The Holisso 2017

THE HOLISSO THE BOOK OF SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY 2016-2017

2016 - 2017

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The Holisso

Contents

2016-2017 | Volume 1

Cascading flowers frame a view of SE’s Student Union.

11 The Time of My Life 24 Beyond the red carpet 58 The fairest lady of them all 66 Playing for impact: Kaymon Farmer 2016 - 2017

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Contents

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A True Blue University True Blue Ambassadors are leaders in the student community who greatly impact the recruitment process at Southeastern.

Cherry Pie

51

Kale yeah, page 40

Understanding the world, page 46

The Disney experience, page 20

A glimpse into the innovative and entrepreneurial vision of Rick Wells, SE alum and owner/ creator of Harvest Restaurant.

Dr. Stanley Rice hopes to educate students and individuals through his classes, research, books, blogs and YouTube channel.

Senior acting/directing and theatre management major discusses his semester participating in the Disney College Program.

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Movie Magic

THE HOLISSO THE BOOK OF SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

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The Holisso

ON THE COVER: Kaymon Farmer walks toward the Henry G. Bennett Library at Southeastern. Farmer promotes positivity and goal-setting as keys to success. News editor Ivy Phelps photographed Farmer.

THE HOLISSO THE BOOK OF SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

Faculty Advisor TASCHA R. BOND Managing Editor KOURTNEY CUNNINGHAM News Editor IVY PHELPS Staff Writers HALEY BARNETT, J.D. ANTEAU, YINGJIE ZHU, COLTON TOLLETT, RACHAEL WATSON, JERAI BILLY, ALI MARTS, CAMERON SCHUESSLER, NATE HODSON, BRITTNEY BARR Contributors BROOKE HOCKERSMITH, MADISON POTEET, MEAGAN LINDAMOOD, ALLISON HAMBLIN, DAN HOKE, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS, CHELSEY PILKILTON, BRANDON GREEN, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF AMERICA, GO SOUTHEASTERN Designers MICHAELA JESTIS, KASEY HARDING, SKYE KILBURN

“Holisso” is Choctaw for “book”.

The Holisso is a student-produced magazine published as a teaching tool for students in the Department of Art, Communication and Theatre at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

The magazine serves as the official student book of the university and aimes to capture the people, places, events and organizations that make up SE. The Holisso is published annually in the spring.

Opinions expressed in The Holisso do not necessarily represent those of the student body, faculty, staff or administration of SE, nor do they reflect the policies or beliefs of the university, the Student Government Association, the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges or other regional universities. The Holisso is a student publication with an independent voice, not an official medium or expression of the Board of Regents or regional universities.

Contact the managing editor of The Holisso at campuspages@gmail.com, (580) 745-2983 or visit the newsroom in the Fine Arts Building, Room 203. The Holisso welcomes input from students across campus. To become a part of this student publication, contact faculty advisor Tascha R. Bond at (580) 745-2034 or tbond@se.edu.

425 W. University Blvd. Durant, OK 74701 (580) 745-2983 campuspages@gmail.com

We are excited about The Holisso and hope you enjoy Southeastern’s newest student publication. We believe this magazine features some of the university’s best writing and storytelling about Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and our region.

As you flip through this magazine, you will see and read the magazine the editor intends for you to experience – the final, printed version. However, the first drafts, and printed and digital proofs of this magazine tell a marvelous story about Southeastern students.

This story involves the student editor standing above the printed Staff photo by Ivy Phelps proofs as they lay spread across the media lab floor. She’s making her final decisions about article inclusion, placement, and page order. This story includes student writers and copyeditors collaborating to ensure articles are accurate and easily read, and student designers and photographers learning to manage assigned projects, while honing their craft. This is the story of how a student staff and a publication advisor shepherded The Holisso from a nascent idea to a fully formed and beautiful magazine.

This magazine is the story of students becoming young professionals.

With confidence,

Shannon McCraw Professor & Chair Art, Communication, & Theatre

Magazine production is a daunting process that can become overwhelming especially when creating a custom publication from the ground up. Unlike a printed newspaper or an online news site that can take shape in minutes, the magazine production process can take months.

While tedious, the process was very exciting to witness.

Once the spring publication date was set, the student editors began working tirelessly to establish budgetary decisions in regards to content. Content acquisition is a process unto itself. Editors commissioned content from staff writers, as well as contributors from across the SE campus.

Courtesy photo of Leather & Lace Photography

Because this is the inaugural edition of The Holisso, the design process was very involved. A design style sheet and template had to be developed. Numerous hours of sub-editing, proofreading and more editing took place before the team felt confident in the finished product.

I am super proud of the 2016-2017 SE Student Publications team. Not only have they acquired the necessary tools to produce a professional publication, they have proven that they are ready for what is beyond the walls of our Southeastern newsroom.

It was an honor to be their guide.

Tascha Bond Media Studies & Student Publications Advisor Art, Communication, & Theatre

2016 - 2017

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Letter from the editor

O

ne of the most rewarding experiences is seeing your work on display. For artists, this looks like a painting, drawing or creative work on display at an art show. For an athlete, it might be a sports broadcast, broken record or trophy. For students, it is an acknowledgement from a professor or a hard-earned grade added to their transcript. For writers and photographers, designers and editors, it is seeing a work in print.

Courtesy photo of Kristen Decker

Kourtney Cunningham Managing Editor Kourtney is a junior at Southeastern.

She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with an emphasis in journalism and minor in marketing. She has been a member of student publications for two years.

The student experience requires a willingness to step out of your comfort zone and create something. It begs involvement. For me, it has been involvement in student publications.

Student publications has connected me to so many individuals. It has given opportunities to engage and produce something new. I believe that experiences like these shape your college journey and your future.

Students should not be passive onlookers but instead active members of their university and community. This college experience is what we make of it. We can make good use of it, learning, practicing and gaining real world experience, or we can waste our time, coming out of it with little more than a piece of paper.

The Holisso hopes to display those that have made much of their time at Southeastern – students, faculty, staff and alumni. I hope that it will serve for many years as a history book for the university and a testament the dedication of many to make this experience worthwhile.

The Holisso has been produced by a number of contributors including communication students, aspiring journalists, photographers, graphic designers, Southeastern faculty, staff and many others. It has been encouraged along by a wonderful advisor, Tascha Bond, and department chair, Dr. Shannon McCraw. Working alongside this team of dedicated individuals has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my college career. I am so excited to see this magazine in print and to see the hard work of so many put on display.

We hope you enjoy the very first edition of The Holisso.

Sincerely,

Kourtney Cunningham Managing Editor, The Holisso

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The Holisso

A note from the president Incredible as it may be, yearbooks date back more than four hundred years.

The first “yearbooks’’ were published in the 1600s, and were in the form of scrapbooks.

Because photography did not enter the picture until the 1800s, the early day yearbooks were composed of notes, stories, flowers and even hair to chronicle meaningful events.

In 1806, the first college yearbook was published at Yale University. The “traditional’’ or “modern’’ printed yearbooks came into existence in the 1880s with advancements in technology (the printing press).

Southeastern State Normal School was founded in 1909, and just two years later, the school’s first yearbook – Holisso, the Choctaw word for book – was published. The leather bound cover and its contents were impressive.

Miss Verna Eddleman was Editor-in-Chief of the Holisso, which was produced by students.

The volume included a dedication to president M.E. Moore, along with such traditional yearbook features as faculty and student photos, clubs and organizations, sports and advertisements.

Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

Sean Burrage President Southeastern Oklahoma State University President Burrage was named president of Southeastern in 2014. Burrage has been an active member of the campus community since that time.

Twenty-one faculty members were pictured from a variety of subject areas, including literature, biology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, psychology, American History, political economy, grammar, piano, violin, drawing, Latin, household economics, European History, Latin, geography and geology. Also pictured were 11 senior students.

Fast forward to 2017 and note that Southeastern Oklahoma State University is transitioning from a traditional printed yearbook to an annual magazine. This 76-page, full-color publication will serve as a more advanced teaching tool for our journalism and graphic design students. It will serve them well as they pursue their professional careers.

Fittingly enough, this new publication is titled The Holisso. It will be printed and distributed near the end of each spring semester.

We hope you enjoy this new look from an old friend.

President Sean Burrage

2016 - 2017

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Life at SE

This means war

TAU KAPPA EPSILON fraternity plans their strategy for a game of capture the flag, which took place on campus during Greek week. The three fraternities and two sororities at SE particpated in events all week aimed at recruiting new members and encouring student involvement.

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The Holisso

Courtesy photo of Tascha Bond

Honoring our heritage The sixth annual Miss Indian SOSU pageant crowned freshman, Jewel Zukosky.

The Native American Student Center on Southeastern’s campus crowned a new Miss Indian SOSU on Wednesday, August 31, 2016. Since the first pageant in 2011, when Caley Wesberry was crowned, there have been six Native American women to win the title.

Four contestants entered the pageant this year, but only one emerged as a winner. Jewel Zukosky, freshman from Silo, took home the crown that evening.

Zukosky said, “I never imagined entering a pageant or much less winning. I hope to use my title to represent the tribe well and support the growth of strong Native American women on SE’s campus.”

The pageant consisted of an introduction of the contestants and

By Meagan Lindamood

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talent and a Q&A session with a panel of three judges active in the Native American Society. Contestants were asked various questions concerning why they wanted the title of Miss Indian SOSU and what were struggles they could see within their tribe. Talents ranged from sign language to storytelling. Zukosky performed a storytelling called “Baby Rattlesnake.”

The winner of Miss Indian SOSU becomes a representative of the organization and the University at tribal, local, educational and university events. Pageant participants were required to submit an application that outlines educational and career goals, an essay, current photograph, three personal references and have a GPA of at least 2.5.

I hope to use my title to represent the tribe well and support the growth of strong Native American women on SE’s campus.

”

Courtesy photo of Meagan Lindamood

Jewel Zukosky performed “Baby Rattlesnake” during the Miss Indian SOSU Pageant. Zukosky was crowned winner.

2016 - 2017

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Life at SE

85

years of excellence Sisterhood, community, philanthropy

T

Courtesy photo of Chandler Arterberry

Rho champter members pose in front of Alpha Sigma Tau flag after a meeting.

his school year, one of Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s oldest organizations will be celebrating its 85-year anniversary. Alpha Sigma Tau Rho chapter is the oldest women’s Greek organization on Southeastern’s campus.

Alpha Sigma Tau was founded on November 4, 1899 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It was originally a sorority for education majors, but later included women of all areas of study.

Rho chapter was inducted onto Southeastern’s campus in 1932, something that they were very proud of.

As a national sorority, over 1,500 women join each year. “Alpha Sigma Tau provides each member with opportunities to build social connections, gain leadership qualities, and provide sisters the opportunities for scholarships,” said current member Mady Conrad.

Rho chapter initiated 14 new members into their sisterhood during the fall semester. These new members became a part of the Alpha Sigma Tau legacy.

They currently have 36 active members.

The Alpha Sigma Tau Rho chapter legacy includes over 600 local and 2,000 national alumnae. Their sisters can be found all over the United States.

Over the past 85 years, Alpha Sigma Tau has put forth a lot of effort into helping their philanthropies. Their national philanthropy changed this year to Dress for Success.

“As members of Alpha Sigma Tau, we continually rededicate ourselves to contribute our share to the progress of mankind. Philan-

“

thropy is a vital aspect of our lives and our sisterhood,” said Sarah Butler, former Vice President of Communications for Rho chapter.

Their national philanthropy is Dress for Success. Dress for Success is a non-profit organization that helps women become financially independent. Rho chapter plans to have a clothing drive in order to donate women’s clothing to the organization.

On a community level, members work with many local organizations. In the past they have volunteered at Durant Fire Department, Durant Boys and Girls Club and many other community events.

They have spent countless hours helping make the community of Durant a better place to live.

Alpha Sigma Tau also carries a strong presence on Southeastern’s campus, their members can always be found at campus events.

Whether it’s supporting a sports team, watching theater productions, or participating in Spring Fest, a member of Alpha Tau will be there supporting her sisters and the college.

This year, Alpha Sigma Tau won Southeastern’s Homecoming Sweepstakes award, a great accomplishment for the group.

On May 4, 2017 the Rho chapter members will be celebrating 85 successful years on campus, a huge accomplishment.

Their dedication towards Alpha Sigma Tau is shown in the accomplishments of their sisters and chapter. Congratulations for 85 years of excellence.

By Brooke Hockersmith

We are proud to be a part of Southeastern and strive to support our sisters as well as other students in campus events.

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The Holisso

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The Time of My Life The 2016 Southeastern homecoming theme was “The Time of My Life.”

Southeastern’s organizations competed in homecoming festivities throughout the week.

Students participated in skits, a movie night, block party, a zip line and more.

Game day began with a parade in downtown Durant where student organizations and community members decorated floats corresponding to different decades.

The Alumni tailgate followed in Tailgate Alley across from Paul Laird Field.

In addition to activities throughout the week, Southeastern’s student body voted for a new king and queen.

Dave Kirk Sanders was crowned homecoming king and Kayla Castagnetta was crowned homecoming queen at half-time on Saturday, Sept.

24. They competed with eight other students for those coveted spots.

Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

Dave Kirk Sanders

Kayla Castagnetta

Henry Castagnetta

Represented: Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity Major: Occupational Safety and Health Hometown: Mckinney, TX

Represented: Southeastern Cheer Major: Biology Hometown: Hartshorne, OK

Represented: Savage Storm Leaders Major: Occupational Safety and Health Hometown: Hartsthorne, OK

Mitchell Emberson

Bryan Gibson

Sierra Janway

Represented: True Blue Ambassadors Major: Occupational Safety and Health Hometown: Taft, CA

Represented: Lamda Chi Alpha Fraternity Major: Occupational Safety and Health Hometown: Azle, TX

Represented: The Native American Student Association Major: Psychology Hometown: Heavener, OK

Amanda Price

Alexandra Ray

Maddy Schneider

Represented: Cardinal Key Honor Society Major: Occupational Safety and Health Hometown: Kingston, OK.

