Collegian T he Cameron University
Sexual Assault College in
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Monday, April 25, 2016
Volume 94 Issue 11
Vicky Smith
Managing Editor
@pinkwritinglady Throughout the month of April, organizations and individuals strive to raise awareness of sexual assaults in the United States. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the purpose of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is “to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it. … Sexual violence is a major public health, human rights and social justice issue.” The U.S. Department of Justice defines sexual assault as “any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Falling under the definition of sexual assault are sexual activities such as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling and attempted rape.” Cameron Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology Instructor Rick Lowe said the Association of American Universities conducted a survey regarding the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses. The survey included the feedback of 150,000 students at 27 schools. “The results, which were released in September 2015, found that more than 27 percent of female college seniors reported having experienced some form of unwanted sexual contact since entering college,” he said. According to Lowe, studies show that undergraduate females are four times more likely than males to be a victim of sexual assault. Lowe also said most of the time, a victim knows his or her offender. “The idea of a stranger abducting somebody, while that does happen, it’s very rare,” he said. “Most of the time it’s going to be someone you know, and usually it’ll be a situation that occurs off campus, although they do happen on campus as well.” Alcohol plays a major role in a person’s Courtesy of Tribune News Service decision to sexually assault another Taking action: Students listen as Vice President Joe Biden delivers his message at Morehouse College person. during a three-college tour to mobilize students to take action to prevent sexual assault on campuses on “It lower Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, in Atlanta.
inhibitions and impairs judgment,” he said. “Those are some things that can certainly elevate the risk of someone being victimized.” However, Lowe said the majority of sexual assaults on college campuses are not reported. “The Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2015 said only about 20 percent of campus sexual assaults get reported to law enforcement,” Lowe said. “Two thirds of the people who are victims tend to tell a friend or someone they confide in, but it doesn’t necessarily get reported to law enforcement.” According to Lowe, there are multiple reasons why a victim may choose to not report the offense. “I think a lot of people are afraid,” he said. “They’re concerned of, ‘What will they think of me?’ “I think there’s a concern that they’ll be embarrassed that the legal process is going to judge them. There may be some fear of retaliation from the person.” Lowe said bystanders of a sexual assault are oftentimes hesitant to intervene. “Association of American Universities’ study reported that 44 percent of respondents had witnessed a drunk person heading for a sexual encounter,” he said, “but only a quarter of them intervened.” Lowe said there are two major problems when a sexual assault remains unreported. “I think the biggest problem is one, the person who was abused doesn’t get any help,” he said. “The second one is the person who did the abusing isn’t going to be held accountable for it and is likely to repeat it.” Victims of sexual assault may undergo a variety of physical, psychological and emotional issues. “Victims tend to blame themselves,” Lowe said. “Just the trauma of that [encounter] not being addressed is going to be something that is going to continue to trouble them.” According to Lowe, if a person is sexually assaulted, the first thing he or she should do is get help. “There may be a reluctance to call the police,” he said, “[but] I would suggest going to the nearest emergency room. Call somebody you trust to go with you. Once you’re at the emergency room, they’re trained to know how to work with a victim of assault. “Law enforcement will be called, but you don’t have to press charges. It’s up to the victim to do that.” Lowe said victims of sexual assault should preserve the evidence of the occurrence. “Anything that may have DNA on it – keep it. Preserve that. It will help law enforcement to build a case to help prosecute that person.” If no evidence is available, Lowe said the case may be the victim’s word against the offender’s. “The criminal justice system may struggle to be able to hold that person accountable,” he said, “but I think you still have to take care of yourself and get some support around you. “There are a lot of resources to come alongside the victims and help them.” For more information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month, visit www.nsvrc.org/saam. To report an instance of sexual assault or to receive support, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or call the National Sexual Violence Resource Center at 1-877-739-3895.
