Collegian T he Cameron University
www.aggiecentral.com
Monday, October 12, 2015
Volume 93 Issue 6
Vicky Smith
Assistant Managing Editor @pinkwritinglady
The Cameron University Nigerian Student Association (CUNSA) hosted the 55th Nigerian Independence Day Celebration at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 3 in the MCC Ballroom. President of CUNSA Ayokunmi Akintunde, a sophomore IT major, was the main coordinator of the event. Akintunde said the purpose of the event was to celebrate Nigeria’s independence from the British Empire, which occurred on Oct. 1, 1960. “What we do here [at Cameron] is similar to how we celebrate it back home,” Akintunde said. “We celebrate our culture and our heritage. “It’s important to celebrate our independence so we remember where we’re coming from. … We show the world that we are proud to be Nigerians.” The celebration featured the presentation of the CUNSA scholarship, the inauguration of the Cameron University Nigerian Old Student Association (CUNOSA), which is the Nigerian Student alumni association, a factual presentation about Nigeria, cultural dances, a skit, a fashion show and authentic Nigerian food. Vice President for University Advancement Albert Johnson Jr. presented the CUNSA scholarship to Williams Osunkwo, a sophomore computer science major. Akintunde said Akinola Akinlawon, the 2014-2015 CUNSA president, established the scholarship during last year’s independence day celebration. “I’m so glad we were able to award our first scholarship,” she said, “which was a $1000 scholarship, and I was also very proud that we were able to integrate our alumni association, which we call CUNOSA. … Those were my two major highlights of the event.” According to Akintunde, she and the students of CUNSA are appreciative of all those who volunteered to help at the
event, those who donated funds to the organization, those who are members of the alumni association and those who are Cameron faculty members, including CUNSA’s advisor, Dr. Jonathan Odo. “We had an auction at the event,” she said, “and all the proceeds from the auction will go to our CUNSA scholarship fund. … Someone also donated a check to our foundation account for the scholarship, so those will go a long way. “I’m glad the event was successful, and for everyone that came, I’m really grateful.” Freshman chemistry major Tolulope Oyetoro, who is a member of CUNSA, said he enjoyed the celebration. “It portrayed the culture of Nigeria – the different ethnic groups,” he said, “and I think it was a really good celebration. The food was spicy … and I know that other people, too, enjoyed the food. It was delicious.” According to Akintunde, the members of CUNSA cooked the food. “Some people made the jollof rice,” she said. “Some other people made the pounded yam and the vegetables. Some others did the fried rice, and some other person did the chicken. Some did the chicken pie. Some did the puff puff.” Akintunde said the performances were also great and mostly Nigerian, including the Yoruba, the Igbo, the Efik and the Hausa cultural dances. Members of CUNSA wore traditional attire during the dance performances and fashion show. “My dress was sewn in a gown form,”
Akintunde said. “We send out measurements, and our parents [in Nigeria] help us get it [attire] sewed and send it to us. Some people can find a Nigerian tailor in the U.S. that helps them sew it.” Additional entertainment at the celebration included a skit that made guests laugh, performed by CUNSA students. “It was just like a Nigerian version of Shark Tank,” Akintunde said. “They tried to compare products – a Nigerian product and a product from another country. It was trying to defend why a Nigerian product would be better, and we chose jollof rice because everyone loves Nigerian jollof rice.” To inform guests about Nigeria as a country, members of CUNSA displayed a factual presentation. “We wanted people to see what Nigeria is like,” Akintunde said. “There are so many amazing things about Nigeria… That’s why we put all the slides there, and we asked pop quiz questions from the slides.” Akintunde said she and other CUNSA students told their families back in Nigeria about the celebration at Cameron. “They were really happy,” she said. “Most parents are really proud of us– to hear that we do celebrate our culture here in America.”
“We show the world that we are proud to be Nigerians.”
Ayokunmi Akintunde CUNSA President
What’s inside
International Student Banquet Page 3
Graphic by Vicky Smith
Mireles receives professorship
Cameron moves to 13-1
Page 5
Page 6
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News
October 12, 2015
www.aggiecentral.com
Taking on new positions at CU
CU Public Affairs
Striving to make the student collegiate experience positive: Vice President for Business and Finance Ninette Carter (left) oversees the Business Office, Human Resources and the Office of Public Safety. Jon Horinek (middle) graduated from Cameron in 2003 and is now the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success. Keith Mitchell (right) returns to his alma mater to take the role of the Senior Director of Public Affairs.
