The Gradual Vol. 101 Fall 2017

Tour colleges.

Apply and pray you get in.

You’ve been accepted!

Apply for FASFA. Register for classes.

Sign up for orientation.

Prepare for the first day.

Freak out Graduate Start/Finish about your high school.

Here life.

e m a The G

Time to get a job.

Gr ad uat ion

of

Travel the Road to Sucess! bler Media m a R f o s r a e Over 100 y yan fun! le s e W s a x Te Group and

17 0 2 l l a F 1 0 1 . l o V

The l a u d a r G

Have first final and fail.

Consider dropping out.

Congrats, you’ve graduated!

Apply to graduate.

Fast forward to senior year.

Decide to continue with school.

the gradual the

Game of

Student Media Director Dr. Kay Colley Faculty Adviser: Dr. David Ferman; Dr. Ngozi

RamblerTV Director: Sachiko Jayarante Content Producers Hannah Onder, Karan Muns, Hannah Lathen, Tina Huynh, Sam Bastien Practicum Students Mattie Morris, Colt Taylor, Ashton Willis, Heather Shannon, Delana Lopez, Peyton Prudhomme Opinions expressed in The Rambler are those of the individual authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole.

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SINGLE PLAYER: ALL AGES

Graduation HOW TO PLAY

The Gradual Fall 2017

Editor-in-Chief Shaydi Paramore IMG Director Grace Fisher

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December 2017

Set it up!

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Letter from President Frederick Slabach

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Steven Anderson

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Maisy Turner

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Muhye Hammattah Letter

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Choose a banker. The banker gives you the salary when you pass over payday or need loans.

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Lessie Haney

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Tre’zjon Cothran

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Dani West

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Loli Garcia

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Trevon Jeffery

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List of Graduates

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Shaydi Paramore Letter

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List of Graduates

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Pop your peg in your car and place it on the start space next to your choosen path.

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December 2017

Letter from the president

To the Class of 2017,

Congratulations on completing your degree at Texas Wesleyan.

This is a major achievement in your life. We’re very proud of your work and join in the celebration of your accomplishments.

At Texas Wesleyan, we emphasize critical thinking and analytical reasoning to prepare you to succeed in a professional career or graduate studies. As you continue your journey, your college experiences and the knowledge you have gained at Texas Wesleyan will be a source of inspiration and expertise.

As a first-generation college graduate, I understand the hard work and determination that goes into obtaining a college degree. In my father’s generation, a high school education would lead to success. In my generation, it was a bachelor’s degree.

I believe that in your generation, a graduate degree or certification is needed. I encourage you to pursue your passions and your studies. And most of all, I encourage you to make learning a lifetime pursuit.

We are proud of your work. Your success makes Texas Wesleyan the vibrant, “Smaller. Smarter.” university that it is.

I wish the Class of 2017 all the best and look forward to seeing you back here at Texas Wesleyan very soon.

Sincerely, Fred Frederick G. Slabach President

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The Gradual

December 2017

Turner sets goals for the future Sociology major and assistant golf coach Maisy Turner came to Texas Wesleyan from Ireland to join the golf team, and found much more to love about the school.

Turner was invited to the Texas Wesleyan campus by head women’s golf coach Kevin Millikan to join the Texas Wesleyan golf team. Turner loved her initial visit to the campus and decided to enroll as a sociology major.

She enjoyed her time in the classes.

The small sizes made learning a personal experience, and enabled her to make friends in class more easily.

“I loved it, I loved the class sizes and everything,” Turner said.

Turner mentions Dr. Allison Simons, assistant sociology professor, as a favorite while she has attended Wesleyan. Simons, being British, had an instant connection with Turner. Her sense of humor was uniquely British. Simons’ style of teaching, focusing on hands-on assignments and projects, also suited Turner.

“The British sense of humor is a little

different,” Turner said.

Another favorite professor Turner studied under during her time here was Dr. Rodney Bales. Turner said she had a great connection with Bales, who was always interested in what Turner was doing with her time at Wesleyan.

He especially supported the golf side of her academic career, Turner said. Sadly, Bales passed away last year.

“We all worked together as a team,” Turner said.

Turner made it onto the golf team each semester she was at Wesleyan. She came to Wesleyan as a junior and got along with everyone on the team from the start.

“It was a great environment to be in,” Turner said.

Turner said she can’t stress enough how much Millikan supported her through her last few years in college, saying that she would be completely lost without him.

Turner always knew she could go to him with any problem she had and receive the help she needed, be it a school-

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related problem or needing help being in a new country.

Traveling around the United States was her favorite part of being on the golf team.

“We got to see a lot of America, which was nice, being an international student,” Turner said.

