Crimson Quarterly, Winter 2017 issue

crimson QUA RT E R LY Winter 2017 • Volume 2, Issue 4

live on UNIVERSITY David L. Boren plans to step down after 23 years as OU president

table of contents EDITORS

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Professor and paleontologist performs with bagpipe band

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Community support strong as Othello’s prepares for reopening

Torri Sperry

Editor-in-chief

Alexandra Goodman Managing Editor

Levi Wiltfong Design Editor

CONTRIBUTORS Dr. David W. Levy: columnist Emily McPherson: copy editor Jaconna Aguirre: photographer Dana Branham: photographer Siandhara Bonnet: photographer

Noor Eemaan: photographer Tom Nuspc: photographer Megan Ross: photographer Ali Klima: writer Clara Linhoff: writer

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President Boren says goodbye after 23 years of service

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Questionnaire

Crimson Quarterly is a publication of University of Oklahoma Student Media. Nick Jungman, director of student media, authorized printing of 10,000 copies by University Printing Services at no cost to the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma.

President David Boren addresses the graduates at the 2017 commencement ceremony. photo by Megan Ross

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BEER

bones, BAGPIPES, AND

Dr. Cindy Gordon (right) laughs with fellow members of the Oklahoma Scottish Pipes and Drums. photo by Megan Ross

Professor and paleontologist performs with nonprofit bagpipe band story by Torri Sperry Wrapped in eight yards of wool and topped with a glengarry, Dr. Cindy Gordon proudly displays the Scottish national tartan, which can take a good 20-25 minutes to put on.

Wearing the kilt and hat is a must for all performances and one of the many aspects that make bagpipers stand out among other musicians.

Gordon is an associate professor in the biology department and a paleontologist at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.

She recently took over the anatomy

program and works on the evolution of mammals that have long gone extinct.

When she’s not working at the university or at the museum, Gordon enjoys performing with her bagpipe band, Oklahoma Scottish Pipes and Drums.

Growing up, Gordon played the saxophone and was involved in the school band. When she got to college, she occasionally saw bagpipers at local parks, sparking her interest in the unique instrument.

To her surprise, Oklahoma has a

strong Celtic community, and playing the bagpipes was more widespread than she initially thought. In August 2006, Gordon looked up bagpipe lessons online and found a band in OKC that gave free lessons.

Shortly after, Gordon joined the band, and they continue to play more than 10 years later. The band now has around 20 members, and when at full force, they are the largest band in the state.

“One of the things I love is that you couldn’t get a more different group of people,” Gordon said. “We

5 are different religiously, politically we are on opposite ends, but we actually have it in our bylaws that there is no talking about religion or politics.

We couldn’t be more different, but we all get along great. It’s probably why our band has lasted so long, because we don’t let that BS get involved.”

Gordon’s bagpipe band plays at various venues, including parades, graduation ceremonies, weddings, funerals and veteran gigs. Gordon said she and her band do about 50 public performances a year, not including gigs she does solo.

“We are a nonprofit band, so any money we receive from performances goes into band expenses,” Gordon said. “I kind of think of it as my civic duty to some degree. Especially with veteran gigs, you want to honor these individuals that have made such a sacrifice.”

Gordon said she enjoys the energy during parades, but her favorite performances are for St. Patrick’s Day. “We do a pub crawl on that day,” she said. “We don’t play for free, we pretty much always play for beer.

We’re pretty easy like that, you’re either going to pay us in cash or beer.”

Although Gordon appreciates the beer and the band, playing the bagpipes has many challenges.

The kilt itself is eight yards of wool, making it uncomfortably hot to play in during the summer. Also, bagpipes have four reeds that you have to tune to one another, making the instrument easy to go out of tune.

Humidity changes, temperature

The Oklahoma Scottish Pipes and Drums’ kilts feature the Scottish National tartan, and their usual uniform shirts are blue, as a tribute to the Oklahoma flag. photos by Megan Ross

changes, sun exposure, how long you play it, how long you warmed it up and the moisture in your mouth can all send the instrument suddenly out of tune.

“It can be one of those instruments that you love it or hate it,” Gordon said. “And usually when people hate it, I think it’s because they heard a really crappy bagpiper.”

Gordon also said that she and her other band members are frequently asked what is under their kilt. She said that most of them wear shorts underneath, but others do not.

