Collegian T he Cameron University
www.aggiecentral.com
Monday, February 4, 2013
Inside Sports
Basketball:
Aggies battle conference rival, MSU.
Page 5
A&E
Manlympics: Sigma Tau Gamma hosts biannual game show for the CU community.
Page 5 Book Signing: Local author, Laura Huges, holds first promotional book signing .
Page 5
Voices Gun Control: Violence prompts call for more stringent gun ownership rules.
Page 4
News
Volume 88 Issue 1
Farewell to a CU Icon
President Ross to retire from Cameron University
that the faculty, staff and students and community have done a lot, so there are a number of things that I’m proud of at Cameron University. First and foremost of course is the quality of education that the students receive. We have extraordinary faculty, dedicated staff, outstanding academic programs and the quality of education has been verified by external evaluators at our most recent accreditation visit which was the best accreditation report ever received in the history of the university.” Despite the achievements made during her time here since 2002, President Ross said there are still some accomplishments and activities she wishes to see through before her retirement in the summer. “We want to complete the softball complex,” President Ross said. “I’m anxious to Photo courtesy of CU Public Affairs dedicate that and we plan to A successful era drawing to a close: CU’s President Cindy Ross will retire in do that in April. So we’ll get to see a few softball games. the summer of 2013 after leading the University since August 2002. I’m really looking forward to commencement. That’s retire this summer after Ross, the accreditation report Tyler Boydston always the best time of year beginning as President in — as well as CU’s other News Editor August 2002. achievements during her time to see the accomplishments of our students. I enjoy all of Through her time at — have been group efforts President Cindy Ross the end of the year activities Cameron, the university from Cameron faculty and recently announced her when we celebrate our students as a whole. retirement from her position managed to receive its best students’ accomplishments.” “I don’t feel like I’ve at Cameron University after accreditation report to date Though she is stepping in 2010. accomplished anything,” over 10 years of service. down as the President of According to President President Ross said. “I think President Ross is set to
Cameron University, she still intends to stay busy, continuing work with members of the military, children’s issues and women’s issues, as well as continuing with personal habits and activities, like spending time with her granddaughter. “Well, my granddaughter is first and foremost,” President Ross said. “She is three years old, she lives in Kansas with her mom, and it’s hard to be a vital part of her life and still be President at Cameron University. I also have a number of issues that I’m very interested in: certainly children’s issues, particularly disadvantaged children. I’m also interested in women’s issues. I want to stay involved in the military. I have very much enjoyed the association with Fort Sill and I want to continue to be active in supporting military issues. I may also go back to riding horses, something I haven’t done since being President of Cameron University. I may take a few college classes in topics I’ve always been interested in. I’m looking forward to being very busy but continuing with many of the interests that I have now.”
See FAREWELL Page 2
Spring 2013 Acclaimed Aggies selected Alex Rosa-Figueroa Staff Writer
Cameron University has selected the Acclaimed Aggies for the spring 2013 semester. Started in 2005, the Acclaimed Aggies program was designed to honor Cameron graduates who have gone on to success in their fields. The program honors what these alumni have achieved since graduation and acknowledges the work they did while on campus. These Aggies are selected for each semester — three in the fall and three in the spring —
and alumni across the many degrees and departments offered at Cameron are considered. This semester, Monte Brown, Denise Floyd and Darrel Weaver were recognized. Monte Brown, graduate of the class of 2004, was a Communication major with an emphasis in Radio/Television. During his time at Cameron, Brown hosted CUTV’s “Top of the Hour” and held an active role in the Broadcast Club. After graduating cum laude, Brown is now the executive producer and co-
anchor for “Good Morning Texoma.” In addition to winning awards from the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters for Outstanding Achievement in Broadcasting, Brown has served on the Board of Directors for the LawtonFort Sill United Way. Denise Floyd also graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Since her graduation — and subsequent graduation from Southwest CUNA Management School — Floyd has been in a number of leadership positions, serving on both the Cameron
Foundation Board of Directors and Cameron University President’s Partners. In addition, Floyd, having been a Fort Sill Federal Credit Union staff member since 1982, began serving as the credit union’s President/CEO in 2001 — a position she still holds. Floyd has also been recognized with a number of awards, including the Hassen Cara Volunteer of the Year, awarded to her courtesy of the Lawton Fort Sill Camber CoOp Program. Darrell Weaver graduated from Cameron in 1986 with a Bachelor of Accounting degree.
While at Cameron, Weaver maintained a level of academic excellence, as he was on the Dean’s List through the course of his Aggie career. Earning a Masters of Business Administration from Oklahoma Christian University and graduating from the FBI National Academy 199th session, Weaver is noted for developing the aggressive physical fitness model which all of Oklahoma’s law enforcement follows.
See ACCLAIMED Page 2
Professor’s movie screens at film festival
Photo courtesy of Dr. Matt Jenkins
Tiffany Martinez
Virtual Chess: CU students create electronic virtual chess.
Page 2 SAO: SAO hosts 2013 recruitment week.