Puerto Rico was Turner’s favorite place to visit, and her favorite course was Fort Worth’s Colonial Country Club course, one of the top courses in the world.

Turner qualified for every single tournament she was eligible for, and didn’t Photo courtesy of Maisy Turner miss a single one, a feat she considers an Maisy Turner came from Ireland for golf. achievement in itself. In her first year at Texas Wesleyan, she placed fourth at nationals. Turner’s father and grandfather after graduating to find a job in golf or soattended the tournament to watch her ciology. She has been looking into a job at an adoption agency, though she has more play.

Turner became ineligible to rejoin the experience in golf. Returning to earn a golf team in May. However, Millikan in- master’s degree is a possibility for her as vited her to be the assistant golf coach well.

“Right now I’m looking for jobs, and from August through the rest of her time then after my year if I still want to do the at Wesleyan. work-study I’ll go back and do my masTurner is planning to stay in America ter’s,” Turner said.

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Class of 2017

Congratulations graduates! Thanks for dining at Doras!

Dora Roberts Dining Hall

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December 2017

Photo by Heather Shannon Tre’Zjon Cothran went to Germany with the Salzburg Global Citizens Program.

Photo by Heather Shannon Cothran hopes to travel to South Africa sometime after he graduates.

Cothran dedicated to service Texas Wesleyan University has shaped Tre’Zjon Cothran by motivating him to be more social.

“A lot of people do not understand the social life here on Texas Wesleyan, because it is so small of a campus,” said Cothran, a graduating liberal studies major. “It has allowed me to be a leader inside the social life and by that I have learned to communicate with a number of individuals with a variety of different reasons.”

Cothran is president of the Black Student Association (BSA), and he works at making the world a better place.

In October 2016, during his first semester as BSA president, the organization sponsored an event called “Officer, May I?,” which educated people on how to interact with the police.

“We mainly work toward breaking common stereotypes,” Cothran said. “We discuss current events and ways we can learn from them.”

Dr. Cary Adkinson said that Cothran

is a really good role model in college for high school students.

“He takes initiative to get involved in causes he feels [are] very important: one of those is working with kids,” said Adkinson, an associate professor of criminal justice. “He is volunteering right now at Dunbar High School to get involved with juveniles to educate them about criminal justice issues.”

Adkinson said Cothran takes the initiative to go out, get involved, and make a positive difference in the lives of young people.

“He is being successful and dedicated,” Adkinson said, “to helping others in [their] lives.”

Dr. Eddy Lynton said Cothran is an exceptional student.

“I work with him as a mentor, sometimes advisor, and certainly instructor,” said Lynton, an assistant professor of criminal justice and sociology and BSA’s faculty advisor. “He has been influential in [all] of the activities [and] civic out-

reach programs that have been facilitated here on campus.”

Lynton said Cothran is making a difference in the world.

“He has a clarity of vision,” Lynton said.

Cothran transferred to Texas Wesleyan as a sophomore from Tarrant County College. Then went back and graduated from TCC in the summer of 2016.

“At first I was not sure about getting my associates because I had already transferred,” said Cothran, whose degree has an emphasis in psychology, sociology, and criminal justice, “but I realized that I was so close to graduating that I wanted to complete my degree.”

Cothran is a fellow of the Salzburg Global Citizenship Program on Universal Human Rights and Global Citizenship (GCP 68’), and traveled with a group of students to Salzburg, Austria and Dachau, Germany.

“This is what impacted my life today, this made me who I am,” Cothran said. “I learned about human rights, global citi-

zenship, and about different cultures.”

After graduation, Cothran is looking into law school, and he would also like a job in law enforcement. He also hopes to travel to South Africa and Brazil.

“Right now, I’m looking for a job among the field of law that can somehow give some kind of tuition assistance,” Cothran said. “I feel like a law enforcement agency or something along those lines would be perfect, because it teaches me first law and then it gives tuition assistance.”

In five years, Cothran sees himself graduated from law school and successfully living life.

“In five years,” Cothran said, “I will be a strong attorney.”

Cothran wants to be remembered for being himself.

“I would say [I’d like to be remembered for] always being myself, never turning my back on anybody, despite what they may be going through, and always offering a helping hand,” Cothran said.

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Garcia excels in soccer, tennis Around four years ago, Lola Garcia came to America to play the game she loves, and to attain a degree.

On this four-year journey, the senior business management major’s path has taken a few twists and turns. The Adrouge, Argentina native has been to three colleges and played two sports as an undergraduate.

“I first went to Southern Illinois University as just a student,” Garcia said. “I then transferred to Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Florida. I really liked Keiser, and I was playing some of my best tennis ever. I ended up transferring for school purposes; my major, business management, was just better suited for Texas Wesleyan.”

