Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, October 14, 2019
Volume 101 Issue 5
Convocation:
A celebration of Cameron Students
Isaiah Hernandez
Vanderslice spoke about the with a concentration in management, The final student speaker was importance of planning as a pathway to as well as a captain of the Aggie McKee, a senior Political Science Staff Wrtier personal success. Women’s Golf team and holder of the major minoring in Pre-Law; a member “I hope students get that their Lone Star Conference Academic Player of the Cameron Alumni Association, At 10 a.m., Oct. 4, Cameron success is dependent on them,” of the Year for 2017-18, Duffin spoke Baptist Collegiate Ministries, and the students and faculty came together for Vanderslice said. “And that hope about the importance and difficulty of Cameron Honor Student Society; a past Convocation in the Aggie Gym. is something they can create in attaining an education. SGA senator and secretary; and a past Dating back to the days of the oldest themselves if they truly will set goals.” “However important it may be,” Vice President for the Cameron Honor colleges and universities, Convocation Following Vanderslice, Morris Duffin said, “it isn’t always easy, but Student Society; a member of the award is intended to inspire students to strive recognized honor students and the point is to keep going.” winning Model UN team for the 2017for success as well as to help them feel scholarship recipients. Hinkle was the second student 18 year; and a Presidential Leaders and a connection to the existing academic This included members of Greek speaker. University Scholar. community. life organizations, honors societies, Hinkle is a senior pursuing a dual In her speech, McKee said she Speakers for this year’s Convocation students who participated in degree in chemistry and biology, a was mistaken in her first thoughts of included University President Dr. John distinguished scholarship programs participant in the Ecosystems Research Cameron, seeing it as a small school McArthur, Vice President for Academic and specific departmental scholarship Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) without much in the way of unique Affairs Dr. Ronna Vanderslice, recipients. program at the University of Arkansas opportunities. President of the Student Government Then, the Cameron University in 2017, an attendee of the Spring 2019 McKee said, now, she views her Association (SGA) Darius Morris, Concert Choir, and the Tenors and meeting of the American Chemical education at Cameron very differently. and student speakers Allison Duffin, Baritones of the Cameron University Society, and a participant in the “It doesn’t matter how big the Theresa Hinkle and Rylee McKee. Concert Choir performed a brief international REU in France. university is, or how big your job is, Professor of music Dr. Jim Lambert musical interlude. She urged students to not only take or wherever you are in life,” McKee directed the Cameron Drumline to After the musical interlude, speakers advantage of opportunities that are said, “you need to grow where you’re begin the ceremony and to accompany Allison Duffin, Theresa Hinkle, provided to them at Cameron, but also planted, and there will be opportunities the procession. and Rylee McKee present student to know their limits. if you’re willing to say ‘yes’ and seek The Platform Party were the reflections. “If you are not mentally prepared them out.” first members of the procession and Duffin spoke first. for a task, then you will not perform at Following student reflections, consisted of McArthur, the Vice A senior of business administration your full potential,” Hinkle said. McArthur gave concluding remarks. Presidents, Deans, the Chair of Faculty Senate, the Student Government President, designated Regents and other speakers. Honor society students followed the Platform Party ahead of scholarship recipients and retired faculty. The next part of the procession consisted of honor students who carried academic gonfalons, followed by representatives from each department within Cameron. Representatives came in their traditional and respective academic regalia which are worn to symbolize each person’s degree and the university or college from which they received their degree. Following the procession, the Cameron ROTC Color Guard presented the Colors. Accompanying this, Senior Soprano Destiny Abila performed the national anthem. After attendees were seated, McArthur welcomed students and faculty and introduced Vice President Vanderslice. Vanderslice gave the call to convocation and described it as a celebration of academic excellence. Talent on display: Cameron University Music Students perform for students and faculty at Convocation in
What’s Inside
the Aggie Gym. Convocation is an event celebrating the accomplishments of Cameron’s student body.