What’s inside Graduation Spring 2016 Page 2
Responding to education budget cuts
Men’s golf wins third straight title
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Student Life
April 25, 2016
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Class of 2016 looks ahead Vicky Smith
Managing Editor
@pinkwritinglady The 2016 Cameron University Commencement Ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6, at the CU Stadium. Senior Director of CU Public Affairs, Keith Mitchell, who is also a Cameron graduate, said he really enjoys the students’ attendance at commencement because it gives him the chance to celebrate with them. “Everybody’s familiar with graduating from high school, but there is significant difference between high school graduation and college graduation,” Mitchell said. “High school graduation is like a rite of passage where a teenager becomes an adult, and they have completed a set of requirements that they the state has mandated that they complete.”
Mitchell said what distinguishes high school from college is that students made a decision to attend college. “You go to college because you wanted to go,” he said. “You see a benefit for it. It’s significant expenditure of time and energy and in most cases money, so there’s sacrifices that have to be made. “They saw how it could better themselves, and I think that’s the biggest achievement that comes from graduation. … You’ve accomplished something major in your life.” Mitchell was a December graduate, but he came back on campus to attend the graduation ceremony. “My father passed away a month [to] six weeks before the end of the term,” he said. “That was the disappointing part of it because I wanted him to be able to see me graduate. By the time the actual commencement ceremony came around in May, I had already gotten a job, but I lived
“We’re like a family in the English department. ... Leaving is going to feel like I’m leaving home for the first time.” Nick Brush English
in the area, so I came back.” Mitchell said at the commencement in May, he celebrated the benefits he could see from working and having a degree. “In my case – first job I got, I doubled my salary,” he said, “so that was the biggest thing because you had more time, you had more money, you had more opportunities.” For Mitchell, receiving his college diploma was a surreal moment. “It was the tangible piece of everything you’ve done,” he said. “You’ve finished things up, you have a transcript, you know you’ve completed it – they’ve told you that. “But the [diploma is] the thing that you have that you can hold on and say, ‘Okay. This represents all that work that I put into it.’” According to Mitchell, an increase in pay and likelihood to get a job in Oklahoma are major benefits of obtaining a college degree. “Studies have been done that say a person who has a bachelor’s degree will earn more than a million dollars during their lifetime than if
they just had a high school diploma,” he said. “About 85 percent of students who get their college degrees stay in Oklahoma, and they can find a job within a year of their graduation. I think the outlook is pretty bright.” However, Mitchell said students should prepare to be patient for the particular jobs they desire. “They may not wind up getting a job in what they initially thought they might,” he said. “One of the great things about having a college degree is that it gives you f lexibility in what job you get. “While it may not be the job the one that you’d really thought you’d get, I think they should keep their minds open to the possibilities out there. They may find a job that they like even better than they thought they would.” Mitchell said he hopes each college student has a successful career when he or she departs from Cameron University. “I hope it’s doing something they love,” he said. “That’s what makes it worthwhile.” For details about the commencement ceremony, visit cameron.edu/ commencement/ceremony. Graphics by Vicky Smith
“I look forward to family and friends just having a good time, jumping for joy and celebrating that I’m finished.” Sean Batiste Sports Fitness Management
“I’m actually applying to dental school in June, so I’m excited about that. ... It’s been a journey.” Sonora Zukerman Biology
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is taking applications for the Fall 2016 semester
Staff and editorial positions open. Students of all disciplines welcome. Resume required. Portfolio recommended. Pick up applications at Academic Commons 105 or aggiecentral.com/about/careers and return to AC 105. For more information, call 581- 2997 or email aggiecentral@cameron.edu.