“Never ask a piper what’s under their kilt because they’re probably

going to give you an answer that makes your ears burn,” Gordon said.

“Some pipers go regimental, where they don’t wear anything, and I choose not to march behind them on a windy day in Oklahoma.”

Looking forward, Gordon said she does not have any future plans other than remaining with the band.

“I see no reason, unless I move or whatever, to start doing anything different,” she said. “We’re having fun, learning new music and we play at a pub every second Tuesday just for fun. There’s a lot of beer. We laugh that we’re a drinking band that occasionally bagpipes.”

Dr. Gordon (second from the right) and the Oklahoma Scottish Pipes and Drums play a few songs in the courtyard of First Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City following a service Oct. 29, 2017. photo by Megan Ross

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a classic RESTORING

Norman Fire Department firefighters retract a hose from Othello’s Italian Restaurant after putting out the fire caused by a lightning strike April 29, 2017. photo by Siandhara Bonnet

Community support strong as Othello’s prepares for reopening story by Clara Linhoff The word “community” is not just another noun in the city of Norman. It is a feeling, an act, and part of what makes Normanites feel at home within the college town.

Jennifer Weiss, owner and manager of Othello’s Italian Restaurant in Norman, truly felt the spirit of community after lightning set fire to her beloved restaurant in April 2017.

“I was devastated,” Weiss said.

Weiss and her family have owned Othello’s for seven years and have kept the traditional recipes and maintained the style of the place created by Pasqual Benso since it first opened in 1977. There have been many owners since the restaurant first opened, and Weiss and her family took over eight years ago.

The family owns three restaurants in Edmond, including another Othello’s (which they bought in 2000), and have revolved their lives around the

restaurant business. They plan on keeping it in the family for a very long time.

“My mom makes the lasagna every weekend from scratch and my sister bakes the coconut cream pies, which have won many awards,” Weiss said.

All the sauces are made from scratch each day. Everything on the menu is known for its authentic Italian flavor. Weiss can be found at Othello’s every day it is open, managing, cooking, conversing with customers, and keeping the place in order.

“My family and all the staff work together. It’s definitely a family and friendly environment,” Weiss said.

The Weiss family may own the restaurant, but the other relationships made within the restaurant are just as strong. Othello’s has been a landmark within the community since it opened and has created a family for the

customers and workers. Weiss said she has made special connections with many of her regular customers.

“My family and workers weren’t the only ones affected by the fire. To many of our customers, it was as if they lost their second home, as well,” Weiss said.

Weiss got a phone call in the middle of the night in April that the security alarm was going off in the restaurant.

“I didn’t think much of it,” she said. “There was a storm and the alarm going off happened quite often.”

A few minutes later, Weiss saw the restaurant’s Facebook page was tagged in a photo by a customer, the caption reading “Othello’s on fire!” This led her to calling the fire department and rushing to the restaurant at 6:30 a.m. on April 29.

The roof was originally steel and flat, but at some point in the

9 restaurant’s history, a pitched roof was created for a better look. The lightning hit the front of the building, which struck the neon lights. The fire was stuck between the two roofs and never actually entered the building; smoke and water damage caused most of the damage inside. Around seven in the morning, Weiss called her staff to come to the restaurant and see the damage.

“They all showed up; it was a very hard time,” Weiss said. “But the support system we had was really incredible. All our staff standing with us in the rain at seven in the morning, looking at the damage. And then we had customers there hugging us and our staff. The support system that very morning on Campus Corner was incredible.”

The new and improved Othello’s is expected to be ready and open by mid-November, in time for the final OU football game. The restaurant will have a few changes. Weiss wanted to keep some of the changes of a surprise, but she did confirm that they are adding a bathroom and a private dining room for parties of up to 20 people.

The bar side is staying the same.

The stage for live music is being moved to the back, and windows are being added for customers to look out onto the patio.

“The menu is staying the same — we have a great menu. We pride ourselves on our homemade items.

We are keeping the customers’ creations as well,” Weiss said.

The owner assures that the famous “Table of Truth,” where legendary Barry Switzer signed his contract to coach the Cowboys, was

saved from the fire and will sit in a place of honor within the restaurant.

She also hinted Switzer may be at the opening as well.

“I think the most exciting and most showing of community in Norman is that my whole, complete staff will be returning,” said Weiss.