Represented: Savage Storm Leaders Major: Elementary Education Hometown: Blanchard, OK

Represented: Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority Major: Marketing Hometown: Pottsboro, TX

2016 - 2017

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Courtesy photos of Dan Hoke

“The Time of My Life” Homecoming 2016 ended with tradition. Left top, Savage Storm fotball team leaders meet in the center of Paul Laird Field for the coin toss against Southern Nazarene, Which ended in a win for the Storm, 45-14. Left bottom, SE cheerleaders lead fans in a chant from the Storm sideline. Above, the traditional bon fire wraps up the week’s homecoming activities.

2016 - 2017

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Life at SE

By J.D. Anteau

A True Blue university Every year more and more college bound high school students determine whether Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a good fit for them. A True Blue Ambassador makes that choice much easier. True Blue Ambassadors are leaders in the student community who greatly impact the recruitment process at Southeastern.

Students are nominated by faculty, apply for the program and go through an interview process before they can become a True Blue Ambassador. Ambassadors have to be able to commit some of their free time to help with the recruitment process.

Ambassadors lead campus tours for aspiring Southeastern students including musical, sports and academic tours.

Being a liaison for the Southeastern admissions department is easier for a student than a staff member. “True Blue Ambassa-

dors can relate to new students because they Jackson, a current True Blue Ambassador for over a year. “We are at many events at are currently attending the university as well to get their own degrees,” said Admissions Southeastern to interact with all the students and help with recruiting counselor, Stefan Kells. efforts.” Ambassadors They not only provide tours but also attend also meet with SouthI like meeting new eastern alumni to build many events at Southeastern including tailgat- people and getting involved stronger relationships with them and help ing, football games, aviato help people and let with the events that tion visitation day, band day, SE Live and many the Alumni association them learn more about holds. more. Each Ambassador Ambassadors attend is selected based on their Southeastern. major or what they enjoy athletic and academic events at high schools the most so that they can in the region in hopes of recruiting new provide the best tour possible for up and students. Being a True Blue Ambassador is coming college students. a great responsibility but they truly make the “I like meeting new people and getting recruitment experience one of a kind. involved to help people and let them learn more about Southeastern,” said Cameron

“

”

Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

Nick Growall, SE recruiter, introduced the 2016-17 True Blue Ambassadors at SE Live on November 2, 2016. Over 500 prospective students were introduced to Southeastern’s programs and activities by faculty, staff and ambassadors.

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High school students visit with Dr. Meg Cotter-Lynch, director of the Honor’s Program, at SE live on November 2, 2016.

Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

Going where the students are

Using social media and technology for Southeastern recruitment Most college students know all about the importance of recruitment. Getting the first letter from a dream college or for some, any college, can be the highlight of a person’s senior year of high school. However, many colleges are moving away from letters and school visits to emails and virtual tours.

By Allison Hamblin

Social Media

According to uversity.com, 72% of high school students are doing their college research on social media.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University is one of the schools using this information to adapt how they recruit. SE has started using social media like Twitter and Snapchat to bring in prospective students.

Multiple Twitter accounts, Facebook accounts and websites help get SE’s name out there for high school and transfer students.

They give SE the persona of a relaxed, laidback school that reminds students of home.

Using flashy pictures and catchy hashtags such as #TakeCover, SE is recruiting more and more students through their social media pages every year.

Tech in Athletics

College athletes see this type of recruitment the most. Shawn Hamil, the Head Tennis Coach at SE, says that online recruitment is his go-to when recruiting players.

Almost 70% of Hamil’s players are international students; that means that all of his

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72% of high school students are doing their college research on social media.

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recruitment, including watching prospects play, must be done online.

“I will jump on YouTube and actually look at videos of players,” Hamil said. “The number one way [I recruit] would just be communication contact through email.”

He also said that the way his team looks at

prospective students online is important in his recruitment process.

Jett Jobe, a sophomore at SE and a point guard for the SE basketball team, said “the coaches followed me on Twitter and I had contact with them through social media a few times.” However, he did not use much else to research SE. Jobe said he never visited the Go Southeastern website, a site that highlights all SE sports.

SE recruitment

Laura Hendrickson, a University Recruiter at SE says that social media has become one of the most important tools for Southeastern recruitment. She says that over the last few years SE has been revamping their recruitment process so that they can keep up with students and effectively reach everyone they can.

“We can’t afford to ignore the change in trends, and if Snapchat and Instagram are one of the easiest ways to reach new people, we want to take full advantage of those opportunities,” Hendrickson said.

2016 - 2017

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Staff photo by Haley Barnett

Internationally known speaker Tawan Perry provides students with tips on how to succeed in student leadership. The event was held in the Fine Arts Recital Hall.

Broadcasting leadership virtues Tawan Perry, a professional in college success, visited with Southeastern’s student leaders at a leadership summit

By Haley Barnett

S

outheastern takes pride in the many student leadership opportunities offered on campus. The Student Government Association(SGA) and Student Life teamed up to present a leadership summit for the leaders of the Southeastern student organizations.

The summit kicked off with a visit from Tawan Perry. Perry is an internationally known speaker and an award-winning author of several books that focus on helping student leaders grow. He has been a guest on countless radio and TV shows. He has appeared on FOX, ABC, CBS and more.

Perry has established a national reputation as a college completion expert who has the keys to unlock college success.

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Perry visited with many student organizations while at Southeastern’s Durant campus, but the biggest turnout was to his “Medea Goes to College” session. Students from SGA, Housing and Residence Life, President’s Leadership Class, Savage Storm Leaders and all Greek chapters attended the program.

During the presentation, Perry discussed the important list of virtues that one should practice as a student leader. He asked each organization to reflect on the top three virtues that their organization already exhibits and to reflect on the top three on which they need improvement.

“I really enjoyed Tawan’s presentation. I think it is important for an organization to

come together and reflect on what we could work on as a team.” Audra Talley, junior safety major, said. “It makes for better team work and helps to hold each other accountable.”

Perry asked for volunteers to come on stage and play a game of musical chairs. He instructed the crowd to stand and cheer on their fellow student leaders. What seemed as a simple ice breaker to get the room warmed up, turned into an important lesson that Perry wanted to share with the student leaders.

“The game of musical chairs is like life.

Unpredictable, competitive and always changing,” said Perry.

Staff photos by Ivy Phelps

BCM Director, Trey Hedrick speaks at Crossroads. Crossroads is a weekly worship meeting hosted by the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on Thursdays at 8 p.m. at Southeastern.

We are the church

M

By Ivy Phelps

any students on campus consider the Baptist Collegiate Ministry a second home or sanctuary. The BCM hosts various social events throughout the year and routinely gathers for meetings and worship. The BCM has a strong presence on Southeastern’s campus and it is well known that the BCM is located across from the baseball field. However, the BCM has temporarily relocated for an unknown period of time.

The BCM has been meeting in locations such as Southeastern’s Student Union and Lakepoint Community Church. The overall moral, common interests and beliefs of the BCM have not faltered because of this relocation. The BCM still meets every Thursday at 8 p.m. in the student union and Lakepoint Community Church has hosted Women’s Ministry and a few other BCM events.

Nicole Diseker, BCM member and Southeastern Communication major, weighed in on the BCM and how the recent changes have shaped her everlasting view on the organization. Diseker said, “I think it’s been a good reminder that we are more than a building, and it’s proven that our organization is resilient and resourceful.”

Most nights, in the absence of a social event, the student union is extremely quiet. Most students are nestled away in their dorm rooms or commute and are miles away from campus.

However, on Thursdays at 8 p.m., sweet singing voices echo throughout the student union from the second floor. The band performs, and BCM Director Trey Hedrick speaks to BCM members about faith, life and combining the two. Hedrick is anything but dry or unrelatable, he is exactly the opposite. Hedrick speaks genuinely and is intriguingly animated. Hedrick spoke honestly about the relocation, “My preference is that we would have a constant place so students know where they can go to find us. But honestly, the Lord is just as much here with us in the student union or the Magnolia Room

as he is in our original building.”

Hedrick and BCM members have come together as opposed to drifting apart, “Any time that you are displaced, it’s going to force you to pull tighter.”

Diseker commended Hedrick, BCM staff and band members for their uplifting attitude throughout the relocation when he said, “They work hard to make each week comfortable and inviting, no matter the venue,.”

“Their attitude definitely influences everyone else in attendance,” Diseker said.

Hedrick stated, “It’s been a great representation to us that the church is not a building. The movement of the Lord does not depend on walls-we are the church.”

BCM members sing at the end of a Thursday night meeting.

2016 - 2017

17

Life at SE

Goggles and cucumbers

By Jerai Billy

Spring-A-Palooza prepares students for a safe spring break.

Spring-A-Palooza was held in the Student Union Atrium on March 8, 2017 to help students make smart decisions over spring break .

Residence Assistant and senior psychology major, Mario Giamporcaro said, “This event is for drug and alcohol awareness. We have a series of games with drunk goggles.”

Several students tried out the drunk goggle obstacle course.

Courtney Jackson, junior elementary education major said, “Going through this obstacle course reminds me of what impairment can do and I never want to be in a situation where I could ever cause harm to anyone or

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myself.”

According to Dr. Kelly D’Ary, Director of Housing and Residence Life, the drunk goggles affect your vision in a way that is supposed to mimic the effect of alcohol on vision perception. It is a safe way to learn how alcohol impairs drivers.

Michelle Hornbeak, Student Life Coordinator and Deborah Fullencheck, Clinical Counselor, orchestrated the Drug and Alcohol Awareness Kahoot, to educate all who played on things that could happen when drugs and alcohol are involved.

Director of Student Wellness, April Lehring lead a condom discussion. She also had

students participate in a condom race. Seeing who could put a condom on a cucumber the quickest and the right way.

“I would recommend students play this game because when they see an event like this they automatically think it’s funny. But sex is a very serious thing and we should all be educated on the right way to do things to prevent diseases,” said Megan Linmen, senior, psychology major.

Spring-A-Palooza had a great turn out with over thirty students.

People

Lunch with the president

Southeastern president Sean Burrage laughs with students during their lunch break in the cafeteria. Burrage eats lunch in the Glen D. Johnson Student Union as often as he can in order to regularly visit with SE students.

Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

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People

Courtesy photo of Justice Graham /Edited by Michaela Jestis

Justice Graham, senior acting/directing and theatre management double major, entertains his guest on the Jungle Cruise at Disney World in Florida. Graham spent a semester working for Disney as a part of the Disney College Program.

The Disney experience W

hen most people think of Disney, they remember an old television show they loved, the latest movie or perhaps a family vacation they took as kids. But Southeastern senior acting/directing and theatre management double major Justice Graham, remembers the semester he spent working and living at Disney World.

The Disney College Program is a semester long program offered at Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Park in California. Students have a chance to live, learn and earn while working in the Disney theme parks. The program is open to any degree plan and offers to teach skills that can transfer across all fields of study.

Graham went to Florida as a junior to work as a skipper at the world-famous Jungle Cruise. He guided a boat through the river while entertaining the crowd, often with a lot of jokes and laughter. Each boat has a different experience and Graham described his as “fun, weird, a little crazy and

full of energy.”

Aside from working, students are offered the opportunity to take classes and apply for additional programs within the company.

There are a variety of classes offered from subjects such as business, hospitality and general information about the Walt Disney

“

The Tech Behind the Dreams program allowed Graham to build on the things he had learned at Southeastern and put them into practice outside of the university. “It showed me that you have to be malleable and think outside the box – you have to put your ideas out there,” explained Graham.

When not at work or in class, Graham enjoyed spending time with his co-workers, catching a firework show or exploring the park with his park pass.

Graham encourages any Southeastern student interested in the program to apply, but urges students to be prepared to work hard. “Going to Disney was one of the most magical experiences of my life, but it was a job and it came with responsibilities,” said Graham.

He enjoyed making people smile and laugh so much during his time at Disney that he hopes to be able to participate in the program again after graduation – this time maybe in the concierge or hospitality departments. Graham advises students applying to remember that it is fun and worthwhile.

By Rachael Watson

It showed me that you have to be malleable and think outside the box - you have to put your ideas out there.

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”

Company.

In addition to the two business classes Graham took, he also was accepted into the Tech Behind the Dreams program for technical and theatre management majors.

He met a lot of interesting people including technical directors, production managers and even a few actors.

From guard to gardening

By J.D. Anteau

I

t takes a lot of time, patience and dedication to be the supervisor of landscaping for the Southeastern campus.

Gingerlei Waddell cares for the campus and loves it.

Gingerlei Waddell was born in American Somoa in 1969 and as a young child did not really like gardening. In 1987, she moved to the United States and joined the U.S. Coast Guard. While in the Coast Guard, she met her husband and started her family.

When her husband retired from the military, he got a job opportunity in Dallas.

They bought a house in Durant so her husband could get to his job and she could start her career in gardening and landscaping.

After Waddell moved to Bryan County, she took a master gardener course to help her achieve the skills she needed for her

career. She worked part time at Bella Vista maintaining their landscaping and stayed involved in the Master Gardeners Association.

She began working part time as the assistant gardener at Southeastern, and then, in 2013, she got a full time job as Supervisor of Landscaping Grounds for the university.

“My favorite interest and hobby is gardening,” said Waddell. “I pretty much live and breathe gardening.”

Every day on campus comes with a different task for Waddell. Her responsibilities change depending on the season and weather. Every day she has to check on what

“

needs mowing and trimming. She also has to find places that need flowers planted.