Jacob Jardel
“We’re going to have to be very resourceful with the money we have,” Sports Editor she said, “so that will be a challenge. But @JJardel_Writing challenge is good. I have good colleagues. While many students have gotten into “We’ll all work collaboratively to their semester routines, three Cameron see what we can do about meeting that staff members are still feeling the buzz of challenge.” new positions and new responsibilities. One of those colleagues is Vice At the beginning of the semester, the President for Enrollment Management and Cameron community welcomed two new Student Success Jon Horinek. staff members and saw another return with A 2003 Cameron graduate, he said he a new title. came back to take advantage of a unique All three have a number of things in opportunity to work with enrollment common personally, even if their job titles management, student activities and the entail different responsibilities. challenges that come with both jobs. The main thing they have in common “[Working with challenges] really is helping make the student collegiate enables you to grow, do things and find experience as optimal for the student as solutions,” Horinek said. “Cameron has possible. always been a solution-focused institution, Vice President for Business and so it just seemed like a natural fit.” Finance Ninette Carter has spent 27 years Also returning to Cameron was Senior at Cameron, graduating in 1991 before Director of Public Affairs Keith Mitchell. getting her certified public accountant A Southwest Oklahoma native, Mitchell (CPA) license the next year. said he has enjoyed his return to his former She now looks over the Business Office, position. Human Resources and the Office of Public “There’s a lot of work involved,” he said. Safety. “It’s grown a lot in the years since I’ve been She said that, with budget cuts and gone. We’re involved in so many different other shortfalls coming Cameron’s way, things. To be able to do that is a lot of fun.” she is preparing for all of these upcoming In Mitchell’s time away, the university obstacles. has undergone many changes besides the
growth of the Office of Public Affairs. Carter has had a chance to witness many of the change firsthand. “It’s been exciting to see,” Carter said. “The campus has really transformed in the last 20 years – and for the better. It looks more like a college campus. I enjoyed my time as a student at Cameron, but I’m excited for all the change, too.” Both Mitchell and Horinek agreed, the latter adding that Cameron has gone through vast changes since the time he graduated. “They are very different institutions,” Horinek said. “I think if you ask anybody who graduated in the early 2000s, they’ll probably tell you it doesn’t look the same, but the institution has really evolved in programs, students, offerings and many things.” All of these factors add to Mitchell’s assertion that, regardless of changes, the university still has that community feel. “Cameron is just one of those special places,” he said. “It feels like home, it really does. The people here have a special pride in the university, and I always enjoyed the work that I did here before.” The work, though enjoyable, has been at the forefront for all three. For Horinek and Mitchell, trying to
find time amid the games of catch-up keep them connected to students. Horinek tries to eat in the cafeteria or visit the student union to engage with the Cameron community as often as possible. “I really like to listen to students’ opinions and get student input,” he said, “and any time I can get that, it’s beneficial.” Mitchell said that he is still trying to settle in but hopes that there will come a time where student interaction comes more easily. “I hope, in the very near future, to get to a point where I have a designated time period every day where I can just slip out and wander around to meet people during class changes and things like that,” he said. Carter has also made time for students, attending freshman events like Gold Rush, Aggie Escape and the Ice Cream Social. She said these interactions at the beginning of the year helped provide her more student interaction than in previous roles. She said it was fun to see how many people of diverse backgrounds would come together with through the excitement of starting school. “I went to Cameron,” she said. “I remember what it’s like to start school. Every semester is something new.”
A new office of Teaching and Learning
Photo by Jacob Jardel
A look at the new office: The Cameron Univeristy Office of Teaching and Learning is located in the basement of Burch Hall, a centralized place on campus. Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Margery Kingsley said the office is a one-stop shop for freshmen who need help adjusting to the new college environment.