While playing for head coach Angel Martinez and the Lady Rams tennis team, Garcia went 10-7 in singles, including a 9-4 mark in No. 1 singles, according to ramsports.net. She also went 15-6 in doubles, including an 11-3 record in No. 1 doubles.

Garcia was ranked 13th nationally for doubles while at Keiser University and earned a second team all-conference bid in her sophomore season, according to ramsports.net.

After a successful tennis career, Garcia ran out of eligibility in May. Still with a semester of college left, she decided to try out for soccer.

“I always loved soccer, but never played in my four years in the U.S.,” Garcia said. “I knew I needed to play another sport in my last year and soccer was just my second love, I guess.”

NAIA rules allow athletes to participate in a second sport for their last year if they run out of eligibility.

“At first it was hard adjusting to a totally new sport, but the team made it a smooth transition for me,” Garcia said. “I really had a lot of fun this season. I miss tennis, but this was a great learning experience for me.”

Junior accounting major Amber Leachman, one of Garcia’s soccer teammates, admires her dedication to adapting to the soccer team.

“Loli really took an initiative to learn the game,” Leachman said. “She already had a decent understanding, but not playing a sport a few years makes you a little rusty. We tried our best to make the transition to soccer easy for her and I think she really had a great season with us.”

Another teammate, sophomore exercise science major Christy Zwart, appreciates Garcia’s contribution to the team this semester.

“I think it is very brave to take on a new sport in college,” Zwart said. “I have so much respect for her trying something new and always having a

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5 Photo courtesy of Lola Garcia Lola Garcia, known for tennis, tried soccer in her final year.

great attitude about it as well. She has turned into a good player. I know how much she misses tennis, but we really had a good season this year, and I think that she really enjoyed herself!”

Garcia has big plans for life after college.

“Ultimately, I would like to get into coaching here in the U.S.,” Garcia said. “Tennis has always been my first love, and I would love to give back to the game I love.”

Congratulations, Graduates!

May your dreams take you around the globe From the Division of Student Affairs

The Gradual

December 2017

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Don’t let life get

Congratulations Undergraduate Program

Jane Abed Rabboh Justina Abia Muhye Abu Hammattah Jazmine Ahumada Mohammed Bin Saud Alanbari Fahad Fihan G Alatawi Majed Saad Albaqami Mohammed Ahmed Abdulaziz Al Dakkan Omar Hamad Aldarayhim Mubarak Naif A. Aldawsari Endrias Alefnew Mohammed Khalid Alfehaid Faisal Abdulaziz Alghunayman Abdullah Ibrahim Alhajri Waleed S. Almutairi Hanin Faraj Almuzaini Qubayl Mohammed Alqahtani Khalid Salem Alreqabi Nasser Saud Alsheheil Mansour Alshughayan Ahmed Eidi Alsomali Yousef Ahmed Alzahrani Nathan Cole Anderson Steven William Anderson Derrick Michael Applon Ashley A. Arnold Allison Dianne Ware Beck Dulce Luna Dianah Beverly Jacqueline Beth Bishop Jonathan Dean Bishop Annette Bowers Mary Amber Boysen Timothy Bullerwell Carter Lane Caldwell Miranda Armendarez Canava Guadalupe Cerda Johnathan Robert Conlon Amber Coronado Tre’Zjon Cothran Hailey Jordaine Crampton Kelsey Renee Cunningham Todd W. Currens

Cortni Calinia Dale Joseph Nathan Davis Omar Dominguez Sarah W Doran Khrista Kirby Doshier Obadawattage Swairie Ruvinsha Andrea Fernando Carrie Ann Finson Grace Anna Fisher Katherine Frankel Trinity Raine Tumlinson Sarah Ashley Galvan Lola Garcia Tyler Jacob Garcia Selicia L Gardner Theresa Josefine Garsztecki Faviola Gonzalez Heidi Sabrina Granados Ivann Alfredo Grande Tatyana Griffin Lessie Katherine Haney Rianna Lynn Whitaker Harrison Lacquel Henderson Ford Jocelyn Hernandez-Ocampo Dominik Robert-John Huebl Trevon Raheem Jeffery Dapril RaShon Johnson Marko Jovanovic Luan Li Claribel Limon Alexander Pioquinto Lopez Delana Marie Lopez Christopher Macias Ashley M. Maher Hamza Mamoyev Dalton John Martin Cesar Martinez Michelle Martinez Steven Arthur Martinez Tina Michelle Jauregui Viola Bernadette Martis Katheryn Elizabeth Matthews Stacy McCollough Lorena G Mendoza Emily Mertle Messenger Meshal Hassan Moawad Samantha McKenzie Moore

