The Prairie, Vol. 94, Issue 1

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Tuesday, Sept 6, 2011 Mostly Sunny 87°F | 52°F

Prairie The sTudenT newspaper of wesT Texas a&M universiTy

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Sept 11: Ten years later

Professor reflects on tragedy Jordan fry sTaff wriTer

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t was Sept. 9, 2001. A man and his son were hunting in Circle, Mont. when the man unexpectedly took a deep breath, his final breath, and collapsed into the arms of his son.

The following day, the man’s daughter received a horrifying phone call relaying what had happened. She immediately left to go be with her family in Tucson, Ariz.

The next morning, Sept. 11, the man’s daughter woke up, turned the corner in her brother’s house, and witnessed another tragedy – an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City.

“My very first thought was ‘Oh no, so many other people are going to be sad like me now because they just lost their dads too,’” recalled Leigh Browning, associate professor of mass communications.

Browning was in shock. She had just lost her father Jerry, a preacher, a hunter, and a “fiercely patriotic” Navy veteran. She empathized with the thousands of other children who had just lost their parents.

Meanwhile on the WTAMU campus, several of Browning’s students were gathered around her office wanting only to talk to and comfort their professor in her time of loss.

“They called and talked to me on speakerphone,” Browning said. phoTo by Jordan fry Display in Browning’s office honoring her father Jerry.

“They just wanted to hear my voice and to know I was okay.”

The students were also worried about how they should proceed with KWTS programming in light of the terrorist attacks. Browning helped guide them over the phone, but was then faced with a new problem.

Because many flights were grounded after terrorists hijacked four American airplanes, Browning and her family were unable to get her father’s body back to Tucson.

Yet, Browning knew there had to be a way.

“I called in a favor to a former student who was working for the Associated Press,” she said. A story then ran on the wire detailing Browning’s predicament. After the story got out, arrangements were made and Browning’s father was finally able to come to his final resting place.

Sept 11 continued on p. 2

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Volume 94, Issue I

WT helps students who lost belongings in fire

Maria MoLina ediTor

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aculty and students have joined together to help six WTAMU students get back on their feet after an apartment fire on Aug. 29 destroyed their homes.

“They are our students and we need to do everything we can and make them successful,” Dr. Don Albrecht, Vice President for Student Affairs, said. “When a student has an emergency, we need to see what we can do to help them through the emergency.”

He also said anyone interested in donating can bring items to the Office of Student Government.

“Anything [that] you think they can use, bring them to us. We will let them know we have it,” Dr. Albrecht said.

Student Body President Brandy Roberts said that Student Government will hold fundraisers throughout the week to raise money for the students affected.

“You can either buy a raffle ticket for a gift card gift basket or a movie gift basket,” she said. “Next Friday, I believe, we are going to do the drawing to see who wins.” phoTo provided by dr. dean hawkins The raffle ticket for the gift card gift Briarhurst Apartment complex after the fire. basket will be $5 and the movie gift basket will cost $1. Roberts said another way Student Government is helping raise money is through a Resident Assistant challenge.

“I sent a memo to all the RA´s challenging them to try to raise the most money for their hall and we will give them desserts for their next hall council,” she said.

WT has also given each student a book scholarship to replace their books.

“We put that straight into their Buffalo Gold Card so they can get whatever they need for their books and supplies,” Dr. Albrecht said.

Aside from the help offered by WT, the Department of Agricultural Sciences has expanded their aid to Andrea Spencer, Jake Becker phoTo provided by dr. dean hawkins and Victoria Lujan, two graduate students Residents affected by fire not only lost their and an alumna of the department who were personal belongings, but also their vehicles. affected by the fire.

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sporTs:

news:

enTerTainMenT:

CaMpus Life:

feaTure:

Buffs fall to CSU-Pueblo in home opener.

Student Senate meeting addresses budget cuts.

Find answers for the crossword puzzle, Sudoku and Try Square in next week’s paper.

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Agricultural Science Department will host Round-Up.

Five websites to help students succeed in college.

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Sept 11 continued from p. 1 After 9/11 , Browning became more aware of the importance of relationships with the people in her life.

“9/11 strengthened my relationships with my students, my family, my country, and certainly God,” she said. “That day reminds us how fragile and precious life is.”

In an article written by Browning shortly after the death of her father, she said, “My dad…could not have written a better, more fitting ending to his life on this Earth.” She went on to write that her dad “is in a much better place.” Looking back, Browning feels that “heaven needed

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another preacher that day.” That thought helps put her at peace.

She also feels that Sept. 11 was a day about relationships, not about terrorism.