Page 2
— an event that serves to encourage originality Asst. Managing Editor and creativity in film and Professor of promote the film industry in Communication Dr. Matt Oklahoma — reeled in CU Jenkins took center stage students and faculty, as many welcoming questions and took part in its creation. comments following the “Student Tiffany Hudson premiere of his production, was phenomenal as director “The Secret of Sarah of continuity, and Cameron Pennington,” on the evening professors Steve Adams, of Jan 25 at the Trail Dance Chris Keller and Justin Film Festival in Duncan, Walton all die in the movie,” Okla. Dr. Jenkins said. “Art The premiere of “The professor Andrew Baker lent Secret of Sarah Pennington” us an $8,000 violin to use at the annual two-day festival in the movie — yes, I was
nervous about handling it!” According to Dr. Jenkins, his previous students were also involved in the creation of “The Secret of Sarah Pennington.” “We had a New York City location in which there was a stunning view of Manhattan looking uptown with the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge visible in different shots,” Dr. Jenkins said. “Cameron graduate Marjorie Negron directed the scenes filmed at that location which turned
out really well, and it was a great experience to work with her in New York City.” Although this is his first attempt at creating a horror film, Dr. Jenkins has been featured in a number of other film festivals, including the Greenwich International Film festival, Tupelo Film Festival, Indie Gathering, Bare Bones Film Festival, Brooklyn Underground Film Festival, Berkeley Film and Music Festival, Comanche Nation Invitational Film Festival
and deadCenter Film Festival for his production of documentaries, dramas and comedies. “I come from a family that has a background in art and technology,” Dr. Jenkins said. “I think filmmaking is the best of both worlds.” Dr. Jenkins filmed, wrote, produced and edited the screenplay alongside two fellow filmmakers.
See TRAIL DANCE Page 2
2
News
February 4, 2013
CU students create virtual chess Kaitlyn Stockton
“The idea was to have at least one client Staff Writer communicating to a server over a TCP connection. Cameron University Computers have instructions Computer Science seniors on how to send information Clinton Jones and Michael back and forth. This is called Turner have created their own a TCP,” Jones said. “The goal chess game. of the project was to have one In the fall semester, computer send information to Jones and Turner created a another.” functioning chess game as a Twenty-six-year-old Turner final project in their Network said he was thrilled to see Programming course. The such a positive response for two Computer Science majors their group’s finished product. now have plans to expand and Although there were certain redesign their project to allow aspects of the game that he others to play. wished he could have changed, Twenty-three-year-old Turner said he was pleased Jones said inspiration from with his classmates’ reactions. the project came from his “The project was received younger brother. As his very well. The students brother was teaching him how thought it was pretty to play chess, Jones came up awesome,” Turner said. “I felt with the idea that it would like we should have added be interesting to code such a more stuff to it, but all in all, I game. was pretty impressed with the “I learned the basic rules of finished project.” chess with my brother,” Jones As a result of their success, said. “He gave me the idea to Turner said the duo is ready try to turn it all into code.” to expand their earlier work. Jones said the purpose of “We have a future manthe project was to create a date set up,” Turner said. program that allowed a client “We plan on expanding it and and a server to communicate.
Photo by Kaitlyn Stockton
Checkmate: Senior Computer Science major Clinton Jones works on the coding for an online chess game. Jones worked alongside fellow senior Computer Science major Michael Turner in the fall to initially create the game, and the two are now working on expansions. allowing multiple users to play at the same time. Right now, only one player can access a server and one client. We would like to make a central point where everyone can connect.” Likewise, Jones said he is ready to revisit his early days of coding. After his hobby
became his team’s major project, Jones said he had less time to focus on minor details. “I want to go back and look at how I designed it the first time and improve on it,” he said. “It started out as a hobby that I was working on, and then it became this project. I
Sigma Alpha Omega members host recruitment week events
Photo by Kali Robinson
Talking it over: Members of SAO have a discussion during their Bible Study on Jan. 25. The Bible Study was the first event in the group’s Survival Through Faith week.
Kali Robinson Staff Writer
Several Cameron University students became candidate sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega (SAO) after participating in activities hosted by the sorority throughout its Recruitment Week. Sigma Alpha Omega hosted a Bible Study at 7 p.m. on Jan. 25 in the Buddy Green Room as one of the Christian sorority’s five consecutive events during their Survival Through Faith
recruitment week. Recruitment events, occurring Jan. 21 through Jan. 25, consisted of a Last One Standing Manhunt and the Country Girl Can Survive Dinner. Each event was designed with a specific message about obtaining or maintaining faith. Sorority members Semaj McManus, Jennifer Landers, Stephanie Serra-Monori, Elizabeth Krause, Sarah Vrla and Vivian Arroyo watched the Sigma Alpha Omega introduction video that was presented at each
event. “I have had a lot of fun,” Landers said. Vrla led a discussion about Survival Tools and asked the students about the trials and obstacles that Christians face. Each student spoke in turn and offered her opinion, but everyone had a turn to speak and write notes. The members of the organization pointed any questions or concerns the sisters had to Vivian Arroyo, a senior majoring in Romance Languages
FAREWELL continued from Page 1
President Ross’ journey to Cameron University began in Oklahoma Higher Education, where she worked for 24 years Education. before taking on the job at CU. Arroyo currently serves as “I had been in Oklahoma Higher Education for 24 years, the the President and is also one first 12 years at Oklahoma State University and then 12 years as of the founding sisters of the the Chief Academic Officer for the Oklahoma State Regents for CU Chapter of Sigma Alpha Higher Education,” President Ross said. “I really did not have a Omega. burning desire to be president of a university, but working at the Arroyo explained why state regents really gave me an opportunity to see the 25 colleges she decided to help form the and universities under the state regents, and I thought that sorority. Cameron University had a firm foundation and potential for the “I was approached by future, and I would like to be President.” two friends,” Arroyo said. President Ross said she also wishes to thank everyone at CU “I thought ‘Why not?’ I had during her last few months as President of the university. never heard of a Christian “I hope during the remaining months that I have the sorority before.” opportunity to interact on an individual basis with as many This decision, however, students and faculty and staff as possible,” President Ross said. “I became more than the want to take the opportunity to say thank you. Thank you for the beginning of an organization. extraordinary support that I have received here. Thank everyone “[I have] grown so for their ideas and their energy and their commitment to Cameron much, [and am a] different University and truly the transformation that has happened at this person,” Arroyo said. “I am university over the last eleven years really belongs to the faculty so passionate about this and staff and the students as well as the community with the sorority, so running for community providing us the financial resources.” president I know I could do a really good job in this position.” Arroyo said that this feeling has not always been the case. “Leadership roles kind of scared me,” Arroyo said. From the time she began the organization, Arroyo said she began accepting responsibility. Arroyo said she was able to build her confidence through serving in Photo courtesy of CU Public Affairs smaller leadership roles like committee chair and Meet and greet: President Cindy Ross greets Maj. secretary. Her sisters General Mark McDonald during the 2012 Veterans Day have taken over these Observance. President Ross is set to retire this summer. responsibilities.