Meagan Victoria Morris Melissa Bella Mulongo Clarissa Marie Murillo Brenden Robert Wayne Newland Michelle Nguyen Jacqueline Christine Niosi Shelby Dean Nowland Jorge L. Ortiz Miriam Sarai Ortiz Uriel Pacheco Shaydi Shawn Paramore Casey Lynn Parker Abraham Perez Joann Dee Petry Clayton Dean Phillips II Cesar Augusto Ramirez Jorge Valdes Redmon Morgan Kristine Reese Felix Revilla Anita M. Richardson Stephannie Rodriguez Cheryl B. Rogers Grecia Veronica Rojas Brittany N. Rosenberry Randy Moshe Rosenstein Nellie Annay Sanchez Rafe Aiden Sanford Natkamol Santitanawat Blake Alan Seaton Sutthapit Seekumboe Andrea Soto Kalia Cherelle Spann Amy Celeste Taylor Lukas Theuer Annalaurel Katherine Holt-Medlock Maisy Rose Turner Mary Susan Vandermeer Shuai Wang Crystal Nicole Webb Paulo Jesse Rodrigues Webba Dani Lucille Renee West Wesley Dean Wester Mary Ann Wiley Casey DeVonne Williams Najeal Jewone Young Almutasimbilla Annas Hassan Zarei

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Graduates!

Graduate Program

Zachary Stephen Holub Adam Nathan Ingalsbe Alexandra Elizabeth Jenner Landis Scott Kaul Julie Anna Keller Timothy George Kiscoe Richard Carlton Klima Matthew Kopp Ashley L Kozlowski James Kozlowski Joshua James Covin Lancaster Thang H. Le Qinyan Li Wenqin Liao Vichy Eve Lin Bertil William Rolf Lindquist William Bryon Lynn Levi Maggard Matthew Manley Michael J. Manley Michael George MarSamantha J. Max Eric Mayo Jamie Ann McAnulty Amanda Scarlett McGill Andrew Charles McNally Martin Benjamin McQuaid Carol Antoinette Medlin Skyler D. Meloy Sabrina Merchant Amy Celeste Metoyer Angela Renee Metzger Zachary Joe Milligan Krystal Ruth Morgan Brittany Alexis Morrison Shantell Nicole Mosley Jennifer Stirling Movold Margaret Lorraine Rose Needham Paul Francis Noebels Joshua Rea Nugent Ixtchel Sandoval Olalde Lauren Ariel Oseland Brittany Lynn Patino Robyn Lynn Peeples Shella Carizon Pham Steven Christian Piwonka Addie Lee Powers

Doctorate Program

Tanner A. Pruitt Bryan William Rabe Hannah Marie Anthony Jonathan Michael Redic Walter Theodore Arrington Megan Renee Reynolds Jessica Hernandez Chavez Shoshana Ringel Braden Eric Hemingway Precious Victoria Robinson Sharon K. Manson Karla J. Rodriguez Arica Marie Prado Anthony Rohlfs Diane Christine Schoen Christopher D. Rojas Wei Sun Dawn Rojas Anna Marie Vance Meagan Kirby Rose Roberto Zepeda, III Andrew Michael Sauthoff Christopher James Schaefer John Anthony Schirmer Nicole Lynn Schoenbrunn Joel Schop Cristal Shavon Scott-North Richard Milton Sellers Vanessa Brooks Shackleford Kyle Andrew Shnowski Sara Jane Shock Debra Singleton Brynn Marie Steward Kathryn Ellen Stone Derron Terold Jake Strickland Hasani Sumbry Hasani Sumbry Genie L. Tamang Reginald G. Tanner, Jr. Dalton B. Thames Elizabeth Mary Thomas Erin Nicole Thompson Amanda Tift Lan Hoang Kimberly Tran Sarah MacKenzie Pennington Uilenberg Cathy Marie Vallejo Micah Michelle Veitenheimer Kellie Sue VonHandorf Anthony Chase Warren Nicole Crystal Wayman Clinton Thomas Werner Rachelle Marie West Brittney Dionne Williams Tiffany Nicole Williams Casey Alan Wright Matthew Taylor Wright

you twisted!

