Wai-kun: 2016-17 Traditions & Transitions

traditions

Transitions

Traditions TRansitions

This year, residents transitioned to life

in the new 500-bed residence facility, Legacy Hall. Construction concluded on the new mass communication addition and students will be able to transition to the building in fall of 2017. Police officer Patrick Coggins transitioned into his role as the new MSU police chief. Athletic and recreational sports teams transitioned to practices on new turf fields. Officials from MSU and North Central Texas College broke ground in Flower Mound on a new shared facility that will transition students to progams in radiologic sciences, respiratory care, nursing, and graduate education courses.

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Traditions io on ons o

TRansitions Midwestern State University Wai-Kun 2016-2017

Student Life........................................5 Honors..............................................23 Organizations..................................39 Athletics.............................................43

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Legacy Hall ..........................7 Family Weekend....................9 Caribfest....................11 Homecoming.......................13 Finals Frenzy...........15 Artist Lecture Series..............17 Fantasy of Lights..................19

Student Life

Student Life

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New Group

MSU Unveils Different Form of Modernized Learning When students get ready to hit the books, they can do so surrounded by the high-tech style and innovation at the United Supermarkets Community Learning Center on the first floor of the new $32.25 million, five-story Legacy Hall. Unveiled Oct. 28, 2016, the learning center was celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the midst of homecoming week.

Complete with chairs that include cup holders built right into the chair padding, study pods comprised of a desk/ seating combination enclosed by noisereducing walls, and even a Metronaps Energypod, students are able to study and relax in a modernized environment tailord specifically to the needs of students.

Legacy Hall

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We are family

Extended Mustangs Mustang families gathered together for Family Weekend held September 23 through 25. Friday evening, families could attend an outdoor movie showing of “The Secret Life of Pets” on the Quadrangle.

Due to inclement weather conditions, events held on Saturday were moved to D.L. Ligon Coliseum and Clark Student Center. In

the Coliseum, families could enjoy food provided by Kiowa Kooks and sweet treats such as Cotton Candy and Snow Cones.

Inflatable bounce houses, a photo booth and speed sketchers were available to families. In the Student Center, families could participate in painting, watch a movie, and enjoy ice cream.

Family Day

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Island Culture Colors Campus Caribbean Student Organization held is 19th annual Caribfest parade ďŹ lled with melody, culture and steel. The weekend event began with the SOCA show where students performed their Caribbean music at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art. Five contestants competed in the Queen Show beauty pageant. Contestants were ranked in accoradance to four categories: talent, swimwear, evening wear and an interview. Kamilah Tobin was crowned the 2016 Miss Caribfest Queen. Saturday, October 1st featured the

Parade. Several Caribbean students covered themselves in gold paint or wore bright feathery outďŹ ts. Friends, family and the community attended for the parade held on campus. The event concluded with the Glow Fete featuring body paint, food, music, and glow stick party. Caribbean Student Organization raised funds throughout the week and proceeds went to two charities: The Disabled American Veterans and Wichita Falls Independent School District.

Caribfest

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Game Face

10 years of Mustang Pride

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This year’s homecoming asked all Mustangs to Bring their Game Face.

The week-long spirited event started Monday, October 24 with the Lip Sync Competition. The All-Campus Picnic held outdoors in Sunwatcher Plaza hosted lunch, games and birthday cake to celebrate Maverick’s 10th Birthday. Tradition

continued Thursday night with the Torch Light Parade beginning the start of Bonfire Festivities and the night ended with Mustang Madness in the Coliseum.

The weather was perfect as students paddled their way across Sikes Lake in the Boat Race competition.

The week ended with a 7621 Victory over University of Texas Permian-Basin.

Beat

sin a B ian

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Homecoming

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Fall 2016 14

Winter Wonderland University Programming Board sponsored Finals Frenzy the Thursday before finals week to give students an opportunity to relax from studying.

Aqua massages and massage therapy chairs were available to students for the majority of the night. A variety of activities such as gingerbread house making, picture frames,

leather crafting and scarf making were held in the atrium. A giant inflatable snowglobe photo booth was available for students to take photos with their friends. A snowball fight took place outside Pierce Hall during the evening.

To close the night events, a movie showing of “Suicide Squad” took place in Legacy Hall Multipurpose Room.