TRAIL DANCE continued from Page 1
“I work with Doug McAbee and Charles Stanley, and we strive to produce a feature length movie every two years,” he said. “We plan our writing, shooting, editing and festival around that time frame. While each moving picture has similar elements, each one takes an individual journey to completion.” The most challenging part of creating the horror film, according to Dr. Jenkins, was working with digital singlelens reflex (DSLR) cameras. “Working with DSLR technology was a new experience for me,” he said, “but I did so at Doug’s recommendation and I’m thrilled we did. The Secret of Sarah
did not have as much time to go back and make it work as well as it should have.” Turner said one of his main focuses is exploring the options of porting the game to different devices. He believes this shift would allow greater availability for audiences. “We are looking at porting
the game to androids and considering other cell phones,” Turner said. “This would allow everyone to play. If we can make it to this point, I am sure it will be on Google’s play store. This way, anyone can get the game for free.” The group received an A for their project, and Turner said he sees the game as a benefit to the Computing and Technology Department. He sees the program as a possible tool to recruit future students. “Dr. Zhao has asked us for a hard and soft copy of our project to use as an example for his future classes,” Turner said. “This project is something that I can see the department using for future events that involve recruiting new students to the Computer Science major.” Jones said he hopes their creation will help inspire others to join his field and promote his department as well. “We want to show that this is the type of stuff the Computer Science students are working on,” Jones said.
Pennington” has been entered into 14 film festivals already, and Dr. Jenkins plans to enter it into 14 more festivals. “Our goal is to have a great festival run resulting in initiating conversations with potential distributors,” Dr. Jenkins said. The latest acceptance of the film, aside from the Trail Dance Film Festival, has been from The Friday Night Film Fest in Louisville, Ky. “I’ve been told that over 15,000 people attended last year,” Dr. Jenkins said, “so it is a huge festival to get into. Photo courtesy of Dr. Matt Jenkins I’ve also been told that our picture was chosen out of The science of film: Dr. Danny McGuire, Chair of more than 700 entries, so we the Physical Sciences Department, films a scene alongside are excited about screening Tori Jenkins and CU graduate Taylor Brunwald. The film here.” premiered at the Trail Dance Film Festival on Jan. 25.
ACCLAIMED continued from Page 1 In addition to being the Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control since 2006, Darrel is an active part of a number of councils and committees, including the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, the Oklahoma Justice Assistance Grant and the Oklahoma Youth and Gang Violence Coordinating Council. Darrel also serves as the Chairman of the Innovative Committee. The Acclaimed Aggies are selected through a process of close examination over the previous spring and summer. Senior Director of Public Affairs Josh Lehman works with the Office of Alumni Relations to choose three candidates from their numerous nominations. Lehman elaborated on the selection process. “We get e-mails all throughout the year offering suggestions,” he said. “We look at the lists, and forward our choices to the Executive Council for approval.” Both Lehman and the Office of Alumni Relations receive nominations and suggestions from various sources, and Lehman encourages and invites them — the nomination process is open to everyone, including Cameron graduates themselves. “We encourage Cameron graduates to contact us,” he said. “We love to get those stories.”