Rec center revamp
Social media distress
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Theatre student’s final performance Page 6
News
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October 14, 2019
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Photo by Cam Alsbrook
Cameron Professor spotlight:
Impacting university life
of the practice of communication. Assistant Editor “First, I really like Department of teaching at Cameron,” Communication, English, Heflin said, “I enjoy and Foreign Languages both the faculty and Professor Dr. James students. Second, I Heflin originally came to enjoy coming to work. Cameron to help former Cameron has a beautiful debate coach and former work place—the campus, chair of communication the buildings, my office. department Tony Allison, Third, I continue to learn but ended up staying to more and more about the teach students. field of communication. Heflin’s favorite part Because I have a long of teaching is that he gets frame of reference to support his students’ for the area of speech journey towards their communication, I can career paths, and point out to students the subject matter— many relationships persuasion, in particular. and evolutions in our As for what understanding of the pushes Heflin to keep theory and practice teaching, Heflin lists of communication. I the environment, enjoy being active and his involvement, involved with all aspects and understanding of campus life. I enjoy
Cam Alsbrook
being the President of the Board of Directors for Cameron Campus Ministry. Life is good.” Science department faculty Professor Ron Gaines chose Cameron to be alongside his wife Dr. Loree Gaines, who was stationed at Cameron University. “…This is exactly the type of school (studentcentered, not researchcentered) that I’ve always wanted to teach at.” Gaines said. The best aspect of teaching to Gaines is student learning being top priority for Cameron University. “I enjoy the fact that student learning truly is our first priority: it’s not just a slogan on our Core Values list.”
Gaines is retiring summer 2020, but as for a favorite experience here at Cameron, Gaines thanks the McMahon foundation. “BY FAR – the generosity of the McMahon Foundation in providing our Gross Anatomy lab,” Gaines said, “That has elevated our allied health core program to above national standards.” English Department Professor John Morris chose Cameron after applying to 90 schools as an ABD (All But Dissertation) candidate—Cameron was also the only school he applied for that was searching for individuals who had completed their degree at the time of
applying. Morris wants to teach poetry classes relating to Modern, Contemporary American, and British genresin the future. “I’ve been teaching a series of one-hour workshop classes during the summer about various aspects of film,” Morris said, “so there are some others [classes] that I would like to offer in the future. I miss teaching our genre courses in Modern and Contemporary American and British Poetry— we eliminated those courses and revamped our curriculum about ten years ago because the enrollment for such courses had dwindled— so I would like to offer each one of them again
sometime before I retire.” Morris also wants to host a seminar in the future highlighting poet James Wright, as well as other poets. “Also, since I have never been able to offer a seminar focusing on the poet I wrote my doctoral dissertation about— James Wright—I would like to offer a seminar about him and another poet or two who wrote during the same period; for example, Robert Bly, since Wright was a comparatively minor figure.” Having taught a couple generations of students, Morris said he will continue to teach as long as he can make a difference.
Cameron’s new groove: Website overhaul Isabel Rosales Staff Writer
Cameron University has been working diligently as a community to continue improving our campus and college experience, whether that is in the classroom, student organizations, or student housing. One project they have been working on is redesigning the Cameron University website. The Office of Public Affairs is involved in maintaining the Cameron website. Additionally, the Office of Admissions plays a role in marketing to future students. As such, the Office of Admissions brought in a vendor in 2017 to assist in increasing enrollment. Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success Jarrett D. Phillips has had a vital role in this process. “We did that because we had some things that we needed to address on the campus level before we could get to that point,” Phillips said. Phillips hopes to set the Cameron website apart from previous versions. “I think all of us on campus felt it needed to look different, feel different,” Phillips said. “There were many different things that the current website and content maintenance system just didn’t allow us to do. We knew we needed to step up and move to a more modern platform.” Phillips said that the current website has all the information students need,
but only if they search for it. “Our website is like the Library of Congress,” Phillips said, “You can find anything and everything about Cameron University that you would like as long as you search.” In March 2018, Cameron University began discussing updating the Cameron website. One of their goals was to renovate and refresh existing facilities and technologies to meet the needs of current and future students. Another was to establish a strong brand and identity for Cameron. In July 2018, they developed a small team to design a Request for Proposal (RFP) document, a business document that provides details about the project. This gave vendors the ability to review the document and see if their company could produce what Cameron wanted. In August 2018, the team released the RFP for three weeks. Five vendors: Design Thumbprint, Fuzzy Duck, KRUSH, Sequoyah Technologies, Red Brick Designs and Liquidfish, filed an RFP with Cameron University Business Technologies. In September 2018, Cameron set up a team to discuss the proposals and made recommendations on vendor selections. After contemplating what Cameron’s best options would be, the team brought forth and presented the proposals to President John McArthur on September 11. In October 2018, Cameron revealed to Cody Blake, President of Liquidfish, that their company won the Cameron website