April 25, 2016
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Student Life
‘The most challenging opportunity’ on his experience in ROTC as one of the most rewarding in his career. “I have met the future leaders of the Army,” he said, “and I have developed leadership skills and improved my education in ways I would not have been able to as an active duty soldier. The friendships and bonds that are made in ROTC are going to last a lifetime.” Holcomb also received awards during his time in ROTC, including the George C. Marshall Leadership Award, the Lieutenant General Maude Award, the Special Forces Association Award for Excellence, the Frank Rickard Infantry Courtesy of Jasmine Schultz Award, 2LT Tobias Holcomb on the move: Norman Holcolmb greets Ole Kim while practicing early morning physical Alexander Scholarship and training with other cadets. Holcomb plans on commisioning as a Second Lietenant in the infantry after the Military Order of the graduation in May. Purple Heart Award. According to Holcomb, three program for two years, said his extremely lucky to be graduating Vicky Smith people have been his biggest first impression of the program was with the group of cadets, and soon Managing Editor inspiration to continue to reach his great. to be lieutenants such as these.” @pinkwritinglady goals. “As soon as I arrived, I was Before coming to Cameron, “My wife is of course the first,” accepted into the family that was Holcomb change his life, which is Ranked as the top overall Holcomb said. “She pushes me why he joined the Army. cadet in ROTC is senior Norman already created here,” Holcomb every day to become a better leader said. “Cadet Delano and Cadet “I decided to join the Army Holcomb, whose plan after and human being.” Palmer helped me transition because I dropped out of high graduating from Cameron in Holcomb’s wife, Keesha school in 2005,” he said. “It really May is to commission as a second into the cadet experience and really made the transition from was a quick decision and happened Holcomb, is also a member of lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Cameron ROTC. His second noncommissioned officer to cadet to be the best decision of my life.” Holcomb, who has been easier. I truly believe that I am Holcomb said he will look back inspiration is Ryan Hayes, a former a member of the CU ROTC
staff sergeant in the Army. “He was the one who turned my life around in 2009,” Holcomb said. “Without him I would not be even close to who I am today.” Holcomb said the soldiers and cadets are his third inspiration. “There are countless cadets who inspire me to become a better leader every single day because of their willingness to become better in all aspects of leadership,” he said. Holcomb’s biggest motivation to complete the ROTC program has been knowing that he will, without a doubt, be an infantry officer. “[It] is the most challenging opportunity I will have in my life,” he said. “I cannot wait to lead America’s sons and daughters on a daily basis in the infantry branch.” His advice to freshman is to seriously consider joining the Cameron ROTC program. “It is not only about the leadership you will develop through the classes you take,” he said, “but it is also about the bonds you will make with your classmates and other cadets in the program. “If you want to make a change for the better and develop leadership skills you will not find elsewhere, then this is the challenge that you must take.” For more information about the Cameron ROTC program, visit cameron.edu/militaryscience.
The Sigma Tau Delta 2016 English Awards Banquet Faculty and staff of the CU Department of English and Foreign Languages presented students awards at the Sigma Tau Delta English banquet, April 9, in the McCasland ballroom.
Photos by Vicky Smith
Leigh Holmes Prize for Creative Nonfiction
Wesley Jones, “My Face”
John G. Morris Poetry Prize
1st - Gary Reddin, “The Going Price for Venom” 2nd - Corrine Binnings, “An Exercise of Childhood Wisdom” 3rd - Vicky Smith, “What Jacy Doesn’t Know” Honorable Mentions - Lindsay Logoleo, “Shell Shock,” and Marie Bagwell, “Amber”
Matt P. Haag Creative Writing Scholarship Award
Gary Reddin, “The Heretic Of Cooke County.”
AWP Nominees
Gary Reddin, “The Heretic Of Cooke County,” Wesley Jones, “My Face” Corrine Binnings, “An Exercise of Childhood Wisdom”
Scholarships
Jessie Hines, Jessica Allmon, Corrine Binnings, Myrna Skeen and Wesley A. Jones.