Spring 2017

Comic Con On May 4, students took a break from studying for finals to participate in this semester’s Finals Frenzy theme of Comic Con. The University Programming Board hosted the event on the Jesse Rogers Promenade where students could partake in games and crafts. Glow-in the dark lazer tag, mini golf and arcade games were available. Students

crafted superhero capes for children in local hospitals and could make a DIY galaxy t-shirt. Sweet treats such as liquid nitrogen ice cream and candies were available.

After dark, s’mores and a late night breakfast bar were held for students along with the late night movie option of “Split”.

The event is free to all students.

Finals Frenzy

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The 52 Artist-Lecture Series nd

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Dr. Scott Parazynski

RJ Mitte

Kip Fulbeck

Walter Echo-Hawk

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rePercussion

Dr. Heather Knight

The Artist Lecture Series brings noted lecturers and performers to campus each academic year.

This series is designed to engage students, faculty and the community with well-known speakers and performers in an intimate setting. Dr. Scott Parazynski, a medical doctor and formal astronaut, opened the series with a discussion about space exploration and the future of space missions. RJ Mitte, best known for his role as Walter Flynn White, Jr. on AMC’s Breaking Bad television series, shared about growing up with cerebral paulsy and how his diagnosis has helped him build an activist platform. Kip Fulbeck correlated his program with the Juanita Harvey Art Gallery in Fain College of Fine Arts to display his work related to his lecture. Fulbeck displayed a series of photographs of self-proclaimed “hapas’ as part of his “Hapa Project.” His message was to show how individuals take a roll in determaining their own identiity. Walter Echo-Hawk, a Native American attorney, spoke about cultural sovereignty and various issues Native Americans face today along with discussing the issues regarding the North Dakota oil pipeline. Vince Romanelli and Dan Twiford, members of rePercussion, brought new styles of music to Akin Auditorium. A chickenwire-small makeshift fence held dented pans, rusted street signs and tiny trash can lids all used for musical performance. Dr. Heather Knight, robotics engineer and computer science professor at Oregon Univeristy, concluded the Artist Lecture Series. Dr. Knight discussed her field of robotic engineering and introduced students to Ginger, a robot that works as a computer to talk and walk.

Artist Lecture

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Tis the Season

Holiday Tradition Continues On November 21, opening celebrations were conducted as the Fantasy of Lights display officially opened for the Holiday season. The 42nd season began with opening words from President Suzanne Shipley and Santa Clause greeted the children with holiday cheer. Children lined the sidewalk to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him their Christmas wishes. Local schools sang Chrismas carols and an

instrumental performance by the MSU band took place in Akin Auditorium.

The annual 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run fundraiser took place the first weekend of December. The story of lights began in 1920 with the ownership of Mr. and Mrs. L.T. Burns and in 1974, the lights were donated to the university in memorial of the Burns family. Fantasy of Lights remains free of charge to the community.

Fantasy of Lights

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Hardin & Clark....................23 Alumni & Leadership............24 Man & Woman of the Year....25 Outstanding Students..........27 Protho-Yeager & Science - Math...29 Business & Education.........31 Fine Arts & Health Science..33 Graduation........................35 Organizations....................37

Honors

HONORS

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Hardin Scholar

Luke Gregory Allen

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Clark Scholar

Abigail Rose Helms

Honors

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Viola Grady Leadership Award

Andrea Mendoza Lespron

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HoWARD fARRELL cOMMUNITY eXCELLENCE

jAMES l. sTEWART sERVICE aWARD

Tyler Lee Garcia

Sigma Lambda Alpha Sorority, Inc.

oUTSTANDING MAN AND WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Luke Allen Gregory

Megan Carol Piehler

GRADUATE MAN AND WOMAN OF THE YEAR

That Binh Vuong

Lauryn Taylor Honors

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oUTSTANDING Senior Man and Woman of the Year

Tyler Lee Garcia

Bethany Ann Russell

Junior Man and Woman of the Year

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Cavaughn Xavier Browne

Veronica Naomi Balders

Students Sophomore Man and Woman of the Year

Nathaniel Steven Shawver

Hanna Gebel

Freshman Man and Woman of the Year

Brendan Lawrence Wynne

Cortney Nicole Wood Honors

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Protho-Yeager

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Oustanding English Student

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Oustanding Student In Humanities