“Planting Season is coming up soon and we are preparing the flowers in a green house so when flowers are needed, they are ready to be planted.”

The green house has flowers and other plants that Waddell takes all over campus to different class rooms and conference rooms. The green house also has plants that are to be taken to political events, student events and graduations.

I pretty much live and breathe gardening.

”

Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

Gingerlei Waddell, SE Landscaping and Grounds Supervisor, makes sure the flower beds look their best.

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People

Family, Community, Law SE alumnae, Heather Burrage is driven to succeed in her career as a lawyer, in her family life and in her community.

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ryan county native and Southeastern alum, Heather Burrage has excelled as a lawyer, community member, wife and mother. Burrage grew up in Colbert, Oklahoma and graduated from Colbert High School in 1995. She obtained her bachelor of arts from Southeastern and earned her juris doctorate from University of Oklahoma Law School in 2002.

Law

Courtesy photo of Burrage Law Firm

Upon graduating, Burrage had the opportunity to come back to Durant and open Burrage Law Firm with her husband, David Burrage and her father-in-law, Michael Burrage. She primarily represents banks and businesses specializing in general litigation and trial practice.

Burrage is passionate about her career and strives to do better in her field each day. “I really enjoy what I do. I enjoy representing clients” said Burrage.

Law provides Burrage a way to solve problems and help others. “The general community doesn’t have a good understanding of our court system and the judicial process,” she said. Helping people understand the U.S. court and justice system and achieve a resolution is rewarding for her.

Burrage has excelled in her career being recognized as a top 100 super lawyer in the state of Oklahoma in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. She was recognized as one of the “50 Women Making a Difference in Oklahoma” by the Journal Record in 2016.

“I have always been a driven person,” Burrage said. Her success has been facilitated by her excitement to get up every day, to come to work every day and to be a mom every day.

She is motivated to constantly get better at everything she does. “Every day I just strive to improve in some way,” said Burrage.

Community

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Family

Burrage also has a great love for her family. “I have a tremendously wonderful husband who supports me and who works hard himself ” she said. They have worked together for over fourteen years. Burrage values the partnership she has with him.

David and Heather Burrage have two children, Jack and Blair. The kids are very involved in different activities like soccer, dance and cheer. She enjoys taking her kids to their different activities and watching them do what they love. She tries to stay active in their schools as well. “We are very busy, but I wouldn’t change it,” she said.

Burrage emphasized the significance of balancing things that are important to you.

For her those things have been her education, her career, her community and her family. Burrage said, “I am very proud of the life I’ve built.”

By Kourtney Cunningham

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Burrage values community involvement. She is active in several organizations including the board of directors for the Southeastern Alumni Association, Imagine Durant, the Miss Southeast Oklahoma Pageant, the Texoma Health Foundation, Durant Education and Service Sorority and the local chapter of Philanthropic Education Organization, an international women’s organization that supports education and advancement for women.

Burrage’s passion for SE is apparent.

“I loved being at Southeastern” she said.

Burrage was involved in several honors organizations including Cardinal Key, was a Southeastern cheerleader for four years and a member of Young Democrats. This love for the school has informed her continued connection to the university through the alumni board.

Burrage even lived on campus for three out of her four years at Southeastern. “I loved being able to be on campus and be involved with all of the activities going on,” she said.

Burrage appreciates the unique opportunities that Southeastern provides. She enjoyed small class sizes and the sense of community. She is grateful for those experiences and the relationships she made. “I would never trade my time at Southeastern,” Burrage said.

Burrage encouraged current students to get involved on campus and build relationships with their classmates. She still has business and personal relationships with people she met at Southeastern and sat next to in class. “[These relationships] will benefit you down the road” she said.

The relationships Burrage formed while at Southeastern were helpful in her career. Former Southeastern president, Glen Johnson helped “forge my relationship with OU,” said Burrage.

Staff photo by Haley Barnett

Freshman, Jewel Zukoski embraced Student Activities Director Michelle Hornbeak outside the Fine Arts building during the “Free Hugs” event. This event was held in response to protestors.

Embracing positivity Southeastern faculty, staff, and students respond to protest with free hugs and encouragements to students.

By Haley Barnett

O

n October 31, 2016, protesters stood outside of the Fine Arts building and verbally attacked and harassed students. The Southeastern community was left upset and in shock. Since the incident Southeastern has taken steps to ensure students that the institution does not stand for that type of behavior.

Departments across campus have written mission statements on their office windows and banners have been placed across campus to let students share what they stand for.

The most notable act occurred on Novem-

ber 10, outside the Fine Arts building.

Student affairs faculty members and students held signs that read “free hugs” and “We believe in you”, while standing in the same spot the protestors had stood a week prior. Many students stopped to hug and thank staff members for taking time out of their day to show that the Southeastern community is a positive one.

Junior, Mario Giamporcaro said, “I feel that we actually had a sense of community, that we didn’t need to spread hatred and that we needed to spread love and that feeling of

self-worth.”

Seeing the staff take time to show their students they care shocked Giamporcaro. “I felt like the staff members cared about us and that they did this not because they had to but because they wanted to show that they care about all of their students here at Southeastern Oklahoma State. They don’t care about the color of your skin or what religion you worship. They just want us to succeed,” he said.

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People

By Rachael Watson

Beyond the red carpet A CareerBuilder survey estimated that thirty-two percent of college students are never able to find a job related to their degree. Yet, the same survey showed that sixty-four percent of employees were happy in their jobs, even if the job was unrelated to their degree.

This demonstrates to college students that their future careers might be different than what they ever imagined, exactly the same as they always pictured, or maybe even a bit of both.

Southeastern alumnae, Brittan Kirk, is living proof that you can work within your field of interest while simultaneously getting out of your comfort zone and possibly onto the red carpet.

Aviation

Kirk graduated from Southeastern in

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2009 as an Aviation - Profession Pilot Major and went on to get a Commercial Pilot License and Flight Instructor Certificate soon after graduating. Over the next few years, Kirk was able to work several jobs within his field while also attending grad school to get his Masters in Aerospace Administration and Logistics through Southeastern’s Oklahoma City campus. He now works for USAF Auxiliary (Civil Air Patrol), and was recently promoted to Captain.

This brings him great joy because, “now I am officially known as Captain Kirk,” he explained.

Film

Then came something that would change the direction of Kirk’s already successful career in the aviation world.

Southeastern Aviation major, Brittan Kirk looked beyond his degree for an exciting opportunity in film. His documentary, The Air Show, will screen at the famous Charlie Chaplin Theatre and then possibly on to an Emmy nomination.

The Air Show is a YouTube channel made through the combined efforts of Kirk and his brother. Kirk’s brother, Patrick, is a professional film maker and director, and agreed to help create this aerospace based YouTube series.

Both young men were quite successful in their respective careers but that did not mean their new journey would be an easy one. The goal was to get the web series to be picked up by PBS. However, after working hard producing their Pilot episode, “Wiley Post - The World’s First Astronaut,” they were disappointed to find out that PBS would not be picking up their show and they would have to find another way to make the show successful.

Instead of wallowing in defeat, they

Courtesy photo of Brittan Kirk

SE graduate, Brittan Kirk, stands next to a cardboard cutout of Wiley Post, the world’s first astronaut. Kirk and his brother now have an award winning aerospace documentary, the Air Show, because of the combined efforts of his aviation degree and his brother’s experience in film-making.

decided to simply move in another direction, “we choose to publish our episodes onto YouTube, and we threw our pilot episode documentary…onto the Film Festival Circuit.”

The Red Carpet

After traveling through award circuits in Texas and Oklahoma, Kirk and his brother got a call saying that they had won a Hollywood International Independent Documentary Award for the Wiley Post episode of his ever growing web series. Kirk proudly said that, “it came as no surprise,” that they would win an award.

Kirk and his brother will be walking the red carpet this fall at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, where later that night, “Wiley Post- The World’s First Astro-

naut,” will screen at the Charlie Chaplin Theatre.

“The outlook for ‘The Air Show’ looks bright, as we just submitted our Wiley Post documentary into the ‘Big Sky Documentary Film Festival’ which is an Oscar qualifying event. After that, we’ll submit Wiley Post into the Historical Documentaries category for a Regional Heartland Emmy Nomination.

After all this is said and done, that’s when we will officially retire the film, after a 2-year run,” explained Kirk.

Looking ahead

Though the Wiley episode will be retired, the Air Show will keep growing in popularity as it is now, as evidenced in its recent article on The Daily Mail, a popular web based newspaper. As for

Kirk, though he is not able to spend a lot of time in the cockpit these days, he will continue exploring the possibilities of where his passion for aviation can take him as he pursues a doctorate degree in Applied Aviation and Space Studies at Oklahoma State University.

When Kirk looks back at his career and how far he has come since coming to Southeastern eleven years ago, he cannot help but remember the time he spent there and the people he met along the way.

Kirk said, “I can’t thank the professors at Southeastern I had enough…

Like a fellow Southeastern Alum, Reba McEntire, I feel like I’m following in her footsteps as, she to, made it out in Hollywood.”

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People

Meet our mascot:

By Colton Tollett

BOLT After transitioning from the Savages to Savage Storm in 2005, SE felt that it was time to develop a new mascot.

Beginning in 2012, SE representatives began working on the new identity for Savage Storm over a two-year period.

An SE Mascot Task Force made up of faculty and staff was created. They considered a variety of mascot ideas throughout this period. In 2014, they would finally decide on the form of Bolt that we see today.

However, they would still need to find a name for their new mascot. In their search for a name, they decided to turn to SE students for help.

A rally was held in the Glen D. Johnson Student Union at the beginning of the Fall semester.

During the rally, a website was launched that enabled students to vote on their favorite choices for the mascot name. The finalists for the names were Bolt, Lightning, Stormy and Sulli.

The online polls were flooded with over four thousand votes. The name Bolt would become the winner of the finalists with over 60% of the overall vote.

Since his debut, Bolt has become a favorite among SE students and the Durant community.

Kaitlyn Prentice

Senior Communications

Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

Bolt shows off his dance moves at a Southeastern football game to get the crowd cheering.

Q/A

Who is someone you met at SOSU or the Durant area that impacted you and why?

“Kitty Campbell- she has the same lifestyle that I have with animals and horses. She kind of set me down the path that I am going now and I’m super thankful.”

How would you describe the students and faculty at Southeastern?

“They are all helpful. They really want you to be the best you can be.”

What have you learned about yourself since attending Southeastern?

“I’ve learned to try to be the best I can be even though it can sometimes be difficult.”

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By Colton Tollett

Sharing wisdom & culture Southeastern has a number of international professors working on campus. These professors not only teach students academically, but also provide insight on different cultures and ways of life.

One international professor is Dr. Chunmei Yoe. She is currently a Political Science professor at SE. Dr. Yoe grew Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke up in Beijing, China. After Dr. Chunmei Yoe earning her B.A. at the Beijing Foreign

Language Institute, she moved to the United States in 1981 and earned her M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University in North Carolina. She came to work at SE in 1997.

Yoe explained, “the culture shock was not that big” when she first arrived due to her extensive travel and work for the United Nations.

She felt that she is able to bring many of the values of her culture to her students and uses this to motivate them. “People looked at college students differently in China because not everyone was able to go,” she said. Yoe felt students have a very different attitude about education in her country that she hopes to instill in her students at SE. Yoe described college as a “full time job” and said students in China were expected to

focus all of their attention on their education. She stated, “Education comes first and work will come after.” She considers this to be a “big culture shock” for her when she first began teaching.

She feels that many of her students could benefit from the values she learned in China.

She noticed students often struggle with trying to balance jobs and education. This is something that would have been “unheard of in China” she explained.

The values Dr. Yoe learned from her upbringing in China helped motivate and encourage her to take her education very seriously. Yoe hopes she can instill these attitudes from her culture in her students and she hopes this will help them succeed in their education.

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People

The power of a

voice

Courtesy photo of Boys and Girls Club of America

Courtney Patterson speaks at the 2015 Boys and Girls Club national Youth of the Year competition.

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hird-grader, Courtney Patterson watched his friends get off the bus every day after school at the Boys and Girls club of Choctaw County located in his hometown of Hugo, Okla. “I just really wanted to go,” said Patterson. His family saved up the money for his membership and gave it to him for his eighth birthday. In September of 2004, Patterson began a long journey through the club.

“I started going to the club not really needing anything other than just a place to hang out after school until my mom got off work, but something as simple as needing a place to hang out has pushed me through the door,” said Patterson.

Patterson credits the Boys and Girls Club for the life he has today. “I have had so much love growing up in the boys and girls club within my community,” said Patterson.

His experiences in the club have shaped his success and values.

By Kourtney Cunningham

Opportunities

The club provided him with opportunities to take photography classes and meet employees at the local newspaper. It gave way to a lifetime love for journalism, graphic design and photography.

Academically, the club provided Patterson “the structure to start managing my time.”

“Power hour” was a time set aside every day for club kids to do homework. Patterson commented that these programs played a big role in his success in high school; he was the valedictorian of his class.

The Boys and Girls club also provided him opportunities to learn how to be a part of the work force. A program called junior

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Courtney Patterson is drawing on his experiences with the Boys and Girls Club to pursue a career in nonprofits.

staff prepared Patterson for employment by allowing him to help plan events, organize files and take instruction from the director of the club. “It kind of gave me a sense of purpose while going to the club,” said Patterson.

In addition to his personal growth, Patterson participated in a number of community coalitions and service projects in his time at the club including SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco), Too Much to Lose and the Choctaw Youth Advisory Board. Participation in these projects shaped Patterson’s perspective on “servant leadership.”

Youth of the Year

During his senior year, Patterson competed in the Youth of the Year program. He won 2015 Youth of the Year for Choctaw County, the state of Oklahoma and the Southwest region.