Angel Arjona Walter Theodore Arrington Louis Vincent Barton Ivan Baylosis Stephanie Leann Beall Keiston Fitzgerald Bennett Aigul Birzhanova Cortney Marie Brasser Ashley Marie Browning Joseph Carl Bryant Brandi Lee Burris Jessica Renee Freeland Nickole LaurĂŠn Castillo Lisa Chenault Ashleigh Rae Couch Eva Delia Csillag Ashley Nicole Damron Tien Dinh Gordon Gerard Dooley Joshua Andrew Dunlap Ryan Michael Duplechin Joann Bassam El-Aya Dwayne Ray Emmons Zachary Enger Bettina Ephraim-Bowden Alexandra Lauren Everitt Jessica Evers Shemaiah Stela Fernandes Sarah Elizabeth Fitzhugh Peter Lee Fitzpatrick Jaclyn Michele Flores Haley Ashlyn Fogarty Lily Fox Trinity Raine Tumlinson Sarah Ashley Galvan Jose Leon Garcia, III Abraham Isacc Gonzalez Brandt Thomas Goodwin Danielle Latrice Hale Albert Dane Hall Russell Hall Jenny Renee Hardy Myra Rose Rude Lacey Hannah Hlass

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December 2017

Source: Jill Jernigan,Technical Records & Graduation Coordinator

The Gradual

December 2017

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Photo by Sam Bastien Steven Anderson does homework outside West Village.

Anderson wins at university life

When senior finance major Steven Anderson stepped on American soil for the first time in 2013, he had no idea his journey would take him to Texas Wesleyan University.

He began playing golf at the age of nine. As a United Kingdom native, Anderson sought out the United States for better golf competition and an opportunity to play golf in college.

His journey in the United States began in 2013 at Northwood College in Cedar Hill, Texas. The following year it closed and Anderson needed a new university.

“I wanted to stay in the DFW Metroplex, so I considered Wesleyan,” Anderson said.

Three years later, Anderson says transferring to Wesleyan was a good decision.

Anderson will graduate in December with a bachelor’s in finance. In the spring of 2016, he officially hung up his golf spikes after four years of college golf.

“It’s very weird,” Anderson said. “I really miss competing in a team and playing daily with my teammates. Everything changes and it’s a very challenging adjustment.”

Anderson’s athletic pedigree practically speaks for itself. He was an an All-American selection as

a sophomore with a 73.91 scoring average while shooting a low round of 68, tying him for fifth place at the NAIA Preview Invitational and at the NAIA Contender, according to ramsports.net. This speaks volumes for his talent as a Texas Wesleyan men’s golf athlete.

Men’s head golf coach Bobby Cornett considers Anderson one of Wesleyan’s highest quality student-athletes.

“He’s very much considered a quality player for us,” Cornett said. “He’s one of 90 All-Americans we’ve had here in this program and he’s really made a name for himself.”

Passion and commitment are important qualities to Anderson, and it has shown, Cornett said.

“He’s [Anderson] really passionate, almost to a fault,” said Cornett. “He always wants to perform at the highest level and I think he has done that here.”

But Anderson doesn’t just leave competition for the golf course. As one of Texas Wesleyan’s Academic All-American student athletes for the 20162017 academic year, Anderson often translates his competitive side at the golf course to the classroom.

“I think the majority of my professors have been very understanding with regards to the fact that be-

ing a student-athlete is a stressful process,” Anderson said. “My professors have been able to work with me in regards to exam schedules if it conflicts with tournaments or things like that.”

Dr. Shengxiong Wu, an associate professor of finance, spoke highly of Anderson.

“Steven is a smart student,” Wu said. “He works very hard to try to ace all of my classes and is also a team player in every group project I assign.”

Though golf isn’t a team event, Anderson believes being a positive influence on his teammates is just as important to his success on the course and the classroom.

“He’s one of those guys you look up to as a student-athlete,” said Conner Parish, a junior business management and finance major. “You could tell he really wanted his success from the [golf] course transferred over to the classroom.”

Anderson, now a graduate assistant for the Wesleyan men’s golf team, says athletes and students both should slow down every now and then.

“Stop wishing college time away, because they are some of the best years of your life, even if you don’t realize it at the time,” he said.

After graduating in December, Anderson plans to look for a job in the Fort Worth area.

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December 2017

Muhye thanks his professors

To the Wesleyan Psychology department, My undergraduate tenure here has been a characterbuilding experience. I have grown as a person in many aspects while being guided by the passionate individuals that make the department special.

You all are an entity that consists of hardworking professors that make sure everyone they come across gets the opportunity to get the most out of their education. You’re humble professors that have been doing a remarkable job exposing students to everything the field of psychology has to offer. But more importantly, it is clear that our overall success is their main goal when passing on their knowledge. They work tirelessly in giving us many opportunities to engage us in research, counseling, and teaching opportunities.

It was a difficult task to specify a certain professor to thank as every professor in this department has added value to my Wesleyan experience in their own way.

This has led me to thank everyone in the department for impacting me to become a better student and an overall better man.

Dr. Brown, thank you for being the one that called me out on the times I was being lazy, as it was a real wakeup call, especially since you underestimate your voice level most of the time. I don’t think that there has been a day where I didn’t see you in NBC. You’re a consistent example of someone that loves what they do. I also want to thank you for letting me critique your

shirt-tie combo daily, as it has definitely made you step your game up.