The owner said the hardest part was telling the staff the restaurant had to close down — especially the college students. The fire happened toward the end of the month, right when bills and payments are usually due.

“It hurt to say, ‘hey, we can’t pay you, and you don’t have a job here anymore, at least for awhile,’” she said.

The community of Norman

reached out to the staff and gave them all temporary jobs, knowing they would return to Othello’s once it reopened.

“All of our staff is so close, and this fire just brought them closer. And they all have requested to return. Our cooks, waiters, waitresses — they will all be back,” Weiss said.

When the restaurant re-opens, it will feel as though it never closed.

The same menu, friendly faces, and traditions will be there waiting for the customers — the only difference will be the fresh paint and rearrangement of the restaurant. Weiss is extremely proud to be part of the Othello’s and Norman community. She takes pride in the family she has created with the restaurant.

Norman Fire Department firefighters talk after putting out the fire at Othello’s Italian Restaurant April 29, 2017. photo by Siandhara Bonnet

Othello’s Italian Restaurant in the process of being rebuilt on Buchanan Avenue Oct. 13, 2017. photo by Siandhara Bonnet

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the end of a

GOLDEN ERA President David Boren speaks to the media during his retirement announcement Sept. 20, 2017. photo by Megan Ross

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President Boren’s lifetime of public service leaves lasting impact on university

President David Boren announces plan to retire in June 2018. photos by Megan Ross

story by Ali Klima In 1994, David Lyle Boren was named university president after an already impressive career in politics.

He spent the next 23 years serving students and higher education in Oklahoma before announcing his retirement in September 2017.

When some people hear the name David Boren, they tend to associate it with government. They aren’t wrong; he is a former Oklahoma governor, member of the Oklahoma House and United States senator who spent decades committed to reform while overseeing secret intelligence programs in the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

When OU students hear his name, however, they have a different title for him: president.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

16 Boren became the 13th president of OU in 1994, and for more than two decades, he oversaw dramatic changes at the university.

In that time period, $2 billion was poured into construction projects, including the College of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Gaylord Hall and the residential colleges on Lindsey Street.

“Not many universities have a president like David Boren,” said Allen Hertzke, David Ross Boyd Professor of political science. “It’s going to be difficult for the next person to fill his shoes.”

Under Boren’s leadership, OU created over 30 academic programs, including the College of International Studies.

President David Boren and former Sooner Buddy Hield pose for a photo during the game against Ohio State Sept. 17, 2016. photo by Megan Ross

Athletic programs at OU also thrived with President Boren. In 1998, he hired former head football coach Bob Stoops and athletic director Joe Castiglione. Just two years later, the Oklahoma Sooners won a national championship. Boren and Castiglione’s leadership also led to national titles in golf, softball, and gymnastics.

Despite the university’s outstanding athletic success, Boren is most known for his passionate commitment to education for all OU students. He is one of a few university presidents across the country who teaches an undergraduate course in both the fall and spring academic semesters. He plans to continue teaching at OU after his retirement.

“President Boren clearly meets the definition of being a public servant, having spent 50 years in public service as a legislator, governor, U.S. senator and, for the past 23 years, as the 13th president of OU. He deserves thanks from all Oklahomans,” Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said.

At 2 p.m. Sept. 20 in historic Holmberg Hall, Boren gathered students, faculty, and staff for to announce his retirement. By 1 p.m., the first floor was entirely filled, and attendees were forced to move upstairs to the balcony.

“Today I am filled with gratitude.

I am grateful to the people of Oklahoma for rendering me able to spend my life in public service,” Boren said. “I’ve always understood that there would come a time when I must pass the baton to a new president. I have wanted the transition to occur when the university is at its peak.”

In 2017, the freshman-tosophomore retention rate at OU

A BIT ABOUT BOREN ATAGE33,BORENWASELECTED GOVERNOROFOKLAHOMA.HEWAS THEYOUNGESTGOVERNORINAMERICA AFTERHISINAUGURATIONTHE FOLLOWINGJANUARYHI . SSUPPORTERS WERECALLEDTHE“BROOMBRIGADE.”

ACCORDINGTOOU OFFICIALS,BOREN’S SENATORIALAPPROVAL RATING WAS 91 PERCENTWHENHE LEFT OFFICE.