Patterson was awarded a 45,000-dollar scholarship as the Southwest Youth of the Year and competed at the national Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year event. “I really didn’t know how I was going to pay for school. I hadn’t really thought about it,” he said. Boys and Girls Club provided an opportunity for him to pay for an education along with experiences and connections that will last a lifetime.

Patterson appreciated the Youth of the Year program for allowing him to share his story and his voice.

The Boys and Girls Club serves over four million kids in over four thousand clubs in America. Patterson stated the opportunity “to be one of the voices for those four-million kids this past year has been absolutely

outstanding because now I’ve had the opportunity to travel [and] hear kids stories.”

He has also helped with planning for the coming year in the Boys and Girls Club.

Inspiration

Patterson’s love for public service media emerged from his childhood. “I always felt that I wasn’t heard. I wasn’t able to express myself,” he said. In public relations, marketing, journalism and communication, he is able to “craft messages” that allow people to share their stories. Patterson noted, “I think that’s such a powerful thing to do because for so long I felt like I had a lid on what I could say.”

This passion extends to Patterson’s career goals. “My whole life has been developed and it’s been changed by nonprofit organizations,” he said. Patterson hopes to use his communication degree to work with nonprofit organizations that “is putting forth their kids to be productive citizens.”

Patterson described the need for community leaders and investment in children with a quote from President John Quincy Adams: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”

Patterson was a sophomore at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in fall 2016 and has transferred to the University of Oklahoma for the spring semester to pursue his degree in communication. For more information on the Boys and Girls club and the Youth of the Year program visit www. bgca.org or www.youthoftheyear.org.

Finding your niche: Courtney Jackson’s journey to leadership

Courtesy photo of Courtney Jackson

By Haley Barnett

Courtney Jackson, Resident Assistant and junior elementary education major, is actively involved on campus.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University is full of active students in leadership roles.

Among them is Resident Assistant, Courtney Jackson. Jackson, junior elementary education major, has been an RA for two years.

Throughout her time with Housing and Residence Life, she has been involved with many of the department’s programs. “My favorite programs have been those I did involving Spring-A-palooza, SE Love Affair and Women’s History Month,” Jackson said. An RA’s programs are usually themed around their communities’ needs or interests.

Some RA’s are better attuned to work with freshmen rather than upperclassmen.

“Working with freshmen new to campus and helping them learn how to be successful in college is my favorite part of my job,” Jackson said.

Aside from residence life, Jackson is also involved as a Savage Storm Leader, Alpha Chi and Cardinal Key. “In the 2017-2018 year, I hope to do programs to get students involved in the upcoming semester and help them reach success,” Jackson said.

Resident Assistants start out as residents. Every semester the RA’s meet and recommend residents they think would make a great addition to their team. This is how Jackson’s journey with Housing and Residence Life began. “I was inspired and encouraged to become an RA by my own RA, freshmen year. Once I began the job I found my niche,” she said.

Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

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Texoma

Native Culture Pow Wow The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma held a native Pow Wow dance competitition on December 3 through December 4, 2016. A Pow Wow is a competition where each contestant displays their native dress and the dances of their culture.

Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

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Digging up history

The Oklahoma Anthropological Society uncovers historical artifacts at Ft. Washita.

Staff photo by Ali Marts

Texoma resident participates in digging up historical relics at Ft. Washita as a part of a dig hosted by the Oklahoma Anthropological Society.

The Oklahoma Anthropological Society (OAS) is a nonprofit organization. The society has been doing archaeological digs since the 1970s.

By Ali Marts

The Dig

The most recent dig took place at the historic Ft. Washita site. The event was from September 19 to 24, 2016. This excavation is the third one Oklahoma has done this year.

The OAS has been excavating the site since May of 2015. After doing some digging they uncovered stone foundation with wood floors. The building in question was thought to be a Blacksmith shop. “The first clue that it was not a Blacksmith shop was that the wood floors would have burnt down in 20 seconds flat,� said Aman-

da Regnier, the new director of the Oklahoma Archaeological Survey. The running theory is the building was a wagon shop.

Wagon Shop

The wagon shop theory is just a theory for now because the excavating is not finished.

Regnier said she believes it is a wagon shop because since they started excavating, they found a lot of cut and broken pieces of metal - most of them were pieces of wagons. The pieces of metal were from the harness to hook horses onto the wagons and parts of the wheel hub.

She said it would make sense that it was a wagon shop because there was a corral for animals and it would be easier to be near the animals if a person needed to hitch them up.

Getting Involved

The Oklahoma Anthropological Society excavates two sites a year all over the state.

The last dig took place in Ponca City, Okla.

Scott Hammerstedt, who is also a staff member of the Oklahoma Archaeological Survey, said the digs really depend on where the faculties of OAS want to work.

The Archaeological Historical Society is open to anyone. Those wishing to participate can register at the OAS website, no prior experience is necessary.

For more information or to learn more about when and where an excavation is taking place students can visit the OAS Facebook page.

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Staff photo by Kourtney Cunningham

Local vendors displayed farm fresh fruits and vegetables at the Durant Magnolia Farmer’s Market on Saturday, Oct. 8. The farmer’s market supports shopping local and shopping fresh.

By Kourtney Cunningham

Shop local The annual Durant Magnolia Farmer’s Market began this year on Saturday, June 11, 2016 and ended October 29. This local installment provides opportunities for the community to shop for local, fresh goods.

On Saturday, Oct. 8, several local vendors set up shop in the First Texoma National Bank parking lot located on the corner of Second and Evergreen in Durant, Okla.

Vendors displayed fresh fruits and vegetables including tomatoes, squash, potatoes, green beans and pumpkins. They also sold farm fresh eggs and some hand made products.

Mayeu, a local farmer, said that her tomatoes were the best thing she was selling. The plants were doing very well, growing almost as tall as her.

The community farmer’s market provides Durant citizens an opportunity to buy locally grown goods and for local farmer’s to display and sell their products.

The Durant Magnolia Farmer’s Market supports shopping small and local in the Durant community.

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The Durant Magnolia Farmer’s Market provides local goods to the community.

Staff photo by Kourtney Cunningham

Durant community members, George and Lynn Callier took a trip to the farmer’s market to buy farm fresh eggs and green beans.

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Daily living aids • Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

Native American students participate in stick ball on the front lawn of Southeastern during Native November.

• • •

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• •

By J.D. Anteau

Heritage and culture anguage is a huge part of the Choctaw culture because it represents history and identity. When the language is spoken, native americans are contributing to generations of tradition. Their culture is not just in their language; it lives on in their stories, dances and songs they sing.

The stories help pass on the values of the tribe, which include respect, understanding, loyalty and compassion. Those lessons helped shape the Choctaw people and have continued to do so even to this day.

Their songs and dances contain religious aspects of their culture with praise with every step and verse. They constantly give thanks to the earth and those that inhabit it, because it is those that provide the necessties of life.

The social cultural traditions include dancing, stickball, pottery and beadwork. Social dancing, such as a Pow Wow, is a favorite of many because each dance has a significant meaning to the Choctaw people.

“Social dancing is one of the easiest ways that I am able to get people involved and participating while teaching them something that is traditional,” said Kanda Jackson, an

employee at Choctaw Cultural Services. “I am very proud to be Choctaw, and learning about my culture connects me to it on a deeper level and I hope that by showing my love for my tribe that I can inspire someone else to learn more about theirs.”

The Native American Student Association at Southeastern Oklahoma State University often host Choctaw Cultural events like stickball on campus. It is a way for students to come out to enjoy a fun sport while also engaging in Choctaw heritage.

“I do my part by actively engaging in events on and off campus that contain cultural practices,” said Choctaw Southeastern student Thomas Olive. “Everyday I learn more and more about the language and the culture,” he said.

Choctaw Casinos in Durant, Oklahoma preserve Choctaw heritage through many events including their annual Pow Wow. Awards and prizes are given to the best dancers and performers. The event shows a beautiful array of Choctaw clothing and dancing. Booths are also set up to display pottery and other items that represent Choctaw culture and heritage.

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Two locations to best serve you: 422 E. Jackson Hugo, OK 110 SE Washington Idabel, OK www.completecarewecare.com

2016 - 2017

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Texoma

The art of sisterhood

A group of women from the Baptist Collegiate Ministry took an outing to Caked Up and Elements Art Center on Feb. 17, 2017. They enjoyed painting Native American headdresses.

Courtesy photo of Nicole Diseker

Blakelyn Daniel, SE freshman, displays her paint-covered hands and Converse sneakers, in contrast to her delicate silver ring. “I don’t get this messy, normally,” she said.

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Courtesy photo of Nicole Diseker

Southeastern graduate, Kimi Kiser shows her tattoo while painting at Elements Art Center. “Agape” is a Greek word, meaning “love: the highest form of love, charity . . . the love of God for man and of man for God.”

Courtesy photo of Nicole Diseker

JiHyun Park, SE sophomore, Kimi Kiser, SE alumnus and Denise Jaquez, SE senior, look to Amanda Hensley, Elements Art Center class intructor, for guidance. Hensley instructs the students, helping them create their own unique piece of art.

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Texoma

Sacred Lands Illustration by Michaela Jestis

Illustration of U.S. oil pipelines.

Illustration by Michaela Jestis

Illustration of U.S. oil spills during1986-2016.

By Rachael Watson

Wakaya Wells, Choctaw Student Success Coach at Southeastern, visits Sacred Stone Camp for firsthand look at affects of the North Dakota Pipeline.

The North Dakota Pipeline protests grew of important ground water resources. the community of people fighting for their quickly from the first few dozen protesters Protestors feared that the pipeline would environment. at the beginning to a few hundred by the contaminate the Missouri River, as well as On December 4th, 2016, the protesters time the fight was over. Due to the number damage sacred tribal land. If a pipeline was celebrated what they saw as a major victory of protesters the group is believed to be, to break, leak, or otherwise malfunction the when an easement was denied that would “the site of the largest gathering of Native damage to the environment could be severe. have allowed the pipeline to pass under Lake Americans in more than 100 years,” accordThis concern was backed by evidence Oahe. ing to an article by BBC News. from the numerous pipeline malfunction Four days after his inauguration, President Constructing the Dakota Access Pipeline incidences in the United States over the last Donald Trump signed an executive order that caused the controversy was the Texas few decades. to continue the construction of the North based company, Energy Transfer. The “The earth is dying,” said Choctaw StuDakota Access Pipeline along with the conDakota Access Pipeline will allow troversial Keystone XL pipeline. the transportation of approximately This action by Trump warrant470,000 barrels of oil a day from ed another round of protests and North Dakota to Illinois. conflicts at the Standing Rock Camp Energy Transfer defended itself where dozens of additional prowith claims that completing the testers were arrested. “The Trump pipeline would not only increase Administration’s politically motienergy independence for the U.S., vated decision violates the law and but would also create thousands of the Tribe will fight it,” said Tribal new jobs. While creating new jobs Chairman, Dave Archambault II. is a positive effect of the proposed After another executive order, this pipleine project, there was much time from North Dakota Governor debate over whether it would be Doug Burgum, the protesters were enough to offset the negative ones. instructed to evacuate their camp.

Illustration by Michaela Jestis In April of 2016 protestors of the Despite further disputes and Illustration of U.S. oil pipelines and spills during 1986-2016. continued protests throughout the pipeline showed solidarity by gathering together at Sacred Stone Camp country, the construction on the in Cannon Ball, North Dakota. Hundreds dent Success Coach, Wakaya Wells, “and if pipeline was completed in early April and is of people from across the country assemwe want to make sure our grandkids have set to go into service later this spring. bled at Sacred Stone to offer support and to the same opportunities we had [then] we Regardless of the outcome, this controspeak out against the project.. Though they need to make sure that more pipelines aren’t versy has brought an increase of attention came from different backgrounds, they were going into the ground.” Wells visited Sacred towards environmental issues from both the united in a common concern for the quality Stone Camp in the fall and saw firsthand public and the government.

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Experiencing history Southeastern students were inspired by their spring break trip along the Natchez Trace Parkway from Natchez, Miss. to Moundville, Ala. They experienced Native American culture and history.

By Jerai Billy

S

unday March 12, 2017, nine Southeastern students enrolled in the Natchez Trace online class. Students, along with sponsor Joni Trosin and volunteer Vallerie Harris were given the opportunity to travel along the Natchez Trace Parkway. From Natchez, Miss. to Moundville, Ala., the Natchez Trace stretches over 444 miles.

The purpose of the trip was to educate this generation of Native American students on where they came from and who they are. The experience was very emotional and inspiring for many students.

Faithlyn Seawright, freshman art major, said, “I would have to say my experience along the Natchez Trace was culturally and spiritually inspiring. I say this because it blew my mind to see things that my ancestors saw and experienced. From walking the trails to throwing an atalatl, it helped to create a unique experience.”

Throughout the trip, the group saw history at every turn, starting with a 3 mile walk through the Potkopinu Trail. “Personally, I had no idea what to expect when I went to Natchez Trace, but hiking those 3 miles made my heart feel heavy with the burden our ancestors had to face. To know our people have endured and survived everything that has happened to us is incredible,” said SE freshman, Amber Justus.

The group also visited the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, the Melrose house

Courtesy photo of Joni Trosin

Southeastern students enrolled in the Natchez Trace eight week online course stand in front of the Melrose House in Natchez, Miss. during their tour of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

and William Johnson house.

Justus noted, “I believe that going on the Natchez Trace is important, not only for Natives, but for everyone else as well. I do not want people to stick with the history we are taught in high school. I want everyone to go out and learn about other cultures with an open mind and realize that the things you learned about Native Americans are not always true.”