The Lawton Shakespeare Club Award
Lindsay Logoleo
Circle K International President Arteriona Thomas Erin Owens
Former President Robbie Day stepped down from his role to become CKI district Staff Writer secretary that same month. Cameron University’s chapter of Circle K Day said that Thomas was a good choice International (CKI) has a new president. to replace him. Freshman Arteriona “Arti” Thomas “Arti has shown her dedication to assumed the position in February this year. [Cameron University] CKI over and over
and over again,” he said. “She’s very popular across the [Texas/Oklahoma] district and has one of the biggest hearts of just about anyone I know.” Since her term as president began, Thomas has focused on completing as many service hours as possible as well as increasing membership. Thomas will attend the CKI International Convention in Canada this summer and is one of twelve people chosen to lead a service project at the convention. There are over three hundred people already registered to attend the convention this June, and each filled out an application to lead a service project. Out of the twelve people chosen, Thomas was one of two from the Texas/Oklahoma district. The convention is an annual event held in different locations each year. Members from all chapters of CKI are invited to participate in five days of community service projects that benefit many people including the homeless and children. Thomas said she wants to be involved in as many service projects as she can as she awaits finding out which service projects will be completed such as working with the homeless, helping children and cleaning up parks. Thomas said that she is preparing for the international Photo courtesy of Marcus Cannady convention by raising the funds necessary to travel, completing required paperwork and planning In service: Freshman Arteriona “Arti” Thomas will represent Cameron University CKI the service project she will lead. at the Circle-K International convention in June of this year.
In addition to preparing for the convention, Thomas is also busy planning what the next year for Cameron CKI will hold. Her goal for the summer is to hold at least two fundraisers and one service project. Thomas is also planning an entire CKI week from Aug 29-Sep 2. The theme for CKI week will be “CKI wants you” a play on the former slogan used by the U.S. military. Thomas said that she hopes students will become involved during CKI week and that she wants to build CKI’s membership. Thomas plans to complete at least two service projects per month for the 20162017 school year and wants members to to be involved in what projects are completed. She said incorporating all members of the organization is her top priority. “I want to build better relationships with our members,” she said. “I just want to help [our members] realize that it’s their thing too. “If members have an idea of a service project or fundraiser... let me know because we will do it.” Cameron’s chapter of CKI became official in October 2015. The current members of CKI have spent the last few months establishing Cameron’s presence in the Texas/Oklahoma district and are now ranked third in the district for number of service hours completed. Thomas said that being president is going to be a challenge because she is still new to the Kiwanis family, but she believes that Cameron’s chapter will continue to grow throughout her term next year. For more information or to find out how to become involved, contact Arteriona Thomas at arteriona.thomas@cameron.edu or visit the CKI facebook page.
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Voices
April 25, 2016
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The Next Steps:
Preparing for FY17 from the top down
As we near the end of another academic year with Commencement on the horizon, the university community does two things almost simultaneously. First, we look back and remember the many accomplishments we as a whole and we as individuals have amassed in our time at Cameron. We use the graduation ceremony to remember those things and to celebrate the Cameron Legacy. But the other thing we do happens after the fireworks shoot off in May. When the smoke clears and when the families in the stands have swarmed the field, we begin the second half of our Commencement activities. We think of what’s next. As a whole, the Cameron community has done a lot of thinking about what’s next for a solid portion of this academic year because of the now-materialized budget cuts. We speculated in August and September to prepare for what we had to do in January and February when we had to make cuts in March based
on what the state government closer. might do in May. In the April 14 edition of And it all goes into effect the “Lawton Constitution,” in July. a story on the front page It’s not the happiest thing addressed a sudden boom of to think about.For those of us retired and active teachers coming back to Cameron for filing for state legislature at least one more semester, it’s positions. According to something that will definitely the article, 30 Oklahoma be on our instructors minds would run for for quite office in the some time. coming election. According The reason to Cameron for this surge of President political interest Dr. John was clear from McArthur, the piece’s jump it will be headline: the main “Educators: thing Frustration running apparent.” through the Anybody who collective has followed conscious the budget of the situation from Jacob Jardel university. the beginning Sports Editor “Most of knows that this @JJardel_Writing our summer headline is, for will be spent preparing for lack of a better word, obvious. next year,” McArthur said in While state agencies a previous article. “A visible across the board received change that will occur will be cuts in preparation for the the moving of