Andrea Mendoza Lespron

Oustanding History Student Luke L. Shelby

Oustanding Global Studies Student

Oustanding Political Science Student

Oustanding Psychology Student

Blake Koby Hustutler

Danielle Lee Goettle

Oustanding Sociology Student

Vinson Award in Creative Writing

Zakary Martin Roberts

Chad P. Marqui

Brian James Zug

Aaron Dana Devaul

Oustanding Graduate Student In Humanities and Social Sciences Kylee Lee Kerr

Not Pictured: Outstanding Student In A Foreign Language - Norma M. Castro

Oustanding Biology Student Jordan Taylor Carter

Oustanding Environmental Science Student Shadai Denise John

Oustanding Mechanical Engineering Student Michael Arthur Olaya

Oustanding Chemistry Student Andrea Joyce Fowle’

Oustanding Computer Science Student

Oustanding Geosciences Student

Oustanding Mathematics Student

Thomas William Smith

Christopher Sean Silva

Mason Scott Ellis

Outstanding Physics Student

Oustanding Graduate Student In Science and Mathematics Sachithra Ishani Weerasooriya Gabriel Shai Dickman Jacobs

College of

Science and Mathematics Honors

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Dillard College

Of Business Administration

Oustanding Accounting Student Careisha K’Niche Whyte

Oustanding Finance Student Cody Wayne Rutledge

Oustanding Marketing Student Keaton Scott Dolan

Oustanding Graduate Student In Business Administration Devah Colleen Scholl

Not Pictured:

Oustanding Economics Student - Catherine Marie Ryan Outstanding General Business Student - Karina Lopez Outstanding Managemenet Student - Madison Taing Oustanding Management Information Systems Student - Harrison Taing

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Oustanding Student In The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Darren Lee Clark

Oustanding Elementary Education Student Heather Daneille Brown

Oustanding Kinesiology Student

Oustanding Secondary Education Student Kayla Brooke Elam

Oustanding Special Education Student

Oustanding Sport and Leisure Studies Student

Sydnee Janaye Pottorf

Susanna Joann Ray

Amilia Jo Cato

Oustanding Graduate Student in Education Abigail Elizabeth White

Gordon T. & Ellen West College Of Education Honors

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Lamar D. Fain

College Of Fine Arts

Oustanding Art Student Aaron Leslie Campbell

Oustanding Mass Communication Student Megan Carol Piehler

Oustanding Theatre Student Kaylor Falon Winter-Roach

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Oustanding Music Student James Deverson Ivey

Vinson Award For Journalism Kara Ann McIntyre

Oustanding Athletic Training Student

Oustanding Dental Hygiene Student

Laura Renee Poston

Oustanding Criminal Justice Student Gabriella Angela Victoria

Oustanding Exercise Physiology Student

Oustanding Nursing Student

Oustanding Radiologic Sciences Student

Lucas John Veitenheimer

Michael Sandon Ward

Oustanding Respiratory Care Student Sarah Grace Flagg

Oustanding Social Work Student Cailli Carol Perry

Niya Marie Benavides

Brandon Antjuan Taylor

Oustanding Graduate Student In Health Sciences and Human Services

Lindsey Rebecca Shelley

Robert D. & Carol Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human Services Honors

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Graduation

Celebration of Degrees

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On December mb 17, 2016, 707 degrees 07 degr were awarded arde ed at Kay Yeager Coliseum. liseu um. Fall commencement ment included inc 190 Master’s degr degrees, ees, 517 Bachelor’s degrees egre ees and 200 Augustt degrees. deg gree Commencement ent speaker spea was State Representative epresent James Frank. nk.

On May 13, 3, 2017, 2 685 degreess were were awarded to the graduates raduates of Spring the first Sp pri 2017.

17. FFor or th graduating mass ttime, time e, g ating g ma communication co omm mu on ssenior enio Megan delivered eg gan Piehler Pi deliv ered the e com commencement c mm men address. was ad ddre ess Piehler er w as nominated

by President nom min Presid Shipley.

Commencement Sh hip omm menc included 81 Mas Master’s in degreess a and nd 6 604 Bachelors’ d degrees.

Graduation

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Organizations Alpha Kappa Alpha

Sigma Lambda Alpha

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Caribbean Student Organization

Black Student Union

Organizations

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Chi Omega

Kappa Alpha

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Kappa Delta Chi

Sigma Kappa

ORganizations

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Football....................43 Volleyball..................45 Soccer.....................47 Cheer......................51 Cross Country..........53 Cycling....................55 Basketball................57 Tennis.....................61 Golf.........................65 Softball....................69

Sports

Sports

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Short Loss

Season Finishes In First Playoff Round The Mustangs earned their seventh NCAA Division II playoff appearance this season. The team traveled to Big Rapids, Michigan playing against Ferris State Bulldogs. The Mustangs started quick in the first quarter to start a 2010 lead. Going into

the half, Ferris State took a 30-20 lead.