Traveling from Natchez, Miss. to Jackson Miss. the group made several stops to visit a few historical landmarks, including the Sunken Trace, Mangum Mound and Dean’s Stand. The group also made stops at the Ridgeland Cabin Exhibit, Boyd Site and Cypress Swamp while traveling along the Natchez Trace from Jackson, Miss. to French Camp.

Seawright stated, “I was spiritually impacted because every time I go to the mounds in Mississippi, I feel like I am home. It fills my heart and my spirit with happiness to be there in an environment my ancestors knew.

However, it saddens me at the same time to know that we did not get to stay there. I am very thankful to the university for having this class so I could experience it among like-minded people.”

The group moved on to Moundville, Ala. for an introductory video and a guided tour.

Students learned about the weapons and tools that were used many years ago. They

also toured the archaeological center in Moundville and visited the Jones Museum.

The journey continued through Philadelphia, Miss. and to the Mississippi Band Choctaw’s Pearl River Community and the Pearl River Head start, Cultural Center, Elderly Center and the Reservation. The group visited the Mother Mound known as Nanih Waiya and the Cave.

Justus said she hopes visiting these sites “gives other natives the ability to stand proud that they are still here and I hope it sparks interest into learning and being a part of their tribe’s culture.”

After a brief stop in Monroe, La. the group returned to Durant on Saturday, March 18.

Now that the class has experienced and learned about the Natchez Trace, they have a project to complete to promote the Natchez Trace Parkway. They will use mediums including art, dance and audio to promote the experience.

The projects will be sent back to the rangers at the Natchez Trace Parkway to be reviewed. They will then decide if they will use them as advertising for the parkway. The Natchez Trace class is an eight week course taught by Amy Gantt, Chickasaw Advisor.

“The trip is definitely fun, I got to spend time with friends and I got to learn about my culture,” said Chris Bobb, freshman at Southeastern. “This trip is one I will never forget.”

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A day to serve Texoma

By J.D. Anteau

S

tudents from different backgrounds and organizations came to participate in Martin Luther King day of service at Southeastern. Students went to many different locations to help the community including St. Catherine’s food bank, Families Feeding Families and the Boys and Girls Club in Durant.

“We are here because it is MLK day and it is a day off from classes but we want to help the community,” said Southeastern student, Audra Talley. “Our motto is that this is a day on and not a day off from helping out.” The MLK day of service happens every year; groups all over the country serve their communities in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Southeastern’s fraternities and sororities including members of Sigma Tau Gamma participated in renovations of the Boys and Girls Club.

“We’re giving back to the community and trying to help out as much as we can,” said

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Ryan Nelson, a member of Sigma Tau Gamma.

“As a fraternity, we do a lot of charity work and fundraisers, and since Durant is our community we’re here to help restore it.”

“MLK day is about coming together with different backgrounds and overcoming cultural differences and striving to help bring the community closer”, said Debra Staff photo by J.D. Anteau Fulenchek, a volunteer at Southeastern students helped create a new classroom for the Boys and Girls Club the Boys and Girls Club in Durant on Monday, Jan. 16. and Wellness Coordinaunique opportunities. Each room in the fator at Southeastern. cility will be used for some type of learning At the Boys and Girls club students purpose after the renovations are complete. worked to renovate the building to create a suitable space for children to learn and have

The Great Outdoors Texoma is a lively local scene that offers various opportunities for exciting exploration and active adventures.

There are various hiking trails in Texoma. Check out Cross Timbers Texoma Hiking Trail or take a hike on the new hiking trail, Schuler Loop Trail located on Southeastern’s campus.

Go play a round of golf at Chickasaw Pointe Golf Club on Lake Texoma. The course is ranked number three in Oklahoma (public access) since opening.

Visit www.pointe-vista.com for more information.

Illustrations by Ivy Phelps

Staff photo by Ivy Phelps

Courtesy photo of the Wildlife Department

Lake Texoma features striper-fishing tours, lakeside restaurants, swimming beaches, campgrounds, kayaking and many other outdoor activities. Visit lake-texoma.org for more information.

Courtesy photo of the Wildlife Department

Interested in wildlife and landscape photography?

Visit Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is located between Pottsboro and Gordonsville on the south side of Lake Texoma. The 12,000 acre refuge houses pelicans, geese, deer, turkeys, bobcats, hawks and other birds.

Visit lake-texoma.org for more information.

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Texoma

KALE yeah

A glimpse into the innovative culinary and entrepreneurial vision of Rick Wells, SE alum and Harvest Seasonal Kitchen owner and creator.

Staff photo by Ivy Phelps

By Ivy Phelps

An example of Harvest Seasonal Kitchen’s interactive interior design, located on 112 E Louisiana Street in Mckinney, Texas.

There is a disconnect, especially since World War II, concerning how food is served in restaurants and sold in grocery stores.

The majority of food is flown in or driven to a desired destination for distribution, mainly for profit, without providing genuine and honest nourishment.

Generally speaking, meat and produce are churned out in excess. Consumers consistently purchase these products without asking questions or expecting anything extraordinary.

The traditional restaurant experience consists of huge portions and a noisy atmosphere. Another alternative is a fancy atmosphere with subpar food and a sky-high price tag.

But what if there was something extraordinary? What if the food on the dinner table was sourced locally, with purpose and honesty?

Southeastern alumnus and Harvest Seasonal Kitchen owner and creator, Rick Wells, offers his take on food quality, atmosphere, emotion and community.

“We create supply chains with very small farms and ranches in our area. When I say our area, we go way up into Oklahoma, we get our buffalo from Comanche Ranch in Lawton, OK. We support farms in Southeast Oklahoma and obviously North Texas,” said Wells.

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Wells added, “I think it really strikes home with the consumer, especially the younger consumer in their late twenties to thirties.”

A general question is whether or not the hope of the young consumer will ever coincide with an older demographic. “I think it’s a prime example that millennials think about where their food comes from compared to other generations, that’s what we feel too,” said Wells.

The farm-to-table/community-to-table mission and mentality is not just talk, it is action.

“We have three symposiums a year. We bring farmers and ranchers and chefs and artisans together to try and create this network of what we call, the Texas Food Movement,” Wells said.

Wells spoke about the complexity and time it takes to create the Harvest menu. “So we sit at a table with farmers and we talk about, in the winter what we are going to plant for the spring or even the coming fall. It really takes much more of an organized planned effort and you have to really communicate with the people that you’re buying from.

Our business requires quite a bit more thought.”

Wells is also a firm believer in local sourcing of décor, “The tables are built locally, the booths are built locally, all the artwork is local and all of the pictures were shot at local farms.

We really tried to put our money where our mouth is.”

Wells had a specific vision for the atmosphere he wanted to create for the customers entering Harvest, “I wanted you to feel like you walked into someone’s porch out in the country.”

Wells wanted customers to feel something in their heart and soul. “I wanted it [Harvest] to touch your emotions,” he said.

Wells’ mission for Harvest is honest and honorable.“It’s a restaurant with a purpose.

It’s not just about making money, it’s not about capitalism, it’s about a deep purpose,” Wells said.

Wells credited Southeastern for his sense of leadership and entrepreneurship.

“I made lifelong friends there. I think what Southeastern taught me more than anything is how to problem solve,” Wells said.

“I was president of Sig Tau, I was active in school and it really taught me how to be a leader, it had a huge impact on my life,” said Wells.

Wells added, “My favorite phrase is, ‘What do you call a guy at Southeastern? Boss.’ I had a wonderful experience at Southeastern.”

For more information about Harvest, Wells, and The Seed Foundation visit harvesttx.com or theseedprojectfoundation. com.

Knowledge

Spectrum of light

Southeastern junior Nathan Thompson looks through a spectrosope to see the spectrum of light given off by different types of gases. This procedure shows how much radiation each gas gives off by looking at its wavelengths on spectrums of light.

Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

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Knowledge

Reducing anxiety

By Rachael Watson

M

ost Southeastern students will take at least one class in the Art, Communication and Theatre Department. The majority of them will take a class in public speaking.

Public speaking is a vital skill across all majors and is applicable in a multitude of various career paths after graduation.

However, the importance of the skill does not lessen the anxiety and stress that all to often accompanies speaking in front of a crowd.

Dr. Randy Clark, Speech and Debate Advisor and Assistant Professor at Southeastern, is looking to demonstrate the benefits of taking a public speaking course through his research study.

“What we hope to find is that if students here are Southeastern have a high anxiety level when they start taking the public speaking course, if nothing else, we can statistically identify and quantify that their anxiety level has been reduced by taking the class,” explained Dr. Clark.

Over the last year, Dr. Clark, with the help of other Art, Communication and Theatre professors, has been conducting pre-class and post-class surveys on students enrolled in public speaking courses at Southeastern.

The survey is thirty-three questions long, with an extra six demographic questions in order to consider the differences in men versus women and the anxiety levels across different majors.

The data collected from these surveys will be looked at within the bounds of a statistical measure created by James C. McCroskey in the 1970s.

In addition to showing students exactly what the class has to offer them, Dr. Clark hopes to be able to present his findings to

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Dr. Randy Clark is exploring the benefits of Southeastern’s public speaking course. Through his research, he hopes to statistically prove a reduction in speech anxiety in students after taking the course.

the administration to solidify the value and benefit of having a public speaking course in the general education program.

Clark said, “As a professor, I can say it anecdotally. I have been teaching almost

twenty years and I have taught dozens of sections of public speaking and I can say that I’ve seen this anxiety reduction happen but this study will statistically verify it.”

Staff photo By Kourtney Cunningham

The best of Southeastern’s fall 2016 Business and Professional Speaking students competed on Tuesday, Nov. 29 in the first annual Public Speaking Showcase. Dr. Randy Clark and Dr. Shannon McCraw stand with winners, third place, Thomas Olive, second place, Jessica Robison and first place, James Sutton.

Students watch as Dr. Wood gives an in-class demonstration on the Scissor Tale Fly Catcher.

Up, up and away

By Haley Barnett

D

r. Doug Wood has been a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences since 2001.

He is an ornithologist and wildlife biologist who teaches courses in Ornithology, Field Ornithology, Zoology, Mammalogy, Fisheries, Wildlife Management, Conservation of Natural Resources and Bioethics among others. Ornithology is the scientific study of birds.

He has conducted research on a wide a variety of ornithological subjects such as brood parasitism, endangered species, migration ecology and the impacts of management regimes on bird communities. Dr. Wood earned his B.A. in Biology from Boston University, M.S. in Zoology from Eastern Illinois University, and Ph.D. in Forestry and Wildlife Ecology from Mississippi State University.

Biology was not Wood’s first choice.

In high school, he wanted to be an international relations and history major, but took a zoology course his senior year of high school with an amazing teacher. “He opened my eyes to the field of Zoology and I changed my major to Biology the first day of college,” Wood said.

Throughout his career, Wood has done research on different endangered species. His Ph.D. dissertation research was on the federally endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker.

“My research focused on providing the correct habitat management practices to maximize reproductive success of this species, which is now on its way to recovery due to the hard work of a lot of people.”

He continued his ornithological studies well after his dissertation. Dr. Wood has worked with neotropical mi-

Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

Professor shares his passion for ornithology with students. grant songbird stopover ecology at the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge.

His emphasis has been on cavity-nesting birds like prothonotary warblers and tree swallows.

Dr. Wood said his greatest challenge is finding students who are motivated to study ornithology. “I embrace a positive, proactive approach to working with students. I try to use humor to engage students, but also challenge them to not just meet the bar, but jump over it,” he said.

He said he loves teaching as a professor and will continue to do that as long as he looks forward to class every day.

“If I ever retire, I’ll do what I do now which is travel the world and look at birds. There is no end to learning about birds, so I’ll watch and study them as long as I can. They give me great joy in a world filled with so much negativity.”

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Knowledge

The gift of education Southeastern recognized Jacqueline McEntire’s life of dedication to education and community service by conferring an Honorary Bachelor Degree.

Durant, Okla. – For more than 70 years, Mrs. Jacqueline Smith McEntire has been an advocate for education and community service.

That dedication and lifetime of achievement was formally recognized Thursday as Southeastern Oklahoma State University conferred an Honorary Bachelor Degree in Public Education and Community Service to Mrs. McEntire.

Numerous family members – including children Pake McEntire, Susie McEntire-Eaton, Reba McEntire, and Alice Foran – joined friends and University students and faculty in a special ceremony in the Fine Arts Recital Hall.

Offering remarks on behalf of Higher Education at the event were Chancellor Glen D. Johnson, Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education Chair John Massey, Regional University System of Oklahoma Regent Chair Lake Carpenter and Southeastern president Sean Burrage.

Mrs.McEntire, who will celebrate her 90th birthday next month, also offered remarks.

Mrs. McEntire served five school districts in southeastern Oklahoma for almost 20 years as a teacher, secretary and librarian. She graduated from high school at the age of 16 and became a certified teacher through the

Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

Mrs. Jacqueline McEntire, center, holds the honorary degree she received from Southeastern. Joining her are her children, Susie McEntire-Eaton, Alice Foran, Pake McEntire and Reba McEntire.

Oklahoma State Department of Education at age 18. Mrs. McEntire began teaching grades 1-8 at Tipperary School in 1943 and later taught high school business for one year.

During this time, Mrs. McEntire spent many summers attending Southeastern State College, earning 95 credit hours towards her degree in education. However, the pursuit of her degree was put on hold when she married Clark McEntire and they started a family.

“

treasures, I’m speaking purely in human terms.”

In 1962, Mrs. McEntire returned to public education and served as librarian and secretary of Kiowa Schools until 1973 when her middle daughter, Reba, graduated from Kiowa High School and started college at Southeastern. Two of Mrs. McEntire’s daughters earned degrees at Southeastern: Reba earned a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education-Fine Arts at Southeastern in 1976, and Alice earned a Bachelor’s in Education (Home Economics-Social Studies) in 1973.

