April 8, 2008 www.thevistaonline.com The Student Vice of the UniNersit\ of Central Oklahoma Since 1 )t
Nine members welcomed into HOF
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Extended hours up for vote National of treasure visits campus
by Josh Flowers by Jordan Richison
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
The University of Central Oklahoma played host April 4th to the 38th Annual Induction Ceremony of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, sponsored by UCO's Mass Communications Department. More than 200 journalists, friends and family members filled the University Center's Grand Ballroom to celebrate the induction of the Hall's nine newest members who are joining the ranks of Oklahoma's finest writers, broadcasters and photographers. UCO President Roger Webb welcomed the large group and said he was thrilled to be honoring so many deserving individuals. "This Hall of Fame recognizes the extraordinary work and the incredible talents of people who have dedicated a great part of their lives to disseminating the news," he said. "This event is a special occasion and is a time that we get to come here and celebrate the best of your profession." The class of 2008 included Oklahoma Gazette publisher William Bleakley, former OETA anchor Gerry Bonds, Cameron University professor emeritus Donna Evers, reporter and editor Arm DeFrange, sportswriter Bill Harper, AP reporter and FOI Oklahoma founder Lindel Hutson, Daily Oklahoman photographer Paul Southerland and Hennessy Clipper editors/reporters Bill and Barbara Walters. t1' t I The 2008 ceremony also f.';',1"t s l . ; marked the first occasion in the Hall's 37-year history that a husband and wife team had by Vista photographer Chris Albers been inducted together. "Bill and I are so humbled Students walk Monday afternoon thru the doors of the UCO library. UCO students will be able to vote tonight yy
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starting at 9 p.m. on UCOnnect for extended library hours.
A vital part of American history came to the UCO campus. A rare original copy of the Declaration of Independence was on display last Saturday at Evans Hall. The document is a part of the Cricket Wireless Declaration Road Trip and was co-sponsored by Declare Yourself, a national non-partisan, non-profit agency that empowers eligible 18 to 29year-olds, to vote in the 2008 Presidential Election. Declare Yourself event coordinator Christie Manning said they want people to see this document and realize what it means to be American. "The document is designed to show people the freedoms and liberties we have as a country. We hope after they see this cool piece of history, they realize how special it is to have all the freedoms and choices as citizens and want to go out and vote and express these freedoms," Manning said. Declare Yourself is employing a wide variety of promotional techniques to stress the importance of the upcoming presidential election. The different things they are doing to spread the word include' mobile and Internet technology advertising with Ed Helms from "The Office." They are also blanketing the landscape of popular culture, as well as universities and high schools, with a simple, clear message: "register and vote." UCO was the first of 17 stops the documents toured in America. Throughout the next couple of months, the docu-
see DOI, page 3
Greek Week wraps up activities by Jordan Richison Staff Writer
UCO's annual Greek Week concluded last Friday at Wantland Hall, as UCO Greeks came together to participate in the finale "Spring Sing." Greek Week consisted of four teams made up of the 16 Greek organizations on campus. The teams competed against each other in a variety of different activities throughout the week. The competition started on Monday with the ropes course and "Hero Challenge." The challenge featured players from the different teams competing in such events
Mon. through Thurs. at 5 p.m.
as "Guitar Hero," superhero trivia, and a pie-eating contest. The events continued on Tuesday with the order of Omega Penny Wars and the blood drive. Both events were done over two days as a philanthropy project in the community. By the end of the two days, the teams donated 228 units of blood to the Oklahoma Blood Institute. They also raised a combine $2,025 in the penny wars. The raised money will go to Blue Star Mothers, a non-profit organization that sends care packages to troops stationed in Iraq. Jessica Schwab, Assistant
director of Greek Life and student organizations, said she was really pleased with all of the student participation throughout the week. "Their level of participation as teams has really grown from last year. You can tell that they've all put in a lot of time into making this week a grand event for UCO," Schwab said. The action continued on Wednesday night as a crowd of about 700 people crammed inside Constitution Hall to watch the teams perform in the "Stepshow" dance competition. Each team performed a
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by Vista photographer Brenda O'Brian
Members of the Delta Zeta sorority await judging after completing their sculpture during the can building contest on Thursday, April 3 in the Nigh University Center. Team 4 which included Delta Zeta, NAME, NAME took home the prize which included etc.
"April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go." -Christopher Morley
See voting ins trucions on page 3