departments new fiscal year, education and offices around campus.” is the one that we all feel as The unfortunate fact students, instructors and of the matter, though, is administrators. that Cameron isn’t the only We all have noticed the one thinking about apparent frustration that these cuts as the comes with these reductions. summer But those with a close tie inches to the public school system ever feel it on various ends. Teacher kids hear it from their parents. Student teachers worry about the future of their jobs and their educations. Parents stress about what will happen with their kids’ schools as the year unfolds. So stories of educators airing their frustrations and doing something about it come as no surprise. Some educators, like Tulsa sixth-grade geography teacher John Croisant, run for open seats in the state House. He said that teachers are frustrated over increases in test requirements and drops in per-pupil funding. “For me, it’s personal,” Croisant said. If recent educators’ decisions to run for office are any indication, he isn’t the only teacher who feels that Tribune News Service
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way. Many educators have left Oklahoma schools to teach in neighboring states and avoid looming demonstrative cuts. “It’s not that we don’t want to teach, Croisant said. “They’re going across the border, and they’re able to make $10,000 more each year Challenge is for their families.” the right word for Even current lawmakers the situation, though. are expressing their President McArthur frustrations with how the spoke of the difficulty that cuts are affecting teachers. came with making Cameron’s “It’s no wonder educators budget decisions. from both political parties He mentioned losing are mad, frustrated and sleep and adding stress to an want to see change,” state already busy job. Representative Scott Inman And he still awaits the said, “and that’s evidenced by final numbers from the the number of educators who Legislature. are coming to the Capitol … Remember the idiom, and hopefully take this state “Heavy is the head that wears in a new direction.” the crown”? Well, the bigger Until November, though, the crown, the bigger the we try to find a way with the cranial weight. government we have now. But that’s where we come Recently, governor Mary in. We as students. We as Fallin brought individuals. We as forth her “In a time of the the roots of proposals the political budget situation for closing system. the $1.3 In the we’re in, we need to billion end, we have look at all the things dollar the biggest that we do out of hole in the say because next fiscal of how we habit to make sure year’s vote officials that those are budget. into office good habits.” She and and vote on the rest Dr. John McArthur the things of the that we find Cameron President important. legislature will be working in So we need to let the coming month-plus to legislators know what we try and prevent deeper cuts want. in spending in areas like Just as importantly, we education. need to keep politicians After all, with state-wide accountable for the things budget cuts, many public they say, the actions they do schools have considered and, most importantly, the laying off employees or times when the two don’t line making other paradigmup. shifting cuts. Fallin stated in Governor Fallin talked a recent speech at the Capitol about the importance of that she realizes what not to higher education and school do when it comes to budget CU Public Affairs reallocations. “We have to be careful that we don’t cut so far to the bone that we’re not effective in delivering state services,” she said. “One of the things I don’t want to do is see Oklahoma move backwards on some of the progress that we’ve already made. “I challenge the Legislature and ask them to work with me to roll up their sleeves, do the hard work, get into the details of the state budget, the needs of state agencies.”
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
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.
COLLEGIAN
Our Views
Managing Editor - Vicky Smith Sports Editor - Jacob Jardel Student Life Editor - Tyla Eakins Copy Editor - Joel Frambes Aggie Central Editor- Jeff Larson
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.
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Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Angela Jenkins, Erin Owens, Tarayn McMillan, Haley Berry, Makenzie Burk, Chidinma Chykugwa, Marry Ann Davis, Jonathon Good, Kailey Griffee, Zayna Halliburton, LaReece Osborne, Alexsis Page, Kerry Schoonaert, Cristina Soriano Garcia, George Weaver, Haley Wilson, Zachary Zahniser Graphic Designer - Kaytlen Dayhoff Advertising Manager - Vicky Smith Faculty Adviser - Mr. David Bublitz
CU Public Affairs
as a whole in her address at the Capitol during Higher Education Day last year. She mentioned how important it was for students to get to and through school and contribute back to the state. Also mentioned was how vital higher education was to the state as a whole. Now is the time for her and the Legislature to act on it. And it’s on us to remind them. President McArthur mentioned the importance of student input when it came to campus budget cuts and what should stay the same or what should change. He mentioned that the more people behind a cause, the better it pans out because of the collected intelligence. But he also mentioned one other thing about the importance of curiosity. “A good question makes you rethink your assumptions,” McArthur said, “In a time of the budget situation that we’re in, we need to look at all the things that we do out of habit to make sure that those are good habits.” So as the semester comes to a close and the fiscal year comes upon us, remember to ask those questions and be prepared to answer back – whether with words or with ballots.
