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Monday, January 28, 2019
Volume 100 Issue 1
COLLEGIAN CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL VOLUME
Madison Lyda Managing Editor @maddilinee
This semester, the “Collegian” staff celebrates the newspaper’s centennial volume, eager to document another semester through ethics-driven, socially conscious student journalism. “The Cameron Collegian” is the oldest living record of Cameron University. In 1927, Cameron University President John L. Coffey approved the founding of “The Cameron Collegian” as a student
publication – for the students, by the students. Issue to issue, students published poetry, personal letters, achievements, local information such as movie times and where to go in town on a Saturday night. The publication told the stories of student life and state controversy over the course of the last 92 years, documenting every detail. The chair of the Communication, English and Foreign Languages department, Dr. Christopher Keller was the Managing Editor for “The Cameron Collegian” in 1995 and believes that “The Cameron Collegian” publication slows down time, captures moments and history through student driven freedom of speech. “Outside of the books that are published about Cameron, the newspaper is the only window into what has happened at this university for the past 100 years,” Keller said. “It’s hard for me to state how critical a student-led product like this is to the health of the university just through freedom of speech
event, the students act independently in their pursuits to develop content. The student works are then passed down to the editor staff for the publication where content newspaper which is free from oversight is then revised and worked into personalized layout and for content is profound,” design for weekly pages. the Keller said. “The fact that For 92 years, student civil rights ours has been in constant journalists have spent hours publication since the early movement each week churning content to marches for part of the twentieth and developing the pages century is bonkers, we fair education, that have come to make student journalists have a story tradition of good, solid journalism. The up the nearly thousand covered national and contribution is that this has issues and 100 volumes of state tragedies ranging the Cameron Collegian from 9/11 to the Oklahoma been a student run, student publication. led, student produced, City bombing. and Student journalists work student content driven The publication has people to capture the essence of product which reports on remained a long-standing paying time and history on campus. a community that nobody public record of local, attention to Whether the story be else is going to report on. It’s the small details campus and statewide an interview with a student Cameron. It’s a special place history, written, published that may go or reflection on the past, to us.” and funded by Cameron unnoticed.” student journalists seek the The staff of “The “The Cameron students from every truth and report it. department around campus Cameron Collegian” acts Collegian” has “This person went From the very beginning, as an independent vessel of served the university to deliver a paper at a communication. Drafting during some of the most the campus newspaper conference, or we won this individual content and publication has been basketball game, or this producing weekly content professor won this award for the publication, the and wrote a book or did advisor of the publication this thing,” Keller said, does not choose or reject taking a moment to gather topics of content for each his words. “All these lifecycle. All these life-changing changing incidents that The advisor provides incidents that occur in this occur in this microcosm advice and acts as a mentor that is Cameron, nobody microcosm that is to developing journalists, would know about it if Cameron, nobody would offering constructive we weren’t reporting criticism and bouts of know about it if we weren’t knowledge to help students on it. We add reporting on it. structure to the hone their own craft. We add structure to the chaos that exists.” Student journalists chaos that exists. report on events and news that take place on campus. Dr. Christopher Keller Writing their own Chair of the Department of Communication, stories, conducting their English and Foreign Languages own interviews, using photography to capture each and every historic moments on campus by capturing every detail through lens and voice. Members of the “Collegian” staff were on the scene when Cameron made the transition from a small state high school to an accredited university. “Collegian” student journalists documented social movements ranging from
entirely led and organized yearly by a diverse group of student journalists. “The idea that you can have a student
The graphic is a product of “The Cameron Collegian”, published in Volume I, Issue 10 on Nov. 10, 1927. Graphic by Madison Lyda
What’s inside
Campus hosts memorial for Columbus
Late era capitalism on a silver platter
Sabrina Stedman spills the tee
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News
January 28, 2019
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In memoriam: Dr. Marco Columbus Drue Watkins Managing Editor
Photos courtesy of Courtney Glazer
