The Oklahoma Daily

Page 1

The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

Thursday, December 9, 2010

www.OUDaily.com

Free — additional copies 25¢

OU sending more students abroad Top destinations include U.K., Italy, Spain, Frace and China, according to reports HILLARY MCLAIN The Oklahoma Daily

Recent data shows the efforts of international relations advocates like OU President David Boren may be starting to pay off. The number of students from OU studying abroad has increased in recent years, as well as the number of international students at OU. “OU’s increase is likely a combination of finally beginning to bear the fruits of a consistent international push from President Boren,” Education Abroad Director Jack Hobson said.

C L U B C U B E

The number of OU students studying abroad has increased from 619 students since the 20072008 academic year to 756 in the 2009-2010 academic year, a 22.1 percent increase, according to reports from the Office of Education Abroad. OU now has more types of studying abroad programs and has become more institutionalized, Hobson said. The number of international students enrolled at OU has increased from 1,832 in fall 2009 to 2,094 in fall 2010, a 14.3 percent increase, according to reports from OU’s International Student Services offices. Part of the draw for international students coming to OU is the engineering programs,

said Mariana Mircheva, student adviser for the Office of International Student Services. “OU is famous for some programs like petroleum engineering or even computer engineering or chemical engineering,” Mircheva said. There was a slight national decrease for the first time in 22 years by 0.8 percent in 2009 and a rebound in 2010, according to the International Institute of Education. This decrease may have been due to the global economic recession, Hobson said. OU students frequent the same destinations as the top five study abroad locations, Hobson said. These are the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France and China, according to an Open Doors report.

JIYEUN HEO/THE DAILY

Jessica Johnston, elementary education junior, attempts to solve her Rubik’s Cube during an Oklahoma Rubik’s Cube Club meeting. The club began spring 2010 and has 10 members.

OU Rubik’s Cube Club puzzles members, solves the square New student organizatioin looks to expand, host more events next semester JIYEUN HEO The Oklahoma Daily

Members of the Oklahoma Rubik’s Cube club said that while they didn’t win any awards this semester or hold any competitions, the skills they acquired to show off to their friends is gratifying enough. “It is a fun thing to learn and it is something that is impressive to other people when they don’t know what you are doing,” Jessica Johnston, elementary education junior, said. “It is kind of like a fun skill and when you finally figure it out it is so easy.” Zachary McWilliams, president of the club, said there are about 10 members, a small number for OU’s clubs. He helped start the club in spring 2010 because it was a hobby of his and some of his friends. Maxx Ramsey, information studies freshman, is a member and likes it because it gets a reaction out of people.

“I have been Rubik’s cubing since my sophomore year of high school so it has been three and a half years,” Ramsey said. McWilliams, computer enginnering junior, said last semester they hosted a Rubik’s Cube competition event at OU in Dale Hall, which was organized by the Texas Speedcubing Club with the World Rubik’s Cube Association. About 40 people competed from all over the state and OU. The club members didn’t win any prizes but had a chance to meet people who shared an interest in solving Rubik’s cubes and see some of the best participants from around the state, McWilliams said. “We haven’t done any big events this semester but maybe in the future we will have an event to teach people how to Rubik’s cube,” McWilliams said. Those interested in learning how to solve Rubik’s Cubes can attend one of the club’s weekly meetings, but need to bring their own cube. The club is open to anyone and meets at 7pm on Thursdays in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Will Rogers Room.

Student crowned pageant winner Senior one of eight OU participants in three-day Miss Oklahoma USA competition TREVOR SHOFNER The Oklahoma Daily

Spotlights illuminated the results of weeks and weeks of tanning, toning, dieting and studying. Donning evening gowns or swimwear, the Miss Oklahoma USA 2011 contestants walked the stage before an audience of devoted family and others in attendance. Eight OU students participated in the pageant Nov. 26-28 in Guthrie, including the overall winner of the event. Kaitlyn Smith, multi-disciplinary senior, took home the crown and title this year and won the interview and photogenic categories. Although this year’s Miss Oklahoma USA was her first pageant, Smith saw it as an opportunity to challenge herself and make a difference. “I just took it on as a new challenge,” Smith said. “I thought it would be a great way to make an impact and to push myself to do something new.” Her platform for the competition was awareness of domestic violence against women, an issue she took seriously after seeing her friend go through an abusive relationship the summer before. Smith said she really didn’t know what to expect of the competition but rather just “said a lot of prayers” and tried to stay optimistic. “As cheesy as it sounds, just being yourself is important,” Smith said. “And if you don’t win, it’s not that they didn’t like you, but that they were just looking for something different that year.” Public relations senior Kelsie Guthrie placed in the top 15 and won the swimsuit category. She had participated in Miss Texas Teen senior year of high school and made top 12 in last year’s Miss Oklahoma USA. “For me it’s a hobby, but it’s also about personal skills, skills that will translate into the workplace,” Guthrie said. Since philanthropy is an important aspect of a contestant’s resume, Guthrie has been heavily involved in volunteering for the Make-A-Wish foundation and acting as community service chair for her sorority Chi Omega. To prepare physically and mentally, she underwent electrolysis with Body Trends, SEE CONTEST PAGE 2

Prof honored in competition for achievement Professor named Marshall Memorial fellow, will travel to Europe to continue research EMILY HOPKINS The Oklahoma Daily

An OU Honors College assistant professor was recently selected as one of more than 100 international Marshall Memorial fellows and is the only one from Oklahoma. Marcia Chatelain, who teaches Africa-American studies, was one of the winners chosen for the fivecity, 24-day European tour based on her emerging leadership potential and scholarly achievements. Chatelain has demonstrated

that leadership means something in academics, said Richard Hamerla, associate dean of the Honors College. Chatelain attributes her selection to her commitment to public service, along with her continued involvement with the Truman Scholarship community, the alumni of Brown University and her leadership role as a board member with the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma. “Oklahoma is not the best state for women and girls in terms of incarceration, unplanned pregnancies and educational and career attainment, but organizations like Girl Scouts are combating gender

A LOOK AT WHAT’S NEW AT Visit the news section to read about today’s free flu shot clinic at Goddard Health Center

inequality every day,” she said. The Marshall Memorial Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for emerging leaders from the United States and Europe to explore “institutions, politics and culture on the other side of the Atlantic,” according to its website. Chatelain said she is excited to make contacts in Europe to help support her research. “I hope to bring back some strong insights for students looking to study abroad in Europe and hopefully make some connections with people also concerned about the status of women and girls around the world,” she said. Fellows will meet with local

THE OKLAHOMA DAILY VOL. 96, NO. 77 © 2010 OU Publications Board www.facebook.com/OUDaily www.twitter.com/OUDaily

policymakers and community members, as well as have an opportunity to explore their own areas of interest and expertise. The Marshall Memorial Fellowship was founded in 1982 to introduce European leaders to the US; a companion program was launched in 1999 to expose American leaders to European affairs. Chatelain, a Chicago native, graduated from the Missouri School of Journalism in 2001 and received a Ph.D. in American civilization from Brown University in 2008. She is also a 2000 Truman Scholar. She said she is excited to find out

INDEX Campus .............. 2 Classifieds .......... 4 Life & Arts ........... 6 Opinion .............. 3 Sports ................ 5

Marcia Chatelain the exact itinerary of the tour, anxious to meet the diverse group of fellows and regards her fellowship as an opportunity to broaden her teaching horizons.

TODAY’S WEATHER 64°| 36° Friday: Cloudy, high of 59 degrees Visit the Oklahoma Weather Lab at owl.ou.edu


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.