Jacob Jardel
Center, Student Support Services and campus tutoring labs. Sports Editor Assistant Vice President for @JJardel_Writing Academic Affairs Dr. Margery The beginning of the semester Kingsley said that the office is a onesaw the opening of the new Office stop shop for freshmen who need help of Teaching and Learning in the acclimating to a new environment. basement of Burch Hall. “Lots of times students come An open house on Sept. 23 in and they’re really prepared, but showed off the new surroundings to they’re so used to their high school Cameron faculty and staff, while the environment,” she said. “They space was open for students since the get here, and it’s just a completely beginning of the semester. It contains different deal. The faculty in the faculty and administrative offices, university success courses work with three classrooms and a study space for them and try to help them understand students. how college works.” The Office of Teaching and According to Kingsley, the former Learning combines numerous location on the fourth floor of North functions that help with a student’s Shepler was inconvenient for assisting success from first semester to last, students in this way. She said the including freshman success courses, move was exciting for her. the Testing Center, the Advising “When we were tucked up in
North Shepler, we’d only have a student wander up every so often,” Kingsley said. “Now we’ve got students out there studying on a regular basis. I walk out the front door of my office and there are students and faculty – people interacting there. “Having students around, for us, has been a wonderful thing because that’s what we want to do,” she said. “We’re here to help students, talk to students and offer students the resources that they need to be successful.” According to her, this centralized location has been helpful for both students and faculty alike. All the first-year UNIV courses and instructors are now in one location, making for easier interaction, a move Kingsley felt would be beneficial in
the long run. “As time goes on, it’s going to give us a place where students know we’re down here and know where to find us if they need anything,” Kingsley said. “Now we’ve got a real location.” This location was a shooting range, hosting archery and shooting sports courses in previous years. Kingsley credited Cameron President John McArthur for the vision to convert the space to classrooms and office space – despite initial uncertainty. “It’s turned out to be really nice,” she said. “It was one of the few spaces on campus that was large enough to accommodate all of that, but it’s let us put all that stuff together in close proximity. That’s just been great.” According to many students, the new location is not only useful but also aesthetically pleasing. Sophomore
communication major Haley Berry said she was wowed when she saw the office. “You walk in one hall, and it’s still Burch Hall. You walk on the other side, and you feel like you’re in a completely different building,” Berry said. “The renovation’s nice, and I think the accessibility to have a study space is great.” Kingsley said Berry’s reaction was not an isolated one, with many students saying it has the feel of places like the University of Oklahoma and other big-name universities. “People realize Cameron does have a lot to offer, and we can offer facilities and classrooms that are right up there with the best of campuses,” Kingsley said. “It was a long time in the making, but the reaction has been exactly what we’ve hoped for.”
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Student Life
October 12, 2015
www.aggiecentral.com
International Student Scholarship Banquet Tyla Eakins
Student Life Editor @tyla_eakins
Cameron University celebrated its 8th annual International Student Scholarship Banquet on Oct. 2. Advisor for the Cameron University International Club Clara Arent said the banquet provides members of the community a chance to bid on items in order to raise money for next year’s
scholarships. “The international student scholarship banquet is an opportunity for our international students to perform for our people in the community and around campus,” Arent said. “This year we are selling about 240 tickets, and we will also have a silent auction and all the funds raised at the banquet will go directly into the scholarship fund for our international students.” Academic Affairs Specialist at Cameron University Vinetta Buchanan began the banquet by sharing some of her own experiences from when she was
Photos by Jacob Jardel
Performance: Nigerian students: Victor Effiong (Left) and Tolulope Pyetoro (Right) performed and Nigerian music drama Oct 2, 2015 with other Nigerian students at Cameron University. an international student at Cameron University. “People often ask me what language people speak where I am from,” Buchanan said. “I have to respond – without making them feel terrible – English.” Buchanan said she was surprised at how Lawton looked when she first arrived, but now she enjoys it. “Lawton didn’t look like the places I had seen on
TV,” Buchanan said. “It didn’t look like Chicago, New York or San Francisco.” The International Student Club served food from different countries provided by Sodexo to people at the banquet. Several students performed for members of the banquet, many representing the country they were from. One of the two recipients of the scholarship is Temilade Adelusi, a junior journalism and media production major said she was grateful to have been one of the recipients to receive the scholarship. “Feels great, I have always
wanted to get the scholarship to help me in some way,” Adelusi said. “I got involved last year in the organization, and I was the secretary. “Then this year I decided, ‘Okay, I’ve been involved for a year let me just move onto another organization and be a part of that organization,’ so I decided to apply for that scholarship, and they gave it to me.” She said she believes she won because of her involvement in the International Club organization. “The scholarship is called the International Club Scholarship,” she said, “so really, it’s about being a part of the organization and being an active member coming to meetings. “Since I was a member and I was like an executive, I think that helped me a little bit.” All the funds raised at the silent auction this year will be put toward other International Club scholarships for next year.
Cameron displays diversity: Treasurer of the Cameron University international club, Sujana Rupakheti from Nepal performed a Nepali dance before the international student scholarship banquet audience at 6 p.m. Oct. 2, 2015.