The Mustangs lost 65-34 and ended their season in the first round of the playoffs. The season ended with an 8-3 overall record. 22 Mustangs were named to Lone Star Conference first and second team squads.

Football

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Serve Honors

Four Players Earn LSC Awards The Lady Mustangs made their eighth Lone Star Conference Tournament appearance this season. The team faced Angelo State in the ďŹ rst round of the conference tournament. The Lady Mustangs fell short in a three set match to the Lady Rambelles. Despite a short tournament run, the Lady Mustangs clenched Lone Star Conference

awards. Junior outside hitter Aerielle Edwards earned LSC second team while junior right side hitter Sarah GarďŹ eld and junior setter Kristan Aduddell were named honorable mention. Sophomore Kiley Beaver earned All-Academic selection. The Lady Mustangs signed four new players for next season.

Volleyball

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Shootout win

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Lady Mustangs earn fifth LSC title The Lady Mustangs scored their fifth Lone Star Conference title this season after a 1-1 shootout match against Texas A&MCommerce.

The team advanced past St. Edwards in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Lady Mustangs fell to Texas A&M-Commerce in the regional semifinals game 1-0. The season finished with a 13-6-4 overall record and an 8-4-0 conference

record. Six players were named to the Lone Star Conference All-Tournament team. Senior midfielder Liz Navarette was named AllTournament MVP while junior goalkeeper Courtney Burnette, junior forward Destinee Williamson, freshman forward Avery Lewis and sophomore defender Imani Morlock were named all-tournament selections.

Women’s Soccer

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score honors 48

Mustangs earn conference awards Off the field this season, the Mustangs scored honors in the All-Heartland Conference selection. Gabriel Cavalcante earned Player of the Year and Christian Okeke was named Offensive Player of the Year. Juniors Jordan Speed and and senior Flavio Guzman were named to All-Heartland First team.

Junior Pierre Bocquet and senior Antonio Hernandez were named All-Heartland second team members.

Heartland Conference Coach of the Year went to Head Coach Doug Elder. This is Elder’s eighth conference coach of the year award. The Mustangs advanced to the NCAA Division II semi-finals game for the first time in school history. The Mustangs faced UC San Diego Tritons and lost 2-1. The team ends the season with an 18-4-1 overall record and a 13-1-0 conference record.

men’s Soccer

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Bringing the spirit together Leading our campus in school spirit, the cheerleaders have cheered and rallied support for the Mustang teams. The squad is divided into two teams: CoEd and All-Girl. The two divisions have represented pride for

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the Mustangs. Members attend campus activities such as Mustangs round-up, family weekend, homecoming and sporting events to rally the campus together. This season, neither squad participated in the National Conference.

cheer

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medal run

Conference Title Win The Ladyy Mustangs earned ed the their sixth Lone Star Sta Conference Co nce e Championship ionsship this season. ea ason.

Sophomore ore Bridget Brid Reilley placed ced fou fourth overall on the he 6K 6 ccourse and sophomore ore Sara Smith placed sev seventh ent and confere claimed all-conference honors for the second se consecutive ve sea season.

Senior Leticia Shaban eticia S n finished d 12th 12th and Ana na a lace 13th hw whi le Lopezz p placed while sophomore mor Michelle

Rieves es placed 15th.

Head ead Coach Co Koby Styles claimed his fifth Lone Star med h Conference erence Coach of the Year award. ward. S Sophomores Stefanie S Bla Blaine ine and Sara Smith S Sm were re n named am to the LSC LSC All-Academic ademic Team.

The e Mustangs ngs competed com n tthe South uth Cen in Central Region Re Cha Championship mp and finished This ished ninth. n is the eighth e eig ghth time the Cross team has ss Country C Cou ished in i the top 10 in finished the regional eg meet.

Cross Country

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Racing Honors

Cycling Team Earns Championships The Cycling team finished with several notable highlights this season. Stefan Rothe won the Division 1 Cycling Collegiate Road Race National Championship along with Individual Time Trial National Championship. Rothe won the best overall rider. The men’s team of Rothe, Bill Ash, Josh Buchel, and Pablo Cruz took second place in the D1 USAC Collegiate Team Time Trial

National Championship. The combined men’s and women’s team took third overall in the team omnium at the national championship and won conference championship for the fourth consecutive year.

