Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, February 2, 2015
Volume 92 Issue 1
Prized journalist discusses civil equality Vicky Smith
strictly segregated, so I went to all-black schools until high Student Life Editor school.” @pinkwritinglady As a teenager in 1968, The 31st annual Dr. Martin Robinson witnessed the events leading up to what is known Luther King Jr. Celebration as the Orangeburg Massacre, Banquet, sponsored by in which police troops shot Cameron Campus Ministry protestors who were against (CCM) and Cameron racial segregation, wounding 27 University, featured keynote people and killing three young speaker Eugene Robinson at black men. 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the “Keep that image [of the Aggie Rec Center. violent massacre] in mind,” Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Robinson has worked Robinson said, “and let’s fast forward to election night 2008.” in numerous positions during Robinson was a member his three-decade career at of the MSNBC family on the The Washington Post. He currently writes a twice-weekly night of the election, and he column on politics and culture, called his parents during a break. which also “I got to tell them they appears in lived to see the election of The Lawton the first African American Constitution. is for president,” he In his said. “That’s address a moment “We’re that I will never forget. My Someplace dad was born in 1916, and We’ve Never is against just to imagine Been: Race, the world he Diversity was born into and the New and the world he departed America,” from … It’s just mind Robinson is for blowing.” spoke to Robinson Lawtonians said it is true about his journey from childhood, living that America has changed enormously. in the segregated South, to “Black America is not your adulthood, living in integrated father’s or your grandfather’s America. Black America,” he said. “It’s Born and raised in more economically, socially and Orangeburg, S.C., at the culturally diverse than it was 50 end of Jim Crow segregation, or 60 years ago.” Robinson endured the However, Robinson said the harsh conditions of a issues of 1968 are still the topics society characterized by of conversation today. discrimination. “We’re talking about voter “When I grew up,” he ID,” he said. “We’re talking said, “African Americans who about Ferguson, we’re talking wanted to go to the one movie about Staten Island [and] theatre in town had to sit in we’re talking about mass the balcony and not on the incarceration.” main floor. We were expected In his book “Disintegration: to enter the downtown stores The Splintering of Black through the rear entrances, rather than the front entrances. America,” he says the AfricanAmerican population can be The schools, of course, were
Photo by Charlene Belew
This
poor people
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inequality
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opportunity
For a Q&A with the MLK Celebration panelists, see Page 2 Equality for all: Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Eugene Robinson spoke to Aggie students, staff and the community about various civil rights issues during the 31st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Banquet. divided into four groups: the Mainstream middle class, the Transcendent elite, the Emergent and the Abandoned poor. He explains that each group is distinct from the other, characterized by its own thinking and understanding. Speaking of the Abandoned poor, Robinson said he believes issues of race and economics are intertwined. “Dr. King, who was our great prophet,” Robinson said, “saw [economic issues] so clearly five decades ago,” and they were becoming the central focus of his ministry and activism. At the time of his death, King was in preparation for a huge campaign, which Robinson said was “a big deal for jobs and justice, and his [King’s] thinking was, very specifically, ‘This is not just for
African Americans … This is for Native Americans. This is for poor Appalachian whites. This is for poor people. This is against inequality. This is for opportunity.’” Robinson said measures of inequality in 2015 are nothing like they were in King’s day, yet King “saw the inequality that existed in those years as intolerable … Dr. King had his eye on the prize. Dr. King saw the central challenge. “It’s his work and his direction that point us in the direction that we should move right now,” Robinson said, “We have to address Abandoned Black America. We have to address inequality.” Although Robinson said confronting economic issues is not easy, inexpensive or, at times, politically popular, it’s
still necessary. “Where do we begin?” he asked. “Well, that’s very simple: ballot box. Fifty years ago this year, one of the great pillars of civil rights legislation was passed – the Voting Rights Act of 1965 [that] secured the vote for everyone in this country. “So my closing message to all of you,” he said, “to honor Dr. King’s legacy, to honor his work and to bring it forward into this new century [is to] go out and vote.” Co-director of CCM Galeda Jones announced the two winners of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest: McArthur High School student Henry Walton and Cameron University student Matthew Bissalara. They were
both awarded $300 and a signed copy of Mr. Robinson’s book “Disintegration.” Reverend Philip Jones recognized the recipient of the 2015 Humanitarian Service Award: Ruby Peters. Peters holds degrees from different universities and is currently a Cameron student working on the educational leadership track. According to a nomination letter shared at the banquet, Peters is a “dedicated educator, mentor, leader and political enthusiast.” At 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 6 in the MCC Ballroom, CCM will host “Continuing the Conversation,” in which police chief James Smith and at least two Cameron students will discuss how to create and sustain healthy relationships in the Lawton community.
After lawsuit, new policy gets stamp of approval Casey Brown Staff Writer
CU has updated its posting policy for student organizations on bulletin boards. Gone are the days that organizations need approval and a stamp from Student Development. The change came about in part as a response to a lawsuit that was filed in May 2014 by Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of CU student Daniel Harper, according to a press release. Dean of Students Zeak Naifeh said the change in policy was also generated as part of the University’s cycle of reviewing and updating all policies. “The other part of it was having a new President,” Naifeh said. “He has told us that we need to look at every single policy on a five-year cycle. It would have been looked at sometime in the near future, but yes, the court case did bump it up on the list of where the policy would have been reviewed.”
As part of the on-going review process, Naifeh looks at several policies each month. “This month alone,” he said, “I’ve looked at two or three policies that we are looking at to update. They haven’t been looked at in 10 or 12 years.” In part, the policy update says, “Priority for posting is given to recognized student organizations. All postings must be placed on University bulletin boards, and advertisements for solicitations are not allowed.” According to an email from Naifeh, advertisements that have the University’s “trademark, logos and trade names must be approved by the Office of Public Affairs before distribution. Student organizations and students should not imply, infer or otherwise state the views expressed are those of the University.” Naifeh said the policy was updated to be more accommodating to students. “The gist is,” he said, “we updated it to allow people to post on bulletin
boards without adding extra steps in the process. [That’s] essentially where it came from. “If it is after five o’clock, and you want to post something, offices are closed. It sets your bar for advertising for your student organization back.” However, the bulletin boards on campus are not a free-for-all. “The one thing [that still needs to be stamped] is advertisements for services,” Naifeh said, “and that is just to protect our Cameron students from all the credit card companies wanting to come in. Those outside communities still need approval from Student Development, and there are a few places on campus they can be approved. “For the rest of campus, for student organizations and students both, they don’t have to be stamped anymore.” Harper’s lawyer, David Hacker, said in a press release that he appreciates Cameron University for the updated policy. “Public universities are supposed
to be the marketplace of ideas,” Hacker said. “We commend Cameron University for quickly and responsibly taking action to foster that environment on its campus.” University President John McArthur said he was thankful the issue was addressed. “We were able to make appropriate modifications to bring a policy up to date,” McArthur said. “The University’s objective is for its students to receive an effective education through a positive experience at Cameron University, both in and outside of the classroom. Administrators frequently face the challenge of managing this objective, while at the same time respecting existing policies as well as the competing religious and expressive intentions and goals.” The new policy is available in full at http://www.cameron.edu/ studentservices/handbook/facility-usepolicy.