Letters Policy
Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks. All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@cameron. edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www.aggiecentral.com.
April 25, 2016
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A&E
5
Photo by Sarah McNair
Focusing on the future: The photographs McNair takes are taken manually which she said she prefers. McNair enjoys the process of developing photographs as opposed to the final result. McNair’s photography is gaining exposure after being placed as a finalist in Photography Forum Magazine’s annual Best in High School and College photography contest.
Exposure: from process to publication Tyla Eakins
of the top photos to be judged in the final round, and published in the book Best of Student Life Editor College & High School Photography 2016,” @tyla_eakins McNair said. The top four photographs will be Since 1977, Photographers Forum selected and prizes will be awarded to the Magazine has created a way for emerging students before the book is published in photographers to gain exposure through June. publications and contests. McNair said she enjoys the challenge of The magazine offers fall and spring photography. photography contests as well as an annual “I first learned the basics of photography high school and college student contest. working with a fully manual 35mm Nikon This year, undeclared sophomore Sarah McNair, entered her photograph in the high SLR, and what appealed to me then, and still does now was the precision and school and college student contest in order mechanics,” she said. “Having to manually to fulfill part of the Department of Art’s adjust for everything from light to motion graduation requirements. “The photograph I submitted was one of and beyond is almost clinical in approach, but the beauty of photography is that. over 14,000 entries and was chosen as one
“That perfect F-stop, set with the correct shutter speed, and adjusted for lighting is not always going to produce that perfect photo, it will often be one stop left or right of ideal that captures the essence of the subject.” Through Cameron, McNair has been given the opportunity to explore darkrooms. She said she loves everything about photography but the process is what draws her to it most. “Having gotten to play in an actual darkroom and see what goes on beyond the click of the shutter is even more amazing because so much can be adjusted even after the shutter has stopped,” McNair said. “Photography is more about the process
than the results – not that I don’t love seeing a beautiful imaged captured just so. There is a unique sort of satisfaction when an image captures just how you envisioned it when you set up your camera, and sometimes that image is more than you could have imagined.” McNair said she is disappointed digital photography has taken over film photography but still has hope for a growing resurgence. She doesn’t know if she would like a career in photography apart from developing prints but knows it will remain a hobby of hers. “Whether it’s digital or film there is a kind of magic about photography that I enjoy and plan to continue with even if just as a hobby,” she said.