Photo by Cam Alsbrook
project. Liquidfish is a company whose expertise is in digital branding. They are in charge of the digital branding for Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, A’JA Wilson, Oklahoma State Fair, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, the State Chamber of Oklahoma and more. Liquidfish values collaboration, taking initiative, going above and beyond, being skilled craftsmen, being ingenious and solution oriented. During January 2019, Liquidfish began working with the executive team on the early stages of the project. In February and March, the Cameron website team gave Liquidfish feedback from the early stage research, and Liquidfish worked to organize and prioritize important content on the
website. In April, Liquidfish presented various wireframes; which are screen blueprints of the website for Cameron to review, both on desktop and mobile design. The website team shared the designs with a few campus stakeholders who gave suggestions and comments. Liquidfish then took feedback and developed a more accurate wireframe for the Cameron website. In May, the team presented the mobile and desktop designs to recieve feedback. The team gathered feedback, the executive committee reviewed it, and gave it to Liquidfish for improvements. Currently Liquidfish and Cameron are working on finalizing the website. For more info, contact the office of Public Affairs at 581-2611.
Sports
October 14, 2019
www.aggiecentral.com
3
Photos by David Perkins
Aggie Rec Center Revamp
said. “There’s not a day I come to work not enjoying what I do.” Every year at the Center sees an improvement in safe and functional When Otis Gentry began working for equipment which has added up to a Cameron University as Facility Manager significant revamping of the equipment of the Aggie Rec Center in 2013, one over the last couple of years. thing he took notice of was the need for The list of improvements spans across new equipment. equipment from big to small. Everything “The equipment that was here when from large complex weight machines to I started working had been here since medicine balls and punching bags. I graduated,” Gentry said. “And I The older benches for free-weights graduated in 2000.” were among the first items to be Gentry has made updating the replaced since they had deteriorated into exercise equipment at the Aggie Rec an unsightly state with the upholstery Center one of his priorities. tearing and beginning to fray. To make his list priorities is a very “Two years ago, we started off with tall order considering he shows up replacing the decline bench,” Gentry before 5 a.m. Monday through Saturday. said. “Then we came back the second “Sunday is my fishing day,” Gentry year, and this year with replacing the leg
David Perkins Sports Editor
equipment.” The leg equipment that has been replaced includes machines capable of many leg exercises such as the leg press, leg extension, leg curl as well as a dual machine. “It does what we call a hack-squat and a leg press as well. It’s a dualpurpose machine,” Gentry said. “We also replaced what we call our crossover machine, which is a free motion cable crossover piece of equipment,” Gentry said. “We also replaced our high row machine, which is a dual fitness machine.” Other equipment which has been replaced in the weight room includes a new abductor machine, a pec fly machine and a shoulder and bicep machine.
Working out the kinks: (Above) Cameron Sports and Exercise Science major Charles Childs uses a newly puchased leg machine at the Rec Center. (Right) Aggie Rec Center Facility Manager Otis Gentry demonstrates the new equipment.
The funding for the new equipment at the Rec Center comes from a capital fund which is applied for yearly. Every year Gentry tries to improve the Center with new equipment from the funding. The improvements encompass the entire facility. The Rec Center has also aquired new free-weights, battle ropes, Zumba sticks, slam-balls and punching bags. The cardio equipment is also in the midst of a major revamping. Gentry has helped acquire an entirely new row of Matrix Fitness treadmills, as well as both upright and recumbent stationary bikes. Some of which came from Fort Sill. “Out at Fort Sill, they have a lot of equipment,” Gentry said. “So, when they get a change-over with their equipment they’ll take it and sell it to the community.” The machines Gentry chooses for the Rec Center are a result of student and faculty wants and needs. But they are also held to a standard of safety. “A lot of equipment ideas come from students who request equipment,” Gentry said. “They may say ‘we want this’ or ‘we need that’ and I’ll look into it. But the number one concern to me for equipment is safety. It has to be safe for the students and staff.” Cameron Sports and Exercise Science Senior Charles Childs finds the equipment useful and tries to use the equipment at the Rec Center about four days out of the week. “These additions have provided a lot of new ways to get certain lifts done,” Childs said. “I feel like it’s been a big help to those who want to improve their strength performance and power.”