Dr. Hall, thank you for giving me a different perspective when it comes to understanding psychology. To me, you’re the “OG” of the department as you discuss numerous ideas of psychologist through time along with your perspective on those ideas, which always helped me connect with whatever we were discussing.

Dr. Pugh, you’re one of the most understanding people I have had the pleasure of meeting. I want to thank you for taking the time to help me stay on track to graduate, making lectures super interesting, and even just listening to me when I needed an open ear.

You’re amazing.

I want to thank Dr. Hand for opening my understanding to a new level of empathy when working with people. Thank you for being able to work with me when it came to my schedule, as it showed that you trusted me to get things done.

Dr. Kerr, thank you for simply motivating me to be a better student by being a true example of professionalism. You are the educator that I hope I would someday become.

Sincerely, Muhye Hammattah

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Photo by Colt Taylor Senior psychology major Muhye Hammamattah thanks his professors for passing on thier knowledge to students.

Congratulations to the 2017graduates of the Liberal Studies Program! _____________________________________________________ Amber Barnes Jorge Redmon Dianah Beverly Wade Regas Joseph Davis Lucia Centeno Felix Revilla Tre’Zjon Cothran Selicia Gardner Anita Richardson Dapril Johnson Christopher Macias Joann Petry

The Gradual

December 2017

Haney reaches her goal

Photo courtesy of Lessie Haney Lessie Haney (center) stands with two of the professors that encouraged her to continue with her education, Dr. Eddy Lynton (left) and Dr. Cary Adkinson.

Better late than never could not be truer in the case of soon-to-be graduate Lessie Haney.

A full-time mom, wife, grandmother, and student, Haney has finally reached her goal of graduating college after more than 30 years.

“I had always wanted to go into higher education,” Haney said. “But when I finished high school I was not allowed by my parents.”

So she took on a full-time job. Then she got married. Then she had kids, pushing her goal of receiving a college degree back further and further.

“It was always in the back of my mind to go back to school so that I could further my education and make a difference in the world,” she said.

Haney has faced her fair share of challenges while attending Texas Wesleyan.

This semester her husband was laid off from his job; this problem challenged Haney more financially than anything.

“It has been very hard at times finding gas to come to school,” she said. “Having food to eat and paying off the school what I owe them has emotionally and psychologically put extra burdens on me. Many times all I wanted to do was give up.”

But Haney was never alone. She had people in her corner through every hard time life threw at her. Especially her professors.

“Dr. Eddy Lynton, Dr. [Cary] Adkinson, and Dr. [Greg] Gullion always encouraged me to stay the course because the prize was waiting for me, graduation and beyond,” she said.

Adkinson, associate professor of criminal justice, said Haney is simply one of those students that make his job easier.

“She is genuinely fascinated by social science and is deeply passionate about studying subjects like criminal

justice and sociology because she realizes the knowledge she gains can be used to help others,” Adkinson said.

Adkinson said students who are naturally driven by curiosity and an honest desire to make a positive difference in the world typically do well in their classes.

“Lessie is a prime example of how this approach can enrich students while also earning outstanding grades,” Adkinson said.

Haney’s keys to success were those of simple responsibilities.

“Lessie was always in her professors’ offices communicating to all of us as to what she was dealing with in her life,” Adkinson said. “The students who make the effort to visit our offices and get to know us better are typically high-achieving students, like Lessie.”

Lynton, a sociology and criminal justice assistant professor, believes Haney understands the value of her education.

“She has worked so hard for this, and I know she wants to get the most out of it,” he said.

Lynton said Haney has a heart so genuine and honest that she truly stands out from her peers.

“She is a rare case of genuine, and she genuinely cares about people,” Lynton said. “I’ve been fortunate to have her in a number of my classes, and that giant heart is what she brings to every class. Her compassion and empathy are extraordinary, and I appreciate her emotional intelligence, which I think flavors my class.”

Lynton said Haney has a deep love for learning and she enjoys doing the work.

“She isn’t afraid to come to her professors for help or guidance if she finds herself stuck,” he said. “I think I especially love that she tries to figure it out herself. Lessie is a great fun to have in class.”

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Four and a half years is a considerable amount of time to spend with someone and plenty of time to create a ton of memories together.

Dani West, a senior criminal justice major, is about to have to say goodbye to her softball team as she graduates on Saturday.

West said she had “mixed emotions” as the thought of graduating brought her a “bittersweet” feeling.

“It sucks having to say goodbye to my team, but I know I can always come back,” West said. “I’ll always be around to help.”

She referred to her team as “everlasting friends” and “a forever family.”

“I think the biggest thing is trusting your teammates, and I feel like, these past years, it was exactly what we had,” she said. “If we could build on that, and always trust the person next to us, have faith in our team, it would take us a long way.”