A personal experience with Katie Wirsing Joel Frambes
included being a member of the National Poetry Slam Championship team, representing Denver at Copy Editor the Women of the World Poetry Slam and opening @JoelPole12 for The Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. On April 21, Programming Activities Committee (PAC) For her first poem, Wirsing recounted her invited slam poet Katie Wirsing to perform her spoken word experience skydiving over Hawaii before recalling poetry for college and high school students, faculty and staff. her traumatizing high school career as the only out The evening consisted of a dinner for the performer with queer person in a school of over 4,000 teenagers. PAC members, a free writing workshop open to the public Years after she had graduated, she was invited from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and her performance at 7:30 p.m. to relive those formative years at a high school Sophomore sports and exercise science major and event reunion. organizer for PAC Tamaura Shelton said this event was fairly Wirsing managed to turn around the negative new to the current Cameron campus. experience, saying she grew past it when the former “We haven’t done a slam poet or a poet altogether in eight popularity queen contacted Wirsing about her years,” she said, “so we wanted to try something new.” rejected invitation. Starting with the workshop, Wirsing started off with a “I got over 100 Facebook friend requests from round of introductions from which she transitioned to asking people who weren’t so great to me back then,” she the attendees to list words, phrases, sensations and experiences said. “The whole thing was bizarre really, coming that reminded them of where they each grew up. full circle – the thing that caused me so much grief Next, she read a poem from a fellow spoken word poet then now made me a kind of celebrity.” about where he grew up. Next, she recited her one and only love poem Going through the imagery and devices used in that poem, which she wrote about her current partner, whom Wirsing asked audience members to list their own, personal she plans to marry later this year. experiences that followed Finley’s poetic style. Wirsing then opened up about even more Those who attended the workshop then commenced difficult subjects for her to talk about: her Photo courtesy of Megan Canfield writing their own poems following Wirsing’s guidance, and grandfather’s (and her first) funeral two and a half On stage: Slam poet Katie Wirsing speaks during a set. The then shared their works with the group. years ago and more recently, her father’s death just performer visited Cameron University on April 21. Wirsing encouraged even the most hesitant writers to share over one year prior to this event. their poems with the group. “I think the event went really well. We got a different group Despite a conflict-filled history, Wirsing said in “This is a safe place,” she said. “No one is going to get mad her dad’s final years, they came to understand one another after of people in, not just the normal students that we get,” she said. at you for a poem you wrote in 20 minutes.” “It just overall widened a lot of people’s aspects about poetry.” being at odds for more than 20 years when her father attended Wirsing continued this message of vulnerability into her Junior English education major Jessie Herrick said she the Denver Pride Parade as a pink-camouflaged Duck Dynasty spoken word performance by first inviting the audience in embraced the message of vulnerability and love Wirsing caricature. closer – within just a few feet of the stage. delivered. Some things like her father’s death she said were just too Recounting heartwarming personal stories about her “I loved how she was so warm and welcoming and how she recent for her to write or perform about yet, but she offered for love for her grandmother and her grandmother’s love of hot invited everybody in when she spoke about her poetry,” Herrick her final spoken word poem a story about accepting yourself dogs opened up the audience to Wirsing’s unique brand of through the bleakest of circumstances and hardships life dishes said. “It was a very personal experience and she is someone that storytelling. I can relate to so much because of that. out. She then shared a bit about her history performing and “[She] just showed me that it is okay to be comfortable with Shelton said the event was very successful and broadened the how she became a nationally recognized slam poet, which people and trust people more.” perspectives of the audience and PAC.
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Sports
April 26, 2016
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Bringing home the GOLD
Three’s company: Cameron golfers Cullen Stahl (left) and Daniel Nielsen celebrate after a successful hole during tournament play. As a whole, the pair helped the Aggies earn third-consecutive Lone Star Conference golf championship, their fourth in five years. The Black and Gold defeated rival Midwestern State 3-1-1 in match play for the win.