Hannah Ross received bronze in the Individual Pursuit race and Josh Buchel won bronze in the sprint competition and kilometer time trail at track Nationals.

cycling

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Rough drive

Determined To Improve The Lady Mustangs opened their season with a 45-71 loss to Texas Women’s and a loss to West Texas A&M. The Lady Mustangs took this defeat to bounce back with a 61-55 win against Eastern New Mexico.

The season progressed with more defeats than victories, but the Lady

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Mustangs continued to play with determination to improve. The Lady Mustangs ďŹ nished with an overall record of 8-18 with a 5-15 record in Lone Star Conference play. Junior Guards Whitney Taylor earned All-LSC Honorable Mention while Kristen Rydell was named to the LSC All-Academic tream.

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Rebound

Defend Tough Season The Mustangs defeated Adams State 103-88 in their season home opener. The team carried the win to lead a 3-0 season, but fell short to St. Mary’s 72-70 for their first loss in conference.

The Mustangs fought back ito carry their season to a 6-1 record.

The Mustangs rebounded

with two consecutive wins in conference play and later fell short to Tarleton State. The team advanced to the Lone Star Conference quarterfinals in a match against University of Texas Permian Basin. The season came to an end with a 70-81 loss.

Men’s Basketball

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Back on Top

Young Team Claims Title

The Lady dy Mustangs this sea season son were known as a youthful ful and fearless rless te team.

The team wa wass rranked 15th during the 2017 campaign gn and when faced wi with h a challenge, di did d nnot hesitate to figh fight.

The Lady M Mustangs gs competed Lone pete ed ffor the Lon ne

Star Conference title on against rival Tarleton nst riva State. Th The e LLady Mustangs M gs ttook ook home a 5 5-1 victory and a ctoryy an Lone Conference L e Star Con Lon fere title, the third tit e, th d ttitle tle in four years. i fou ars. The team te eam advanced vanced to the NCAA tournament, but N tour nam fell short during the hort du quarterfinals. terfinal

woMen’s Tennis

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Set Match

Mustangs Serve Short in Regional The Mustangs made their 15th NCAA tournament apperance against rival Cameron University in the first round of regional play on April 29, 2017.

The Mustangs entered the tournament with a No. 2 seed selection. The season came to a close as the Mustangs fell to rival Cameron with a 5-4 defeat.

The season ended with a 14-11 record. Senior Ramon Toyos was named South Central Region Player of the Year as well as being named the school’s first men’s tennis player to earn Academic All-America honors from CoSIDA. The Mustangs closed the season ranked 23rd in the nation.

Men’s Tennis

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keep Driving

Individuals Earn Honors During the Lone Star Conference Championship tournament, the Mustangs opened with strong competition play, but struggled to maintain the momentum leading into the final round.

The team started the tournament at top of the leaderboard, but battled to finish

third place overall.

Teammates junior Trip Hobson tied for sixth as individual and senior Colton Dorion tied for eigth as individual.

Senior Jared Baker claimed two Lone Star Conference Golfer of the Week honors during the season as well as named LSC Player of the Year.

Men’s Golf

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strong finish

Team Places Fifth in LSC Play The Lady Mustangs opened their fall season with an early challenge as they competed in the Western New Mexico Fall Intercollegiate. The team opened with an 11-over 299 and two strokes back against Tarleton State. The Lady Mustangs played with determination as they finished runner-up in the West Texas A&M Invitational. During the

spring season, the Lady Mustangs held the 8th annual MSU Invitational where the team finished ninth place overall. Senior Sierra Campbell and junior Sarah Moore earned second-team AllLone Star Conference awards. In the Lone Star Conference Championship, the Lady Mustangs finished fifth overall.

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change - UP

New Coach Leads Program The Lady Mustangs batted with new changes going into the season. Mark Ryal was named as the second head coach of the softball program after serving as full-time assistant prior. The season opened with the Lady Mustangs picked as seventh in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll. The

team struggled with winning games.

The Lady Mustangs added wins during MSU Round Robin tournament and carried the momentum to conference play against UT Permian Basin.

Freshman outfielder Lauren Lindgren and senior first baseman Erin Knox were given All-LSC honors.

softball

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Traditions io on ons o ns

TRansitions

The Wai-Kun is a long-standing tradition that depicts the year’s events through a collection of photographs and stories. For this year’s publication, the staff wanted to display and celebrate the established traditions as well as the exciting transitions going on in the university as MSU continues to expand. We would like to thank the MSU students, faculty and staff who submitted photos.

Sincerely, Wai-Kun Staff