Chet McDoniel brings inspiration to Cameron Tyla Eakins
teammates.” Career services works with Student Life Editor students to help them handle their @tyla_eakins disability. In adherence of the 25th “What our office tries to do anniversary of the Americans is provide students with that with Disabilities Act, Cameron disability a little bit of extra University dedicated Oct. 5 and time, Scribner said, so they can Oct. 6 to disability awareness. Oct. formulate the correct answers it 5 between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. doesn’t give them an advantage in the MCC several booths ran by because they’re having to work members of Cameron University harder than the average student. “ faculty offered students the chance Disability awareness continued to participate in exercises that Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. in the MCC when simulate a variety of disabilities. Cameron University welcomed Career services Jordan entrepreneur and motivational Scribner gave students who speaker Chet McDoniel. visited the career services booth McDoniel, who has no arms and the opprotunity to experience has shortened legs, can do nearly what it is like for people who have everything a person with no difficulty expressing themselves physical disabilities can do. verbally. The Expressive language He eats independently. challenge required students to “I like to go to restaurants and describe something that happened normally my wife helps me with the day before without using the the food but sometimes I like to letter “I”. go and just prop my feet up on the “Basically this challenge helps table and eat and watch how people simulate what it’s like for those freak out,” McDoniel said. who have expressive language He holds his children. disabilities,”said Scribner. “It can “If you have a niece or brother or take them awhile to formulate sisters you’ve taken them and flown words whenever we’re asking them them around the room or at least to answer questions in class, or you’ve seen someone else do it,” said whenever they get called on. It can McDoniel. “So I saw people doing be a big challenge whenever they’re that I can’t fly my daughter around working in groups and they haven’t the room, but we can certainly disclosed their disability to their pretend, so I can rock back and
forth and hold her with my feet.” He drives. “I like to drive, said McDoniel. I drive a van. I just got a brand new one, and I like to drive up next to someone at a traffic light and get the person’s attention next to me and wave and then the light turns green, and I take off while they try to figure out how I drive.” Sometimes he sheds his wheelchair and walks. “I don’t walk very far distances because when I walk, when I stand, I do not have bone structure supporting me like you do; it is only on muscle mass that I can stand,” said McDoniel. “Current family physicians don’t understand how it’s possible medically, but I do it, and I do it to prove a point to myself and that is, there may come a time when I can’t … so I’m going to walk as much as I possibly can now.” Chet McDoniel said when he was born doctors told his parents his disability would often be more of an obstacle for them than it would him. “I went to a lot of physical therapy when I was young the therapist told my parents that really the therapy was for them to figure out how to help me interact with the world, that I would figure it out as I would interact with
Courtesy of CU Public Affairs
Disability awareness: Motivational speaker Chet McDoniel explained to students Oct. 6 in the MCC why he does not let his disability define him. different objects. “ Though Chet McDoniel admits to having challenges such as being bullied in his younger years he said he has made a commitment to make the best of his situation. “Look,” said McDoniel, “I’m certainly not perfect on the inside,
and I may not be perfect on the outside either. But in that moment when my kids come up to me to show their love, in that moment when my wife reaches over and holds my foot; I realize I’m not broken, and if I’m not broken then neither are you.”
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Voices
October 12, 2015
www.aggiecentral.com
Witnessing centuries of bias
Ibn Sahl was a great mathematician and physicist from the Abbasid Caliphate around 984 c.e. whose work on refraction pioneered the advancement of optics in the Islamic Golden Age. Meanwhile, Europe was experiencing its Dark Ages in which little to no scientific progress was made. It wasn’t until 1621 c.e. when Dutch mathematician and astronomer Willebrord Snellius observed and recorded the law of refraction himself. Yet the law of refraction is called Snell’s Law, not Ibn Sahl’s Law despite being discovered by the Muslim scientist over 600 years before the European. While both men achieved the same scientific progress with equal levels of merit, somehow history has been written from a Eurocentric perspective and simultaneously has systematically erased the significance of other cultures. Regarding Islamic erasure, the Crusades created the initial fissure between the caliphates of the Middle East and the monarchies of Europe and established the historical air of European and Christian superiority. Then the Ottoman Empire became the next rival of Europe, and the fallout from World War I led to a permanent, modern schism of the European and Eastern worlds. Since then, the rift has been deepened by the North African campaign in World War II, the Iranian Hostage Crisis in 1979, the Gulf War in 1990, the 9/11 attacks and War in Afghanistan in 2001,
the Iraq War in 2003, and the social phenomenon that is the numerous similar actions. latest form of institutionalized There are innumerous racism. accounts of negative One institution where this interactions racism is rooted between the is in MacArthur West and High School in the East, Irving, Texas but with when 14-year-old events so Ahmed Mohamed significant was arrested and for possessing a atrocious homemade clock as the 9/11 when he brought attacks, the it to school. U.S. has In an attempt led the west to show his in Islamic teachers his erasure technological with effects talent, Mohamed Joel Frambes that have demonstrated the Copy Editor trickled clock in class, and @JoelPole12 down to was informed by deteriorate an instructor that the everyday lives of Muslim it looked like a bomb. Americans. Subsequently, the fear The escalation of this this statement initiated led erasure into hatred toward to Mohamed’s arrest, which Muslims now constitutes included police taking his Islamophobia, a rampant mugshot and fingerprints.