February 4, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
3
A&E
If the mustache makes the man Sarah Brewer
said he plans to use the prize money to buy food. Copy Editor The next evening seven James Meeks men battled it out in the Staff Writer Manlympics. The competition was divided into rounds Testosterone was at an consisting of root beer all-time high as Sigma Tau chugging and burping, balloon Gamma piggybacked its shaving and tie tying — Sigma Tau Game Show and its essential skills considered to be bi-annual Manlympics in the manly by the other members final week of January. of the fraternity. The Game Show was held Steven Lewis Haber, a on the evening of Jan. 29 junior double majoring in followed by Manlympics on Communication and Criminal Jan 30. Both events were held Justice, emerged as the favorite in the MCC Ballroom. to win the competition. In fact, According to Sig Tau the emcee often referred to President Brennan Boone, Haber as ‘The ‘Stache’ because a junior Biology major, the he sported expertly sculpted fraternity intends for these facial hair. events to recruit new members “Wining takes a lot of to its ranks. manliness, a little bit of “Most of the men we recruit athleticism, some charisma are guys we’ve known for a and a little dabble of awesome,” while,” Boone said. “It’s one of Haber said. our philosophies that we don’t Photo by Sarah Brewer Haber said his mustache just rush people — we make helped him to secure his Making a man: Steven Haber showcases his mustache after winning the Sigma Tau Gamma’s bi-annual friends. We will have people victory. we knew last semester come Manlympics competition. The fraternity hopes to recruit new members by making friends through campus events. “I think if my mustache out to the events this semester was not a deciding factor in minute or less. pencils from the backs of their while balancing the dice. remaining contestants and hang out with us.” In the first challenge, called hands to catch them using the For this challenge, the six bounced a ping pong ball into a the judging, there might be a “A large part of the event is “Face the Cookie,” 11 student same hand. Sig Tau members remaining contestants divided plastic cup in an assembly-line. serious problem,” Haber said. to bring out men who might Through participating in added one more pencil with into two groups and went If the ball went into the cup be thinking about joining. We contestants passed cookies Manlympics, Haber not only from their foreheads to their each successful capture to the against each other to see who without bouncing first, then usually do pretty well, and learned additional manly skills mouths using only their facial set of pencils until the student could balance all five dice in the ball would not count. usually the men that show up but more about the fraternity muscles. Contestants incurred contestants were able to a span of three seconds. The Freshman Psychology for the events do rush and do capture 12 altogether. first set of student contestants major Kyle Dove finished with as well. end up joining the fraternity,” a penalty and were forced to “I learned a little bit about start over again if they were In the third event, “A Bit failed to balance the six dice nine balls in the line of cups. Boone said. shaving balloons. I also learned caught using their hands or if Dicey,” the six remaining on the stick, but the second set Sigma Tau Gamma declared Sigma Tau Gamma that Sig Taus have a lot of fun,” student contestants balanced of student contestants were him the winner and awarded modeled its Game Show after the cookie fell on the floor. Haber said. “I hope that I can During “Backflip,” the dice on popsicle sticks, but able to balance the dice in the him a $50 prize. Dove stated “Minute to Win It,” a popular go on to think of the Sig Taus second event, flipping pencils there was a catch to this game: allotted time. that he thought the hardest game show that airs on NBC as really close friends, whether was the object of the game. Contestants had to hold the During the final round, challenge in the competition and features contestants Student contestants flipped popsicle sticks in their mouths called “Bouncer,” the two was stacking the dice. He also or not I decide to rush.” completing challenges in a
CU music students perform at OMEA Convention Sadie Jones
nominate those students who they feel should be members of the band and we campaign for the students who we have Staff Writer selected,” Dr. Couch said. “I selected members of our band Five Cameron University music students were selected to who I believed would be well-prepared for the event, take it perform on the afternoon of Jan. 17 at the Oklahoma Music seriously and be positive representatives of Cameron.” Educators Association (OMEA) Convention in Tulsa, Okla. Bridges said that students performing in the OMEA Band Assistant Professor and CU Band Director Dr. Roy Couch are expected to practice and be fully prepared to play their chose Kirstie Bridges, Lorenzo Diaz, Fatima Rivera, Quinton parts during the first rehearsal. Williams and Brad Wolf to perform with the o and 112 “The three rehearsals that we had prior to the Convention OMEA band members. Band Director Sarah McKain from were not designed to teach us the music,” Bridges said. “The Texas Tech University led 112 musicians in the OMEA Band. practices were supposed to get us used to playing together as a Before the students began to practice, they were required to band.” audition for their parts. Rivera said she still felt challenged and nervous while “We received our music from Dr. Couch two months before playing at the convention. “In previous years the music was harder for me,” Rivera the convention,” Rivera said. “We rehearse the music on our own and audition in front of the judges who are band directors said. “But this year, the challenge for me was trying to play throughout the state.” with people that I have never played with before. It’s hard to Because the OMEA Convention is held once a year, serious match everyone because the balance is completely different.” thought and preparation is required when assembling the Bridges said that the energy of the OMEA band director helped to encourage the players to stay positive despite the OMEA Band. tiring day. “Band directors across Oklahoma get together and
“Our director this year was always so full of energy. We were playing for two and a half hours, but she was standing up the whole time directing us and telling us how to play,” Bridges said, “which is probably a lot more tiring. But you could never tell if she was the least bit tired, and that encouraged us to continue playing with a positive attitude.” Dr. Couch said McKain added character to the OMEA Band and made the reason she was selected to direct the OMEA Band obvious. “The concert sounded amazing, and the students did very well,” Dr. Couch said. “It’s obvious she has her musical aspects together.” Dr. Couch said he was not only pleased with the OMEA band director but the performance of the five CU students. “OMEA is probably the largest band that these students have been a part of so far and is a more professional music experience — expectations are raised,” Couch said. “I like being able to direct these students at Cameron and then watch them play in a prestigious band like OMEA. It is a great way for me to recognize their accomplishments as a musician.”