At 4:30 p.m., Jan. 18, Cameron University held a memorial service for Dr. Marco Columbus at the McCasland Ballroom. After acquiring his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Oklahoma in 2006, Columbus started working at Cameron as an Associate Professor in the Education Department, teaching several courses. His research interests included: At Risk Youth, Cultural Identification, Motivation and Academic Achievement. When he wasn’t teaching at Cameron, Columbus helped local youths through mentorship and through coaching basketball. Columbus died at the age of 49 during last winter break and is survived by his two daughters Sehvenn Columbus and Pashence Columbus. The memorial service included two dozen tables each tied with three green balloons; note cards on each table that allowed attendees to write quotes of remembrance for Columbus with green ink; and three individual screens that played a photo gallery highlighting his career at Cameron University. Invitations to the service encouraged attendees to wear green for Columbus, as he was well known for liking—and consistently sporting—the color. Two speakers from the Education Department—Dr. Dana Hilbert and Dr. Jennifer Dennis— gave eulogies through a microphone at the head of the ballroom. Hilbert began with a reference to the clothes she wore—a yellowish sweater and black tights. “I don’t know what I’m wearing,” she said, “but I can just picture him making some remark about this today. He would always do that, talk about my clothes, and it would make me laugh. “His sense of humor was felt around by everybody, and every time you would go by his classroom, you could just hear the laughter through the walls.” Hilbert also said Columbus consistently kept things interesting. “He loved to stop by our offices to visit,” she said, “sometimes about nothing, and other times he would engage you in a deep philosophical conversation about education. We enjoyed talking about nondominant culture, assimilation and self-identity. “Dr. Columbus was very interested in motivation and
the interconnectedness of one’s culture, self-identity and academic confidence.” Dennis said the Education Department would miss Columbus dearly and things wouldn’t be the same. “Marco was a scholar,” she said. “He could carry on a conversation for hours about research and statistics— something that always impressed me. “He believed that people could change, and his encouraging words caused many young people to believe in themselves.” Dennis also said Columbus cared deeply for his family. “Marco loved his daughters,” she said. “To the family, and particularly to Pashence and Sehvenn, you were a bright light in his life; he always wanted the best for you. I know as the years go by, you will ref lect fondly on your biggest cheerleader who you had the honor of calling dad.” Following the eulogies, Hilbert gathered the quotes from each table and read them off randomly, allowing each attendee to eventually have their voice be heard for Columbus. Hilbert read: “I may not have known you for very long, but I could tell you were a very good man with a great heart, who cared about helping others.” She also read: “We will all miss you so much. I can remember the first time we met each other, and you were worried that you may have been too hard on me for one of my assignments. You pulled me aside and asked if I was okay, and I knew how respectful and kind you were. Oh, and you weren’t too hard on me.” Following the eulogies and quote readings, Hilbert asked the attendees to untie the balloons at their tables and lead them out onto the balcony, where they would let the balloons all loose at once. She said not to worry once they’re released. “The balloons are biodegradable,” she said. “I’m sure Dr. Columbus would have something to say about that, too.” After each person arrived with their balloons, Hilbert counted down from five and a f lood of green released from the balcony. Succeeding the balloon release, Hilbert said all attendees were welcome to stay and enjoy each other’s company along with refreshments provided by Cameron. The following day, Jan. 19, Oklahoma University hosted its own memorial service for Columbus on its Norman campus, which Dennis also led as both a representative of Cameron University and as a colleague to Columbus.
A&E
January 28, 2019
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CU Theatre spring preview Sarae Ticeahkie A&E Editor
@SylviaSeeks Cameron University’s Arts, Music and Theatre Arts department continues their theatre season with two upcoming plays premiering for the 2019 spring semester. The two plays consist of one comical farce and one fable love story.
13 Rue de L’Amour Georges Feydeau’s comical French farce “13 Rue de L’A mour” opens this spring at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 14-16, and at 2 p.m., Feb. 17. Associate professor of Art, Music and Theatre
Arts Deidre Onishi is currently directing the French farce. Onishi decided to direct “13 Rue de L’A mour” so that the audience can experience multiple genres of plays. “I wanted to do the farce,” Onishi said. “I did a very serious play for the fall semester, so I wanted something to balance it.” A farce is simply a comedy of situations; its only purpose is to entertain. The play follows the story of multiple couples; in those couples there are some who are unfaithful, some who wish to be unfaithful and some who
Graphics by Sarae Ticeahkie
merely suspect their spouse of infidelity. With the play opening on Valentine’s Day, Professor Onishi said it’s the perfect date idea. “It’s a great Valentine’s day date show,” Onishi said. “If you want something to do different than going out to dinner. Or you could go to dinner and the show.”
