Inside
March 24, 2003
This Week
• Don’t hate the messengers, editorial, p. 2. • Professors create book, p. 6. • Disabled doesn’t mean unable , p. 9. • Student Life gearing up, p. 10.
Oklahoma City Community College
PIONEER
Students answer call to serve country The threat of war creates empty seats By Kate Brennan Editor
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lthough most students will return to classes after a week of spring break, others won’t return for at least the remainder of the semester. Those students have been called out on military deployment. Mike Craig, journalism major, cut the semester short when he left at 5 a.m. March 6 for the Middle East. He knew exactly where he would be stationed, but couldn’t say because of security reasons. “All I can tell you is that I’ll be somewhere where there’s a lot of sand,” he said. Craig, an avionics repairman in Air National Guard Unit 137 MXS, serves in the same unit as his brother. “Basically I work on the weapons systems and repair airplanes,” he said. He said it is comforting to know that he will be with his brother in the Middle East, especially since his deployment orders are for a year. Depending on the need in the area, he said, he could be stationed there anywhere from two months to two years. Unit 137 will be in the middle of the action. “If something big is gonna happen, we will be there,” Craig said. “We take them the bombs and then we’ll probably stick around to help clean up the mess when this is all over,” he said. Craig said he prepared for his stay in the desert by stocking up on toiletries at Wal-Mart, since his favorite products will not be readily available once he’s there. He said he also had to put together his address book so he could keep in touch with those back home. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had to write letters, but for awhile it will be my only way of communicating with people from home.” Craig is not the only OKCCC student to be sent off to the Middle East or to be activated. Journalism major David Tarver left Saturday, March 15. Fort Sill will be his new home
See “Deployed,” page 12
Photo by MB Doescher
Pool shark: Nathalie Cyr, modern language sophomore, prepares to break the rack at the intramural sports billiards tournament held March 6 at Mikey’s, a northside game room. Cyr won the tournament and received an intramural sports champion T-shirt as her trophy. For more information about intramural events, call Karen Hartline at 682-1611, ext. 7786
Chancellor Risser tours campus By Kate Brennan Editor
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igher Education Chancellor Paul Risser wants an answer. Where do college faculty and staff see OKCCC in three years? On his visit to the campus March 12, the common answer was to be improved and have more resources available to students. Risser wants quality in education to come first, he said. With that he would like to see colleges and universities recognize that today’s student is more likely to be taking courses at more than one college. He believes OKCCC has made excellent strides toward this goal. “Colleges need to make it easier for all credits to transfer,” he said. President Bob Todd is confident that Risser will make a difference in the Oklahoma higher education system. “His interest is in students and economic development,” said Todd. “He understands that the significant emphasis of community colleges is the economic development of the community,” said Todd. Risser is on a 90-day tour of all the colleges and universities in Oklahoma. He believes it is important to experience each campus, he said.
This was Risser’s third visit to the OKCCC campus in the short time of his appointment as chancellor. Risser grew up in Oklahoma. He served as a faculty member at the University of Oklahoma and as chair of OU’s Department of Botany, said Todd. Risser took office as Chancellor Jan. 6 succeeding Hans Brisch. Risser oversees all Oklahoma state universities, colleges and higher education centers.
Make It, Bake It, Sell It, profit By Jon Holloman News Writing I Student
Professors are cooking, sewing, sawing and painting — all in order to contribute to the annual Faculty Association Make It, Bake It, Sell It event. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 2, tables will be set up on the first floor of the main building near the bookstore, garnished with all types of
See “Deployed,” page 12