Photo by Charlene Belew
What’s inside A day in the life of an Aggie RA
CU film screens at Trail Dance
Aggies dominate Kingsville
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News
February 2, 2015
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For Cameron, the Price was right Kaley Patterson
melodies of scales practiced by music majors floated through A&E Editor the crack in the door, Price @KaleyKayPatt seemed comfortably at home. For 31 years, Cameron Tucked away in the University has been the place of hallway of the Cameron Music Department is an office higher learning that Price chose housing Associate Professor of to educate students up until his Communication Dr. Ron Price. retirement, which will begin this coming May. While VHS tapes, shelves “I had a student come up of books old and new, chairs, to me,” Price said, “and she desks and stacks of papers asked if I would be teaching inhabited the work space, and
A reflection on civil rights issues with Eugene Robinson Constance Johnson Oluakemi Olurotimi
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Do you think that Affirmative Action should remain, be restructured or removed, and why?
Robinson: “I believe in Affirmative Action. … Reluctantly, I think that if it’s necessary for some kinds of Affirmative Action programs to be means-tested, if that’s the only way they can be continued, then I would say they can be meanstested because I think there is racism in society – on conscious and sub-conscious levels – it’s there. There is virtue for the whole society in diversity for diversity’s sake, so those reasons alone justify Affirmative Action, regardless of income levels. But if my kids don’t get a college grant so that somebody else’s kids do, who earn a fraction of what I earn … and would have no other opportunity, then that’s the way it’s got to be.”
Should there be a program that would address the abandoned poor black, or should there be a program to address the abandoned poor in general that would subsequently help the poor black?
Johnson: “I believe we should address issues of the abandoned poor in general, but I think, in order to be effective, we have to think about cultural competence in addressing the issues that uniquely and disproportionately impact people of color and, specifically, African Americans. I think that you [Mr. Robinson] are so right in terms of the history [you just discussed] of Black Americans that has yet to be addressed – contrasted against the sense of entitlement and privilege that is available to the majority population. “I just think we have to address the fact that we have a different perspective, a different history, a different outlook, and those things deserve to be respected and appreciated and celebrated. … We get the best possible product when we have diversity, when we have everybody represented. … I think Oklahoma in particular, as a melting pot, has some challenges. Just to share our history with you, the first law ever enacted here was the Jim Crow Law and only got repealed in 2008, [which was] 101 years after statehood, and that’s just the basis of our reality. “We’re in a moment in Oklahoma – you think Ferguson is bad – Oklahoma leads the nation in black deaths at the hands of police. … I don’t want anybody to think I don’t appreciate the opportunities I’ve been blessed to receive [in this state]. But our state is red state; we’re the original red state. 2008, the only state, majority number of democrats, and the president did not carry one county – Oklahoma – so what does that mean? It means we still have some work to do.”
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What, from your perspective, is the number one civil rights issue in America today?
Johnson: “I grappled with this for a long time, and I’m going to say I think it’s poverty because the impact of poverty shows up in education, in high unemployment, and, in Oklahoma, mass incarceration. When you consider all of that, on one hand, people who are just trying to make it from dayto-day [and] trying to survive, don’t feel motivated or inspired to go participate in the very processes that would ensure that there would be change in their situation. “By the same token, the people who have been incarcerated for some period of time in Oklahoma cannot participate in the processes that could ensure change. … Dr. Martin Luther King, at the end, talked about war and poverty. … How do you stop spending so much money internationally and start focusing domestically on the poor, starved children in northeast Oklahoma City or the women who are being raped by police officers in Oklahoma City? I can name a whole list of ills that are plaguing us in our state, but I believe all of those ills come back to the root cause being poverty.”
Do you think there’s been an increase in racism since President Obama has been in office?
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Olurotimi: “I remember my first encounter with racism a couple of years ago. I was at Walgreens, and this lady had just finished treating this young black male in front of me rather shallowly. It got to my turn, and she was gonna do the same thing, and she blurted out, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with all you black people.’ At the moment, I stepped back, and I said, ‘I’m not even black. I’m African,’ and she was like, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.’ “That [racism encounter] had got me thinking a bit. I remembered when Obama got elected as president. I was in high school, and the entire school went in an uproar, like everybody was excited: ‘Oh, it’s a black president,’ and I just didn’t understand what the big deal was until I got here [in America]. … Is there still racism? Yes, there is still racism. Is it a result of Obama being president it has increased? That I cannot tell, but the fact that the racism is still there tells us there is some kind of problem that we, as individuals, need to deal with.”
The questions and answers in the Q&A occurred during a panel discussion prior to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration Banquet on Jan. 19. Panel members included were columnist Eugene Robinson, retired Oklahoma State Senator Constance N. Johnson and Miss Black CU 2014 Oluwakemi Olurotimi. The Cameron Collegian, KSWO Channel 7 and other media outlets participated in the panel.
[Corporate and Organizational Communication] in the fall. I told her I would’ve liked to have had her in class, but I’m not going to be here. That was kind of an interesting moment.” Price is known for teaching the sought after, often dreaded and degree-required class Corporate and Organizational Communication – infamous to most communication majors. He also teaches Fundamentals of Speech, an often fearinducing course for most incoming freshman but an uneasiness Price relates to. When he was in fifth grade, Price developed a stuttering problem and underwent surgery in hopes of fixing his speech, but he hemorrhaged and the stuttering increased. Price said his condition separated him from the other children in school because back in those days, the policy towards disabled students was “to keep them quiet, away from the kids.” “They had sent me to a speech therapist that same year to get over the stuttering problem,” Price said, “so as I proceeded in junior high and high school, the stage fright got a little worse. When I was in college, I decided that if I don’t correct this problem, it’s going to affect me regardless of what profession I go into. It’s going
Into the sunset: Professor of Communication Dr. Ron Price gives a lecture during his Fundamentals of Speech class. At the end of the semester, Price will retire after 30-plus years teaching in Cameron’s Communication Department. to affect me the rest of my life, so I decided I would take some courses in speech as a minor, perhaps, and I loved it.” Price received his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Arts from Abilene Christian University. His undergraduate degree is in history - a fascination he developed while reading a multitude of history books during his time spent in a one-room library as a child. Photos by Kaley Patterson
He also carried his enjoyment of discovery when he wrote his dissertation for his PhD obtained from the University of Kansas. Price taught at Huron University, Abilene Christian and the University of Kansas as a graduate student before starting as an assistant professor at Cameron in 1984 on his birthday, August 24. Cameron became the place Price decided to stick around the longest. “I really liked the job,” Price said. “I liked the types of courses I was required to teach, and that’s not always the case, but I really enjoyed teaching Corporate and Organizational Communication… It was a really good place for me to teach.” Reflecting over the course of the years, Price described the keynote of his time spent at Cameron as a joy, and his fondest memory was just going to class. “I like students,” Price said, “and I like to see the lights come on when they learn something. I just really enjoy the interaction with students.”