The Little Mermaid Based on Hans Christian Anderson’s most beloved fairytale stoy and the classic animated film, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” opens this spring at 7:30 p.m., April 11-13, and at 2 p.m., April 14. Professor and Chair of Art, Music and Theatre Arts Scott Richard Klein has always had “The Little Mermaid” on his list of plays to do. “I have a background in children’s theatre,” Klein said. “So every once and awhile, I like to revisit it, so this was my way of doing that.” The famous hauntingly beautiful love story tells the tale of the mermaid Ariel, who falls in love with a human, Prince Eric, from the surface. Although she is forbidden by her father, King Triton, to visit the surface. She goes against her father’s wishes and falls for Prince Eric. In order for Ariel to be with Prince Eric, she must make a bargain with the evil sea witch, Ursula,
to trade her voice for human legs to be able to walk on land. The sea witch tricks her into the bargain and the truth of the Ursula’s true intentions begin to unravel. Ariel needs help from her friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to help her along the way. But when things begin to go off course, King Triton must make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter. Professor Klein said he hopes this play will appeal to the younger audience and capture their attention.
“If we start them [kids] early we hope to keep them going,” Klein said, “because it’s a unique experience going to the theatre. It really is.” Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, military and non-Cameron students. Cameron students and alumni can get in free with their Cameron student or alumni ID. For more information about the Arts, Music and Theatre Arts department or auditions for the upcoming play, contact Scott Richard Klein at scottk@ cameron.edu or 580-581-2346.
Spring - upcoming seasons - 2019
TV/Netflix premiere dates NBC One Day at a Timeat 12 a.m., Fri., Feb. 8 Chilling Adventures of Sabrinaat 12 a.m., Fri., April 5 Rilakkuma and Kaoruat 12 a.m., Fri., April 19 Stranger Thingsat 12 a.m., Thurs., July 4
Jane the Virgin9 p.m., Wed., March 27 In the Dark9 p.m., Thurs., April 4 The 1009 p.m., Tues., April 30 iZombie8 p.m., Thurs., May 8
Will & Grace9:30 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 31 The Voice8 p.m., Mon., Feb. 25 World of Dance9 p.m., Tues., Feb. 26 Good Girls10 p.m., Sun., March 3
Whiskey Cavalier10 p.m., Wed., Feb. 27 America’s Got Talent7 p.m., Sun., March 3 American Idol8 p.m., Sun., March 3 Shark Tank10 p.m., Sun., March 3
O.G.9 p.m., Sat., Feb. 23 Game of Thrones9 p.m., Sun., April 14 WatchmenTBA Big Little LiesTBA
Last Man Standing8 p.m., Fri., Feb. 15 Bob’s Burgers7:30 p.m., Sun., March 3 The Simpsons8 p.m., Sun., March 3 Cosmos: Possible Worlds9 p.m., Sun., March 3
Sports
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January 28, 2019
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Driven for success:
Sabrina Stedman Mason Orso Sports Editor
Senior Public Relations major Sabrina Stedman is a Cameron University athlete aspiring to be an event coordinator at a local golf course. Stedman’s graduation at the end of the semester means that someone has to fill her role and step up to the plate as a leader. “The team is really close and helps each other out, so I don’t think it will be a problem,” Stedman said. Stedman said being a senior in her athletic career allows her to have various opportunities as opposed to when she first started attending Cameron University. “I understand that my time is running out. I’ve been taught everything I need to know about my skill up to this point, now it’s just time to go out and use it. “When I was a younger athlete, I was always trying to balance and change things. I was also stressed about maintaining my scholarship. Now, I know I’ve made it this far, and there is contentment in that.” Stedman said she started golfing during her freshman year in high school. “My mother took me to top golf which is a
fun place to mess around if you’re not a golfer. I really enjoyed it and have been playing ever since.” Stedman pulls inspiration from the drive to perfect her craft while proving to herself and others that she can accomplish the goals that she sets for herself. “I’ll have achieved my main goal here which is to graduate. I’ll be the first in my family which is a huge accomplishment to me,” Stedman said. Goal -setting and hurdles along the way are one in the same to her. “I’ve faced many obstacles being a student athlete from school, work and not performing well on the golf course. I’ve learned that it’s important to trust the process and be grateful for the things in front of you rather than worrying about the future,” Stedman said. Junior business major Allison Duffman is a teammate of Stedman’s. “Sabrina and I have been friends from time I began school here. She has showed me love and support every day and I hope she can say the same about me. She shows me dedication for golf and to persevere through the hard
Photo by Mason Orso
“I’ve faced many obstacles being a student athlete from school, work and not performing well on the golf course. I’ve learned that it’s important to trust the process and be grateful for the things in front of you rather than worrying about the future.” — Sabrina Stedman Public Relations Senior
times,” Duffman said. “Sabrina is a great teammate; she is one of the most hardworking and happy souls I know. She is almost always encouraging and supportive to all of her teammates which makes her easy to love and be around.” Stedman is motivated by her coach, mother, teammates and sometimes other athletes. “I see others driving to do the best they can with what they have and that pushes me to give it all I got constantly,” she said. Stedman also said it’s a blessing for her to have this opportunity and she wants to enjoy it as much as possible—these things run through her mind while training or in a match. “Someone who enjoys the game, is hard working, and has perseverance is what it takes to play golf,” Stedman said. Stedman’s goals as a student athlete are to not let her team or coach down and give it her all.