“I don’t think they won,” she said. “Global conflict isn’t over; there isn’t a winner in that situation. But people don’t forget how much closer they got to their families that day.”

Browning also realized the importance of faculty to student connections that day.

“Students teach us so much,” she said.

“The students remind us how important they are, and this should remind us that we need to be there for our students.”

On the first anniversary of Sept. 11, Browning, along with other faculty and

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students, planted a tree donated by KWTS on the north side of Old Main, which was named the Freedom Tree. The Freedom Tree was planted in memory of her father and in memory of the thousands of other lives that were lost.

“I was aching for life,” Browning said.

“All the death needed to stop.”

Every year on Sept. 11, Browning visits the Freedom Tree. She feels that the Freedom Tree is a very important symbol. And nine years later, the Freedom Tree continues to grow and to thrive.

“It connects us all together in some way,” she said. “It’s very powerful.”

Photo by Jordan Fry Flags surround the base of the Freedom Tree outside the JBK in memory of 9/11.

Five Web sites that serve successful solutions

JES roSKEnS StaFF WritEr

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hen college hits, many students like to run to the internet for sanctuary from stress. However, rather than just helping you escape from the pressures of heavy class loads, some websites can actually be problem-solvers as well.

Lifehacker.com When leaving the comforts of home for the demands of the real world, some students come to the horrible realization that they do not know everything.

Fortunately, there is Lifehacker, a website dedicated to giving advice on technology as well as the normal, dayto-day trials. At Lifehacker, users can find a large variety of articles covering topics such as how to improve your credit score, where to find the best smartphone apps for organization, and even how to fix furniture with mayonnaise. In the chance that Lifehacker does not have an article for your question, users can send a request to the staff for free. the

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Linkedin.com Facebook may be one of the largest social networks, but that does not mean it is the only one you should use. Linkedin is the network to join if you want a little boost in finding potential employers. According to Eric Spellman of Spellman Associates, an Amarillo company that specializes in helping businesses with online branding, Linkedin is a good website for small businesses and other professionals to network in their respective industries.

Paperrater.com and Noodletools.com These two sites share the third spot on this list because both teach writing a better paper. If you’re strapped for time, Paperrater can give a quick and accurate assessment of an essay’s grammar, spelling, and usage. Just cut and paste the article into its editor, and it will grade your paper. Writing a proper bibliography can be just as tricky as writing the essay itself, unless you know to use Noodletools. Noodletools helps by showing how to cite a source and write an accurate bibliography according to MLA or AP styles.

Cracked.com Sometimes all you really need is a good laugh to help unwind, and while there are plenty of comedy websites to browse, Cracked is unique. Unlike its competitors, Cracked offers the reader an opportunity to learn as they laugh. The Cracked.com staff writes articles over real-world topics such as religion, pop culture, history, economics and news. All articles are backed up by legitimate research done by respected experts in the topics being discussed. In fact, the writers regularly put links in their articles to cite their facts in order to allow readers to judge the writers’ works for themselves. Some of Cracked’s writers do include some mature content in their articles, such as descriptions of violence or adult language, so be aware.

StumbleUpon.com For web junkies who do not like to spend hours browsing through Google, there is StumbleUpon.

StumbleUpon works like flipping through channels on a TV, except the “channels” in this case are websites.

All you need to do is fill out a profile and choose the kind of websites you need, and Stumbleupon will lead you through the rest.

Staff 2011-2012

Editor- Maria Molina Reporter- Jes Roskens Assistant Editor- Krystina Martinez Reporter- Melissa Bauer-Herzog Web Editor - Georgia Romig Reporter- Ryan Schaap Layout- Kati Watson Ad Manager- Bryan Samuel Faculty Adviser- Butler Cain

Reporter- Jordan Fry Reporter- Lisa Hellier Reporter- Matt Watkins

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

- First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

The Prairie is a student-operated publication at West Texas A&M University. It functions to inform, educate, and entertain readers accurately and responsibly. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the administration, faculty or students. The editorials that appear on these pages represent the opinion of the Prairie editorial board. The views expressed by other columinsts are the writers’ opinions and do not necessarily reflect the board’s views. Advertising rates are available upon request at (806) 3372090 or at theprairiewt@gmail.com. WTAMU Box 60754, Canyon, Texas 79016. The Prairie is distributed on Tuesdays during the semester and has a circulation of 1,500. It is printed by The Amarillo Globe-News.

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Fire continued from p. 1 “In Ag we are a community,” Dr. Dean Hawkins, department head for Agricultural Sciences, said. “We say a ‘hand-up,’ not a ‘handout’.”