The “Inventor Kid” of MacArthur High School was known for much more complicated contraptions, bringing them to school on a regular basis. However, this instance was ultimately inflamed until authorities were asked to intervene, a seemingly exaggerated reaction to a normal behavior. Students and faculty had bullied Mohamed in the past for his contraptions and his religion, and this appeared to be the most drastic aggression to date. Contrary to this tragedy is the success of Taylor Wilson, a young boy who built a nuclear fusion reactor in his garage when he was 14 years old back in 2008. Wilson brought his experiment to the instructors of his private school, and it was investigated by authorities. But Wilson was rewarded, not arrested for his scientific progress.
Photos by Tribune News Service
This disparity epitomizes the Islamophobia Mohamed experienced – the institutionalized racism that has been allowed to thrive and fester in America going unchecked for so long. Treating a white boy from Arkansas and a Muslim boy from South Sudan – each having the same amount of genius and potential as the other – as a scientific spin of the prince and the pauper encourages the inequality Eurocentric history perpetuates about Islam. Treating these teenagers
dualistically will never restore the discrepancy between Snellius and Ibn Sahl. The only way to close the gap between the East and the West is to recognize that genius and potential are qualities independent of religion, nationality and race. This area of civil rights demands modernization in uniting the importance of Islamic history with Eurocentric history, which Mohamed summed up at the 2015 Social Good Summit: “Without innovation, we cannot advance.”
Students feeling the burn: an open letter to Fall Dear Fall Semester, There is an English proverb about March weather, talking about how the month “comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” because the tempestuous weather that starts the month eventually calms down. It does not always apply to the finicky weather of the month, but there is one thing to which it applies: you, Fall Semester. Well, it applies to an extent. If anything, the idiom should be modified to say, “Fall semester comes in like a lion, and the students come out like lambs.” It makes sense, after all. The start of the semester comes roaring and doesn’t let up until we
walk away sheepishly after finals week. Now, you aren’t really that bad. Welcome Week is always a good time reuniting with friends we may not have seen, and all the free pizza you offer is just fantastic. You offer everyone a lot of excitement from the start. What we as a collective Cameron community dislike is the fact that you turn that excitement to heightened workload, excess stress and unfortunate dietary decisions based on said workload and stress. You aren’t to blame for the fabled “Freshman 15,” but you sure don’t help it. But that workload and stress take
a toll on students. Assignments pile disorder” (or, fittingly enough, SAD) up, tests start to strain us and studying explains some of this daylight-based becomes a phenomenon. lifestyle. We’ve Thankfully, according had one break to the Mayo Clinic, SAD between the requires no lab tests start of the and usually only lasts semester and within a few months – the upcoming coincidentally enough, Fall Break – after you leave us and not much of Spring Semester tags in. a reprieve for Compared to other, more anyone. severe forms of depression As a result, or mood disorders, this many of us one has fewer and less are starting to impactful long-term experience this consequences. phenomenon Regardless, seasonal Jacob Jardel called burnout, affective disorder does Sports Editor where that no help for stressed-out @JJardel_Writing stress and college students. responsibility Fall Semester, you starts to wear us down to a point of can be cruel with all this stress at apathy, depression or ennui. We do a inopportune times. It’s also no help number of things that make us slack that you give us such little reprieve off and, subsequently, worry more for it. You mean well with your about upcoming assignments in an enthusiasm for a school year, but endless cycle that gets nothing done. enthusiasm can get overwhelming. Needless to say, burnout is no fun. Unfortunately, there isn’t much On top of all of the burnout, you, you can do about it. After all, you are Fall Semester, occur during times not only a time-based entity but also a when the sun is out less, the weather theoretical construct that has no real gets colder and many of our moods autonomy over anything, really. get grouchier because of it. A quick But we need a scapegoat for our Tribune News Service Google search for “seasonal affective burnout, right?
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.
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Editorial Staff Managing Editor - Krista Pylant Asst. Managing Editor - Vicky Smith Sports Editor - Jacob Jardel, Krista Pylant Student Life Editor - Tyla Eakins Copy Editor - Joel Frambes Aggie Central Editor- Charlene Belew
Newsroom Staff Financial Officer - Susan Hill Circulation Manager - Krista Pylant, Vicky Smith Advertising Managers - Charlene Belew Faculty Adviser - Mr. David Bublitz
That’s the reason for this open letter to you, Fall Semester. A lot of us are stressed. A lot of us are overwhelmed. So many of us are experiencing the anxiety and ennui of burnout, and we cannot wait for Fall Break any more. Yet, we have no real outlet to express it. This opinion may not be representative, since some may still be riding by just fine with fuel from season changes, small happenings or other small- or large-scale motivators. Maybe some aren’t burned out just yet and won’t associate with this piece until Thanksgiving or Finals Week (the subject of a whole other open letter). But so many students have expressed their frustrations about how Fall Semester does one thing or another that they don’t appreciate that warranted this letter. It’s really just us airing our grievances a few months prior to Festivus because we have nobody at whom to vent. So why not try venting at an inanimate idea? We’ll make it up to you next time you come back. We may even think quite fondly of you when Spring Semester starts burning us out like it’s bound to do. Until then, though, try not to roar so loud as we bleat our way through the rest of the semester.