Photo courtesy of Lone Star Conference
Jacob Jardel
peat since Northeastern State accomplished the feat Sports Editor between 2005 and 2007. This @JJardel_Writing was also CU’s fourth title in the last five championships. The Cameron University Head coach Jerry Hrnciar men’s golf team recently took said that this string of success home a number of year-end acts as a statement for other awards leading up to the teams. regional tournaments in early “Winning the last May. three titles in a row really On top of a team legitimizes the program,” conference title, three he said in a press release. “It individual players and the head coach all earned honors wasn’t just luck that got us here.” for their performances over He commended the team’s the season. performance throughout the Cameron Takes Title tournament. The Aggies wrapped up “I told the team that we their Lone Star Conference have the deepest team here,” slate with two commanding he said, “and in match play we wins to take the conference really played well.” championship on Apr. 18 and After shifting the title to 19 in Amarillo. Amarillo from Frisco, Texas, This title marks the third because of severe rain, the consecutive men’s golf title top-seeded Aggies faced off for the Black and Gold, who in a semifinal match against Texas A&M-Commerce. performed the first three-
Cameron took all five individual pairings from the Lions in the matchup, winning each set by more than two strokes. Sophomore Daniel Nielsen won his matchup with a tournament-low 72, three strokes better than his opponent. Seniors Zander Winston and Cullen Stahl both carded scores of 73, winning by two and four strokes against their respective opponents. Sophomore Weston Ward defeated his opponent by six shots, carding a 74 on the day. Freshman Dario Gabriel rounded out the Cameron effort with a 75, finishing four strokes ahead of his Commerce opponent. The following day featured a round against rival Midwestern State, in which the Aggies took three of the five matchups in their 3-1-1
title-clinching win. Hrnciar said that he thought the team’s play was a sign of future postseason success. “This was one of our best showings of the spring,” he said, “and sets things in motion for the NCAA Super Regional.” Nielsen finished as the overall leader after defeating Stahl in a one-hole playoff after tying at 142 for the tournament. The sophomore finished with a second-round 70, ten strokes better than his MSU opponent. Stahl tied with his opponent after carding a 69 on the day. Gabriel defeated his opponent by six strokes, carding another 75 to finish in tied for tenth with a score of 150. Ward gained the team’s third win by one shot, carding a 72 for a two-round total of 146. He finished tied
for fourth individually. Winston rounded out the Cameron scores with a second-round 76 after falling by six shots to his opponent. He closed the tournament tied for ninth with a score of 149. Stahl, Nielsen and Ward finished in the AllTournament Team with topfive scores. Cameron hits the links next at the NCAA West/ South Central Super Regional May 2-4 in Amarillo.
Aggies Earn Honors
Hrnciar, Stahl, Nilsen and Winston each earned postseason honors when the Lone Star Conference revealed their postseason honors before the LSC tournament. Hrnciar won coach of the year for the 2015-2016 season after leading his team to four
top-five finishes this season. It was the fourth consecutive time he won the award, his ninth overall in his career. Nielsen ended the regular season earning LSC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year after carding a 72.55 scoring average and finishing runner-up in two tournaments on the season. He is the first Aggie golfer to earn either award. Nilsen also received his first nomination to the AllLSC first team along with Winston and Stahl. Winston received a firstteam nod a year after an All-LSC second team spot last season. Stahl earned his third first team nomination to go along with a placement on the 2013 All-LSC freshman team. Jared Baker and Thomas Smith from Midwestern State rounded out the first team.
Women’s golf takes sixth in Lone Star tournament CU Sports Information
Black and Gold with a top-20 finish. She kept her 16th place spot on the individual leaderboard The Aggies concluded the Lone after finishing one stroke better in Star Conference Women’s Golf her final round (79+78) for 157. Championship with a sixth place Johnston shot 15-over and made par finish on April 19 in Amarillo. Cameron improved its first round 20 times. Both Alexis Thompson and score by nine strokes to card a final Robyn Moore tied for 22nd place to 639 (324+315) but remained sixth finish 19-over. Thompson fell three of seven teams overall for the second spots on the individual leaderboard year in a row. to tie for 22nd place after adding Junior Katie Johnston led the
one stroke to her first day score (80+81) 161. Meanwhile, Moore moved up a spot from her first round cutting down three strokes to card a 161 (82+79). Kennedy Wheeler and Erin Hess rounded out the CU group. Wheeler remained in 26th place after shooting a 163 (83+80), and
Photo courtesy of Krista Pylant
Following through: Junior Katie Johnston observes her drive off the tee. She helped the Aggie women’s golf team clinch a sixth place finish at the Lone Star Conference Tournament April 19 in Amarillo.
Hess ended the day in 31st following a total 164 (86+78). Additionally, Thompson, Moore, and Hess each shot four birdies in the championship. Tarleton State University took its ninth Lone Star Conference
women’s golf championship after shooting 592 (298+294) over the two days of competition. West Texas A&M senior Whitlee Woods took her first LSC individual title with a tournament score of 144 (71+73).