‘Tempo is the key’ Cameron volleyball takes 3-2 win over Eastern State-Ada David Perkins Sports Editor
At 6 p.m., Oct. 8, at the Aggie Gym, the Aggie volleyball team won 3-2 after five sets against Ada’s East Central University. This game marked the mid-point of the season for the women’s volleyball team and also racked up the fifth win of the season, which is already an improvement over last year’s performance of four total wins. Cameron freshman and middle blocker Riana Blount was a leader in the game finishing with a total of 15 kills. “It was a good game,” Blount said. “They were really tough, and they were really scrappy and some of our hiccups came from the balls that they were sending back. But overall, we did what we needed to do.” Head coach Brandon Stephenson is now at the midpoint of his first season
with Cameron volleyball. The battle against East Central was a non-conference game providing a break from conference play as well as a brief respite from near constant road games. The Aggies have played two-thirds of their games this season on the road so far. When evaluating the performance of the team, Stephenson also takes into consideration how young his players are as well as how tough the Lone Star Conference (LSC) is for volleyball. “So far we’ve performed alright even though there are probably some matches out there that we should of won,” Stephenson said. “We are a lot younger classificationwise and team-wise
than most teams, but for us that is no excuse. Also the LSC Conference is very tough. It’s just teams slugging it out.” The Aggie volleyball team
is roughly half-way through the season. The next half will see the team on their home turf more frequently. Stephenson has faith in the team and for the rest of the
season tempo is the key. “When we get out of tempo we start to get a little sloppy at times,” Stephenson said. “Once we get back in rhythm it’s like a symphony.”
Photo by David Perkins
A&E
4
October 14, 2019
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HAPPINESS Lea Killian
BEGINS
want anyone to see what pain had revealed of me. I was introduced to an emptiness I couldn’t fathom, a permanent ache in my chest that woke me throughout the night for months. It was unbearable On Feb. 28, the Jonas Brothers announced ― every last second. their reunion with a new single, “Sucker.” After In my mind, there was no going back to who I a ten year hiatus, the band was back on the radio was. The version of myself that I remembered was and finishing a new album. The revived fandom not just a stranger; she was long dead, replaced prepared for something they never thought would by this person in the mirror: She was hateful and happen again: A Jonas Brothers world tour. Seven months after the announcement, I found manipulative ― wholly consumed by her fear of abandonment coming to fruition. myself at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I thought I was gone. waiting on the Jonas Brothers to walk onto the Over the summer, I started therapy. I didn’t stage. go hoping it would heal me; I went as a means of Long before they came out, there was an undeniable energy in the room. I was surrounded by survival. I was desperate for relief. It wasn’t until I managed stumbling through a fans who waited as long as I had, who remembered few sessions that I realized there might be a person the shows they performed in high school on the other side of my suffering who could still be gymnasiums and mall food courts. salvaged. My favorite band returned to the spotlight more I’ve always grounded my beliefs in the things successful than ever. Since 2006, they had been a that I love. Growing up, the books I read and the consistent force in my life, but what filled my mind movies I watched shaped me. They taught me what I as I stood in the crowd was how, without them, needed to know about doing the right thing, being a without their reunion, I might have never found good person and staying true to myself. Thankfully, myself again. those lessons followed me into adulthood. On May 29, one week before the Jonas Brothers The Jonas Brothers have always been one released their newest album, “Happiness Begins,” of those anchors for me. Even in my misery, my four-year romantic relationship ended. Nothing had ever hurt me worse in my life. Every single day “Happiness Begins” was on repeat. Without me realizing it, they were connecting me with a version felt like an unshakeable nightmare. of myself that I hadn’t met yet. I stopped taking care of myself. I went days I had reached a place where my doubts about without eating or drinking. I would drift in and out of my new reality with cuts and scratches appearing love and my