Student Life
MLK A day on, not a day off
January 28, 2019
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on Columbia Avenue and is the second oldest school in Lawton. There are about 235 students, Pre-K through fifth grade, in attendance. Principal of Washington Elementary Ella Snavely said the demographics of the school are 40 percent African-American and 27 percent Native American. Eighty-seven percent of students in the school receive free and reduced lunches. Snavely also said many students are displaced from their original home. “We have a high poverty rate,” she said. “We know that and that has its own challenges because you have as a national Day of Service. a different mindset. They’re This holiday is recognized as the only worried about what’s happening at home, national Day of Service, and its slogan they’re worried about food, they’re worried reads: “A day on, not a day off.” about shelter.” The Office of Campus life coordinated During the Day of Service, tasks over 250 volunteers from 32 different included organizing the school’s clothes organizations to help refurbish three closet and inventorying books and schools in the Lawton/Fort Sill area: John supplies. Adams, Crosby Park and Washington Snavely said she believed that although Elementary. these tasks seemed small, they would help Washington Elementary is located the teachers come Tuesday morning. Photos by Celeste Powell
Celeste Powell
Student Life Editor Cameron students participated in the MLK Day of Service at 9 a.m. on Jan. 19 in elementary schools across Lawton. MLK Day of Day of Service is named after Martin Luther King Jr. and became an official holiday in 1983. In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, which designated the holiday
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“I have the best teachers and they work hard every day to meet the needs of these kiddos,” Snavely said. “[They are] meeting their needs in the classroom educationally, but they’re tired—they’re people.” Members of Cameron’s Circle K International (CKI) also helped at Washington Elementary. Lieutenant Governor of Cameron’s CKI Hector Perez-Aponte acts as an advisor to multiple CKI’s in an area. Part of his duties for Cameron’s organization is making sure they have the resources necessary to fulfill their goals. Perez-Aponte said CKI is an organization devoted to volunteering. “When you perform an act of service, it teaches you that even in the darkest of moments there will be someone willing to turn on a light,” he said. “Even if that person is just you.” CKI also helps volunteer at the local food bank and the women’s shelter. Perez-Aponte said he harbors a personal understanding of MLK’s Day of Service. “When I was a kid living in Puerto Rico,” he said, “my parents didn’t have a lot of money, so they worked long hours. My dad worked three jobs and my mom worked long hours at a hospital. It was never a day off for them.”
ROTC blood drive Celeste Powell
Student Life Editor
At 10 a.m., on Jan. 15, in the CETES Conference Center, The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) hosted a blood drive, attracting twenty-four donors, fourteen of whom donated red blood cells in a process called Power Red donation. Power Red donation allows type O, and A negative and B negative donors the ability to donate two units of red blood cells during one appointment. Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) sponsor Zelda Sullivan said blood is needed by almost every patient receiving a blood transfusion. “Each donor helps save as many as three lives,” Sullivan said. “Without donors, someone’s life is not possible. Blood only comes from donors like those at Cameron University.” OBI is the sole supplier of blood for local and area hospitals. They also supply air ambulances. Military science instructor John Sheehan said ROTC’s blood drive is about giving back to the Lawton community. “We are members of the community as well,” he said. “We want to set them [ROTC cadets] up as people first, then as soldiers.” The mission of Cameron’s ROTC program is to prepare the leaders of tomorrow. ROTC provides color guards (soldiers who present flags during ceremonious occasions) within Lawton and as far as Oklahoma City. ROTC hopes blood drives will provide students opportunities to connect with both the Lawton and
military communities. “We are working on reaching out to the Lawton Veterans center,” Sheehan said, “giving the cadets an opportunity to interact with veterans.” According to the U.S. Army’s official website, Cameron is one of over 1,000 colleges and universities nationwide that offers merit-bases scholarships for those enrolled in the program. The Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas Blood Institute comprise the ninth largest blood institute in the United States, providing every supply of blood for 164 medical facilities. The Oklahoma Blood Institute website recommends
what people can expect before, during and after donating blood: Before donating, eat well; try to include iron-rich foods into your meal and drink plenty of fluids. There will also be a short physical to ensure you are healthy enough to donate. Blood donation typically lasts about 20 minutes to collect one unit (about a pint) of blood. After donation, the OBI encourages participants to enjoy juice and cookies to replenish their body. They also recommend refraining from heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity for the next 24 hours. For more information, contact the Oklahoma Blood Institute in Lawton at 580-353-6451.