Local author steps into spotlight James Meeks
Hughes is currently working on the sixth book in Staff Writer the series and plans to go to a Laura Hughes, author of seventh. “The Sara Chronicles,” held her “The storyline dictates that first book signing event on Jan I have to go one book further; 19 at Hastings in Altus, Okla. I’m working on book six now, Hughes currently has five but in order to wrap it up I books of the series released, have to go one more,” Hughes with each entry longer than said. “You can only go so far the last. Hughes said when the in one story and then you just characters embark on another have to wrap it up and in order quest, the stories become more to make it all fit. I have to go to detailed which require the the seventh to have it all make books to be longer. sense.” “The Sara Chronicles” After Hughes completes began as stories Hughes would “The Sara Chronicles,” she has make up for her daughter, ideas for another book series Sara. With each story, Hughes but she said that she wants to began forming ideas to turn complete her current series her daughter’s stories into before jumping into another a magical world filled with one. wonder, where the forces of Hughes is currently good and evil fought to keep working on re-releasing all the world balanced. of her books with updated “I used to tell her stories, artwork from Joe Pee, an everybody wants to be the hero artist that Hughes met on of their own story,” Hughes freelanced.com — a website said. “That’s where it started, where potential clients go to and I thought that it could search for artists and writers to actually go further, and each take on various projects. time it did.” Pee is from a town called Hughes would then take all Wanganui in New Zealand. of those ideas and start a blog, He had strong ambitions to where she self-published on become an artist ever since he multiple websites. was a young boy.
“When I was a kid, I drew a dragon, but my uncle mistook it as a snake,” Pee said. “This incident actually provoked me to be even more serious in drawing.” Pee took his ambitions to create works that pleased his clients by making the clients’ style his own artistic style. “As an artist, we create our client’s favorite, not our own favorite,” he said. “It is more challenging to do something that didn’t even cross your mind ten minutes ago rather than doing what you’ve kept in mind for years.” Pee explained that working in an advertising agency helped him become a better artist because it taught him to effectively advertise the client’s product and make what the clients wanted into a reality. The current covers of the Chronicles are composite sketches Hughes’ publishing company drew. Hughes works for two publishing companies: Tate Publishing, the company that owns the rights to publish the first book of the series, and Outskirts Publishing, the company that owns the rights to the rest of the series.
Hughes explained that although she has a publishing company backing her, she is still in a self-publisher in a sense. The author explained that her contract with Tate holds the company responsible for publishing, sales and advertising for the first book, but her contract with Outskirts covers
only publishing, sales and advertising for her second book. Hughes must keep track of sales, advertising, where the books are being sold, how many each store should have and how many copies of the books Outskirts should print for the third, fourth and fifth book. Hughes is currently in talks
with Outskirts to have the company cover the rest of the series and is also working on a contract to re-release the books with Pee’s artwork. Hughes runs a daily blog that keeps her followers informed of her progress and includes excerpts from her work at http://laurasday-laura. blogspot.com/.
Photo by James Meeks
The Laura Chronicles: Laura Hughes signs a copy of “The Sara Chronicles” for a fan. The author first published her ideas on a blog before she released the series.
4
Voices
February 4, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
Violence prompts call for control
Teewhy Dojutelegan Managing Editor
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Editorial Staff Managing Editor - Teewhy Dojutelegan Assistant Managing Editor Tiffany Martinez News Editor - Tyler Boydston Crossroads Editor - Dianne Riddles A&E Editor - Kaylee Jones Sports Editor - Matt Berberea Copy Editor - Sarah Brewer Aggie Central Editor- Mitch Watson Archivist - Mitch Watson Newsroom Staff Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Kaitlyn Stockton, Charlene Belew, Sadie Jones, Carson Stringham, James Meeks Advertising Manager - Teewhy Dojutelegan Photographer - Kali Robinson Newswriting Students Philip Harrington, Kella Haire Faculty Adviser Dr. Christopher Keller About Us The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution The first issue is provided free of charge. Each subsequent issue is $1.50. Letters Policy Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks. All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@ cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www. aggiecentral.com. Our Views The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Aggie Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma. Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.
Gun violence has been on the rise, and the casualties from these violent acts, and the senseless death toll has led to many recent calls for a reform of gun laws. From the Columbine High School shooting, the deadliest mass murder committed on an American high school campus — to the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting — the second deadliest mass murder at an American elementary school — gun ownership and the laws that govern it is fast becoming an important issue in the American society. The two students who executed the Columbine massacre had been stockpiling ammunition for months before the shooting took place. They purchased handguns, shot guns and a rifle. They shot and killed 12 students, one teacher and injured another 21 students. On July 20, 2012, a gunman shot up a theatre during a midnight screening of the movie “The Dark Knight Rises.” This gunman, dressed in military clothing, used a 12-guage shotgun, a semi-automatic rifle and a handgun. The most recent mass murder, which happened in Newtown, CT. took the lives of 20 children and six teachers. This gunman had three semi-automatic rifles, a .223-caliber rifle, a glock handgun, a SIG Sauer P226 handgun as well as a combat shotgun. He also had access to more guns at home.
