Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015

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OPINION: Homecoming: Class Council creates new activities PAGE 2 The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

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D O U B L E PA C E M A K E R F I N A L I S T

T H U R S DA Y, O C T O B E R 15 , 2 015

LGBTQ lounge officially opens Community to hold grand opening in commemoration JESSE POUND news editor @jesserpound

The LGBTQ community lounge in the Union will have its grand opening next week, and both OU administrators and leaders of an LGBTQ student group will make remarks. The ceremony will take place from 2-4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, Kasey Catlett, assistant director for LGBTQ and Health Programs at the Women’s Outreach Center, said. Jabar Shumate, the vice president for the university community, and representatives from the student group Queer Inclusion on Campus will speak, Catlett said. The lounge has been in use for over a month, because the university wanted it to be open for students when they came back from the summer, Catlett said. However, not all of the furniture and decorations for the lounge had arrived yet, Catlett said. Catlett said he expects the lounge to be completed by the time of the ceremony. In the spring, Queer Inclusion on Campus released a report of things it would like to see changed at OU, including the creation of a resource center for LGBTQ students. Instead of a resource center, the OU administration agreed to create the study lounge. Jesse Pound jesserpound@gmail.com

TYLER WOODWARD/THE DAILY

Former 1947-49 RUF/NEKS president Bob Miller laughs with fellow RUF/NEKS members at Gaylord Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19. Miller celebrated the RUF/NEKS 100th Anniversary before the game against Tulsa.

The greatest of RUF/NEKS How Bob Miller revived the historied brotherhood

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aylord Memor ial Stadium was packed. The weather chilled. A loud, rowdy group walked down the endzone ramp and waited. They were wearing red shirts and white pants. In their hands were wooden paddles. They were hugging, laughing, celebrating, joking and moving. On this day, the RUF/NEKS celebrated 100 years as the University of Oklahoma’s male spirit squad. Through the ruckus, a small elderly man separated the sea of red and white. The RUF/ NEKS members gently, respectfully cleared a path for Bob Miller. He is one of the few surviving RUF/NEKS members of 1946, and he led the organization from 1947–49. In this moment, the 91-year-old man was leading the pack again. The eyes of the entire group fixed on him.

The current president of the RUF/NEKS Alumni Association, Kenneth Forehand, organized the event, which was held the weekend of the OU-Tulsa game, and described the importance of Bob Miller and the RUF/NEKS from 1946–49. “I think what they did was huge. We aren’t what we are or who we are today without them,” Forehand said. Bob Miller made his way to the 50-yard line. More than 100 RUF/NEKS cheered him on. Shortly after, Miller was welcomed on the sidelines. For the next 30 minutes, RUF/NEKS old and new shook hands and spoke with the legend. Miller held a hopeful, accomplished smile, the same smile he held all those years ago.

Unheard receives diversity award ‘Ragtime’ opens in renovated theater TYLER WOODWARD @TKWOODWARD VISUAL ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

Honor recognizes OU group for equality effort ANNA MAYER news reporter @AnnaMay136

OU Unheard will receive an award tomorrow evening to honor its fights against inequality at the university. The black student alliance was chosen as one of six recipients of the Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher Diversity Awards. The awards are meant to recognize individuals and groups who have worked extensively to promote diversity and inclusion. OU Unheard is tremendously proud that its work is being appreciated and encouraged, pre-med junior and OU Unheard member Chelsea Davis said. The group made national headlines during the Sigma Alpha Epsilon scandal in March, when a video of the former fraternity’s members singing a racist chant emerged on the Internet. Two students in SAE were expelled, and the fraternity was kicked off of campus as a result. SEE AWARD PAGE 2

WEATHER Sunny with a high of 91, low of 61. Updates: @AndrewGortonWX

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“The music in the show is grounded thought by thought in the acting.”

Special, universitywide performance to stay true to original MADISON MASTERS staff reporter

A university-wide production of Ragtime is the first show to be performed in the newly renovated Elsie C. Brackett Theatre this weekend. When asked how it felt to be a part of the first cast to step on this stage, acting senior, Gabby Reyes, described it as an honor, a chance to make history. One of the things that makes this production special is it is a collaborative effort. Since it is not specifically the work of one department, students from varying disciplines were able to join in. Students from the drama, dance, musical theatre and vocal performance departments will all be making appearances in the show, which allows for the dynamic on stage to be truly special. Joe Locarro, the director of the

NANCY ROSS, MUSICAL THEATRE SENIOR

NOOR EEMAAN/THE DAILY

The cast of Ragtime performs for media night Oct. 14. The show runs from Oct. 16-18.

show, performed in the original cast of “Ragtime” on Broadway. Locarro is bringing the show to OU’s stage in its truest form, by sticking to the traditional choreography and style of the show as closely as possible.

“(The goal) is to bring back the passion and intent of the original authors and composers,” Nancy Ross, musical theatre senior, who plays the lead role, said. “Oh, I’m expecting some tears from the audience,” Justin Armer,

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SEE RUF/NEKS PAGE 6

acting freshman, said. Between the emotional impact of the music and the varying plot lines of the show, there will be something for everyone to connect with, Armer said. The music doesn’t distract from the plot but adds to the intensity and depth of emotion, Ross said. “ The music in the show is grounded thought by thought in the acting,” she said. While looking for an artistic response to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon incident of last year, it was decided that “Ragtime” was the perfect fit. SEE RAGTIME PAGE 2

OU YAK OF THE DAY “When your so drunk you think the clock tower’s face is the moon”

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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015 by OU Daily - Issuu