desperate hope for it to be real could coexist. I wanted to believe in the kind of love they on my arms and legs and not remember how they were singing about even if it was no longer present got there. in my life. More than anything, I wanted to feel like I dissolved into myself trying to reach for myself again. I wanted to remember what it was like numbness, a relief that I couldn’t find. to be passionate about my life whether I was still I had never been so detached from myself. Everything I knew about who I was, what I believed hurting or not. Time, therapy and meaningful conversations with in and hoped for the future seemed to have been people I love healed parts of me that I was sure were stolen from me. irreparable. Not many people are lucky enough to I didn’t want to graduate if my partner wasn’t experience blinding moments of clarity after feeling going to be waiting for me in the crowd. I as empty as I did, but, as I was about to remember, rejected the idea of love and even believed that I anything can happen at a Jonas Brothers concert. fundamentally unworthy of it. In 2019, the Jonas Brothers are everything I couldn’t face my family or my partner’s. I didn’t
A&E Editor @talkingLea
Courtesy photo
A dream come true: Cameron Journalism and Media Production Senior Lea Killian fulfills a fifteen-year dream of meeting the Jonas Brothers, Nick, Joe and Kevin.
Courtesy photo
from their glory days and more. Not only is their newfound happiness as a band incredibly palpable on stage, they have all spent the last decade honing their skills as individual performers. This tour was a long time coming for both the band and the fans, but what they had in store for us shattered my expectations. With two stages at the front and back of the arena and a walkway that cuts through the crowd, the Jonas Brothers used the “Happiness Begins Tour” as an opportunity to reconnect with fans by making their production as accessible as possible. Throughout the show, the brothers performed songs from their most recent album, but dedicated most of the setlist to the songs that got them where they are today. Songs like “When You Look Me In the Eyes,” “Hold On” and even their first song together as a band, “Please Be Mine,” had the crowd singing and moving as one, reminding me of my first Jonas Brothers concert — the first time I ever felt part of something bigger than myself. They sang songs from their 2008 film, “Camp Rock” and even took requests from fans in the crowd. The intricate stages, lighting and nostalgic performances created a recipe for everything a good concert should be, but what stood out to me was the story that unfolded between songs, projected on the jumbotrons above the stage: Three young boys are playing together. They grow and transition through various stages of their lives, facing pain, heartache and rejection, until they come face to face with their future selves: The Jonas Brothers. Nick, Kevin and Joe reveal intimate glimpses of the future to their younger selves, guiding them toward the happiness they finally reached as a band — and a family. For the Jonas Brothers, everything happened exactly the way it was supposed to. For me, that idea was everything. Standing in that crowd, I was suddenly face to face with my former self. At the beginning of the summer, I would have given anything to be like her again. I thought she was who I was supposed to be, that healing would mean finding her again. All this time, I was only meant to guide her. There is no “self” to whom we can return. There is no wiser, stronger version of ourselves we can attempt to reclaim. There is only the self of tomorrow we do not yet know ― the future self who must be waited on, cared for ― the self who requires every bit of our attention and patience. I should have loved that version of myself before I even knew her, the version who had already walked through the flames. I should have believed in her strength and her spirit from the beginning. It wasn’t until that moment in the crowd that I realized how far I had come. When the Jonas Brothers released “Happiness Begins,” I felt as if my own happiness had come to a crashing halt, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. As the band took their final bow, pink and green confetti fluttering to the ground, tears streaming down my face, I allowed myself a moment of gratitude for everything that led me to where I was. Maybe the Jonas Brothers were only a stitch in the fabric of my healing, but just like the last fifteen years of my life, they were there. My happiness was only beginning.
October 14, 2019
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Voices
5
Social Media’s Slippery Slope
...