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.
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A&E
October 12, 2015
www.aggiecentral.com
Mireles receives endowed professorship Vicky Smith
Assistant Managing Editor @pinkwritinglady
The Board of Regents for The University of Oklahoma, Cameron University and Rogers State University approved the naming of Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Matthew Mireles as the Joye R. Lentz Endowed Professorship. The endowment took effect on Oct. 1. Director of Media Relations Janet Williams said a gift from the estate of the late Joye R. Lentz made the music endowment possible. Mireles said he was teaching at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan during the summer when he received a phone call from Vice President Ronna Vanderslice, who informed him about the endowed professorship. “I couldn’t have been more honored or more thankful that they would even think of me for something like that,” Mireles said. “It was just a tremendous honor for me to hear that from her. “I can’t emphasize enough how thankful I am and how big a responsibility I know this is, so I’m taking it very seriously, and I am always trying to do my best in everything I do.” Mireles has been teaching at Cameron for three years, and he said he has been highly involved with the middle and high school bands in the Southwest Oklahoma region. He said his responsibilities have included teaching students, working with band directors, being a guest conductor and running different clinics, rehearsals and master classes within. As the Joye R. Lentz Endowed Professor, Mireles will be further reaching out to the middle and high school bands. “Cameron University wants to expand that even more,” he said. “This is a new endeavor for me because this gets me even more involved with younger students in the public schools. … So, basically every morning I’m somewhere working with a high school or a middle school.” Mireles said the administration has decided which schools he will collaborate with. “They’ve detailed the position as wanting me to focus on the LPS schools, so Lawton Public Schools: Lawton, Eisenhower, McArthur,” Mireles said, “and a few of the surrounding schools, meaning Cache High School, Elgin High School, and Duncan High School… I [also] teach some students from Comanche, some students from Apache [and some from Snyder].” Mireles said the band students in this area are very eager
Photo courtesy of CU Public Affairs
Conducting success: Dr. Matthew Mireles conducts a Cameron band during last year’s convocation ceremony. Mireles joins the Cameron University faculty under the Joye R. Lentz professorship, effective Oct. 1. to learn how to play music, and he is eager to teach them. “Everyone wants to do something great,” he said, “and the band directors are obviously great teachers for them, and they care a lot for them, but it just helps even more when you have someone from the outside or even from the university level come to help out.” Mireles also has a passion for music that he would like to share with students. “I’m just trying to just get as much energy as I can into the students and as much enthusiasm for making music because that’s what I love,” he said. “Even when I talk about music, I get real passionate.” Mireles said when he was in high school, he did not realize what he could do or where he could go by playing his instrument. “When I went to college,” he said, “I decided I’d become a music major, and then I went on to do my master’s and
doctorate. … Now, my instrument has taken me all over the world and all over the United States performing and teaching. It’s brought me here into a nice, wonderful environment here at Cameron.” Mireles said some students do not know that they can make a career out of their musical endeavors. “I just want to be a nice inspiration for them so that they can work even harder and get even better because they know that something else can come out of it,” he said. “It can open up a lot of different possibilities, so if they’re just able to – at this point in their life – work their hardest on their instrument, their potential is limitless.” Ultimately, Mireles said he wants to be as big a resource to the music education community in this area as he can. “I’m just hoping that I can share what I know to as many students as possible,” he said, “[so] they can be fulfilling and enriching to their community with their music making.”