Price spoke passionately about the moments he spent in the classroom trying to ignite a spark within his students. “There are some students less motivated than others,” Price said. “Sometimes [it’s] helping people to see that this [college experience] is one of the most important times of their lives – that they are laying the foundation for the rest of their life, and if they don’t take advantage of an opportunity, it may never come again. “Persuading them that this is so important is one of the toughest things I think to do in teaching,” he said. “The experience from the things that you’ve learned, as they say, it’s overdone now, but it’s priceless… It’s priceless, it really is.” Price will miss his time spent in the classroom interacting with students, but after his retirement, he and his wife look forward to spending time with their children and grandchildren. They also intend on taking adventures around America and possibly overseas. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Price said.
Cameron gives back on MLK Day Hafsa Farah
Student Activities Coordinator Leslie Cothren said she felt this year’s MLK Staff Writer Day of Service was definitely a success. “In previous years,” Cothren said, “the Four hundred Cameron University MLK Day of Service was held at over 30 students volunteered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 19 at elementary schools and different community agencies in town. However, reducing that number to just community agencies across Lawton as six this year has allowed our volunteers to part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day focus on a few locations and accomplish a of Service. lot more in the amount of time they had.” CU students, alumni and staff Cothren said the feedback she devoted their time, totaling 1600 hours, received from the elementary schools was to three elementary schools in town, overwhelmingly positive. as well as to the Lawton Food Bank, “The schools were grateful for the Owens Center and the Boys and Girls work our students and community Club. Volunteers cleaned and painted members put into their facilities,” at schools and organizations and held Cothren said, “and they felt a lot of work a supply drive in which they collected donations for various nonprofit agencies got done.” Junior biology major Oluwatoyin in town. Kayode volunteered at Lincoln Elementary School and said she enjoyed partaking in the event. “You get to help little children,” she said. “Some of them are homeless. We painted and cleaned the classrooms. It was a lot of fun. In the three years I’ve been volunteering, I’ve noticed that a lot more people have begun participating than in previous years.” Nationally established as a holiday in 1986, MLK Day of Service has been a standing tradition at Cameron University for the past seven years after its initiation in 2009 by Dean of Students Zeak Naifeh and Jennifer Holland, who was vice president of student services at the time. Naifeh shared his vision for the continuation of the MLK Day of Service program at Cameron University. “We hope the future will bring even Service in action: A group of more volunteers,” he said, “and new ways Cameron volunteers helps clean up in which we can help our community.” at one of the service sites for MLK For Lawtonians, the special day ultimately demonstrated the importance Day of Service on Jan. 19.
of giving back to the community. It was a time in which diverse groups of people came together to devote service to their fellow human beings, embodying the spirit of King’s teachings and work. Beyond the city of Lawton, other communities across the nation launched their own day of service programs; all 50 states participated in building homes, refurbishing schools and community centers and running food and clothing drives. President Barack Obama and his family took part in the event by serving at the DC Central Kitchen. In his address given on Jan. 16, Obama emphasized the importance of community and celebration of freedom within the United States.
Courtesy of Leslie Cothren
A day on, not off: Vice President of University Advancement Albert Johnson, Jr., cuts stray branches at Boys & Girls Club-Lawton. Johnson and other Aggies volunteered at various locations for MLK Day of Service.
Student Life
February 2, 2015
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Looking into the door of Kailee Williams Casey Brown
e f i l e h t in
gets to develop programs for more, I don’t know, whatever residents. Each month, she I could find it to be, but I Staff Writer plans a theme and different could never find anything. activities; next month, “I just finally accepted Kailee Williams Williams will be using a that this was my plan, like welcomes her residents with special theme to celebrate this is what is God’s plan an open door. Valentine’s Day. in my life, so I just went She is the Resident with it. I never changed my Assistant for the eighth floor “For me, February is of South Shepler, and she going to be really busy major.” wants to be as available to because I’m trying her residents as possible. to focus it on love“When I am on my floor,” yourself month,” Williams said, “I sit with my Williams said. “My door open because I feel like floor, that I know of, it helps people be more open doesn’t have issues to talking to me, especially with body image or students I don’t see all anything, but I want that often because of busy to still promote a schedules ... so I just hang positive impact, a out with my door open: I do positive self image, so what I do, and watch TV, I have lots of things and I just hang out. to do for that.” “On Tuesday and During her time Photo courtesy of Kailee Williams Thursdays,” she said, “I at CU and as an usually fall asleep because RA, Williams said RA in the house: Kailee Williams (left) and former student Andia Luzie (right) I wake up and go work out she has committed snap a quick selfie while hanging out. Williams, an RA in Shepler, makes a point to and get up at like 6 o’clock. to being a social socialize with people on her floor. Claudia, our custodian, she studies teacher. will come and talk to me and However, there have Kaley Patterson stuff. It is just being available “in our day-to-day lives, have my room and my board. possible throughout the day. been times when she Copy Editor for our residents.” being a student is the most My room is paid for, and my “It is not just about has explored other @KaleyKayPatt Williams has been an important thing because meals are paid for, and I have being an RA for a floor,” options. RA for several years and that is why we are here… the highest meal plan, which she said, “but if you make “I’ve wanted to be The 2015 governing body of is a senior social studies [Being an RA] is a job, but is 15 meals a week so that yourself known to the other a teacher since I was the Cameron University Student education major. it is more rewarding for me,” I am able to eat just about residents so that you are able seven years old,” she Government Association (SGA) In addition to full-time she said. almost every meal in the to be more recognized, so said. “I tried when I started their spring session on classes and working as an As compensation for cafeteria.” if they can’t find their RA, was in high school, Jan. 12. RA, she has a part-time job being an RA, Williams By eating on campus then they are able to help and I have tried The caucus did not meet on at Chili’s on the weekends. receives the benefits of living often, especially in the and be more available to when I was here, to Jan. 19 because of Martin Luther Williams said being an and eating on campus. cafeteria, Williams said other people than just the think of something King Jr. Day but reconvened on RA is not the reason she is “It is both [paid and RAs have the opportunity residents on your floor.” else that would Jan. 26 for the second meeting of at CU, but that it’s a perk. scholarships],” she said. to interact with as many The most interesting part make more money – the semester. “Basically,” she said, “Living in South Shepler, I residents and students as of Williams’ job is when she something that was At the first meeting, SGA President Sidney McCormack announced that the Parliamentarian and Sargent at Arms resigned their positions students when the light comes on, when they get she said. “People come and they have issues, and and requested volunteers to fill Vicky Smith it, it’s just really well worth it.” they have problems – but Danny, he doesn’t turn the positions. During the second Student Life Editor He said his mission is to not only “connect anyone away.” meeting, the governing body @pinkwritinglady students in a relationship with God but also Fernandez said when Toombs greets people, approved, by unanimous consent, For over 30 years, Cameron Baptist Collegiate connect them to a church.” he takes interest in the unique details of their Brandon Clark as the new Ministries (BCM) Director Danny Toombs According to Toombs, every student from lives. Sargent at Arms and Kelly High has strived to show college students the love of every background with every past is welcome “He’s really intentional,” she said. “You can as Parliamentarian. Christ. He reflects BCM’s theme of the academic through the doors of BCM. see it in the small things. He takes the time to Due to the recent resignation year: 1 Timothy 4:10: “That is why we labor “None of us are perfect,” he said. “I’m a know every single person, not just their name of Vice President of Student and strive, because