guns will be available to only those who are fit to use them. Stringent gun-control legislation is not the only solution available for decreasing gun-related violence. According to the National Rifle Association Vice President Wayne LaPierre, fixing the country’s broken mental health system should be a part of the solution to gun violence. “I think we can agree that our mental health system is broken. We need to look at the full range of mental health issues, from early detection treatment, to civil commitment laws, to privacy laws that needlessly prevent mental health records from Photo courtesy MCT Campus being included from the national list,” he said. A call for reform: President Barack Obama stands alongside Vice President Joe President Obama’s gun Biden and addresses the nation in wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. The control policies call for a ban two leaders are in favor of banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. on assault weapons and highcapacity magazines as well as There is a clear divide who use guns to hurt people make libelous or slanderous a universal background check between people who want will ignore laws controlling statements about anyone on gun owners. This is step in more stringent gun control laws. Indeed they will. they wish to; it would be the right direction in a nation legislation and those who Thugs, thieves and gang grounds for a lawsuit. believe the Right to Bear members have no respect Advocates of gun-control where picking up a gun and shooting innocent people is Arms should remain as a for these laws so they will legislation also claim it becoming all too common. freedom. However, the recent disregard new reforms on would be dangerous to try As much as guns are a shooting at Sandy Hook gun ownership laws along to take out a mass murderer part of the American culture, Elementary has renewed with every other law. even when armed. A few there is a point where lines calls for gun reforms and They also argue that guns hours in the gun range should be drawn. That defense of gun rights. are inanimate objects that does not make one Arnold point should start when Those who think owning a cannot cause harm unless Schwarzenegger when one innocent children, parents, gun is a right afforded by the someone consciously decides comes face to face with moviegoers, teachers and Constitution are justified. to use one to target those a deranged, gun-toting others are killed because a Some of these people make without protection, not those criminal. gun fell into the hands of statements such as, “guns who carry guns. Gun possession is the the wrong person. We as a don’t kill people, people kill The pro-gun control right of every citizen as people” and “if guns kill supporters argue that afforded by the constitution, nation should perform our duties as citizens, participate people, then pencils misspell no right is absolute. but there is a need for gun in elections to remove words and cars make people For instance, the First laws to be changed and representatives who do not drive drunk.” Amendment guarantees more stringent. When the reflect our beliefs. Anti-gun control the right to free speech, steps toward gun ownership supporters argue that people but no one is allowed to become tougher to meet,
The importance of maintaining positivity Shakespeare warned us about become even sharper, more painful. Life can seem, at many times, unbearable, insurmountable — indeed, at times the thought of getting up in the morning just to face another day of internal and external beatings seems impossible. It’s no wonder that so many give thought to giving up. But, as we are told at a young age, quitting is never Alex Rosa-Figueroa the answer. When we are Staff Writer beset at all sides from any number of plagues and woes, Life is a complicated the answer may seem like a mess. simple and clean one. But to We as humans are throw it all away is to throw fraught every day with away so much more. the slings and arrows of There are a thousand outrageous fortune, and it upon a thousand more very often seems like we reasons to keep going, have little — or as it seems to push forward with increasingly likely no — unflinching stride, to block control in our lives. And this out and push out the hissing awful backdrop is merely whispers on the edge of our the stage upon which we consciousness. They are play; to describe its routine very often, though, hard to horrors is merely to scrape the surface of the impossible see; but then again, so many things are. madness we subject It is a tired and clichéd ourselves to every waking sentiment, one of the minute (and even some of many in our culture that the sleeping ones, too). is so beating into our Self-doubt, selfconsciousness, self-hatred or consciousness that we scoff loathing — these words are with a condescending air whenever we hear it, but we the bane of our existence. very often — almost always, And make no mistake; we actually — fail to see the are all, if at least once in big picture. We internally our lives, subject to the turgid terror and pain when become so engrossed in the finer details that we lose this diabolical triad forces sight of the grand design, our hand to turn against the overall image. We fail to ourselves. They work in notice the important things tandem to tear us down that surround us and that while building each other up — consciousness feeding with which we surround doubt, which births the very ourselves. Everything displeasure that turns a self- mistaken brush stroke or slipped hue is magnified conscious eye to ourselves. a thousand fold when we With the triad of are close; yet when we step internal misery at play, the aforementioned daily slings back, we find that when surrounded by the form and arrows that dearest
Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
and structure of a full masterpiece, its presences almost seems negligible. But again, that is a tired phrase, and one that’s easy for me to spout off from the relative safety of my computer, which currently rests in the warm house of my loving family. But while repetition seems to wear down the beauty of a statement, the wondrous nuance of every phrase and syllable, time has
surprisingly little effect on the message, on the very spirit of the word. As a man far more clever than I has put, ideas are bulletproof. Which, again, seems a tired phrase tailored to a quite specific context — but I know you’ve caught my meaning. Though, if my tired words and dated ways have yet to sway you, let me tell you a few other things I know about you, and the big picture of which you rest.
You are good at something. Wait, actually, you’re great at something (and possibly a lot of things). It is alarmingly easy to knock ourselves down and convince ourselves of our own lack of worth, that our skills are negligible, or soon will be when faced with the perilous stage we speak of in hushed, worried tones: the Real World. But we all exceed at something, even if someone else exceeds at it as well. But what is this? I hear a multitude of voices from the crowds claim with righteous indignity that they do not, in fact, exceed at anything. Well, I say with a certain level of softness in my tone, get excellent at something. If you truly think yourself what some may call a talentless loser — a phrase the whisper of self-loathing loves to bandy about — then get good at something. Learn a language. Pick up an art. Consume a library’s collected knowledge; by the time you’ve finished the last book, a certain level of mastery in some skill will be guaranteed. But if the notion of skill collection, of taking faith in one’s own ability, does not appeal to you, then at least consider this: you are not alone. While it may seem like an empty stage, with you in the spotlight before an increasingly restless audience, you must realize that the stage is not as empty as you think. You will always have someone to support you, to care about you, to pick up the scene when you flub your lines. You are never as alone as you think. And that simplifies this mess of life, doesn’t it?