In addition, Mrs. McEntire’s mother-in-law Alice Hayhurst and niece Rickie Thompson are graduates of Southeastern.

“It is an honor for Southeastern to be involved in recognizing Mrs. McEntire for her lifelong devotion to education,’’ President Burrage said. “It is especially appropriate when you remember that Southeastern was founded to educate teachers and that legacy continues today. Throughout her life, Mrs. McEntire has emphasized the importance of education. She is a true inspiration for all of us at Southeastern.’’

By University Communications

Mrs. McEntire has emphasized the importance of education. She is a true inspiration to all of us at Southeastern.

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”

“I would listen to Mama tell stories about catching the Greyhound from Limestone Gap to Durant to attend summer school at Southeastern and then teach students in the fall,’’ Susie McEntire-Eaton said.

“That’s wanting to be a people changer. I began searching for a way to honor her hard work and dedication to the field of education. She’s a woman of many talents, gifts, strengths and endearing treasures. And by

Science in practice

By Rachael Watson

W

anting to stay close to home and intrigued by the variety of chemistry classes offered, senior medical sciences major Cameron Schuessler was eager to enroll at Southeastern Oklahhoma State University after graduating high school.

Schuessler knew he wanted a career in the sciences and it took only one semester at Southeastern for Schuessler to find his passion in pharmacy. Interested in helping others by providing a necessary service to the community, Schuessler is still deciding on what type of pharmaceutical career he wishes to pursue: research or retail. In addition to the time spent preparing for pharamacy school, he is active around campus as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team and Baptist Collegiate Ministry. Schuessler worked hard to earn the grades he needed to attend graduate school at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy in the fall.

“The classes [at Southeastern] really prepare you for your future education. Unlike what a lot of people think, in science, it is not easy. They really do make it hard for you so you prepare yourself for the future,” said Schuessler.

Biochemistry, Human Physiology and Anatomy have been invaluable to Schuessler.

He hopes his SE classes have prepared him for the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB), the entrance test Schuessler must take before attending pharmacy school.

“I’ve learned that there are various ways you can use a doctorate in pharmacy. Not just in a pharmacy retail location but actually doing the research in all different aspects,” said Schuessler, “I actually worked in a local

pharmacy for two summers as a student.... to see what the everyday aspect of retail pharmacists look like.”

Dr. Tim Smith, Chair of the Chemistry, Computer, and Physical Science Department has been Schuessler’s advisor during his time at Southeastern. “I never had to remind him of my situation. He knew when I walked in who I was and what I needed to do,” commented Schuessler.

Another faculty member that has helped Schuessler prepare for graduate school is Dr. Ning Wu, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences. “It is tough to get used to the structure of his classes but…it can actually help you learn quite a bit,” Schuessler said.

Schuessler is excited for graduation and is eager to begin his time at pharmacy school while staying connected to his roots here in Durant.

Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

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Knowledge

Understanding the

world

Dr. Stanley Rice hopes his students and others will glean a better understanding of the world around them through his classes, research, books, blogs and even his YouTube channel.

D

r. Stanley Rice was born in Oklahoma, grew up and attended college in California, and went on to get a Ph.D. in plant biology from the University of Illinois. After faculty positions in New York, Indiana and Minnesota, he joined the faculty of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1998 where he is now a full-time professor in the Biological Sciences department. He teaches general biology, general botany, systematic botany, evolution, and graduate research methods at Southeastern.

By Haley Barnett

Evolution of learning

He is the author of four books, “Encyclopedia of Evolution”, “Green Planet”, “Life of Earth” and “Encyclopedia of Biodiversity”. He has an evolution blog found at www. honest-ab-blogspot.com and has portrayed

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Charles Darwin in person around Oklahoma and on his personal YouTube channel StanEvolve.

Dr. Rice is known on campus for dressing up as Charles Darwin in his classroom to bring fun to learning about evolution. Rice wants the world to appreciate and understand the importance of science, so he reaches out through his YouTube channel.

“I wanted some way to communicate evolutionary topics in little bites. Most of the videos are between 2-3 minutes long. I try to make it entertaining because I think that is what people might remember. I usually do something ridiculous on there. I hang from a cliff or I lay down on the ground or something like that.” Rice said he really wants people to enjoy learning, even if it is just a little bit at a time.

Meaningful work

As accomplished as Dr. Rice has been in his life time, something that he is most proud of is working with his Southeastern students to study and rescue an endangered species of tree that is found in southeast Oklahoma called the Seaside Alder tree. “I have had students throughout the time I have been here who are interested in working with me on this. So we have done quite a bit of research and a lot of it has been done by students,” said Rice. Rice said this experience has been the most rewarding.

Inspiration

Rice’s role model throughout time has been his Ph.D. advisor, Fakhri Bazzaz, from the University of Illinois. “I think what inspired me about him is that he brought together lots of different ways of scientific

Courtesy photo by JD Anteau

Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

Dr. Stanley Rice shows students pressed leaves from different kind of trees as a part of his class. Rice teaches general biology, general botany, evolution and graduate research methods. thinking. He studied all these different areas of science. I learned from him that if you want to understand something in nature, you need to know a lot of different points of view.” Bazzaz taught Rice the importance of understanding the world around him - a point Rice wants his students to take away from his classes.

Investing in the future

more than the definition of biology. “ I want them to leave really caring about the natural world and about how people depend

“

Southeastern alumni, Carrissa Robinson, says “My most memorable times in a classroom were in Dr. Rice’s general biology class. I had never been sad to leave a science class before.” Students and faculty across campus have recognized Rice’s ability to engage a classroom and get students excited to learn.

Aside from the general course subject, Rice wants students to leave his class with

before.”

He wishes the general population would understand how our lives affect the natural world. He knows that understanding starts with young people learning about the world around them.

My most memorable times in a classroom were in Dr. Rice’s general biology class. I had never been sad to leave a science class before.

”

on it. I want my botany students to not just know about plants, but actually get down on their hands and knees and look at a flower outside. To see things they’ve never seen

What’s next

As much as Dr. Rice loves teaching, he has plans for when he leaves the classroom. Aside from the text books he has written for the classroom, he has an interest in writing fiction. He is currently sending out his novel to agents in hopes of getting it published. Rice also has plans to move to France and spend time writing many more novels.

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Knowledge

The more you know

By Yingjie Zhu

Recycling is a small way to make a big difference each day.

Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away and turned into new products.

Recycling benefits the community and the environment.

Paper waste occurs daily. When people are not satisfied with their printed paper, they may throw it away. Leaflets and printed advertisements are thrown away and become a source of paper waste.

Facts about paper and paper waste: - More than 199 tons of paper have already been produced.

- 324 liters of water are used to make 1 kilogram of paper.

- 10 liters of water are needed to make one piece of A4 paper.

- 93% of paper comes from trees.

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- 50% of the waste in businesses is composed of paper.

- Recycling 1 ton of paper saves approximately 682.5 gallons of oil and 26,500 liters of water.

- Packaging makes up over one-third of our trash.

- U.S. offices use 12.1 trillion sheets of paper a year.

- Paper accounts for 25% of landfill waste and 33% of municipal waste.

The facts above show that individuals should pay more attention to paper waste.

Paper waste will directly affect trees. Trees are not only used to make paper, but also help reduce global warming.

Another way to help the environment is by walking or riding a bike instead of driving.

Simply walking around campus instead of driving can make a difference.

To recycle on campus students can go to the recycling area near the biology building. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students, faculty and staff can bring any sorted recyclables except glass.

Items can be brought from home. Items must be bagged or boxed and they must be clean.

Recycling benefits not only the lives of individuals, but also, the world. Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. Recycling conserves natural resources like timber, water and minerals.

Additionally, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.

¿Hablas español?

There are many opportunities for bilingual speakers in the work place. Southeastern students take advantage of programs that help develop their skills.

B

eing a bilingual speaker not only broadens the ability to speak with more people but it often makes employees able to make more money in their field.

I am bilingual ability,” said Stephani Arroyo a bilingual representative at Alorica. “I also make more per hour because of my skills of speaking two different languages,” Arroyo added.

Need

Businesses are needing more bilingual speakers to make their company profitable by having a diverse employee base that can communicate efficiently with their customers. Alorica, a local call center, utilizes bilingual speakers because they need that ability to communicate with Spanish speaking customers. Alorica has debt collecting campaigns that have Spanish customers.

Other campaigns may not work with money but they all make use of their bilingual employees.

By J.D. Anteau

Benefits

Some businesses provide the employees that speak multiple languages with a pay raise or benefits. “As a whole I take fewer calls than the rest of my campaign because

Christian Potter Freshman Psychology

Staff illistration by Michaela Jestis

“Our product is our personal interactions with customers based on verbal communications,” said Jeremy Plexco, a manager and trainer at Alorica. “Our bilingual program

Q/A

allows us to broaden and increase the diversity on how and who we interact with, improving the services we can offer to a very diverse list of clients.”

On campus

Many students at Southeastern go to the university because of their Spanish speaking backgrounds in an attempt to not only improve their abilities to speak bilingually, but to connect with others on campus and outside of campus who may not speak English as their first language.

“I go out and assist other bilingual speakers and help them connect with others,” said Jose Rubio, a bilingual student at Southeastern. “I also get with other students that are starting to learn Spanish and help those who know Spanish already, but aren’t as fluent as they would like, to improve their skills,” Rubio said. Southeastern also offers a Spanish Speaking group that meets throughout the semester.

Can you name a professor who has inspired you at Southeastern and why?

“I would have to say Dr. Michael Sherman for the band. Considering the way this year started for band, he was able to pull together a really really good show for the band.”

What is your favorite class you’ve taken at Southeastern and why?

“Definitely comic book class. Even though I like to think of myself as a nerd, I learned that I knew nothing about comic books.”

What is one interesting thing you’ve learned since attending Southeastern?

“I did learn that at some Ivy League schools there are some classes that are dedicated to the psychology of Batman, like why he thinks and acts the way he does.”

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Knowledge

Sit-ins to the big screen Southeastern alumnae Julie Clifford’s documentary, Children of the Civil Rights, brings light to sit-ins that helped integrate many restaurants in Oklahoma City.

T

contributions they made to the Civil Rights movement. Though they were just kids, they were able to create change at a time when the United States did not accept them. By the time the sit-ins stopped, the children had changed the policies in all but one restaurant.

The film consisted of interviews with participants of the sit-ins, members of the community at the time, video footage and photos of sit-ins and protests and reenacted scenes demonstrating what happened.

Clifford attributes the idea to produce this film to conversations with her father, Bill Clifford, who was a participant in the sit-ins. Clifford says the production of the

film started in a simple film class she took with a friend. Clifford, her father, and two other sit-in participants, Joyce Jackson and Joyce Henderson, attended the screening on campus and stayed after to talk with the audience and answer questions.

Approximately 100 students, staff and faculty members attended the event. The film and discussions afterwards were encouraging to students and young people. The takeaway message was to not be afraid to stand up for the rights of others and that nonviolence is vital to success.

Clifford said she hopes the film will, “inspire young people to make changes and to know they have a voice.”

Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

Sit-in participants, Joyce Jackson, Bill Clifford and Joyce Henderson answer audience questions after the screening of Children of the Civil Rights. They expressed that students can make a difference especially through nonviolence.

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By Rachael Watson

he Office for Student Life and Southeastern Student Support Services worked together to organize a special showing of the documentary, Children of the Civil Rights. This film was created and directed by Southeastern alumnae, Julie Clifford, class of 1992.

Children of the Civil Rights highlights the young adults and children who participated in restaurant sit-ins in Oklahoma City for six years during the Civil Rights movement. The sit-ins in OKC never made national news because they never became violent like many others.

Clifford wanted to share the participants’ stories and honor the impressive

Cherry Pie

By Adeline Patterson

Illustration by Michaela Jestis

When two cultures collide, Never are they seen as equal.

The webs of significance The recipes Are ignored as the Other is forced into the oven.

Western Dominance is controlled by their perspective of the Other.

Their favorite flavor is blood red Cherry Pie. Equality is a myth HUMAN is relative Just like one’s opinion of pie.

Pie is the staple food of all cultures But each pie has different ingredients Political peaches cause action Ideological apples inform belief The cost of grapes affects the apples and the peaches Pie leads to war, smallpox blankets, and ethnic cleansing A person’s taste in pie defines their treatment of other’s pie Food fights Pie wars Colliding perspectives A cherry falls to the plate, red ooze dripping from the crust.

Pies are not the ingredients of equality

Copies of Green Eggs and Hamlet can be found in the English department in Morrison 333. To submit literature or art for next year, e-mail it to greeneggsandhamlet@se.edu. For more information, follow us on Facebook at SOSU Green Eggs and Hamlet.

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A&E

Strikes a chord

Kayden Sanders practices on the xylophone during a percussion ensemble rehearsal. Sanders and other music students practice dilligently many times a week to prepare for competitions, recitals and student events.

Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

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Relationships, Sex, War, & Love

By Ivy Phelps

Charles Jackson’s play captured the emotion of suicide contemplations and hardship

“Relationships, Sex, War, and Love” was performed on Aug. 17, 2016 at 6 p.m. in the Fine Arts Recital Hall at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Charles Jackson, junior communication and theatre double major, acted alongside Sarah Willhite, freshman theatre major. Jackson wrote the play and Ralontae Worley, junior communication major, worked as the director. “Relationships, Sex, War, and Love” was a creative and powerful take on suicide contemplation.

Willhite played a young woman who had previously suffered many hardships and failed to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Jackson acted as a suicide hotline employee answering Willhite’s call.

The play showcased serious issues that need to be talked about in addition to the innovative personalities of Worley and Jackson. The audience was very engaged and the energy of the room was charged.