The department offered the students housing at the Ag education house where they are currently living.

“The Ag department is letting Jake and Andrea live here because they are both still students. I used to be a student, but I graduated,” Lujan, an Agricultural Communication alumna, said. “I am going to live with my friend until I can get on my feet.”

She said all of WT has been helpful, but the Agricultural Science department was the first to step up and contact people.

“They set up a fund for all three of us for people to go give money at the First United Bank,” Lujan said.

“They contacted all kinds of people within the A&M

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System to get us furniture finding them a place to stay. and anything we need that we “It may be that the Ag students “I don’t ever want to lost.” got some immediate help quicker, move away,” Victoria Spencer said the best but they didn´t have another place way for other students and Lujan said. “I don’t know to go either,” Dr. Albrecht said. “They community members to help needed a place to spend the night and that we will find somethem is by donating toiletry the Ag folks helped them right away.” items such as toothpaste and He also said that WT is waiting place else that will treat toilet paper. for the students to know what their somebody like this and “If they want to help, there needs are in order to give them more is a donation under the Ag just take them as family.” help. department or Dr. Hawkins’ “When I talked to one of the nonname,” she said.

Ag students, I just told her ´I know The three other students affected by the fire are there is more help, but we don´t know how to help you. freshmen Gabrielle Cantu, Cynthia Estrada and Janeth Tell us what you need,´” Dr. Albrecht said. “If they were Estrada. able to say ´what we need is…´ then we will put the Dr. Albrecht said that these students have family in word out there.” the area, so WT did not have the immediate need of

Student Government calls special Senate meeting Dr. Patrick O’Brien speaks to senators about budget cuts KRYSTINA MARTINEZ

to do any layoffs,” Dr. O’Brien said. severe],” he said. “Computer Science Along with making cuts to the is one of those careers that you ASSISTANT EDITOR travel, utilities and maintenance need the latest technology to keep budget, Dr. O’Brien stated that the up.”

University will also be tapping Although tuition and fees for the special session Student Senate meeting took 2012-2013 school year still need place on Aug. 29 to address budget concerns. University into $1 million in reserve money to offset costs. Despite that, the to go through the West Texas A&M president Dr. Patrick O’Brien came to speak to student president doesn’t plan on relying Board of Regents to be finalized, Dr. senators about the challenges the school will face for on those funds alone to make up O’Brien discussed the possibility of the upcoming year. for the budget cuts. eliminating the Distance Education WTAMU took a $3 million budget cut for the 2011“University standing committees fee and raise the Technology fee.

2012 school year, according to the Amarillo Globewill also look at academic and non“It doesn’t make sense to have News. That’s only a fraction of the $180 million budget academic budgets and find both [fees],” Dr. O’Brien said. “There cut in Texas areas to save money and was a time where [having both] was higher education, to run efficiently without necessary, but that time has passed.” according to the sacrificing quality,” he said.

Currently, the Distance Education Texas Tribune. The Student Government fee is $40 per credit hour for online Texas legislature will also be involved in students only, while the Technology also cut $150.4 the process by appointing fee is $11 per credit hour for all million from the individuals to these state’s financial students. committees. aid funding, which Although WT isn’t the only Texas “Student Government includes the university dealing with the strain [implements] a ‘student TEXAS grants and PhOTO bY KRYSTINA MARTINEZ perspective,’” Student Body Student Body President Brandy Roberts addresses the of budget cuts, Roberts feels that the B-On-Time Student Senate.

President Brandy Roberts loans. the school is in a good position. said. “This is very important The cuts have “After talking to the Student because as students, we know what programs caused state Regent, Fernando Trevino, I am glad to say that WT is students value.” universities to Charles Potter, an out-of-state student from actually one of the schools that handled the budget cuts scramble and reIdaho, attended WT last year as a Computer evaluate spending. responsibly,” she said.

Science major. Although he is taking time off “WT has “WT didn’t have to increase tuition, and while there due to financial reasons, he plans on returning. done a lot of PhOTO bY KRYSTINA MARTINEZ were some fee increases, the increases were not nearly restructuring Chief Justice Audra Thurman swears in five student senators to However, he is afraid of how the budget cuts fill vacancies. will affect his major once he returns. as high as other system schools.” without having “I will be really depressed [if the cuts are

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Enrollment facts:

Enrollment on First Day of Class This Year - 7772 Last Year - 7744

Incoming Freshman Class This Year - 1223 Last Year - 1263

Retention Rate (For First Time Freshmen) West Texas A&M University - 64.6% WTAMU System Average (as of 2009) - 66.5% Courtesy of National Center for Education Statistics

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SportS Prairie Buffs fall 26-24 to CSU-Pueblo in season opener 4

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MATT WATKINS STAff WrITer

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he No.19-ranked WTAMU Buffalo football team opened their season against the Colorado State University-Pueblo Thunderwolves on Sept. 1 at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. The Thunderwolves kicked a 40-yard field goal with five minutes remaining to take a 26-24 lead. The Buffs offense stalled

The Buffs played CSU-Pueblo at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.