HEMARRIEDMOLLYSHIBORENWHILEHEWASSERVING ASOKLAHOMA’SGOVERNOR.“IAMDEEPLYGRATEFUL TOMYPARTNERINLIFE,MOLLYSHI,”BORENSAIDAT HISRETIREMENTANNOUNCEMENT“BECAUSE .

OFHER COMMITMENTOU , HASBEENSELECTEDONEOFTHE25 MOSTBEAUTIFULCAMPUSESINAMERICA.”

17 reached an all time high of 92 percent.

It was also ranked the number one university in the nation in enrollment of freshman National Merit Scholars the same year.

Boren then told the hundreds of people gathered in Holmberg that his retirement would be effective June 30, 2018, contingent on the selection of the successor. If at that time a replacement had not been hired, Boren would stay in his position until

the search is completed.

Though students and faculty alike feel sad in the wake of Boren’s announcement, the university must live on.

“It is vital that the university be preserved,” Boren said. “I said over 20 years ago I was convinced that together, we could demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching.

I said that together, we could make diversity our strength. Serving as

your president has been the most rewarding experience of my life. It’s impossible for me to express my appreciation to you.”

After Boren’s reassurances, the crowd in Holmberg gave Boren a standing ovation before he stepped off stage. OU will undoubtedly endure in the decades to come, but students will always remember the legacy left behind by David L. Boren.

Hundreds of University of Oklahoma students, alumni, faculty members and town locals gathered on the South Oval on Jan. 30 to celebrate diversity, support international students and protest President Trump’s executive order suspending refugee resettlement into the U.S. photo by Megan Ross

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DAVID L. BOREN

TIMELINE APRIL21,1941:BORN INWASHINGTON,D.C.

1965:GRADUATED FROMOXFORD UNIVERSITYWITHA MASTER’SDEGREE IN POLITICS, PHILOSOPHYAND , ECONOMICS.

1963:GRADUATED FROM YALE UNIVERSITYWITH A DEGREE IN AMERICANHISTORY.

1979-1994:SERVEDINTHEU.S.SENATE. SERVEDONMULTIPLECOMMITTEES, INCLUDINGTHESENATEFINANCEAND AGRICULTURECOMMITTEEANDTHESENATE SELECTCOMMITTEEONINTELLIGENCE.

1974-1978:SERVEDASGOVERNOROF OKLAHOMA.WHENHEWASELECTED, HEWASTHEYOUNGESTGOVERNOR INTHEU.S.BORENLEDINITIATIVES FORINCREASEDFUNDINGFORHIGHER EDUCATIONANDPROMOTINGBETTER EDUCATIONTHROUGHOUTTHESTATE.

1985:FOUNDED THEOKLAHOMA FOUNDATIONFOR EXCELLENCE,WHICH RECOGNIZESPUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS ANDSTUDENTSAND ESTABLISHEDLOCAL FOUNDATIONSTO RAISEMONEYFOR LOCALPUBLIC SCHOOLS.

1988-1997: SERVEDON THEYALE UNIVERSITY BOARDOF TRUSTEES.

1993:RECEIVED THEHENRY YOSTAWARD FOREDUCATION ADVOCATEOF THE YEAR.

1992:AUTHORED THENATIONAL SECURITY EDUCATIONACT, WHICHPROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS FORSTUDENTS STUDYINGABROAD.

President David Boren tries on a lab coat presented to him at a reception at OU Health Sciences Center April 27, 1994. photo by Jaconna Aguirre

1994:BEGAN TENUREAS OU’S13TH PRESIDENT.

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President David Boren announces the “Reach For Excellence” campaign Feb. 9, 1995. photo by Tom Nuspc

1995:LAUNCHEDTHE “REACHFOREXCELLENCE” CAMPAIGNTORAISEMONEY FORENDOWMENTSATOU. THECAMPAIGNRAISEDMORE THAN$500MILLION.

1997: RAISEDTHE HONORSPROGRAMTOA FULLY-FLEDGEDCOLLEGE.

2011:FOUNDEDCOLLEGEOF INTERNATIONALSTUDIES, WHICHOVERSEESSTUDY ABROADFORSTUDENTS. BORENWASCOMMITTEDTO INCREASINGTHENUMBER OFSTUDENTSATOUWHO STUDYABROAD,WHICHHAS INCREASEDFROM2PERCENT TOMORETHAN30PERCENT.