Amanda King Voices Editor the_amandaking
53,824,165 likes Can we all agree that more social media platforms exist than we could ever need? Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, Pinterest, Reddit, Skype, Vimeo, Yelp, Goodreads, WhatsApp, Flixster, TikTok — the list of social networking service providers are truly endless. And while perhaps the concept of social networking isn’t something that just cropped up recently, the continuing increase in media platform development likely stems in part from the rise of cell phones — particularly the iPhone. With the greatest selling point of new smartphones being their access to downloadable games and applications, it’s no wonder that as electronics become more embroiled in daily life, app developers are constantly attempting to create a trendier platform than those before. Despite the differing purposes of these new social media platforms, they all have one dangerous commonality: the blatantly unrealistic expectations they set. Obviously, people only post about the good things in their lives — or at least only the things they want to remember. And for whatever reason, we as humans seem to be incapable of being consciously aware of this fact while scrolling through our feeds. So we see these celebrities and social media influencers getting paid to brag about their perfectly aesthetic lives, and we feel bad that our lives aren’t as happy or carefree. This is most hurtfully shown in teenage girls who see these oftentimes heavily edited, and always strategically staged pictures of models or popular idols
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.
— which truly, there is just no getting away from — and feel like they are inadequate because they don’t look or act like their icons do. Not to exclude teenage boys — who arguably might have it worse looking at other males who society deems desirable, seeing as how boys are still often taught to be “manly” in a more inherently violent way than girls are told to act “girly.” These distressing feelings can cause extensive emotional damage—eating disorders, depression and various other mental and physical health problems can all result from setting unattainable beauty standards. But where does the fault lie? With the people who post about their unbelievable lives, ignorant of the consequences their actions might cause? With the conglomerates running these media apps, for giving influencers a platform to market themselves to a susceptible public? Think about it: Is social media really just intrinsically bad, like everyone seems to assume? Or are the people who use it as a career foundation genuinely meaning to target vulnerable users? No, of course not. The fault lies in you — in each of us. We don’t have to follow these people. We don’t have to make profiles and compare our posts to theirs. In fact, would you believe, we don’t have to download these apps at all! Sure, you can blame the people who publicly gloat about their unbelievable lives — because yes, they might be responsible for perpetuating this harmful
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN
culture — but there is no way for them to know if certain followers are going to be triggered by a post. And even if there was a way, would it really be their responsibility? Consider blaming your late-night Taco Bell run on the company’s nighttime advertising. Why should this fast-food chain be held accountable for your decision? Moreover, can you really say that the television is at fault because it gave Taco Bell a medium through which to reach you? Does this inanimate object control you? The clear answer is no. We make our own choices. We are capable of self-control. Social media can undoubtedly cause negative impacts to physical and mental health — numerous studies have proved it; the statistics are proven. Most of us are living proof of its influence ourselves. But at what point do we take a step back and accept that a pretty face smiling through a cell phone screen, which you’ll likely never actually see in person, is not the brunt of the problem? Nor is it the lifeless intermediary of social networking apps? You have the power to disconnect from these people and these platforms. You can remove yourself from the toxicity. Now, is it fair that you should have to refrain from using an app you enjoy? Is it fair to ask you to stay out of a networking circle because you feel too affected by the constant falsehood? No, you shouldn’t have to. But you can. If you really want to avoid it, and if your wellbeing demands it, you can.
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 - Payton Williams A&E Editor - Lea Killian Sports Editor - David Perkins Voices Editor - Amanda King Copy Editor - Kim Frey Assistant Editors - Cambron Alsbrook, Adrianna Finch Social Media Editor - Abby Gonzalez Photographers - Katie Hall, Stacie Larsen, Cierra Walters
Newsroom Staff
Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Bryan Araujo, Katie Hall, Isaiah Hernandez, Haylee Key, Xavier McClure, Isabel Rosales-Aparicio Circulation Manager - Payton Williams Faculty Adviser - Prof. 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.