February 4, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
Sports
5
Aggies battle conference rival MSU Aaron Gill
with fast breaks and trading buckets and the Aggies took a Staff Writer 27-24 lead to the half. Head Coach Wade The Cameron Men’s Alexander commented on the Basketball team split two Aggies’ performance in the games against Midwestern first half, stating the Aggies State University Jan. 23 and held the Mustangs leading Jan. 26. rebounder to just one board. In the first game the “We held their leading Aggies battled the Mustangs, rebounder Corbin Thomas leading most of the game, and to one rebound,” Coach ended up in a grueling fourth Alexander said. “He is also quarter to pull out a 64-63 the leading rebounder in victory. The victory marks the conference and one of the first time the Aggies have the better rebounders in the defeated the Mustangs since nation.” the 2006 season. The Mustangs came out The CU men were led hot in the second half and to victory by junior guard quickly tied the game 30-30. Craig Foster who had 19 The Aggies battled through points. Foster was on fire and managed to pull ahead of with 3-pointers, draining one the Mustangs by eight points after the other and scoring two much needed threes late with 6:56 remaining in the game. in the second half to bring The Aggies held the the Aggies within striking lead until just about the distance. Senior forward one minute mark where the Andrew “Big Country” Mustangs’ Derek Kaster Thomas came up huge for the followed through on a lay up Aggies with 11 points, four rebounds and one monstrous to tie the game 63-63. The Aggies got the ball back and block. with three seconds remaining Leading the Mustangs in in the game Foster drew a scoring was Cam Adderley foul, and hit what proved to with 16 points. be the game-winning free The first half for the throw. Aggies looked promising Coach Alexander said after the Aggies led the they pulled out the win and Mustangs 14-4 early. Over needed to head down to the next three minutes the Wichita Falls that Saturday Mustangs picked up the to finish what they started. pace and closed the lead to “That was probably an 16-13 in favor of the Aggies upset and they are the best with just over 10 minutes team in the conference,” remaining in the first half. Coach Alexander said. “Now Both teams pushed the pace we have to go to their place,
where we will just have to go to work, and we are going to have to play hard when we go there.” The Aggies traveled to MSU Jan. 26 to finish off the series and attempt to come home with a second win against their conference rival. The Mustangs sprinted out of the gate and took an early and steady lead against CU. Despite Foster’s doubledouble (18 points, 10 assists), the Aggies night ended in a 72-86 loss. The first half was dominated by the Mustangs as they jumped out to a 10-4 lead with 12:33 left in the frame. The situation did not improve much for the Aggies as MSU ended the half with a 44-30 lead. The Aggies had a tough time on the boards, being outrebounded 14-15 in the first half. The CU men also had 12 turnovers in the first half. Foster had 8 points heading into the locker room at the first intermission. The Mustangs continued to control the scoreboard in the second half, showing they were not going to lose at home. Although the Aggies battled back, the closest they came was within 10 points at the 2:01 mark late in the half. The Aggies remain at 10-6 overall and 6-4 in conference. Photo by Brandon Neris MSU remains in a tie with Incarnate Word for first place in the conference with a Sending a message: Junior guard Tim Johnson throws down a huge dunk against record of 12-5 overall and 8-2 MSU Jan. 23 at Aggie Gymnasium. Johnson finished with nine points and helped the Aggies secure their first win against their conference rival since the 2006 season. in the Lonestar Conference.
CU women struggle as playoffs near Matthew Berberea
back with four straight of its own, setting the tone for most of the first half. Sports Editor MSU was able to hold a slim lead through most of the first half until the Aggies went ahead 17-16 with 8:05 Cameron University Women’s Basketball faced Lonestar remaining, courtesy of two straight Brittany Harris steals Conference rival Midwestern State in back to back games and layups. Jan. 23 and Jan. 26. Both teams traded scores until the Mustangs went on The first contest was held at Aggie Gymnasium where a 13-6 run to close out the half and take a 26-33 lead into the Aggies looked to rebound from a close 50-52 home loss the break. For the Aggies things did not get much better in versus Texas Woman’s Jan. 19. the second frame. The Aggies fell behind early but were able to bounce MSU carried its momentum into the final 20 minutes back and take a 11-10 lead after a layup from junior and jumped all over the Aggies to start the second half. forward Lacy Reinke with 11:04 remaining in the first half. The Mustangs outscored the Aggies 17-6 in the first seven The Black and Gold and MSU exchanged blows and minutes of the second half and never looked back en route after the final media timeout the Aggies trailed 22-23. to a 49-69 win. Things went downhill for CU after the short break as the The Aggies were led on offense by junior guard Brittany Mustangs went on a 9-2 run to close out the half leading Harris and Chelsea Stamp ,each scored 10 while Reinke 24-34. led the team with nine rebounds. The Aggies were unable to make the necessary The Mustangs were paced by Kirsti Degelia who adjustments in the second half and found themselves down dropped 14 points, as Shatoia Gober grabbed a team high 10 points with 16:45 remaining in the contest. nine boards. Cameron was unable to mount a comeback and the Head Women’s Basketball Coach Tom Webb said the Mustangs cruised to a 52-65 over the Aggies. team started well in both games but need to stay focused Junior guard Chelsea Stamp led the Aggies with 13 and finish strong going forward. points and while senior forward Sharna Hoosier and junior “Both games we played well in the first half, you take Hannah Pollart each had six rebounds. out the last minute in each half and we played really well,” The Aggies had a few days to recover before they Coach Webb said. “We just have to be mentally tougher traveled to Wichita Falls Jan. 26 to face MSU at D.L. and understand the importance of every possession.” Ligon Coliseum. The Aggies have been hampered with a string of CU fell behind 4-0 following the tipoff but answered