Band brings harmony to Lawton, CU Derick Isaac
“It has everything from jazz to traditional concert to Staff Writer music that was written for Cameron University other ensembles but has been and the city of Lawton are arranged and transcribed for a in harmony again as the concert band,” he said. Cameron University/Lawton Derik Daubenspeck, a Community Band prepared for freshman music education its fall debut. major, was recruited to The band integrates over the community band as a 50 people including Cameron trombonist two years ago when students, alumni and faculty he was in high school. members and also has students According to Daubenspeck, from Eisenhower, MacArthur, receiving help from Lawton High, Cache, Walters experienced people at the band and Elgin’s public high schools. has improved his performance Middle school band for the band and in general. members are also selected, “I have learned a lot of as well as adult performers things from the older people who tried to help me out,” he traveling from Duncan, said. “They have experience to Sterling, Fletcher and Wichita give to the younger people who Falls. want to play with them.” Founded in 1976, the band Derik said being a younger has performed over 60 concerts player at the band didn’t seem since its inception with challenging to him as they all concerts each semester. relate well with each other. Dr. Jim Lambert, Professor “We all have a common Photo courtesy of CU Public Affairs of Music at Cameron, love for all the music”, he said. conducted the concert. Lambert said having people who perform music, time he comes to perform knowledge of their respective “It’s been a pretty and good According to Lambert, the people from different levels of because music is a universal trombone,” Lambert said. instruments. experience so far.” band in this semester meets musical experience on the band language.” “We have Cameron alumni “I expect some performance The Cameron/Lawton one day a week to practice provides flexibility. Students Austin Bowling is one of the in other careers, and they are experience,” he said. “This is Community Band hosted its and to discuss concerts and could learn from more more known band members. performing with this group.” not a beginners band; this is 39th concert on Sunday, Oct. issues. He also said they meet experienced musicians. Lambert mentioned the chief Dr. Lambert said there an intermediate to mid-level11 at the Cameron University in the first eight weeks of the “It’s a combination of age, meteorologist of KSWO are no formal auditions or advanced concert band.” Theatre. Cameron students are semester. maturity and experience,” still finds time on Sundays to academic qualifications to The band plays diverse admitted free with a student “We have approximately he said. “The older student practice with the band. determine the band, but he types of music which Lambert ID and are welcome to see the 55-60 talented musicians to “He makes his living doing stressed that performers said helps students learn how next concert in January if they perform woodwind, brass and participants enjoy the fellowship of meeting other different things, but for leisure must be able to have standard to play new styles. missed the one in fall. percussions,” he said.
Film “Hollis” set in rural Oklahoma Jennifer Grimm Staff Writer
On Sat., Oct. 3, the Vaska premiered an independent film written and directed by Sonny Priest called “Hollis.” The Vaska is the last of the original theatres remaining in Lawton, Oklahoma. It is well known for showing modern movies, classics and independent films. “Hollis” is about a boy named Darryl who grew up
taking care of his younger brother with cerebral palsy. He is from a poor family, and he felt his poverty was affecting his chances of getting a quality education. Darryl decided to apply to several colleges and after getting accepted, he had to make a choice: attend college and better his future, or stay behind and care for his brother. Priest came up with the idea after he attended First Baptist Church in Altus where he
met a man with cerebral palsy. He had never taken care of someone with special needs, so the experience planted the seed for a film. The idea did not really take off until Priest attended a retreat for spring break when he passed through small town Hollis. At that moment, he had a visualization of the movie. “That’s where this story took place. That’s where this happened,” Priest said.
When he arrived to the retreat, he then stayed up the rest of the night outlining the movie he would soon begin to create a few years later. The movie was actually shot in the town of Hollis. Priest said that the people residing there were welcoming and accommodating, allowing him and his crew to stay in the gym of First Baptist Hollis, a local church. “Hollis” is the first of many productions coming from
Priest. He is currently writing fifteen to twenty new scripts as well as a TV show. He has already started planning out the first season. Travis Palmer, a member of the audience the night of the premier as well as an independent film maker himself, was pleased to see that small towns in Oklahoma were portrayed accurately. “One thing I most appreciated was that it was true to the small town,” Palmer
said. Palmer said there are three types of people that are in the film industry: those that are obsessed with it, those that are stuck in it, and those that have a calling for it. “What drives them may be the people in this industry, or it may be the desire to tell stories through this art form,” he said. “The people that go far in film are those that feel a calling and couldn’t picture themselves doing anything else.”