we have put our hope in the recipient of God’s grace, and all I can do is and their face, but he talks to everyone – every Services Jennifer Holland, living God, who is the Savior of all people, and extend God’s grace … It’s about taking people time they come through the door.” Student Activities Specialist especially of those who believe.” where they are and helping them move toward a For students who desire to be active in BCM, Leslie Cothren now holds the Before Toombs impacted the lives of countless relationship with God … if it’s introducing them Fernandez said Toombs finds “something for position of co-advisor to the CU college students, he was a Cameron student to that relationship or helping them grow.” everyone to do to get plugged in so that they all SGA alongside Dean of Students himself – one who studied for classes, worked a Skyler Hudson, a junior health science major, feel ownership of something.” Zeak Naifeh. campus job and attended BCM services. is an active member of BCM and a living example She said she can definitely see the passion he The governing body also During his last year of college, he was of how Toombs serves as God’s water bucket to has for his spiritual work. approved by unanimous consent president of what was known as the Baptist students; he shares the Gospel to water the seed “I think every week that we meet,” she said, the Go-Green Committee, Student Union Council. In 1982, Toombs’s within each heart and prays it will bloom. “he always ends by saying, ‘You guys know that I which will foster in carrying out BCM director asked him to join staff part time. Hudson said his choice attend BCM “has love you, right?’” ways Cameron can become more Toombs soon became associate director, a helped him grow in his relationship with God a Fernandez said Toombs knows the Word sustainable even after this year’s position he filled for 19 years. In fall of 2001, he lot.” of God and looks to the Lord for guidance in festival. Prior to SGA’s approval, took the role of director and has held it for over Jessica Fernandez, a junior music major, is everything. the Go-Green Committee was 10 years now. a lead singer of the BCM band and has known “I think most of all,” she said, “he’s one of the approved by the Faculty Senate Toombs said he continues to serve at BCM Toombs for three years. most genuine people I’ve ever met – doesn’t fake and now awaits the green light because of God’s calling on his life, as well as his Fernandez said Toombs is “so positive, and anything. … I think that other people feed off from President McArthur. genuine love for students. that’s very rare in this world.” how real he is, and they know that they can trust During the second meeting, “I still love my job,” Toombs said. “Just seeing “He’s shed some light in a lot of the darkness,” him. … They know that he loves them.” Naifeh announced that the Cameron University Foundation granted $5,000 to the CU SGA to distribute to organizations in need of funding for service projects. The service grants will and dirty tips: and some heart-shaped mints. worth it, confront the person Dear Aggie Dear Aggie, require paperwork and a detailed 1. Be considerate. 3. Compliment the person in private and be polite. responses are There’s a person in my outline of the service project. Remember that people face on the days he or she smells 5. If all else fails, pop a generated in class that has no boundaries If organizations are interested, good – the thoughtful words piece of gum or a cough drop house by Collegian and seems to have no sense of different challenges, such as they need to inform their SGA financial burdens and medical could encourage him or her. into your own mouth to cover editorial personal hygiene. How can I Representative. conditions. Depending on the Don’t manipulate, though; up the unpleasant smell. members and bring it up to them? Members of the governing person’s unique situation, he only offer genuine comments. One last thing: personal do not Sincerely, Trying body can sign up to attend or she may not have a way to 4. If the smell lingers even space is a necessity. Rather represent to Breathe the Spring OSGA Oklahoma shower daily. after those tips, then put the than telling the space invader professional Student Government 2. Drench the stench with situation into perspective. to get out of your face, just opinion or Dear Trying, Association (OSGA) Congress, Outside of family, it just kindness. Valentine’s Day Is his or her scent physically take a step back – give advice. which will take place on March stinks to confront people is coming up, which is the harming you? Is direct yourself the space you need. Tweet to 6 and 7 at Northwestern State about their lack of personal ideal time to buy him or her a confrontation worth the @DearAggieCU. Sincerely, Aggie University in Tahlequah, hygiene. Here’s a list of quick small bottle of lotion or soap possibility of ill feelings? If it’s Okla. Student Government Associations from multiple universities in Oklahoma meet at OSGA each semester to find ways to advance higher education in Oklahoma. is taking applications for the Spring 2015 semester Bids for the positions of the 2015-2016 SGA President, Staff and editorial positions open. Vice President and Treasurer will be accepted from now till Students of all disciplines welcome. spring break. Students may run Resume required. individually or on ticket with all Portfolio recommended. three positions filled with one student. Campaigning and voting for the SGA Executive Council Pick up applications at Academic Commons 105 or will take place later in the aggiecentral.com/about/careers and return to AC semester. The student body will cast ballots for whom they deem 105. For more information, call 581- 2997 or email best for each position. aggiecentral@cameron.edu.
ay d A
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Danny Toombs: A godly goal set in stone
Dear Aggie: Drown the stench in kindness
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Putting a price on freedom of speech There are certain risks that come usually translated, “God is [the] greatest.” along with the title Journalists the world over “ journalist.” mourned the loss and felt the Mind you, these risks attacks as a personal blow are not the same as the to their trade and lifeblood. risks you take when you Those within and outside of the become an emergency journalism realm rallied behind responder, a soldier or the cry “Je suis Charlie” – “I am any profession where Charlie” en anglais. your life is in physical But what does it mean to be – even mortal – danger. Charlie? But still, there are risks, Does it mean that you are a both apparent and proponent of freedom of speech, hidden. regardless of what that speech The apparent risks may denote or connote? Does it appear minimal outside mean you support satire in the Jacob Jardel of the newsroom: mainstream, regardless of whom Assistant Managing Editor criticism of work, it may offend? Does it mean you @JJardel_Writing negative backlash to support the magazine, regardless investigative journalism, libel suits and of its views? the like. These things help you learn to Much like “Don’t forget to be awesome” develop bark skin and to get that Society of or any other mantra, it could mean a Professional Journalists (SPJ) membership. variety of things to different people. It The hidden risks – well, those just catch could mean all of those things and more, you by surprise. or it could mean none of those things. On Jan. 7, 2015, two gunmen attacked So, before you proclaim your support in the office of French satirical magazine French, know both sides before formulating Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 and wounding an opinion. 11. Those killed included five staff Just know why vous êtes Charlie – that cartoonists, two editors, an economist, two is, if you believe you are Charlie. police officers, a maintenance worker and A scroll through some of the microblogs a guest. on Tumblr shows that some of the people The catalyst behind this attack was there were not, in fact, Charlie and did Hebdo’s proclivity toward satirically not support a magazine that they felt was depicting the Prophet Muhammad in the Islamaphobic and homophobic, among other faux fears that mostly just mask hate. pages of the magazine. Though human This point is where the nature of satire images of prophets are not specifically – and freedom of speech as a whole – banned in the Quran, prominent Islamic comes into play. views oppose such effigies. Is it satirical if it comes off as hateful? Is So, as the gunmen committed their act, it a proper use of free speech if it minimizes they shouted “Allahu Akbar” – or, as it is
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and entire culture? Is it fine to laugh in the revelry of schadenfreude? Say what you will about Charlie Hebdo and its writers. Maybe you like their brand of satire, but maybe you prefer the satire of a Stephen Colbert. Perhaps your tastes in satire are more literary and come in the works of Mark Twain and Jonathan Swift. Regardless of tastes, remember the words of satirist Voltaire: “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” Indeed, that quotation is the essence of free speech. You may not agree with what Charlie Hebdo published, what the writers and cartoonists spit out or what the messages behind those pieces conveyed. But you cannot deny their right to say it. You cannot say that murder was just one of the risks of their job.