Besides her close relationship with her teammates,

West said she always thought of head coach Shannon Gower as a “second mom.”

“She always thinks of her players as just humans making mistakes, and she never degrades us or makes us feel little,” West said.

Gower said every day with West on the team was “an adventure.”

“She was awesome, she had a lot of speed, she had a lot of vocalness and energy that she brought to the team,” Gower said. “There’s always something to remember about her, and if you ask anybody on the team or anybody she’s played with, every memory with her is probably different.”

Gower said she immediately wanted West to come to Texas Wesleyan the first time she saw her play.

“She was fast, she was probably one of the fastest kids that we had ever had at the time, so to get her and her speedwas a big deal for us,” Gower said.

As someone who has known West since high school, Gower said she felt that West had been “a great example on and off the field,” and “a great representation of our

Photo by Tina Huynh Senior criminal justice major Dani West plans on going into the military after graduation.

Photo by Tina Huynh West has been at Texas Wesleyan for four and a half years and in that time she has played on the softball team; she described saying goodbye to her teammates as being bittersweet.

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program.”

“I’m proud of her for pursuing what she wants to do in life, and for working hard,” she said. “I just want to wish her the best of luck in life, and this is her second home if she needs anything.”

Junior criminal justice major Paulina Quintana said West was “a big part of my life.”

“Without Dani I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Quintana said. “She was one of my first friends here and I hung out with her a lot. She made me the person that I am; she helped me open up more and enjoy my time here. “ Quintana said she loved how funny West was, and she will really miss the fun times they had.

“There are times when we got back from work, and Dani just pulled out her guitar and we just started singing. I love those nights, they were like, ‘We don’t have a worry in the world about anything,’” Quintana said.

West is now a graduate assistant for the softball team.

She plans on joining the military after graduating.

“I hope to do all I can to serve the country,” she said.

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The Gradual

December 2017

Jeffery takes on a new position From being a star on the basketball court to being a coach for the Rams, Trevon Jeffery has experienced quite a bit over the course of his three years at Texas Wesleyan.

Jeffery, a senior and business administration major, said he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Wesleyan as an athlete and a student. Playing basketball for the Rams was a great experience, and he enjoyed it more than he thought he would when he first came here.

“I really liked it, definitely more than I thought I would,” Jeffery said. “I kind of had mixed emotions about coming here.”

Jeffery said that he had a lot of positives playing for the team and that he created bonds that will last a lifetime.

“I loved it honestly,” he said. “The best part about it was my teammates and my coaches. I developed really good bonds with the guys and especially coach (Brennen) Shingleton, he’s a great guy.”

Coaching the guys this past season created a whole new perspective on the basketball court, Jeffery said.

“You see it from a different point of view,” he said. “All of the stuff that the coaches really talk about, when you’re a player it’s like you hear it but you can’t see it until you’re in their position. Now that I’m sitting over there I see all of the body language, how the players respond, and even when they shoot the ball, I’m getting a better feel of, ‘Yeah, it looks good,’ or I can see when certain mechanics are off.”

Jeffery said that coaching the guys who were once his teammates wasn’t challenging because of the relationship that they already share.

“We’ve already got a bond developed,” Jeffery said. “They know that I’m going to be honest with them, just because I want to see them succeed.”

Forward Jeremy Crane, a senior and mass communication major, said he enjoyed getting to have Jeffery as a coach this season.

“He was a great positive figure on the sideline and brought a winning mentality to the team,” Crane said.

Aside from basketball, Jeffery said that being a student at Wesleyan was great.

“It was really good, honestly, the knowledge I acquired and still am acquiring this semester,” Jeffery said. “I really like my major and I like my professors.”

Jeffery said that he has several professors who impacted him, and that he didn’t come across one who he didn’t enjoy having as a teacher.

“I had some professors that I really liked having including Dr. Nichols, Dr. Anderson, and Dr. Bills,” he said. “It’s always good to have professors that care about the students too and not just teaching the course. Like having an open-door policy where you can go up there and talk to

them.”

Jeffery said that he enjoyed having the smaller atmosphere and that he felt like he thrived because of it.

“I feel like you can build a better relationship as compared to a big university and I really like the Smaller. Smarter. logo a lot,” he said.

Jeffery said that from his time at Wesleyan he will take what he learned and use it in the next chapter of his life.

“Really overall just holding myself accountable. That goes from the classroom to a person,” Jeffery said. “I want to constantly try to find ways to better myself.”

Jeffery said that he wants to always see growth in himself moving forward.

“Like when I look back to a year ago, I just want to see constant progress every day and I want to find ways to better myself,” Jeffery said. “Like the knowledge that I got from my professors and my coaches, I think I’ve grown to be a better person and I see things differently from a different point of view than when I came here.”