6
Sports
October 12, 2015
www.aggiecentral.com
Aggies fall to TWU
Photos courtesy of Mike Mazzo
Krista Pylant
Managing Editor @KristaPylant8
Cameron volleyball’s undefeated streak came to an end after the Aggies fell to Texas Woman’s (19-25, 25-20, 19-25, 20-25) on Oct. 3 in the Aggie Gym. The Aggies are now 13-1 on the season and 4-1 in Lone Star Conference play. Senior Kat Evans recorded her ninth double-double of the year by contributing eleven kills and 16 digs for the Ags. Freshman Jenna Gillean followed up with ten kills, and freshman Kayla Allen had nine. Freshman Tori Luckenbill recorded 25 assists on the match, while sophomore Cristina Viera led the Black and Gold defense with 22 digs. Overall, Texas Woman’s outpaced the Aggies in kills, recording 53 to CU’s 47. TWU also had the better attacking percentage, .190 compared to the Aggie’s .148 hitting clip. However, the Aggies trumped the Pioneers in digs with 82 versus TWU’s 76. Cameron got off to a slow start in the first set. With the score knotted at three, TWU went on a four point run
sparked by a Pioneer kill followed by three straight Aggie attack errors. Errors continued to plague the Aggies as they ended set one with a .075 attacking percentage. TWU never let off its lead, garnering 12 kills total to take the first set, 19-25. In set two, three straight kills from Texas Woman’s moved the board, 1-4. Back and forth action dominated the set until the score knotted at eleven. A TWU ball handling error and a kill from CU’s Kendra Adams brought Cameron the lead, 13-11. The Pioneers remained a point behind until the Aggies produced a scoring chain led by three Cameron kills and a TWU attack error. The Aggies retained the lead, recording 14 kills and a .200 attacking percentage to win the set, 25-20. Set three saw a tightly contested game early on. The set tied seven times and knotted the board 8-8, until three straight Aggie kills by Gillean and Evans brought CU the lead. However, the Pioneers answered right back with three points of their own to tie the score once more at 11-11. A kill by TWU’s Sara Oxford began a scoring chain for TWU as they took the lead, 11-15. The Pioneers did not let
off of their lead to garner set three, 19-25. Set four told a similar story, only with ten tied scores and six lead changes. Late in the set, Cameron was within a point of TWU’s lead of 20-21 until a four point chain by the Pioneers awarded TWU the set and win, 20-25. Mallory Kuechle, Hillary Shaffer and Sara Oxford paced Texas Woman’s with 12 kills each. The Aggies take to the road for their next four matches, beginning at Tarleton State on Oct. 9 followed by a matchup with Angelo State on Oct. 10. Tarleton State is currently riding a six game winning streak with a 14-3 overall record and is 4-1 in conference play. Tarleton State’s lone conference loss was to Angelo State in a 1-3 match on Sept. 16. The TexAnns remain undefeated at home with a 5-0 record, while they are 4-2 away, and 5-1 at neutral sites. Meanwhile, Angelo State is currently 15-4 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Angelo’s lone conference loss was to Texas A&M—Kingsville after the Javelinas captured the 3-1 upset over the Rambelles, snapping their eight game winning streak. Angelo still remains unbeaten at home at 7-0 but is 5-2 on the road and 3-2 at neutral sites.
Aggies sweep Texas A&M Commerce
Photos courtesy of Mike Mazzo
Setting up, knocking down: (Left) Freshman Tori Luckenbill sets the ball for an Aggie attacker. (Above) Freshman Jenna Gillean assists Freshman Jordan Williams with a block.
Krista Pylant
“We talked in the locker room about how we can’t Managing Editor keep going to five sets @KristaPylant8 because we get really tired The Cameron volleyball from it,” Allen said. “It’s good because tomorrow team swept Texas A&M— we are going to need a lot Commerce (25-14, 25-18, of energy because Texas 25-20) on Oct. 2 in the Woman’s is a well put Aggie Gym. together team.” This is the first time Senior Kat Evans and the Aggies have swept an freshman Jenna Gillean opponent since Sept. 18 at led the CU offense, each Texas A&M—Kingsville. notching eight kills. According to freshman Additionally, Gillean Kayla Allen, the sweep had a team high attacking against Commerce was just percentage of .412. what the Aggies needed Freshman Tori after they began the past Luckenbill contributed 22 two matches down two sets.
assists to the Aggies, and sophomore Cristina Viera led the Black and Gold defense with 15 digs. Errors plagued A&M— Commerce as they ended the match with a .090 attacking percentage compared to Cameron’s .270 hitting clip. As a whole, the Aggies had 38 kills and 44 digs, while the Lions had 33 kills and 41 digs on the match. Set one was all Cameron as the Aggies retained the lead for the entire set. The Black and Gold jumped to a quick 7-1 start
off of five Lion attack errors, an ace from Cristina Viera, and a kill from Jordan Williams. Cameron would go on a six point run with Evans at the service line who started the chain with two aces followed by kills from Kendra Adams, Williams and Allen to put the score at 17-6. The Aggies won set one, 25-14, backed by two kills each from Adams, Evans, Allen, Williams and Gillean for a team set attacking percentage of .259 to the Lion’s .062.
The Lions began the second set with a kill by Jarlyn Wacker, however, A&M—Commerce would not lead again. The score knotted just twice before the Aggies gained momentum off of a 5-4 kill from Evans to lead for the entirety of the set and take it, 25-18. Set three saw the most tightly contested action of the evening with 13 tied scores and six lead changes. Back and forth action dominated the whole set as the score knotted for the final time at 18.
Three straight Aggie kills and a Lion attack error brought Cameron up, 22-18. A&M-Commerce had an attack error, but Wacker provided the Lions with two kills. However, it would not be enough for the Lions, as two Aggie kills would award Cameron the set, 2520, for the sweep. Texas A&M-Commerce (10-5) was led by Shantel Norton who contributed nine kills to the Lions, followed by Taryn Driver who added eight.