Now, I love satire. Colbert is my favorite, and Ambrose Bierce’s works are a fun time for me. Charlie Hebdo is a miss for me; I would rather not read something that could truly offend an entire culture, its people and its practices. But, with freedom of speech, they have all right to do so, intentionally or otherwise, without persecution. The beauty of freedom of speech, though, is that you have just as much right to call them out for every offensive, blasphemous and hateful comic that hits print – also without fear of persecution. So no, I am not Charlie. But I am a journalist who feels like everyone has a right to speak freely, especially to call out those who use that right to breed hate or offense. More importantly, I think everyone has a right to speak without dying for saying it.
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Freedom that never dies: Mourners and supporters from all over the globe show their support for “Charlie Hebdo,” the French satirical magazine under attack in Jan. 2015. The above sign translates from German to “You cannot murder our freedom,” while others say “I am Charlie” (top right) and “We are Charlie” (right).
With a new year comes new trouble, new hope
Kaley Patterson A&E Editor
@KaleyKayPatt The firecrackers of New Year’s Eve sounded with a loud bang round the world. People could experience the lights, laughter and liquor in every time zone beginning 2015 with an endless Snapchat story viewed through squinted,
drunken eyes. The New Year started off with a celebration – kissing, embracing, dancing and drinking sparkling champagne. Everyone expressed cheer during the funeral of a year filled with the memories of their mistakes, let downs, midlife crises, breakups and every heart-crushing event Nicholas Sparks could possibly write about. After the glimmering lights display and belting of “Auld Lang Syne,” everyone looked toward the silver lining of the future in hopes of brighter decisions, starry-eyed romances and glistening new beginnings. But 2015 started out bleak. Oklahoma experienced day’s worth of fog and mist with no sunlight to break through the clouds. Christmas decorations in every home, town and city
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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.
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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.
were dismantled and packed into storage hidden from sunlight for another 365 days. Students dreaded to tell their beloved Netflix goodbye and sorrowfully muttered, “Until the end of the semester, my one true loyal friend.” Above these petty first world problems, worse events took place across the ocean and in our backyards. A week after the sun dawned on the New Year, two Islamic gunmen cut 2015 short for 12 people when the gunmen opened fire at the office of the weekly French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo – increasing the embodied fear of terrorists within the French borders, Europe and the United States. Similar to the effects of 9/11, the French became more xenophobic. France has yet to
pass a law similar to the USA Patriot Act, but 2015 is just beginning. In America, the Oscarintended film “Selma” opened in theatres, and thanks to the Academy, it showed white primacy still holds the upper hand – not just in the creative arts but also in the nation. Even after Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and many other heroes who fought for the rights of African Americans, the battle against racism and oppression wages on. The wounds of the past year’s events in Ferguson still sting and have yet to be mended. The US Supreme Court announced that 2015 is the year they will decide on the tussle with marriage rights of LGBT Community – a trail long anticipated. Although American women
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are far from the suffrage of the 1900s, they’re still experiencing harsh criticism toward feminism. Their wages are still lower compared to their male counterparts. Their body images are still over sexualized, and Emma Watson is trying as hard as she can to conjure up a spell to make females equal. Ridicule against beliefs, race, sexual-orientation and gender are wars we’re trying to find a means to the end for, but will the dismantling of each ever come? The New Year enflames hope within the hearts of the people, but the beginning of this year has already brought each dispute closer to the fire – not to be eradicated, but pulled out of the darkness. 2015 and many New Years after will not be able to promise the end of oppression – what everyone
wishes and prays for. This is not to say all is lost. This does not mean soldiers are fighting in vain. Those whose rights are infringed upon are not protesting to a brick wall. Everyone is listening – neighbors, friends, enemies, governors, senators, representatives, President Obama and the world. All around the globe, every tongue speaks about his or her oppression, prosecution and punishments. Those who are fighting are not alone. No one is winning, and no one is losing. The New Year does bring hope, and it’s right to do so. But we can’t believe it will bring an end to our fights; it will take many more years to accomplish these resolutions. Let’s cherish the hope of the New Year and proceed – c’est la vie.
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 - Charlene Belew Asst. Managing Editor - Jacob Jardel A&E Editor - Kaley Patterson Sports Editor - Krista Pylant Student Life Editor - Vicky Smith Copy Editors - Kaley Patterson, Vicky Smith Aggie Central Editor- Jereme Cobb
Newsroom Staff
Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Marie Bagwell, Hafsa Farah, Mason Orso, Haley Swinford Circulation Manager - Charlene Belew Advertising Managers -Charlene Belew, Kaley Patterson 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.
February 2, 2015
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A&E
To legalize or not to legalize but it could just be nitpicky or preferential; the occasional Assistant Managing Editor scenes of an interviewee @JJardel_Writing preparing and smoking weed in various ways interjected For one group of Cameron awkwardly in a few instances. students, “To Be or Not to That being said, it did not Be” is still the question. take away from the feel or After a successful meaning of the film. It did, showing on July 22, 2014, at however, add an interesting Cameron Theatre, the CU juxtaposition to the rest of the documentary class hit the film, showing the actuality trail to the Trail Dance Film of imbibing the substance Festival on Jan. 24 at the amidst everyone else talking Simmons Center in Duncan. about it. Review Where the documentary The best aspect of the film really shined, however, was was the fact that it provided in the storytelling realm. an unbiased look at the The lack of narration was a legalization of marijuana great choice on the part of in Oklahoma, and the the production staff, since it interviews showed that. The let the interviews and scenes crew did a phenomenal job speak for themselves – an talking with proponents of important aspect given the both sides and showing the film’s subject matter. strengths and flaws in both The diversity of the sides’ arguments. interviews helped provide this The movie contained no unbiased approach. While narration – mainly interviews some Oklahoma politicians with police officials, declined interviews, the senators, dispensary owners, insight from within and activists and other people outside of the government inundated with the issue. The painted the pictures of the filmmakers interspersed stills issue in a way that taking one of quotations and numerous side could not accomplish. cuts of B-roll throughout the Furthermore, the group film as well. did a good job following Overall, the documentary up with facts that have was a fantastic effort in the been updated since the technical aspect. The editing core documentary finished crew took care of most, if production. Though they not all, of the problems still could use additional the cast and crew spoke of revisions to account for new after the initial screening. legislation, the crew did a The sound was clean in great job keeping the audience nearly every scene, and the informed. shots were tight with crisp Expect more updates and transitions. Though the music fine-tuning of facts before did not always fit with the the film makes another situations at hand, it still set appearance on screens. up appropriate scenes for the However, it does take interviews. a bit to get into the swing There was one other small of the movie. The initial scenes, though not dull or con on the technical aspect,
Jacob Jardel
Photos by Charlene Belew
To be or not to be: The students from last summer’s documentary class showed their completed coursework, “To Be or Not To Be: Maraijuana in Oklahoma,” on Jan. 24 at the Trail Dance Film Festival in Duncan. (Below) McKenzie Talley, Producer Komantcia Jones and Chelsea Putney pose for the festival’s red carpet. The students worked on their project for eight weeks. uninformative, do not hold the viewer’s attention as well as other scenes throughout. That said, as the film moves along, the viewer stays glued to the screen. As a whole, the film was a great effort from the class and did a fine job painting the picture of pot legalization in Oklahoma. Regardless of position on the issue, the documentary gives substantial information from both sides that can help inform any opinion on the topic. Without a doubt, “To Be or Not to Be” is worth a watch for those who want to stay updated on the issue.