Jeffery said that he hopes to be able to stick around at least a little bit with the team after he graduates, but that might not be possible.

“I would like to, but I have other obligations too that are not out here. It just depends on wherever life takes me,” he said.

Jeffery said that after graduation he hopes to stick around with basketball and coach.

“I kind of had my mind set on going into the insurance field, but honestly since I’ve been coaching this semester that’s kind of where my heart is,” Jeffery said. “I would like to find some sort of assistant job somewhere, but I definitely want to stick around with basketball.”

Forward Mike Wolfe, a senior and mass communication major, said that even though this is his first season with Jeffery, he has enjoyed every second of it.

“Having Tre around has been great. His experience and knowledge of the game and having been in our position before is huge for our team,” he said.

Wolfe said that the dedication that he has seen from Jeffery this season is outstanding.

“The fact that he’s stuck around to help with the team in the midst of all his classes speaks volumes about him and coach Shingleton’s program,” Wolfe said. “He makes an impact every time he steps in the gym with us.”

Jeffery said that after coaching the team this seaon he knows being a coach is where he belongs.

“It’s been official, like just interacting with the guys,” he said. “If I tell them something and just seeing how they respond, you’re basically just helping them be the best version of themselves.

Just like my coach did with me.”

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Photo by Ashton Willis Trevon Jeffery is a student-assistant for the Rams.

SAC Commisioner’s Honor Roll 2015-2016

684 points scored

149 free throws 35 games played

493 rebounds

122 assists Graphic by Karan Muns All stats are lifetime totals. Source: ramsports.net

TThe heRRambler ambler || www.therambler.org www.therambler.org

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December 2017

Paramore thanks The Rambler Something I couldn’t find in myself. So I said yes to the opportunity to find a way to continue to showcase and strengthen my skills.

Never did I think the position would be as difficult as it is. It became so stressful that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue with my time on staff. But as I began to grieve my stress to my fellow staff members and advisors, I noticed how much they wanted to help me in order to keep me on staff. If I was stressing about editing appointments, Ferman would offer to be in charge of scheduling times. If I was freaking out about where stories were at, Karan Muns would assist me with looking for them. If I needed a laugh, Dalise would pull up a great video to make me snort. If I just need a friend to listen to me grieve my issues, Hannah Onder would sit me down to spend hours listening to me complain about any issues.

Sure, the position is difficult, but with the help of my fellow staff members and advisors, it began to become easier. Now comes something even more difficult than leading the staff: leaving the staff.

But before that happens, I have to ex-

press my thanks and gratitude to the people who helped me grow.

To my previous and current staff members, thank you for assisting me with finding my interests in mass communication and helping me grow as a writer, designer, and editor. Thank you for seeing me as a leader in the mass communication department and inspiring me to continue to grow as one. It’s because of each and every one of you that I decided to apply for editor in chief of the Rambler Media Group and continue with the position.

It is because of each and every one of you that the Associated Collegiate Press and Collegiate Media Association named The Rambler eighth best in show for newspapers in the four-year less than weekly category and therambler.org sixth place in website for the small school category this last October in Dallas.

I am excited to see how the Rambler Media Group progresses under the leadership of Hannah. So listen to Hannah and have faith in her because she will continue to make the Rambler into a strong, award-winning entity.

I will miss you all, and I plan to visit soon. But, for now, I am only a phone call and text away. And I will continue to maintain a relationship with you all by stalking everyone’s social media accounts.

Sincerely, Shaydi Paramore

Newsworthy Shaydi Paramore

I started my time with the Rambler Media Group in early August 2016.

I was a curious writer ready to grow in my writing skills and was excited to start my first semester at Texas Wesleyan and the Rambler Media Group. I was worried to find out that I wasn’t a strong writer, videographer or graphic designer, but I was always prepared to work as hard as possible to showcase my skills.

If the editor in chief at the time, Dalise DeVos, needed five stories turned in a week, I would offer to do it. If there were three pages that needed layout done but you only have two days to do it, count me in to do it. I was always ready to go above and beyond to impress my advisor, my editor in chief and my fellow staffers.

Within the middle of my first semester, I was asked about the opportunity of taking the position of editor in chief.

When Dr. Kay Colley and Dr. Dave Ferman asked me about the position, I would smile and say, “I’ll think about it.”

It wasn’t until the moment that Dalise asked that I decided it was time for me to take the position. I was honored by the fact that everyone saw something in me.

JuNioR

Photo by Eddy Lynton Shaydi Paramore, with cap and gown, awaits graduation.

The Gradual

December 2017

Congratulations, Graduates!

Celebrate with us after graduation!

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