CourTeSy of eTerNAl flAMe

around the CSU-Pueblo 40-yard Robinson is a transfer stuline on the next drive, allowing the dent from Blinn Junior College; Thunderwolves to run out the rest he is originally from Belton, of the clock.

Texas. He has a good appreciaWT scored on their first play tion for the legacy that comes from scrimmage. After the defense with playing for the Buffs. forced a fumble, senior Tommy “It felt good just being on a Hampton ran it in from 24 yards team that has a great tradition out, giving the Buffs a 7-0 lead at of winning and sending athletes just 2:15 into the game. The Buffs to the NFL,” Robinson said. and Thunderwolves went into the The Buffs offense went for half tied at 17-17. Junior Khiry 556 total yards; however inconsistency and four turnovers Robinson broke the tie with a prevented WT from pulling 33-yard run with 6:43 left in the third, giving WT a 24-17 advan- Jeremy Watson had six catches for CourTeSy of eTerNAl flAMe away. Junior quarterback Tan72 yards. ner Marsh went 15 of 24 for tage. CSU-Pueblo would score 236 yards with one touchdown nine unanswered points, includand one interception. Robinson had eight carries for ing two 40-yard field goals to take the 26-24 win.

“The only thing that was going through my mind was 116 yards and one touchdown.

WT’s next game will be Sept. 17 against Texas A&M‘touchdown’ and ‘I have to score to help my team win’,” Kingsville at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Robinson said of his touchdown.

Lady Buffs volleyball dominates tournament

MATT WAlKINS STAff WrITer

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he WTAMU Lady Buffs opened their season with four wins at the Lady Buff Classic. The event took place on Sept. 2 and 3. WT’s first game came against the Southwest Baptist Bearcats, followed by matches against the University of ColoradoColorado Springs Mountain Lions, the Missouri Western Griffons, and the Western State College Mountaineers The Lady Buffs got their first win of the tournament and season Friday morning against SBU. WT swept the match in three sets, 25-19, 25-19, and 25-2. The Lady Buffs’ impressive performance in the third set came as a surprise to many, including their coach.

“I didn’t see it coming. We were getting better as the set went along,” Coach Jason Skoch said.

The second game of the day provided a quite different challenge for WT. The UCCS Mountain Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead with scores of 25-21 and 25-23. The Lady Buffs rallied by winning the third and fourth sets by scores of 25-19 and

25-18. The fifth and deciding set had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

WT and UCCS were neck-and-neck until the Lady Buffs grabbed a 15-12 win.

“We felt we were more stable and in shape to play later in games, and plus the home crowd was awesome,” said sophomore outside hitter Halie Harton of the factors contributing to WT’s rally.

WT continued their winning ways Saturday afternoon with a sweep of Missouri Western. The Lady Buffs took the first two sets 25-12 and 25-16. The Griffons put up a much tougher fight in the third set, going back-and-forth with the Lady Buffs until WT rallied to take the set 27-25.

The final game of the tournament saw the Lady Buffs sweep Western State College. WT posted scores of 25-19, 25-22, and 25-9 for a 4-0 on the season. The win also extended the Lady Buffs’ winning streak in The Box to 15 straight. Junior outside hitter Stormi Lancaster was named the tournament co-MVP, along with Angelo State’s Alex Woosley.

The Lady Buffs will defend their 83-game LSC winning streak Sept. 6 against the Cameron Aggies in Lawton, Okla. First serve is set for 7 p.m.

WT Buffs fall to Orediggers in season opener on the pitch MelISSA BAuer-HerZoG

team played a better second half overall.

“The first half we beat ourselves with three silly mistakes, but the second half was much bethe WTAMU ter. We didn’t give up a goal men’s soccer team and we created quite a few packed the stands chances,” Coach Lauffer said. on Sept. 2 as they But even with the disapplayed their first pointing loss, there were still game of the season some good aspects about at the pitch against the game, goal scorer Garcia the Colorado pointed out.

School of Mines.

“I feel like we had a couple PHoTo By MelISSA BAuer-HerZoG In a hard-played of unlucky breaks but it’s the game, the Oredig- Manuel Montes battles for possesion. first game of the season,” he said. gers beat WT 3-1.