Cameron art student takes photos across borders
Photos courtesy of Jilli Bethany
Artistic eye: (Left) Jilli Bethany is an art major at Cameron University. Three of her photographs are on display at the 5th Painting and Mixed Media Competition at the Lessedra Gallery in Sofia, Bulgaria. (Above) Bethany’s “Abandoned America” is one of her works showcased in Europe.
state,” Bethany said. “In social media, sometimes there’s a welcomed attention in Bulgaria. seat in the 5th Painting and Charlene Belew negative connotation, and I Flashing bulbs and the Mixed Media Competition at Managing Editor wanted to show a more humble shutter’ s sound did more for Jilli the Lessedra Gallery in Sofia, @cbelew15 side of our culture, not in a Bethany, a Cameron University Bulgaria. negative way, but in a really An Aggie photographer who student, than produce beautiful Three of her works, good and wholesome way. This turned her lens on America has photographs and portraits. “Abandoned America,” particular competition was unexpectedly received some It also landed her a coveted “American Beauty” and interesting to me because it was “American Dreamer”– alongside artwork from almost international, and it gave me an opportunity to communicate 225 artists from about 45 a different message about different countries – received admission into the international America.” The Duncan native said competition that focuses on utter shock and excitement showcasing modern works from overwhelmed her when she around the globe, along with the variety of mediums used in found out she scored a spot in the Bulgarian show, and the process of art creation. the news ultimately left her Bethany, a graphic design glowing. student now working on “It was really, really, really, her second degree, said she really special to me,” Bethany wanted to approach and said. “My professor is an address American culture and international professor, and I Oklahoman culture from a really appreciate him wanting different point of view. to take us on to competitions “I’m an Oklahoma native, around us. We can relay our and I’m very excited to be messages on a worldwide level.” representing our beautiful
Along with taking classes at Cameron and continuing to fulfill her passion by making art, Bethany is also a professional photographer who worked in the action sports industry for about five years and has ran her own business since 2006. “I still do projects with them periodically,” Bethany said, “but I was ready to go a different direction with my career. I wanted to bring in more design along with the photography.” Her photography has showcased in several publications nationwide, including The New York Times, Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine and Running Times. While Bethany specializes in photography, she does dabble with painting and drawing, and her love for the arts has bewitched her since she was a child. “I grew up on a farm out
here in Oklahoma, right outside of Duncan,” Bethany said. “If I wasn’t outside playing, I was in my closet drawing. I’ve always enjoyed art since I was a very small kid. I’ve always had it there and I’ve always been doing it. I want to hit more of a fine arts level. I do enjoy painting and drawing and I’m hoping to utilize all of them for future creative projects.” While her creative tale has come full circle, Bethany is still in awe that it all got to take place in her home state. “I never knew it would all come into play here in Duncan,” Bethany said. “I didn’t know if it would ever happen and it is happening in Oklahoma and in my hometown. I would have never thought I would’ve come back to have these wonderful things open up for me.” Bethany’s artwork will remain on display in Bulgaria until Feb. 15.
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A&E
February 2, 2015
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The 87th annual Academy Awards 2015 Oscar Nominees Best Picture “American Sniper” “Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence)” “Boyhood” “The Grand Budapest Hotel” “The Imitation Game” “Selma” “The Theory of Everying” “Whiplash”
Actor in a Leading
Actor in a Supporting
Steve Carell, “Foxcatcher” Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper” Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Imitation Game” Michael Keaton, “Birdman (The Unexpected Virture of Innocence)” Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”
Robert Duvall, “The Judge” Ethan Hawke, “Boyhood” Edward Norton, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence)” Mark Ruffalo, “Foxcatcher” J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
Actress in a Leading
Kaley Patterson A&E Editor
@KaleyKayPatt Awards season is in full swing. The Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild have passed, and up next are the Oscars. The Academy announced their contenders for the 87th Academy Awards on Jan. 15 in Beverley Hills, Calif. Top nominations for this year’s Oscars were “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence)” starring Michael Keaton and Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel” earning nine nominations,
respectively. Along with congratulations for those nominated, there are surprises and snubs, but none more so than of the so highly Oscar-predicted “Selma” – a film depicting a moment in Martin Luther King Jr.’s life in Selma, Ala., marching for African-American suffrage. Even though it received a nod for Best Picture and Best Original Song for “Glory,” the Internet went nuts over the prominent white nominations with “#OscarsSoWhite” trending on Twitter the day of the announcements. Some of the films
nominated can be viewed prior to the awards show. “American Sniper,” “Into the Woods,” “Selma” and “The Imitation Game” are currently playing at both theatres in Lawton. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and “Boyhood” are out on DVD, while “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence)” and “The Theory of Everything” will release on Feb. 17. Each year, the Academy receives praises and ridicules, but this Oscar season has already proven to be an enlightening one. Tune in to ABC on Feb. 22 to see who takes home the golden Oscar.
Actress in a Supporting
Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood” Marion Cotillard, “Two Days, One Laura Dern, “Wild” Night” Keira Knightley, “The Imitation Felicity Jones, “The Theory of Game” Everything” Emma Stone, “Birdman or (The Julianne Moore, “Still Alice” Unexpected Virtue of Innocence)” Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl” Meryl Streep, “Into the Woods” Reese Witherspoon, “Wild”
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Learning from ‘The Imitation Game’ Jacob Jardel
Asisstant Managing Editor @JJardel_Writing
in 1951. Though the shifts in temporal perspective take a bit of getting used to, it does not take away from the meaning of the film. Once viewers settle in to the shifts, it becomes a compelling aspect of the story. The movie begins in the 1951 era with two detectives investigating a supposed robbery at Turing’s home, which he dismisses as he experiments with cyanide. Both detectives grow suspicious, and Detective Nock (Rory Kinnear) investigates.