2013:THERESEARCHCAMPUS INNORMAN,WHICHBOREN ESTABLISHED,WASNAMED THEBESTCOLLEGERESEARCH CAMPUSINTHENATION.

2015: EXPELLED TWOSTUDENTSAND ESTABLISHEDMANDATORY DIVERSITYTRAININGAFTER ARACIALLY-CHARGED INCIDENTWITHTHESIGMA ALPHAEPSILONFRATERNITY.

2016-17:LED“PENNYTAX” MEASURE,ASTATEQUESTIONIN THENOVEMBER2016ELECTION THATWOULDHAVEADDEDONE CENTTOSALESTAXTORAISE MONEYFOREDUCATIONHADIT NOT BEEN DEFEATED.

President Boren speaks with the media following his retirement announcement. photo by Megan Ross

2017:OPENEDTWONEW RESIDENTIALCOLLEGES, DUNHAMCOLLEGEAND HEADINGTONCOLLEGE.

2017:ANNOUNCEDHIS PLANTO RETIRE AS UNIVERSITYPRESIDENTBY JUNE,BUTWILLCONTINUE TOTEACHPOLITICAL SCIENCECLASSESATOU.

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sooners CONNECTING GENERATIONS OF

President David Boren speaks at the unveiling of the statue of Omar Khayyam outside of then-Hester Hall March 30, 2016. photo by Noor Eemaan

Boren’s legacy of celebrating OU’s history

by Dr. David W. Levy Others will no doubt make mention of those remarkable and quantifiable achievements of President David Boren’s administration: the number of new buildings, the increasing ACT scores of the student body, the astounding growth in the dollars of private giving, the ever rising total of endowed chairs, the higher and higher rates of student retention, and so on.

But, as a professional historian myself, I would like to express appreciation for David and Molly Boren’s recognition and celebration of the history of the University.

They have breathed life into our understanding of the institution’s past, and have thereby connected members of this generation of the University community to generations of their predecessors.

It has been a rare speech of the President’s over the last 23 years in which he has not recalled the pioneering vision and optimism of the University’s very first leader, David Ross Boyd.

Hundreds of pictures from the past now decorate

the walls of every building on the campus. The “Scholars Walk” reminds students who pass down the east side of the South Oval today of the dozens of former students who have distinguished themselves – how could they miss the lessons about the rewards that can come with hard work or about how the University has always encouraged and honored and taken pride in scholastic achievement?

Evans Hall, the administration building, was constructed in 1912, with niches where statues might someday be placed. Those niches remained empty and ignored for almost a century until President Boren filled them with reminders of his predecessors. He placed the statue of George Lynn Cross in that prominent place on the North Oval, and statues of other figures from the University’s past can now be found on the library, at the student union, and on other buildings.

Standing plaques in front of each building acquaint those who pause to read them with the lives and deeds of those pioneers for

whom the building is named. No other presidential administration in the University’s history has been as conscious of the school’s past or as attentive to its preservation.

This concern for what has transpired before is important because it conveys the debt that we owe to those who worked and studied here before we arrived. It teaches us that everything did not miraculously begin with our coming, but that the institution that we find, spread before us like a banquet of enormous opportunities, is here because of its previous occupants.

It is a worthwhile thing to know that there is a long and honorable tradition and that we are a part of it, that we owe thanks to those who came before and have a responsibility to those who will follow. David and Molly Boren seem to have understood this fact, even if it is not as tangible as the number of new buildings or endowed professorships or rising ACT scores.

To me, their teaching this lesson about the University’s continuity is one of their best legacies.

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After 23 years at OU, David Boren steps down as the first person in Oklahoma history to serve as state governor, senator, and university president. photo by Megan Ross

QUESTIONNAIRE We want to hear from you!

Crimson Quarterly editorial staff is looking for input from our readers about the stories you want us to cover. Fill out this short questionnaire and mail it to OU Student Media, 860 Van Vleet Oval, Room 149A. Thank you for your input!

Which stories would you be likely to read?

A professor with an interesting hobby or second job The research grants OU faculty members are awarded in their respective fields A high-achieving fine arts major with a unique capstone Renovations, scheduled and underway, to campus facilities Coverage of the ongoing search for a new university president

Which group do you belong to?

OU faculty member OU staff member OU student Norman community member Other: _______________________________________

What kind of coverage do you want us to include in future issues of Crimson Quarterly?

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