“They were number nine in the Both teams came out hard from the start, nation...so that’s definitely good motivation.” but within three minutes of the first half Coach Lauffer said there is room for imthe Orediggers scored their first goal of the provement to help the team get on the right game. However, WT responded and Lukas foot for the rest of the season, even with Garcia tied the game in the 17th minute. The some players on the injured list.

Orediggers would score two more goals in “We need to improve our defending overthe last 13 minutes of the first half to take all and our finishing,” Coach Lauffer said. “I the lead and win the game. don’t really feel that we got beat. I feel that The second half saw the Buffs come on we beat ourselves. We need to quit making the field with renewed energy, attacking the those kinds of mistakes, that’s the first step. I opposition’s net and taking more chances. think this will be a good motivator.”

However, the second period was scoreThe Buffs will play their first Lone Star less for both teams, even after some tense Conference game at Eastern New Mexico moments that had fans on the edge of their University at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11 seats.

Go to theprairienews.com for our weekend While the Buffs’ only goal came in the coverage of the Lady Buffs’ soccer match. first half, Head Coach Butch Lauffer felt his

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Campus Life Prairie Agricultural faculty welcome freshmen to WT 5

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Round-Up helps improve student-faculty relationships

RYAN SCHAAP StAff WRiteR

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he Department of Agricultural Sciences will be hosting the Agricultural Round-Up on Sept. 7 in the foyer of the Agriculture and Natural Science Building. The event will be an opportunity for freshmen Agriculture majors to get to know fellow students and faculty.

Students will participate in games, activities and learn about Agriculture student organizations.

“There will be ice-breaker games for students to get to know each other,” Kelsey Fort, a graduate student that came from Texas A&M UniversityKingsville, said. “Last year I did see connections made between the new students and the faculty.”

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served at the Round-Up, which will feature Dr. Don Toppliff as the dinner speaker. All the faculty involved in the Agriculture department will also have a role in the Ag Round-Up. “The faculty go above and beyond to start

relationships with the students,” Fort said. “It’s something I wish I had when I attended [Texas A&M University] Kingsville.”

Department faculty also feel that the Round-Up is an important part of the their program’s success.

“It sets the tone for the incoming freshmen to get familiar with faculty and the organization,” Tanner Robertson, an adviser for Agricultural Media and Communications, said. “Our goal is to set a foundation for those who have declared a major to be introduced to classes they need and professors. This creates a relationship with students and faculty which is the goal of the University.” “[The Round-Up] has improved the retention of the students for studying in school,” Gary Culp, an alumnus officer of the Agricultural Development Association Board, said. “It helps the students become more involved. Ag Science is a great department and [the faculty] are real concerned about students getting good opportunities.”

“The faculty go above and beyond to start relationships with students,” Kelsey Fort said.

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Campus Life

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Vietnamese Student Association adds culture to WT MARIA MOLINA EdItOR

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s the semester starts and students begin their regular activities, a new organization on campus is offering students another opportunity to get involved in campus life. The Vietnamese Student Association, founded in June 2011, helps Vietnamese students adapt to American culture without forgetting their heritage.

Trung Nguyen, president of the VSA, said the organization will help Vietnamese students make a connection with each other.

They will also help newcomers to WT. “When students first come here, they don´t know about the U.S. We can help them get here, find a place to shelter, everything they might need to know,” he said.

VSA´s adviser, Associate Dean and Professor of Management Mills LaVelle said the organization is a good opportunity for Vietnamese students to work together

The VIetnamese Student Association has around 25 members to help the organization be successful.

COuRtEsy Of tRuNg NguyEN

“The organization will help build camaraderie among them,” she said.

Duy Phan, in charge of the VSA´s communication, said another purpose of the organization is to bring the Vietnamese culture to WT students.

“We are not only international students, we are also WT members,” he said.

Members of the VSA will also network with students in Vietnam so they will know about WT. “All students from Vietnam come through agents,” Nguyen said. “If we have a good feedback, they will come here. Agents will recommend us to people that want to come here.”

To start the school year, the VSA is hosting the first annual Moon Festival with the purpose of sharing the Vietnamese culture with the WT community, “It is one of the big festivals in the Vietnamese culture,” Phan said, “It is a festival for children and it is a good time for members in the family to gather together and have fun.”

The event will feature folk dance, musical performance and traditional moon cake and tea. It will take place Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Baptist Student Ministry.

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WT students enjoy first week of school activities

Places to locate your Prairie

* Prairie Locations Courtesy of wtamu.edu

Pictures courtesy of eternal flame and frankie sanchez