’s slogan ‘It’s My University, Make It Yours!’ is one which constantly echoes in the ears of those from abroad, yet somehow seems to so faintly resonate with some of them.

“Be open - minded and have a positive approach toward American culture.”

“If an international student comes to the U.S. thinking that his/her mother country is the best in the world and feels like he/she is superior to the people here, they are gonna have a very hard time adjusting.”

Mass communication junior Amy Clifton from Australia: “People will make fun of your accent! - It’s all fun.”

“Everyone is so interested in where you are coming from and want to learn about your culture so don’t close yourself out. Be willing to teach them new things.”

Clifton also dismissed beliefs that Americans have little interest in learning about other cultures.

“As much as you are intrigued by America, Americans and other nationalities are intrigued about your country.”

Clifton perked up to the edge of her seat with a bright, supportive smile and said she believes having a pro-active attitude and breaking out of your comfort shell are major keys to immersing yourself in a culture.

“I suggest taking up offers to go out, have dinner, or play games. I know it may be nerve racking and you may want to be by yourself until you fully settle in but getting out there and socializing really helps.”

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Based on the students responses across a number of nationalities, many of them share relatively indistinguishable views, however the Caribbean students articulated more differing views.

Math and economics senior Dareem Antoine from Grenada: “I have been able to get properly acculturated and build strong friendships with Americans here.”

“Some people are hesitant to form friendships across cultures because of pre conceived notions about other groups of people.”

Antoine scratched his chin, as he lamented the possible reasons of this behavior.

“They may feel an unwillingness to test their biases.”

Mechanical engineering sophomore Taris Major from The Bahamas : “I wouldn’t say I fully adjusted to culture here, but I am comfortable. I have American friends, but they are second to my caribbean friends.”

“It’s more a matter of security, you naturally feel more comfortable being around the people of your own country.”

ADVICE FROM CARIBBEAN NATIVES

Math and economics senior Dareem Antoine from Grenada: “Get involved in an organization with a culturally diverse membership.”

Antoine bemoaned the lack of flourishing multicultural friendships due to a closed mindset.

“Just be yourself and keep an open mind.

Building friendships across cultures can start from trying something new.

Mechanical engineering sophomore Taris Major from the Bahamas: “A lot of people from the caribbean simply don’t desire to become fully acculturated but prefer to just adjust to the culture here.”

Theater finishes up production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ ALYSSA MITCHELL REPORTER

T

he theater department put on its last performance of “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 3.

Ellanor Collins, theater junior, said, “There were 11 performances which is more runs than we usually have.”

It took six weeks to prepare starting Oct. 11, with the first script read through with the cast members.

“Before the actual performances we had been doing full runs of the show when rehearsing because we needed to have stamina,” Collins said.

“A Christmas Carol” took a different route than the original version. It was an interactive play with audience participation it is also the first time that this particular version of the play was done in the United States.

Collins said, “Dr. Dabney searched hard for an adaptation that involved audiences and would be fun for everyone. The script called for some of it but a lot if it came for working the scenes as we went.”

The audience had a large part in the play. The actors handed out instruments like bells and a child’s piano toy and other noise makers to create the sound effects for the play.

Collins said, “The nights with larger crowds definitely had more participation and we never really knew when those nights would be. We had been preparing for an audience even of just one partici-

pating audience member for a while.”

Some of the staff had favorite parts of their own.

Collins said, “My favorite part of the play is the ending when we see Scrooge’s transformation and seeing him decide to help Bob Crachit’s struggling family. Then they sing my favorite song of the show, Jingle Bells.”

Another favorite scene took place during act II. Staff member Tessa Dschaak, theater sophomore, said, “The ghost of Christmas-Yet-To-Come brings Scrooge to a cemetery to look at a tombstone. This scene is completely in the dark with a small amount of moving purple light and ire fog.

The tombstone scene is the most magical part of the experience.”

For audience member Kierian Hunter, math sophomore, it was not easy to pick a favorite part.

Hunter said, “There were to many parts in the play that I enjoyed which makes it hard for me to pick a favorite part.”

She did however have some characters she liked.

Hunter said, “I liked the person who played Belle and the person who played the ghost of Christmas past.”

The audience interaction was fun to her as well.

Hunter said, “The interactive part of the play made it even more comical, warm and enjoyable. It really put me in the Christmas spirit.”

| Dec. 7, 2016 | 7

5K RU N/ WA L K AGAI N S T AI D S

PHOTOS BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN

Skylee Houston, dental hygiene freshman, and Christopher Cruz, theatre performance sophomore run together at the World AIDS Day 5km Run/Walk

Alexis Mendez, psychology sophomore, and Cecilia Padilla, sociology sophomore, run together at the World AIDS Day 5km Run/Walk hosted by PRIDE organization. Dec 1st.

Persistent pickers participate in Pecan Day EMILY SIMMONS REPORTER

F

reezing temperatures and rain did not stop a few persistent pickers from participating in MSU’s annual Pecan Day on Dec. 3.

“It’s the worst weather I’ve seen during Pecan Day, but it’s still fun,” Alissa Donaldson, adjunct faculty member, said.

Donaldson lives on campus with her husband and son in Legacy Hall, and spent more than two hours picking more than 1,000 pecans on the president’s lawn.

This was the first Pecan Day since 2012 because of the drought that plagued north Texas, and the pecan trees were not producing healthy nuts.

“Because of the drought, we had to suspend Pecan Day. We would pick up and crush the pecans but there would be nothing in them, it was awful. It’s a lot better this year because of all the rain we’ve been getting,” Cindy Ashlock, executive assistant to the president, said.