Voices
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January 28, 2019
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Late-era McCapitalism Payton Williams
On a silver platter
I’ve chosen to write about him today. America is all about brand Voices Editor recognition, and a recognizable brand is @YoureSoVanya king in the marketplace of ideas. The brand is the truth, the brand is We live in an age that emphasizes spectacle over reason, and truth is only right, the brand is what’s happening. Donald Trump’s got brand what you can sell. recognition right now, so Donald Content creator Natalie Wynn, Trump is what we talk about. I think, expressed it far better than This is all pretty obvious, and for a I could on her YouTube channel, long time, I’ve managed to pretend it “ContraPoints.” “The President of the United States didn’t bother me. That is, until about a week ago. is a reality TV star.” Wynn said. “This On Jan. 14, in the State Dining is an aesthetic century. In history, there Room of the White House, Donald are ages of reason and ages of spectacle, and it’s important to know which you’re Trump served stacks of fast food on silver platters to the Clemson Tigers in. Our America, our internet, is not football team. ancient Athens—it’s Rome. And your Fast food on silver platters. problem is you think you’re in the When I first saw the pictures from forum, when you’re really in the circus.” the event which, unsurprisingly, the I didn’t want to write about President internet went insane over for about Donald Trump anymore, and for more a day, I felt different about it than than a year, I haven’t. everyone else seemed to. I found it I didn’t want to be part of the news a little funny, sure, but something media’s obsessive infatuation with our about the images left me unutterably current president. I wanted to write about issues people depressed. For several days, the image stayed didn’t already know about, and Donald with me, defining my mood. I’m not Trump can be called many things, but sure if I realized why when I first saw “little known” is decidedly not one of it. but now, I do understand what is so them. depressing about the image. ... which is sort of the point of why 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 for free. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.
Our Views
The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “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.
Fast food on silver platters. For me, that is the greatest metaphor for modern America I’ve ever seen. In an opulent room, decorated with luscious gold, a room for hosting state dinners, our president, former reality T.V. star Donald Trump, stands smiling, offering fast food on silver platters. That image is America, and while everyone else says that in jocular tones, I am not joking. During the event, Trump even expounded on the meal he was offering. “It’s all good stuff,” Trump said. “Great American food.” He’s right. Fast food is American food. It is the absolute epitome of the American diet, and of American culture. And it is unutterably depressing to realize this. That’s why everyone’s been making jokes about the images, and no one is really talking about what these images say about American society. No one is talking about how it ref lects American media. And no one is talking about how dead-on accurate these images are in ref lecting what Donald Trump represents about America.
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN
Donald Trump is our fast-food president. Much like the silver platters the food is being served on in these pictures, Donald Trump presents an air of opulence while in reality, only offering momentary satisfaction without even the semblance of nutrients. And like fast food, we all say we know it’s bad for us, while we continue to privately eat it up, every day. Because the truth is we, and the media, more specifically, love Trump. We know he’s killing us, and we don’t care. We just want the momentary satisfaction. Truthfully, when I saw those images, and when I heard what people had to say about them, I played with the idea of giving up political writing all together. I realized that I really couldn’t say anything that could make a difference. And I was reminded of the quote that I opened this story on, about how the problem with political discourse is that we think we’re in the forum when we’re really in the circus. And when I look at images like the one on this page, I get their message loud and clear. “Welcome to the circus.” Letters Policy
Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.
Editorial Staff
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.
Managing Editor - Drue Watkins Managing Editor - Madison Lyda A&E Editor - Sarae Ticeahkie Sports Editor - Mason Orso Student Life Editor - Celeste Powell Voices Editor - Payton Williams Copy Editor - Kim Frey Aggie Central Editor - David Bublitz Social Media Editor - Abby Gonzalez
Newsroom Staff
Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Derek Snow, David Perkins, Lindsey Edwards, Lea Killian, Dontaye Abram, Amanda King, Cambron Alabrook Circulation Manager - Drue Watkins and Madison Lyda Faculty Adviser - Mr. David Bublitz
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.