Once the play ended Worley, Jackson and Willhite were filled with emotion, considering the nature of the play.

In turn, Worley and Jackson both explained their personal hardships including disease, death, homelessness and neglect.

Jacob Harper

Sophomore Sports Broadcasting

Q/A

Worley and Jackson emphasized that despite their extremely unfortunate circumstances, they did not give up.

Worley and Jackson instead channeled their energy into doing something good to help someone else and raised awareness concerning controversial issues.

Jackson said, “There’s always somebody out there that you can talk to if you’re struggling.”

Worley said, “There’s always another option, you can always get through it.”

Jackson added, “For people who aren’t struggling, your voice or just your presence alone can be the difference between someone hurting themselves or someone recovering from the blow that they just faced and fighting back.”

If you or anyone you know is exhibiting alarming behavior or suicide threats please use Southeastern’s Crisis Hotline is 1-800-5221090. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 and is available 24 hours everyday.

What SE event was your favorite and why?

“The bonfire. It was to kick off our season and I felt like it brought our student body together.”

What was the most fun event outside of school you attended this past year?

“To be honest with you I don’t do much outside that is not football oriented, but I do like to go have a good time at Lake Texoma.”

What news event in the media was the most memorable or important to you and why?

“A good friend of mine Kaymon Farmer broke the all time receptions at the school so that was really cool.”

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A&E

Pokemon Go, released July 6, 2016, is a virtual game where players travel in the real world to capture Pokemon on their phone by using their GPS location services to track where they are.

Pokestops provide the players with free items that, after about five minutes, replenish. There are about seven different Pokestops scattered around Southeastern’s Durant campus that only players can see in the game. The two most popular Pokestops are located by the Russell building.

While on campus, students who play the game take advantage of the Pokestops on campus and in Durant.

Thomas Olive, a senior at Southeastern said, “Pokemon Go has altered my life positively by making Durant more open and inviting. Usually, I felt as though the the court house and Main Street were for only appealing tickets and buying trinkets. Now that there are Pokestops at those locations, I actually go there. I never actually knew there was a confederate monument in Durant until I started playing Pokemon Go.” Olive is also more active because of the game. “I now walk approximately 10km a week and that is 10 more kilometers than I usually would have walked,” said Olive.

Pokemon Go has not only helped people get more exercise and explore but it has also helped others to make new friends as well. John Hurley, a sophomore Aviation student at Southeastern said, “Pokemon Go has made me not want to stay home and just sit there.

It has helped me to get outside and make new friends and go places and take me out of my comfort zones.”

Pokemon Go has been extremely influential to many students and other people that play the game to not only get exercise and be more active, but also to socialize with others. It has created a community.

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Infograph By Haley Barnett

By J.D. Anteau

Pokemon, brought to life on your phone, connects SE campus and gamers.

Making music

Southeastern Symphonic winds performed an array of music in Montgomery auditorium on November 16, 2016.

The Southeastern Oklahoma State University department of music held a symphonic wind ensemble concert in Montgomery Auditorium on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. The concert featured musical pieces played by many different musicians including some Southeastern students and guest artists.

The concert was conducted by Dr. Michael Scheuerman and the band performed music

by Frank Ticheli, Eric Whitacre and John Phillip Sousa.

Erin Anderson is a freelance musician from Dallas, Texas who plays with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra. Anderson played with

“

the ensemble in the concert, “I absolutely love playing here. It is such a great venue,” Anderson said. Anderson and several others traveled from Oklahoma City and Dallas.

James Carter, a senior at Southeastern who played in the ensemble, believed the concert was an amazing event and a huge success. “We are playing some contemporary orchestra music that will start out somewhat slow but will end with a huge bang,” said Carter before the performance. The performance did just that, starting slow with Gliding Girl by John Phillip Sousa and ending with Vesuvius

by Frank Ticheli.

I absolutely love playing here. It is such a great venue.

”

Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

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By J.D. Anteau

The Southeastern Music Department routinely hosts exciting and inspiring performances in the arts. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble, along with guest artists, put on a dynamic fall concert.

A&E

Movie

Magic

By Ivy Phelps

Courtesy photo of Lionsgate

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Finding Dory Ellen DeGeneres returned as the voice of Dory. Forgetful Dory goes on a journey to find her family this time around. This highly anticipated sequel to Pixar’s Finding Nemo was a smashing success at the box office grossing 1.028 billion worldwide.

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From superheros to musicals, 2016 movie choices did not disappoint La La Land Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling play two love birds in this majestic slice of cinematic goodness. Both characters have big dreams and are striving to make it in the city of angels. This musical explores the journey of two creatives struggling with the choice between love and limelight.

Suicide Squad This film had a star studded cast including Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Viola Davis, Cara Delevingne and Scott Eastwood. This film is a tale chronicalling the DC Comics antiheroes. The film received mixed reviews, but was a huge box office success grossing 745.6 million worldwide.

Deadpool Ryan Reynolds stars in this superhero flick based on the Marvel comic book. Reynolds was transformed into Deadpool by an evil scientist, who would expect anything less? His powers include accelerated healing powers and a wicked sense of humor.

Staff photo by Jerai Billy

Southeastern students and faculty displayed their artwork at the annual Art Faculty/ Art Students Exhibition in the Centre Gallery. The art show featured a variety of mediums and was on display from Jan. 24 to Feb. 16, 2017.

Work of art Southeastern art students displayed their artwork at the Centre Art Gallery during the fourteenth annual Art Faculty/Art Students Exhibtion.

Displaying artwork in a gallery gives stuThe Art Faculty/Art Students Exhibition was held in the Visual and Performing Arts dents a real sense of how their future work will be received. This exhibit is a beneficial building from Jan. 24 to Feb. 16, 2017. learning experience for students.

Twenty-eight students participated. This art Terran Reichert, a freshman art student, exhibit debuted at Southeastern in 2003.

According to Dr. said, “it is neat seeing Glenny Beach, Dimy art work in a real The art show creates a gallery, and it made me rector of Visual Arts, “[the art show] affords sense of pride for all our faculty in think that I could be back there someday an opportunity for the Visual Art division as well as our but actually selling my everyone on campus, as well as visitors and Art, Communication and Theatre art work.” prospective students Having art work on Department. display also allows othto see what program ers to critique and give positive or negative majors we offer.” feedback, ultimitely, artists grow from the “The art show creates a sense of pride for all our art faculty in the Visual Art division experience. as well as our Art, Communication and Faithlyn Seawright, a freshman art student at Southeastern, was inspired by other stuTheatre Department,” said Beach. dents’ art work.

“This is an opportunity for our students “Seeing what other students were able to to display art made in their major classes create made me want to learn more as an and art faculty to display the artwork that they produce as artists,” Beach said. artist,” Seawright said.

By Jerai Billy

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The fairest of them all The production of Southeastern Theatre Department’s “My Fair Lady” required innovation, dedication and passion which was met with rousing success.

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By Ivy Phelps

N

ot seen on stage at Southeastern Oklahoma State University since the 1970s, ‘My Fair Lady’ made a triumphant return to Montgomery Auditorium in March 2017.

With standing ovations and glowing reviews for the Southeastern cast, what began as ‘Pygmalion,’ the play by George Bernard Shaw, has stood the test of time by continuing to please audiences and critics alike.

With book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, ‘My Fair Lady’ is often referred to as “the perfect musical.” The 1956 Broadway production set the record for the longest run of any show up to that time.

The hit sensation had thousands of performances on Broadway with actress Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle and Rex Harrison as Professor Henry Higgins.

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A&E More familiar to most is the 1964 film in which Harrison returns as Professor Higgins with the iconic actress Audrey Hepburn cast as Eliza Doolittle, the Cockney flower girl.

The film version won Best Picture of the Year, Best Actor for Rex Harrison and Best Director for George Cukor.

To ready the work for local audiences, Theatre at Southeastern and the SE Music Department worked as a finely tuned team to create their magic on the Montgomery Auditorium stage.

With commitment, vision and creativity, Director Dell McLain, Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, Dr. Aaron Adair, Riley Risso-Coker, Will James Stacey and Kathleen Hargrove, along with dozens of others, brought London to life in southeastern Oklahoma.

Voice majors, who comprised two-thirds of the cast, joined with theatre and music majors to make the production a reality.

Freshman cast member Garrick West said, “This was my start in musicals and theatre.

This show holds a profound message that all human souls are equally important, regardless of the class from which they come.”

Seasoned cast member Sarah Schueller recalled a note that stuck with her, “Jeremy

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Blackwood said it best, he said, ‘We are creating disposable art-only a few people will see this, but it is art.”

On opening night, with a great many high-school students and community groups in the audience, McLain spoke with pride of the production and the auditorium’s new sound system, a project made possible by assistance from the Choctaw Nation.

projected on stage where they set the scenes with charm and realistic images.

The projections were paired with traditional scenery and furniture while props on wires moved effortlessly into place. The result was a visually appealing three-dimensional stage filled with song and dance.

West said, “Sometimes you just have to go out on a limb and try things you think are impossible to accomplish. You never know when the opportunity of something truly amazing comes knocking on your door.

You just have to be ready, get up and answer it.”

It is easy to see why West opened the door to ‘My Fair Lady’ at Southeastern, and it’s probably the same reason audiences opened the doors to Montgomery Auditorium.

A stellar cast, crew and production team of directors, artists and musicians worked together to create a grand musical.

The takeaway in ‘My Fair Lady’ is the understanding that each of us are a bit like Eliza Doolittle with overtones of Professor Henry Higgins. It encourages us to believe in ourselves and challenge the status quo – and isn’t that loverly?

This was my start in musicals and theatre.This show holds a profound message that all human souls are equally important, regardless of the class from which they come.

Southeastern students prepare for the live show with full dress rehearsal before opening night.

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“Over the years, we’ve heard from audiences that acoustics in Montgomery were less than desirable. It’s a vintage building, and there wasn’t much we could do - until now,” McLain said.

Also noted was the set design and use of unique backdrops drawn by Technical Director, Will James Stacey prior to being

”

Staff photos by Ivy Phelps

Lively

Local Music Durant offers various eateries and venues that feature musical talent. They are truly small town treasures to be treasured.

Illustrations provided by Ivy Phelps

The Crown Pub is a new addition to Durant Main Street. Musical artists perform at The Crown Pub and food is also served. For more information visit www.facebook.com/crownpub128.

End your day at Roma with exceptional Italian food at a reasonable price and live music. Located on 121 W Main St, Durant, Okla. (580) 9319961 or www.romadurant.com.

Staff photo by Ivy Phelps

Durant Main Street is the lively local strip of the community. Main Street offers eateries, live local music, boutiques and more. For more information visit www. durantmainstreet.org.

Listen to live music at Gilley’s. Gilley’s features a distinctly Southern atmosphere with just the right amount of Western tradition. Located on 3735 Choctaw Rd, Durant, Okla. inside Choctaw Casino and Resort. (580) 920-0160 or www.choctawcasinos.com/choctaw-durant/dine/gilleys/ Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

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Courtesy photos of Brandon Green

TOP The audio waves show the amplitude versus time of the liner “Superstitious”. Media team members add music and sound effects to their voices to complete their work to be put on 91.9 FM. LEFT U92 FM Station Manager, Jay King speaks live over the airwaves in the U92 studio. Though King has many behindthe-scenes duties that he must take care of, he finds time to co-host the sports show “Double Play” Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m.

BOTTOM Robert Bedford, U92 Media Team member, speaks into a microphone in a U92 recording bay. Every team member provides voice talent, whether it be to a prerecorded show, liner or commercial. Here, Bedford is recording the audio for his show, “Robert’s Game Corner,” which airs throughout the week.

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Eye on the ball

Southeastern tennis player, Maria Martinez keeps her eye on the ball while trying to hit it past her opponent on Saturday, March 25. The Savage Storm women’s tennis team finished with an 8-1 victory over Collin County Community College.

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Staff photo by J.D. Anteau

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Staff photo by Ivy Phelps Southeastern football player holds the rivalry trophy at the pep rally on November 10. The Savage Storm won 34-27 taking their 48th win against ECU. They will keep the trophy another year.

Sweet victory Charged by tradition, the East Central Univeristy - Southeastern Oklahoma State University football rivalry is one of the most anticipated games of the season.

Preparations for the rivalry began on Thursday, November 10, 2016. Members of Southeastern athletics along with the Spirit of Southeastern Marching Band, the Sparks, Southeastern Cheer and other student participants gathered for a pep rally.

This year’s rivalry game on November 12, 2016 marked the 100th meeting for the Tigers and Savage Storm. It is the longest running small college rivalry in Oklahoma and the fourth in Division II.

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Savage Storm football defeats Tigers in longest running rivalry in Division II.

The Storm won 34-27 and increased their lead for overall wins against ECU to 48-46-6.

Quarterback, CB Cantwell, represented Southeastern well turning in a 91.3 percent pass completion record. Cantwell set the record at Southeastern for the most accurate passing performance.

The team totalled 444 yards with 234 on the ground and 210 in the air.

With a combination of clock management and a solid Southeastern defense, the Storm finished with a 7-point lead and took home the 48th rivalry win. They will keep the trophy another year.

Courtesy illustration of Go Southeastern

By Nate Hodson

Setting the pace Makayla Coppedge, senior at Southeastern, ran the fastest 5k in school history on Sept.

10, 2016 at the Great American Conference Preview. She turned in an amazing time of 18:42.76, averaging to about a six minute and fifteen second mile consistently throughout the course.

She said it took a combination of work ethic, determination and goal-setting to accomplish this feat. Coppedge Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke has been competitively Makayla Coppedge running since she was in sixth grade. She set a goal of running a time under 19 minutes before her sophomore year. She even said that she was so determined that her coach said this goal seemed to haunt her.