Free cookies and hot chocolate were provided for the people who braved the harsh weather, but not many came out to enjoy the refreshments. Ashlock said they expected around 175 people to attend the event, but only around eight people managed to fight through the cold and rain.

“I’m sad I couldn’t bring my son because of the weather, but I’m still glad they brought Pecan Day back. It’s hard to get good pecans from around the rest of town,” Donaldson said.

Those who attended the decades old event came away with bags and trash bins full of pecans.

“I try to get enough pecans for my family to eat throughout the entire year, it’s a fun event,” Donaldson said.

PHOTO BY EMILY SIMMONS | THE WICHITAN

Alissa Donaldson picks up pecans at Pecan Day Dec. 3.

8 | Dec. 7, 2016 |

Kappa Alpha and Chi Omega hold a toy drive YARELI LORA REPORTER

M

embers of Kappa Alpha Order and Chi Omega are hosting a toy drive for the patients of Cook Children’s Medical Center.

Kaleb Collins, marketing sophomore who initiated Kappa Alpha in the fall, moved up to the number four officer position as head of recruitment shortly after he joined.

Collins said, “I was a freshman doing absolutely nothing except just working all the time, so I decided to get involved and figured rushing was the best way and found Kappa Alpha.”

Collins said that Kappa Alpha has given him many opportunities to grow as an individual and to share ideas. One of those ideas being Toys for Cook’s, a toy drive for the patients at Cook Children’s Medical Center.

Collins said, “I’ve wanted to do it since my sophomore year of high school but I could never get enough going with it, so I came up the with the idea a couple of weeks ago and brought it up to my fraternity and now I’ve been working my butt off.”

This will be the first year that Kappa Alpha will be advocating for Cook Children’s Medical Center by holding a toy drive. Alongside

Kappa Alpha, members from Chi Omega will assist with the toy drive. Collins sought Chi Omega as the appropriate choice for this particular drive because they work with the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Summer Hutchinson, nursing senior and Chi Omega president, said, “We coordinate with a local chapter for make-a-wish and so we raise money during make-a-wish week which we have every spring, right around March, and we raise right around $12,000 and then we contact the local chapter of Make-AWish and let us know if they do have a kid that needs a wish granted, but if not we just donate the money to the foundation.”

The Make-A-Wish foundation is a nonprofit organization that allows eligible patients of ages between 3-17, with a life-threatening medical condition to make a wish.

Hutchinson said, “Kaleb was actually our wish kid, so helping out with Toys for Cook’s just really goes hand in hand with our MakeA-Wish philanthropy. This is super close to our hearts.”

Collins believed that Toys for Cook’s would mean a great deal to the members of Chi Omega.

“Chi Omega did my Make-A-Wish here, so I knew their philanthropy was Make-A-Wish.

PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN

Kaleb Collins, marketing sophomore, sharing informational flyers about the Kappa Alpha and Chi Omega Toys for Cook’s booth in the Clark Student Center on Dec 6.

When I was trying to think of ways to get a sorority involved, I thought Cook Children’s has lots of cancer patients there — and that was my hospital — so I thought that would be a pretty neat way to connect with theirs,” Collins said.

Every year, Kappa Alpha comes up with ideas for philanthropy. Collins chose Toys for Cook’s rather than Toys for Tots as their philanthropy.

Collins said, “Helping your community is wonderful but I wanted to go a little above and beyond because I know what it felt like to be in the hospital, not having a whole lot and that sort of thing and so that’s where the idea came from.”

In May of 2007, Collins was 14-years-old when he was diagnosed with bone cancer.

In February of 2008, he completed chemotherapy.

Collins said, “I was diagnosed when I was already into my fourth grade year and missed almost all of my fifth grade year until the last few months, like late February.”

At a young age, Collins had to adapt to a new lifestyle.

“It was always different because I was always the athletic kid and so it was definitely a lifestyle change. It teaches you a lot,” Collins said.

Collins had to have an implant inserted into his right leg. The implant has restricted Collins from doing anything strenuous because of the possible risk of shattering the implant.

“I’ve had a total of six surgeries. I have an implant that goes all the way up almost to my hip and down to my tibia,” Collins said.

“I was a baseball enthusiast, that was my sport so I had to go from playing that every

day of my life to giving it up and not being able to run anymore, so it was definitely a big change.”

Collins had a big support system along his side, such as his family and community. Collins attended Archer ISD until he decided to transfer schools. He transferred to Old High going into his eighth grade year because he had came to a realization that Archer ISD did not provide enough for him.

Collins said, “There was a point for me with all my limitations, that a small school just couldn’t provide anything for me, so I figured if I go to a bigger school I would have more opportunities, and I did. I did theater for four years, band for four years, NHS, Pals, I did all that. I was given more opportunities rather than being that kid on the sidelines all the time.”

Collins was treated at Cook Children’s Hospital and wanted to do a toy drive for the patients there, because now being in a fraternity has given him the support from his brothers to help put the drive together.

Collins said, “We traveled every week pretty much for the most part, up to Cook’s for my treatments. The reason this idea came about is because when I was in the hospital, we had people walk around the floors and give out toys and that sort of thing and so that was my goal, was to be able to take a few from Kappa Alpha and a few from Chi Omega to go down there, walk around and handout a few toys to the patients.”

The toy drive began Nov. 31 and will continue until Dec. 15 — a booth will be set up in the student center from 11-1 for anyone that wants to stop by and donate a non-wrapped toy. The toys will be taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Ft. Worth on Dec. 16.