injuries, most notably three-year starter Alexis Williams. CU has also been playing without two transfers from Oral Roberts University, sophomore forwards Delaney Scrivner and Ieva Eida. Coach Webb emphasized that although injuries are difficult, there is no excuse for poor performance on the f loor. Anytime you lose your all-time three point leader, 1,000 point scorer and three year starter (Williams) that hurts and the two kids from ORU (Scrivner and Eida) have been hurt all year and that hurts,” Coach Webb said. “But at the same time you can’t complain about it. You have to step up as a coach, step up as a team and step up as a player. The Aggies have struggled on the road this season failing to secure a win away from Aggie Gym. Despite the slow start, CU is still in the playoff hunt but needs to play better on the road. Coach Webb talked about what it will take for the Aggies to punch their ticket to the postseason. “It goes back to mental toughness, its easier to play at home, if they go on a 6-0 run at home you kind of can make a push make a basket, they go on a 6-0 run on the road you have to be tough enough to get to the foul line and make a bucket, Coach Webb said. “If we can do that we can still make the playoffs, if we cannot get a road win we won’t go anywhere” The two losses bring Cameron’s record to 4-13 overall, 3-8 in conference. More information on CU women’s basketball and all Aggie sports is available at www.cameronaggies.com
6
Crossroads
February 4, 2013
www.aggiecentral.com
CU students participate in day of service Sarah Brewer Copy Editor
Cameron University volunteers took a day off from classes as a day to serve the Lawton – Fort Sill community for the national Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Students, faculty and staff joined other volunteers serving in the area to transform the federal holiday into an opportunity to improve the community. Over 400 CU students participated in the fifth-annual CU MLK Day of Service on Jan. 21 by completing 33 projects at various sites – honoring the legacy and remembering the teachings of the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Vice President of Student Services Jennifer Holland assisted Director of Student Life Zeak Naifeh, and both worked with a committee of representatives from the City of Lawton Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Cameron Campus Ministry and United Way starting last year to plan the event. “We started in early fall, and submitted an application for a small grant from Campus Compact to assist with funding for supplies. In October, we started reaching out to prospective project sites and volunteer groups. We really ramped up our planning in November and continued until the date of the event,” Vice President Holland said. Projects included cleaning, organizing, repairing and painting for various charities, churches and non-profit organizations. Some volunteers headed to Cache to restore playground equipment while others went to Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge to clear the way for a new mountain
biking trail. In addition to these projects, CU participation in the Day of Service expanded this year to include a supply drive for local United Way agencies: Family Promise of Lawton, the Lawton Food Bank, the J. Roy Dunning Children’s Shelter, the C. Carter Crane Shelter for the Homeless, the Salvation Army, the Healing Expressions Lead to Prevention (HELP) Advocacy Center of Southwest Oklahoma, Roadback, Inc. and Catholic charities. According to Jennifer Holland, Vice President of Student Services, the supply drive was a success. “The supply drive ended up being huge. It was new this year, and we had six locations for the supply drive. We asked some of our community agencies if they could create a wish list and what would be on it,” Vice President Holland said. “We collected over three thousand dollars’ worth of items, and we think we had about 250 donors.” Some of the items found on these lists — like hygiene products and office supplies —were everyday essentials, but according to Vice President Holland, each donated item relieves the burdens these agencies face while helping others. “They asked for toilet paper and paper towels because those things are expensive, and if you get those things donated, you can spend your resources on other things,” Vice President Holland said. Service does not require expertise in a specific field, said Vice President Holland. “You don’t have to have amazing skills — you don’t have to be a carpenter or an electrician — you just have to be willing to work hard, find a need and figure
Photo by Sarah Brewer
Cameron students collect supplies: In preparation for the Martin Luther King Jr., Day of Service, a group of CU students collects supplies. The supplies were used in projects throughout the community. Photo by Lourdes Mccarty
Students help prepare donations to be stocked on shelves: This group of students share a day away from class to give back to the community. Organization skills were needed at the Lawton Community Food Bank. out how to fill it,” said Vice President Holland. Student Government Association President
Photo by Lourdes McCarty
CU students volunteer: Several students donate their time and give of themselves during the MLK Day of Service. CU student, Blagica Ristovska helps to preserve/bag up food/cheese at the Lawton Food Bank.
Colten Kennedy, a senior double-majoring in History and Mathematics, worked with other students to fill a need by requesting items for donations at the WalMart located on Quanah Parker Trailway. Frigid temperatures did not deter students from working outside and collecting donations from Wal-Mart patrons. “It is a little cold today. The wind chill is pretty cold, but our group is staying highly motivated, and we’re excited to be out here helping the community,” Kennedy said. Kennedy said that student enthusiasm was evident at the start of semester. “When we announced it at our last Student Government meeting, at
least half of the people were willing to get involved or were already getting involved with a specific group. It is great participation from Cameron,” Kennedy said. Kennedy participated in the CU MLK Day of Service for the first time this year, and he said he found his work personally rewarding. He also took a moment to ref lect on the
Civil Rights movement led by King and its lasting impact. “It is a great way to be a part of the community and get involved, and it just makes life more exciting and fulfilling,” Kennedy said. “It was not all that long ago, but his actions during the Civil Rights movement in general have changed America in a great way.”