However, her goals had to be temporarily put on hold. She found out that she was

pregnant so she was not able run during her junior year.

This year she transferred to Southeastern from the University of Central Oklahoma so that she could be closer to her husband’s hometown and chose to run one last year.

Coppedge was no longer running for herself, she was running for her family. She did not run simply because of her work ethic, determination and team. She was now running for her husband and her nine-month old son, Lukas. Coppedge said that she had more motivation than ever.

When the Great American Conference Preview came around, she was ready to unleash her hard work and make her family proud. She was finally able to hit the goal she had worked so hard for, breaking the 19 minute barrier by 17 seconds.

After accomplishing this feat, Coppedge led her team to a fourth-place finish at the Great American Conference Championships on Oct. 22, 2017. She beat her own record by six seconds clocking in at 18:31.95.

This was the best placement that the team has had since 2013.

Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

Makayla Coppedge sets the pace at the Great American Conference as she breaks the Southeastern 5K record for the second time clocking in at 18:31.95. The SE Women’s Cross Country team finished fourth at the meet.

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Athletics

Playing for impact Savage Storm receiver, Kaymon Farmer, strives to make a difference on and off the field.

O Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

KaymoN’S

Keys

By Brandon Green

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Influence

in-need in Durant, Okla.

He has also founded two campus organizations, Future Stars of America and Positive Inspiration. Positive Inspiration is a service that sends uplifting text messages to his fellow college students.

“When you make it this far, from where I’ve come from, you just want to give people hope,” said Farmer. “You want them to know that they can do whatever they put their minds to.”

Farmer’s actions have been recognized by a multitude of students on campus. Ralontae Worley, is a student who has been impressed with what he has seen from Farmer.

“He’s been a straightforward guy from the moment I met him,” said Worley.

“What you see from Kaymon is not just what you see in front of a teacher or one of his football player friends, it’s actually his real persona. He’s polite, respectful and driven.”

Farmer’s drive intensified after he led a mission trip to Haiti. “When I went over there it changed my life forever,” said Farmer.

“Once you go over there and you do work in an uncomfortable environment and then you come back to the U.S., it’s like cake,” said Farmer. “It really helped with my workouts and made me realize that I can do more than I ever imagined.”

What you see from Kaymon is not just what you see in front of a teacher or one of his football player friends, it’s actually his real persona. He’s polite, respectful and driven.

However, the path that the Pittsburg, Texas native has taken hasn’t been an easy one.

Farmer stands at 5-foot-5 and weighs 150 pounds, which makes him extremely undersized compared to competition around him.

Farmer said that he turned this characteristic into motivation. “Being a smaller receiver made me just want to work harder,” said Farmer with a smile. “I want to make a name for myself so that with my size I can be hope [for undersized players].”

· · · · · · · ·

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Motivation

to success Love Others Remain Positive Embrace Uniqueness Remain Humble Appreciate Life Live With Purpose Grow Daily Believe All Things Are Possible · Add Value

ff the field, Southeastern Oklahoma State University wide receiver Kaymon Farmer uses his hands to make a difference in the world around him.

In his last game on the green turf of Norris Field, home of the East Central University Tigers, he used them to haul in catches and propel the Savage Storm to victory.

“It’s the way you want to go out, with a win,” said Farmer.

Farmer reeled in 7 receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown, capping off a historic career at Southeastern. The senior stands alone at the top of the school career receptions list, as he broke the record against Ouachita Baptist and continued to build on that record throughout the season.

Farmer’s not only an inspiration on the gridiron, but wherever he leaves his tracks as well. He works with Families Feeding Families, which donates to families who are

”

Recognition

Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

Kaymon Farmer dodges a defender at Paul Laird Field during the 2016 football season. Farmer holds the record for receptions, breaking the record against Ouchita Baptist and building on it throughout the season.

Farmer’s work in the community combined with his unprecedented talent on that field has earned him a spot on the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. He was recognized along with 22 other players across all three NCAA divisions and the NAIA at the Sugar Bowl on January 2nd, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Goals

As for life after college? Farmer said that he wants to stick to football, and he is not doing it for himself.

“My number one focus is definitely football,” said Farmer. “It’s not just for me, it’s not just for the attention, it’s not just for the fame and it’s not just for the money. It’s for hope. I want to be able to impact someone’s life that feels like they don’t have anywhere to go, no one to talk to or feels like their dreams are gone.”

“I want to show everybody ‘Kaymon the person’, not just ‘Kaymon the football player,’” said Farmer. “K-9 is the football player.

Kaymon is the person.”

Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

Kaymon Farmer speaks to a group of eighth graders during 8th Grade Career Discovery Day in January.

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Athletics

Courtesy photos of Dan Hoke

Hammer Harrison, a 6’9” Harlem Globetrotter from Brooklyn, NY, may be known for his long trick shots, but he also has great ball handling skills.

Trick shot

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By Rachael Watson

Hammer Harrison used a volunteered baby from the crowed at Bloomer Sullivan Arena during the Harlem Globetrotter performance.

On Feb. 1, 2017, Southeastern was able to host the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters on campus. The event took place in the Bloomer Sullivan Arena where more than 2,000 students, faculty, staff and community members attended.

The Harlem Globetrotters had performed at Southeastern before, over a decade ago.

“It was neat to hear people talk about how their parents brought them then and they wanted to bring their children to see it…” commented Southeastern’s Assistant Athletic Director, Blake Allen.

A year in the making, the event was highly anticipated and successful. “Anytime Southeastern can host an event on campus that provides family entertainment to people in this area, it’s a good thing,” said Blake.

Courtesy photos of Dan Hoke

Anton Cook sets up for a shot during the 2016-17 basketball season. Cook’s performance earned him two weekly GAC honors and placed him third on Southeastern’s list for highest number of points scored in a game.

Setting records

By Colton Tollett

Anton Cook leads SE basketball with highest points per game since Dennis Rodman and Jerry Shipp.

Southeastern senior, Anton Cook, had a record breaking performance during the 2016-2017 basketball season.

The season featured two 40-point games.

Cook set the GAC record with a 46 point game against Henderson State on March 2.

He later broke the record again just three weeks later, bringing in 48 points against Arkansas Tech.

He was featured in the oklahomasports. net players of the week for his performance in these games.

His GAC record-setting games put him third in the highest points scored in a game for SE. However, he was very close behind the other two legendary SE players who previously set the record: Jerry Shipp with

52 points and Dennis Rodman with 51.

Cook also finished his senior year at SE ranked seventh on the all time highest scoring list with a total of 1,286 points.

Cook, playing in all 28 games and starting in 25, scored a total of 420 points for the team this season alone. This number gave him an average of 15 points per game.

His impressive numbers over the season have earned him two weekly GAC honors for each of his record-setting games.

Cook explained that he feels “honored to be able to play his best for his team.” He also praised the hard work of his fellow teammates and has enjoyed his time spent at SE.

Women’s basketball stand out player

By Colton Tollett

Olivia Potter, Southeastern senior, earned her third consecutive GAC recognition during the 2016-2017 basketball season.

This season she played all 29 games and started 28. She scored an average of 13 points per game, making her the highest scoring player of the season.

Potter was also a recipient of the GAC women’s basketball player of the week. She scored 20 points in two leading games that led SE in wins against Arkansas-Monticello and Southern Arkansas.

She finished her senior year ranking sixth on the all-time women’s GAC scoring list with an overall score of 1,045 points.

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The Southeastern baseball team pauses for a moment to pay respect to their country and their sport.

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Courtesty photos of Chelsey Pilkilton

Senior Jake Perez waits on deck for his turn at bat against Southern Arkansas University.

As the ball approaches, Travis Spinney follows through in an attempt to connect with the ball. Southeastern baseball fell to Southern Arkansas University at the ballpark in Durant.

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Athletics

Work It

OUT

Working out may seem time intensive and nearly impossible to do inside a small space (i.e. a dorm room). Tobi Miller demonstrates quick, effective workouts that promote muscle tone and overall physical fitness. Aim for three rounds of 10 reps per exercise, but any number of rounds and reps will work!

Staff photos by Ivy Phelps

Classic push-up

Start by holding your body up with your legs and shoulders

Lower body down parallel to the ground, bending arms

Triceps dip

Begin with arms holding your body up, palms facing your feet, arms and legs are straight

Dip down bending arms and legs, tightening core

Side plank

Hold yourself up, keep shoulders and body straight

Target core by holding yourself up, keep your body parallel and shoulders up

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Plank

Riding towards nationals The Southeastern men’s and women’s rodeo teams are hoping to add to their national championship wins at the College National Finals Rodeo June 9 to 17.

T

he Southeastern Rodeo Team has dominated the Central Plains Region during the 2016-2017 rodeo season.

The men’s team has an opportunity to have a man in the all-around standings for the first time since the 1970s. The women’s team has taken the region by storm this season.

Kolton White, sophomore, is a 2016 College National Finals Qualifier in the team roping with partner Brody Braden. White competes in the team roping, calf roping, bulldogging, bull riding and saddle bronc riding for the Southeastern Rodeo Team.

Unfortunately, White shattered his ankle early into the spring season and had to undergo surgery. However, he will still continue to compete in the team roping and try to hold onto his spot at the top of the all around cowboy standings to make his second trip to the CNF in 2017.

The men’s team is currently in fourth place in the team standings by only 300 points. Southeastern’s men’s rodeo team will work harder than ever to move up to second place in hopes of punching their ticket to the CNF in Casper, Wyoming.

When a rodeo team places in the top two in the region they go to the CNF as a team.

The four women and six men with the most points on these teams will represent their school at the College National Finals.

The story of the year has been the Southeastern Women’s Rodeo Team. At one point in the season the Women’s Team led the region by over 800 points. Currently, holding onto their lead with 600 points over second place, Coach Christi Braudrick couldn’t be more proud of both teams.

“It’s no secret our teams work very hard,” Braudrick said. “We practice every day, working to get better, to be the best we can be.”

There are currently nine Southeastern women in the standings in their respective events. These women are Cierra Chapman,

“

Shania Johnston, Cheyenne Epps, Kasidy Rasberry, Lainey Cooper, Jayci Braudrick, ShiAnn Henderson, Kylee Bennett and Shelby Whiting. Each of these women has an opportunity to make the trip to the 2017 CNF. While the Southeastern women’s team

competition runs and to be able to help each other get better.”

Shiann Henderson said the team has a domino affect. When one member of the team does well the rest “feed off of it and dominoes onto the rest of the team.”

“It even happens in practice. When someone is in a slump we don’t leave until their problem is fixed.

It isn’t always serious.” Henderson said, “We always have music playing and are goofing off. It’s important that we encourage each other, that’s what makes us such a good team.”

Southeastern Rodeo holds the record for the most national championships with nine championships. They will try to add to the championships at the 2017 College National Finals Rodeo June 9-17.

Coach Braudrick said, “I hope we can go into the CNF with as much momentum as we have had this entire season, and I think we will. Our team wants that national championship and we will work harder than ever to get it.”

By Brittney Barr

Our team wants the national championship and we will work harder than ever to get it.

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as a whole is a force to be reckoned with, the Southeastern goat tiers have erupted this season. Southeastern currently has six women in the top fifteen in the goat tying standings.

Shelby Whiting leads the region with teammate Kylee Bennett on her heels. Not far behind is teammate and 2016 CNF qualifier, ShiAnn Henderson looking to make her second trip to the College National Finals.

Southeastern’s Lainey Cooper, Shania Johnston and Jayci Braudrick are also climbing the standings vying for a chance to make the trip to Wyoming.

Shelby Whiting claims a key to the women’s success is how hard they push each other. “We have jackpots against each other almost everyCourtesy photo of Dan Hoke day in practice. It really Shiann Henderson competes in the goat-tying competition. helps to have that many Henderson is a 2016 CNFR qyalifier.

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Special lympics Athletics, positivity, community The Durant Multi-Sports Complex was filled with excitement and cheer on the morning and afternoon of April 5, 2017. The Special Olympics was in full swing and the stands were packed.

The competitors were of all ages and all wore smiles. There were various events at the 2017 Special Olympics including sprints, long jump and Javelin throw.

Endorphin induced laughter and happiness was all around, and Southeastern students and other volunteers were gleaming.

Tajawin Smith, Southeastern student and football player, spoke about his involvement in the Special Olympics. “This is my first year volunteering. I want to continue working this event from now on,” Smith Said.

Smith added, “This experience has been very humbling. I want to help kids feel good

By Ivy Phelps

“This experience has been very humbling. I want to help kids feel good about themselves.”

about themselves.”

Staff photo by Ivy Phelps

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Olympics participant sprints after hearing the gun shot

Metheny’s 1,315th win breaks record

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By Go Southeastern

Courtesy photo of Dan Hoke

Southeastern baseball players dump water cooler on coach Mike Metheny after their win over Harding.

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern collected a 9-1 win over Harding in the series opener and in doing so secured head coach Mike Metheny his NCAA Division II record-setting 1,315th win before following it up with a 5-4 victory in the nightcap at The Ballpark in Durant.

Metheny finished the day with a 1,316-6693 record for his career for a .665 winning percentage over 37 seasons, averaging just over 35 wins per season.

After topping the list for active coaches a season ago, he how heads both lists and passes Joe Roberts of Armstrong State who previously had 1,314 wins after retiring following the 2013 season.

Metheny also moves into the top 20 on the all-time wins list regardless of division, climbing to 19th on the list and is 15 wins behind Larry Cochell who has 1,331 after finishing his career in 2005 as the head coach at Oklahoma.

If that list is narrowed to coaches how have picked up all of their victories at one school, Metheny would rank eighth behind Rod Dedeaux who spent 44 seasons at Southern California.

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580-745-2000