The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2006
Faculty, staff learn to curb suicide
UCOSA instates cricket, unicycling clubs by Heather Warlick Staff Writer
by Alex Gambill Staff WriterUCO faculty and staff participated in a nationally known suicide prevention workshop Feb. 13 in the Nigh University Center. Dr. Mary Bolin-Reece, certified gatekeeper instructor of "Question Persuade Refer" and director of the Counseling and Testing Center for the University of Kentucky, taught faculty and staff how to recognize and deal with suicide. The goal of the workshop was to certify faculty and staff as "gatekeepers" so that they could be able to present the program's material to students. "What we would like to do is for people who are interested in and have attended the workshop to be certified in doing these workshops," said Dr. Bruce Lochner, director of the UCO Student Counseling Center. Sherry Meeks, biology instructor, worked with 25 students, mostly pre-med, to qualify them as "gatekeepers." "This is something they can utilize in their field," Meeks said. Bolin-Reece said 86 people on average die by suicide each day in the United States. She said people need to be more aware of the signs of suicide, because it's one of the most preventable causes of death and is not limited to a specific age group or ethnicity. "How you ask the question is less important than asking the question," Bolin-Reece said.
by Vista photographer Midori Sasaki
Everybody do the 'Fisherman' From front left, Emi Igarashi, interpersonal communications junior, Naho Kaneko, interpersonal communications junior, and Junko Kawabata, business freshman, perform the Japanese Fisherman Dance at the Celebration of Japan at the Pegasus Theater Feb. 14.
UCO to offer minor in leadership 'Leadership can be learned,' director says by Desiree Treeby Staff Writer
Leadership minors are available starting fall 2006. "Leadership can be learned," said Dr. Cheryl Steele, executive director for UCO's Leadership Program. "It is designed to enhance every student's see SUICIDE, page 3 career path."
All minors have four required classes, and the other two courses are interchangeable, Steele said. Students will have the option for course substitution. "Additional course options will be available along the way. We want people to be looking for those changes," Steele said.
"It gives a competitive edge for employment opportunities, as well as a quality of life." The courses require involvement in activities that will give students practical experience in leadership opportunities, Steele said. Lane Perry, UCO alumus and assistant to Executive
Vice President Steve Kreidler, said the minor goes hand-in-hand with any major, and it focuses on one's strengths. "A leadership minor will stay with you forever," Perry said. Desiree Treeby can be reached at dtreeby@thevistaonline.com .
The UCO Student Association passed two resolutions Feb. 13 that expanded the recreational opportunities available to students. The first recognized the UCO Cricket Club as an official organization. "This group of international students already plays pretty regularly," said Barrett Dye, senate president pro tempore. "They have enough people to build a complete competitive cricket team, which is 11 players; however, there are several other individuals on campus who would be interested in playing on a club team." The senate also passed a resolution to create a UCO Unicycling organization. Peder Angell, 22, spoke about his interest in unicycling. He said that he owns five unicycles, and it doesn't take long to learn to ride. He has only been riding for two months. "I like seeing people's reactions and starting conversations," Angell said. Arrie Mitchell announced a town hall meeting scheduled for 12 p.m. Feb. 24 in Constitution Hall. Sen. Tom Coburn will speak, and afterward, a reception will be held with Coburn. The meeting is sponsored by the UCO College Republicans and is open to all students, but there will be a $5 fee to see UCOSA, page 3
Scholarship to honor late UCO student by Nathan Winfrey Senior Staff Writer A scholarship is in the works to honor Harvey Mankins, a UCO student who died of organ failure July 20. "Harvey was a student in the industrial safety program. He had physical limitations that ultimately resulted in his attendance in a wheelchair, often accompanied by his wife," said Robin Lacy, Occupational and Technology Education chairman. "He passed away in the summer of 2005 before he was able to complete the requirement for his degree." "What we wanted to do was put a scholarship in place to honor Harvey," Lacy said. "In conjunction with the foundation and the industrial program, we have put the mechanism in place to honor his memory with an endowed scholarship." "I thought he had a real good head on his shoulders," said Gayle Snider, industrial safety instructor. "He could see through people to really get to the
essence. That's why he had such a good sense of humor." She said he was very active in the American Society of Safety Engineers. Lacy said the Harvey Mankins Industrial Safety Student of Courage Scholarship will offer about $500 to a student, who will be selected every year. "We're looking for a student that exemplifies those characteristics displayed by Harvey: dedication, perseverance, commitment," Lacy said, "and endured some kind of hardship working toward their industrial safety degree, whether it be financial or physical." For the scholarship to become endowed, the foundation and the department must raise $10,000, which collects interest annually, and then the interest becomes the scholarship money, Lacy said. "We won't even touch the principle, just draw interest," he said.
see MANKINS, page 3
The great outdoors UCORE program allows UCO students to explore the outdoors in a variety of ways, including kayaking, backpacking and canoeing.
See Sports pg. 10
A night of romance...and all that jazz
by Vista photographer Travis Marak
Lee Rucker, assistant professor of music, performs with other UCO faculty members at 'Jazz & Romance Night' Feb. 14 at the UCO Jazz Lab.
A Healthy Dose Vista health columnist Callie A. Collins has a surprise for you: those Valentine chocolates aren't as unhealthy as you might expect.
See Opinion pg. 2
Backstage with Nick Smith Senior Staff Writer Nathan Winfrey catches up with local musician at Jazz Lab show.
See Entertainment pg. 7