“The Imitation Game” will blind viewers not only with science but also with the moving story of Alan Turing. The critically acclaimed film received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Director for Morten Tyldum, Best Actor for lead Benedict Cumberbatch, Best Supporting Actress for Keira Knightley and Best Picture. It also garnered five Golden Globe nominations, three Screen Tribune News Service Actors Guild nods and nine British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominations. After watching the movie, it is easy to see why. “The Imitation Game” recollects the story of British mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst and pioneering computer scientist Alan Turing (Cumberbatch) – one of the key individuals From that point, the behind the cracking of the movie jumps around the Nazi Enigma code. three different eras. The Reader be wary: minor scenes in 1927 highlight spoilers ahead. Turing’s tortured school The film takes a deep experiences and relationship look into three key points with a young man named of Turing’s life: a young and Christopher (Jack Bannon) introverted Turing’s school with whom he forms a life in 1927, Professor close bond. The scenes Turing’s vital service to the in 1939 show Turing’s cause of cracking Enigma time at Bletchley Park, from 1939 until the end of where he joins a group of World War II and a slightly cryptographers to crack the older Turing’s postwar life Nazi code.
Turing’s introversion, quirkiness and heightened self-perception take over the first parts of the movie; his lack of social skills combine with those factors to make for dynamic relationships with his Bletchley team and especially touching moments with Christopher and Joan Clarke (Knightley), who joins the previously all-male team to crack Enigma. Things begin to turn even more dynamic after Turing finishes his machine to crack Enigma until a one-chance night out with friends gives them the secrets to
deciphering the code. The revelation, however, is only the beginning of some of the movie’s most moving drama. Overall, the “The Imitation Game” excelled in most every category and truly earned the numerous nominations it received. The cast as a whole did a good job at playing their parts, especially the main cast. Though the entire Bletchley team portrayed their roles well, Matthew
Goode stood out, doing a phenomenal job as Hugh Alexander, encapsulating the anger-turned-respect-turnedadmiration of Turing and his genius. Knightley did well to convey Clarke’s compassion for Turing and passion for solving Enigma, while the chemistry between Bannon and Alex Lawther (who played young Turing) showed through on screen excellently. Lawther encapsulated the aesthetic of young Turing perfectly. However, the shining performance came from Cumberbatch. His ability to portray Turing in all aspects of his being, good and bad, kept viewers entrenched in the story and invested in seeing when and how they would crack Enigma. He portrayed every apparent and subtle nuance of Turing phenomenally, truly earning every nomination and award bestowed upon him. Only two things shined on par with Cumberbatch’s performance, first of which being the music. The orchestral score for the film accurately conveyed the emotions of the scenes, cutting off and coming on at just the right moments in the film. The other excellent aspect of the movie was the handling of Turing’s homosexuality. Subtle
hints provided viewers with inklings that would prove true at a pivotal part in the movie. No character treated Turing’s sexuality as a character flaw – though one could argue the numerous microaggressions and one character’s use of his sexuality as leverage say otherwise. Overall, “The Imitation Game” was a complete
package of a movie. The actors – especially Cumberbatch – told an important story in both history and science in a fantastic way. Most negative aspects are preferential or nitpicky, taking away nothing from the overall experience. Long story short, watch “The Imitation Game.” It is a learning experience nobody should miss.
February 2, 2015
www.aggiecentral.com
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Sports
Deflate gate: When the game falls flat Krista Pylant
and catch. According to the NFL rulebook under Sports Editor Playing Rule 2, Section 1, each team must @KristaPylant8 provide 12 footballs for inspection two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff. Each The “Deflate gate” controversy football must be inflated within 12.5 and surrounding the New England Patriots 45-7 13.5 pounds of air (PSI) and weigh between win over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC 14 and 15 ounces. Championship on Jan. 18 has cast a shadow Game referee Walt Anderson over the looming Super Bowl. inspected and approved the game balls The allegations surfaced after Colt’s before returning them to the teams; players accused the Patriots of using underhowever, evidence from the NFL’s ongoing inflated footballs during the first investigation shows that 11 out of the 12 half of the game, thus footballs the Patriots provided were making the balls under-inflated by two pounds per easier to throw square inch at halftime. An unknown source tipped NFL Director of Football Operations Mike Kensil, and he told officials at halftime who then replaced the illegal balls during the second half with properly inflated backups.
Many questions arise regarding this process. Why do the game officials not retain procession of the game balls prior to kick off? Why was the media not alerted to the possible breach? Lastly, why is there a need for 24 footballs? Regardless, Pat’s head coach Bill Belichick addressed the allegations during a press conference on Jan. 22, stating he had no knowledge of the situation until the following day and had no explanation for what happened. However, in an interview with the LA Times on Jan. 24, he weighed the possibility of the cold and rainy conditions affecting the air pressure in the balls, causing it to drop as much as 1.5 pounds per square inch. “We found that once footballs were on the field, adjusted to climatic conditions… they were down approximately 1.5 [pounds per square inch],” Belichick told The Times. “In this case we did everything as right as we could. We welcome the league’s investigation into this matter.” While a team of researchers from
Carnegie Mellon University conducted an experiment testing this hypothesis and deemed it feasible, it still does not explain why the Colt’s footballs were not similarly affected. Deflate gate is not the Patriot’s first brush with cheating allegations. In 2007, the NFL investigated and found the Patriots guilty of filming an opposing team’s signals in the controversy named Spygate. During that time, the NFL ordered the Patriots to pay a $250,000 fine, give up their first round draft pick and fined Belichick the league maximum $500,000. As the investigation is still ongoing, the NFL has not reached a conclusion regarding possible penalties and fines, but it is unlikely a decision will be made before Super Bowl XLIX set for Feb. 1. Intentional or not, the Deflate-Gate scandal will undeniably affect attitudes of the Super Bowl. If the Patriots defeat the Seahawks, there will forever be an invisible asterisk next to their title, further puncturing their credibility.