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student life
October 14, 2019
The Last Show Whatley and the creation of Virginia know if I can do it.” Whatley said. When it finally sunk in that she got the part, she was really flattered. “I was over the moon,” Whatley said. “It felt so good knowing that I did well enough to land a part that had significance.” After Whatley got over her initial shock, she realized that this would be a massive shift from the technical side. She said she always felt like she was out of the loop with the tech stuff because she was focusing on becoming an actor. When Whatley shifted from the technical aspect to acting, she remembered what the theater was actually about. “I loved it,” Whatley said. “I would come home happy and excited. It made me fall in love with everything gain. The technical aspect is a job. It’s a job that I am good at, but the acting is fun. It made me get that magic back.” Whatley said she started to fall in love with the character as she worked on it. Whatley knew she wanted to create a character whohad more life to her. She wanted Virginia to be over the top and neurotic rather than a stick in the mud compared to everyone else. “I made her over the wall dramatic and flirty,” Whatley said. “I wanted to make her have as much energy as I could.” Whatley said every night she tried new things. Smiling about the future: Cameron senior theater tech major Emily Whatley smiles One night, during for the camera after she helps prepare a set for an upcoming theatrical production. Whatley rehearsal, Whatley performed for the final time on a Cameron stage in her role as Virginia in the Cameron decided to make Virginia Department of Art, Music and Theater Arts’ production of Sarah Rhul’s “The Clean House.” flirt with the character of Charles [Lane’s last performance in and the director was husband], and the Adrianna Finch Whatley had stayed mainly behind the a major role was in like ‘okay, okay, I really director loved it, so they Assistant Editor scenes of the theater’s “The Pajama Game” as hope to see you back on decided to keep it in the On Oct. 3. 2019, production. She would Brenda. stage,’ and let me go. show. Senior theater tech build sets and paint and When Whatley I really didn’t think I Whatley said she got Emily Whatley stepped help design costumes for auditioned, she didn’t would be cast.” to add more to Virginia’s onto the Cameron the actors and made sure expect to cast as Since Whatley did character other than University theater stage that everything was in Virginia. not think she was going drama and flirtation. for the last time as an the right place. “The audition process to get cast, she was “Every night, I kept actor before graduation. The last time Whatley is a cattle call, so trying to figure out what trying different things, As a way to make performed was three everyone can come,” she could design or do and if they liked it, they her last semester years ago during her Whatley said. “It is a behind the scenes to kept it, and if not, we got at Cameron count, freshman year in line read, so you just do contribute to the overall rid of it,” Whatley said. Whatley auditioned for Shakespeare’s, “The a dry reading. She [the production. When she To create the character a part in Sarah Ruhl’s Tempest,” when she wore director] gave me the saw her name on the of Virginia, Whatley “The Clean House.” a nude body suit and did part for Virginia, and I cast list, she was not pulled from the women Prior to her landing not have any lines. just read it like I would, expecting it. in her life. the role of Virginia, Prior to that, Whatley frazzled and nervous, “I was like, I don’t “I pulled the clean Photos by Adrianna Finch
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freak from my Aunt Jeanie and the way that Virginia would carry herself from my Ema and Mimi [Whatley’s paternal and maternal grandmother],” Whatley said. “I also pulled from myself to make the neurotic and insanely dramatic person that she ended up being.” Whatley said once she had Virginia the way she wanted, she made sure that everything was perfect. On opening night, Whatley said she was nervous and scared the audience was not going to like her or Virginia, but that was not the case. “The audience on Thursday night was amazing,” Whatley said. “They laughed at all jokes and seemed to fall in love with Virginia the way that I had.” Whatley said her favorite part of the play was when she was on stage by herself and the audience was laughing at what she created with the vacuum. “The vacuum part was the most popular,” Whatley said. “I was just supposed to roll the vacuum on and off stage, and I was like ‘I don’t want to do that; it’s boring.’ So I played with how Virginia acted in those moments. Every night was different, because I never knew how the cord to the vacuum would react. I had to adapt to that scene every night, but still even with that, the audience loved it.” Whatley said she is glad she auditioned. She wants people to know that it’s okay to do things that scare you, especially when it comes to acting. “It is the biggest confidence boost,” Whatley said. “It teaches people that it is okay to be silly and to make people laugh at you. When we are acting, we are really just doing things that we are afraid to do in our normal lives, and it feels amazing to be able to be free.” Whatley said even though this is her last performance on the Cameron stage, she will always carry Virginia and the lessons she learned from the role.