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The life and legacy of Stuart Scott Jacob Jardel
unlike any others before and oft-used interjection and surely unlike any others in the world outside of the Assistant Managing Editor presently – and in the future. ESPN campus in Bristol, @JJardel_Writing While there were Conn. After an athlete made remarkable play, Scott would With the New Year barely other successful AfricanAmerican sportscasters encourage us to “holla at a registered, the world of on the scene at the time, playa when you see him in journalism lost a legend far Scott took a different the street.” too soon. angle to sports journalism With the use of all these ESPN figurehead and than his colleagues. He phrases, you could say he was voice of a generation Stuart brought hip-hop culture butter, ‘cause he was on a roll. Scott passed away on Jan. 4, 2015, after a seven-year-long into the broadcasts in battle with cancer. He was 49 ways unprecedented. He roped pop culture into the years old. Raised in North Carolina, highlight room. Basically, Scott was Scott was a proud graduate unabashedly, unrelentingly, of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. After undeniably himself on the air. years in the local television This hip-hop, downcircuit, he joined ESPN in home style received both 1993 doing assignments praise and criticism. One for “SportsSmash” on USA Today survey in 2003 ESPN2’s “SportsNight.” showed that people wanted Scott eventually took him off “SportsCenter” just over the anchor’s chair on as much as people wanted “SportsNight” after Keith Tribune News Service him to stay on. Olbermann’s departure Thankfully for the world before becoming a regular of sports, he stayed on. Scott was also a fighter. anchor on ESPN’s flagship In his years with the A blow to the face with a show “SportsCenter.” company, Scott continued the football in 2002 did not stop His 20-plus years with tradition of fellow anchors him from filming the special ESPN and parent company Dan Patrick and Olbermann he was there to film, and the ABC also featured numerous with the use of catchphrases. ptosis (drooping of the eyelid) hosting gigs and memorable However, Scott’ s enthusiasm that followed did not hinder interviews with prominent and blend of hip-hop and his sportscasting career. figures within and outside of sermon vernacular took the In 2007, after an the realm of sports. phrase game to the next level appendectomy, Scott had More importantly, into pop culture relevance. his first of three brushes though, what he brought His hallmark phrase “Boowith cancer. He fought Worldwide Leader in Sports Yah” became a well-known back, working out to combat was a style and persona
atrophy from chemotherapy and hosting ESPN and ABC’s NBA studio shows to combat the disease from taking over his life. Though the cancer would go into remission, it would come back in 2011 and again in 2013. Even after his third battle with the disease, Scott would do P90X workout
insurmountable odds. While accepting this award, Scott shared the stories of the liver complications and kidney failures he encountered in the weeks prior to the ceremony. Even still, he stood on the stage and gave a moving speech about the daily fight he had with the disease. “When you die,” he said, “it does not mean that you “WHEN YOU DIE, lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, IT DOES NOT why you live and in the MEAN THAT YOU manner in which you live.” LOSE TO CANCER. Scott, above all else, lived his life in a way that YOU BEAT CANCER BY HOW made him a trailblazer. He blazed the trail YOU LIVE, WHY for black sportscasters YOU LIVE AND IN not only to come into the THE MANNER IN journalism circuit but also WHICH YOU LIVE.” to embrace their culture as they did it. Stuart Scott “He did not shy away ESPN Anchor from the fact that he was a black man,” ESPN anchor regimens and mixed martial Stan Verrett said to ESPN. arts until his body could no com, “and that allowed the rest longer do so. of us who came along to just In his last few months, be ourselves.” he would make fewer Scott changed the way appearances, most notably many looked at sports at the 2014 ESPY Awards, journalism and broadcasting the awards show for sports in general. His demeanor, excellence. He accepted the his enthusiasm and his style Jimmy V Award, an honor all reminded us that sports given to those in the sports journalists were more than world who persevere through just the words on a page or the what many would consider broadcasts on the screen.
Feb. 4: CU vs Texas A&M Commerce 5:30 & 7:30 p.m. Aggie Gym Feb. 5: CU vs Texas Woman’s University 5:30 p.m. Aggie Gym Feb. 7: CU at Tarleton State 5 & 7 p.m. Stephensville, Texas
“We lost a football game, but we lost more this morning,” Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said in a press conference the day of Scott’s passing. “You guys [the media] lost a great ally and a friend. We [the sports world] lost one, too.” As was implied in that quotation, Scott, above all else, inspired. He humanized the athletes, coaches, front offices and staff just as much as he humanized the media bringing them to the audience. He encouraged budding young journalists to be themselves on-page and onscreen. He reminded people that what they do in life is not nearly as important as how they do it. In a statement, President Barack Obama said of Scott, “Over the years, he entertained us, and in the end, he inspired us – with courage and love.” Stuart Scott was a sports broadcaster, a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a fighter, a trailblazer, a friend and an inspiration to everyone who encountered him in person or through the television screen. Most of all, he was, is and will always be “as cool as the other side of the pillow.”
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February 2, 2015
www.aggiecentral.com
Photo by Krista Pylant
Come
And welcome to the jam: Aggie guard Desmond Henry slams a dunk during Cameron’s 78-71 win against Texas A&MKingsville. The men’s win came after a 6658 victory from the Lady Aggies.
on and
Slam
Collegian Sports Staff
extremely hard. “Sasha [Carter] did a great job, she went On Jan. 21, both CU basketball teams to the glass, I mean seven rebounds are huge; doubled the excitement with double the wins She is capable and is getting healthy. Credit at Aggie Gym. our kids, they hung in there and we just have to move on to the next one. We just really Women’s Basketball have to focus on one game at a time.” The doubleheader began with the Lady In the first half, Kingsville lead over the Aggies’ fourth consecutive conference win Aggies by five points, and then Cameron tied against Texas A&M-Kingsville. the game up before the Javelinas grabbed the Cameron came into the game against the lead back. Javelinas with a half-game, first-place lead The lead kept alternating until 5:09 was in the Lone Star Conference (LSC), while left in the game. Senior Jade Herl made a Kingsville came in still striving for their first three-pointer to take the lead, and the Aggies win. never trailed Kingsville again. After their Head women’s coach Tom Webb 10-2 run, the Aggies were able to head into expressed his satisfaction for the team’s halftime with an eight point lead, tacking the performance against the Javalinas. score at 32-24. “I’m as proud of our group tonight as I Cameron made 47.8 percent of their have been all year because they are learning attempted shots in the first half while to deal with situations,” Webb said in a Kingsville made 34.6 percent of their press release. “It’s hard to change defenses attempted shots. all the time, the flow wasn’t good. Give Cameron came out of the halftime scoring. credit to them [A&M-Kingsville] for playing The Lady Aggies extended their lead up to 19
points during the second half. The Black and Gold shot 51.9 percent while Kingsville made 46.4 percent of their shots. The Lady Aggies sealed the victory with a 66-58 win. Junior Brandi Leal led the Lady Aggies with a game high 20 points and drained six three-pointers. As of Jan. 27, Leal led the nation in division-II three point field goals per game. As a result, OklahomaSports.net named her player of the week.
away at the Black and Gold lead. The Javelinas hit a three-pointer with 13 seconds left until halftime to take a one-point lead. The Aggies trailed at halftime 31-30. When the second half began, the Javelinas were still hot and wanting to extend their one-point lead. The Aggie’s fought back, and with 16:19 left in the game, junior Jamaal Brantley scored a layup to take the lead. The Aggies went on a 13-0 run to extend their lead 52-38. The Javelinas were not able to come back from the 14-point lead the Men’s Basketball Aggies had. The final score of the game was During the second contest of the night, the 78-71. Cameron men’s team looked to break their The men’s basketball team is now 2-3 in three-game losing streak. The Aggies took on conference play and 10-7 overall. Texas A&M-Kingsville at 7:30 p.m. in part Junior Deondre Ray led the Aggies with two of a basketball doubleheader. 20 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore The men’s game had a low scoring first Bruce Barron scored 14 points, Brantley half. The Aggies took an early lead. With made 13, and senior Desmond Henry had 12 11:47 on the clock, the score stood at 17-7 points in the game. Aggies, but the Javelinas were not going to Next, the Aggies will face Texas A&Mlet Cameron get away with an early lead. Commerce begining at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 in Kingsville fought back and slowly chipped the Aggie Gym.