The Cameron University Collegian: February 25, 2013

www.aggiecentral.comMonday, February 25, 2013 Volume 88 Issue 4

The Cameron UniversiTy

CollegianCivil Rights

Activist speaks at MLK

CelebrationTiffany Martinez

Managing Editor

Cameron University partook in a late Martin Luther King Day celebration on Feb. 18.

The campus celebration was postponed after keynote speaker of the event, Myrlie Evers-Williams, was asked to deliver the invocation of President Barack Obama at the 2013 Presidential Inauguration.

Myrlie Evers-Williams is the wife of the late civil rights activist Medgar Evers, who was assassinated in the summer of 1963. Since then, Evers-Williams has worked diligently to carry on the vision of equality that her and her husband shared.

The celebration was split into two main events — a panel discussion and a banquet, both of which were open to the public and featured Evers-Williams.

First, the panel discussion took place in the Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CETES) Conference Center.

Vice President of University Advancement Albert Johnson, Jr. and Dr. Willie Smith of Cameron Campus Ministry and of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration committee moderated a short interview with Evers-Williams before opening the f loor up for questions from the audience.

Attendees were anxious to hear Evers-Williams share her experience of the Presidential Inauguration.

“It was a calming experience,” Evers-Williams said. “There was no anxiety or fear. There was a real sense of purpose.”

She said she had missed the chance to speak in Washington, D.C. at the March on Washington nearly 50 years ago, when she was asked to represent women in the civil rights movement.

“Missing that chance was something I was always very sad about, it was like I had missed the highlight of my life,” Evers-Williams said. “Who would’ve guessed 50 years later I would have the opportunity to stand in front of this massive group and deliver the invocation. It was gratifying. It made me feel as though I had

reached the pentacle of my career.”

She said that she had prayed that she would deliver the right message because she realized her words would resonate not only throughout America, but also throughout the rest of the world.

Throughout the panel discussion, Evers-Williams voiced her ideas on the importance of educating American youth on the history of civil rights.

She said in her own opinion, the battle for civil rights has yet to be won.

“I think America is the most forward country in race relations,” Evers-Williams said, “but I think we still have a long way to go. Maybe our kids do not have to go through what I went through, or what my generation went through, but they still have to go through it.”

When controversial topics such as gun violence were brought up and questions over personal opinions on political leaders were raised, Evers-Williams voiced thoughts, but was she was also quick to declare that there are no right answers for the issues that America is facing now.

“We are facing a sorry mess,” Evers-Williams said in response to a gun violence question from an audience member. “And I wish I had the answers. Perhaps I am senile for thinking that there is some sort of compromise that could be reached. I read, I listen to the debates — maybe someday I will have an answer.”

The second event, the 29th Annual Holiday Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., began at 6:30 p.m. in the Aggie Rec Center. The event accommodated 350 guests and provided dinner, and in addition to Evers-Williams and Dr. Smith, speakers included community leaders like Chief James Smith of the Lawton Police Department and Mayor Fred Fitch of the City of Lawton.

Evers-Williams said she enjoys traveling the country and speaking to students about working to change the world for the better.

HOMECOMING WINNERSKaylee Jones

A&E EditorThe candidates were a f lurry of dresses in the front

lobby as the first quarter of Cameron’s men’s Homecoming game came to an end on Feb. 16 in the Aggie Gym.

The theme for the 2013 celebration was safari. Festivities began on Feb. 15, concluding with the men’s basketball game during which the Homecoming King and Queen were crowned.

Aggie Ambassadors, the CU International club and both the Psychology and English departments were among the organizations represented; however, the CU Nigerian Student Association claimed both crowns.

The victory marked a fourth consecutive year for the Nigerian Student Association to take the titles of Homecoming King and Queen.

Uade Illaboya, a junior Finance major, was declared King while junior Bukky Raji was named Queen.

Raji said she was excited for the win.Illaboya shared her excitement, but said that it had been

a nerve-wracking experience for him.“I feel good,” Raji said, “But, before they announced it, I

was so nervous.”Preceding the ceremony, former CU Homecoming

Queen Tolupe Agbetusin, a senior Biology major, said she was happy to give away the crown.

“It feels great,” she said, “Actually, I feel older, in a good way.”

Before the names were announced, many of the candidates vocalized their anxiety.

While the group counted the seconds until the end of first quarter aloud in the front lobby, Corey Medley, a junior Romance Languages major admitted: “[The nomination] is an honor, but it’s super nerve-wracking.

There are a lot of people here that I know could win.”Corey Medley was later declared second runner-up for

Homecoming King. Other students were more excited than nervous while

declaring their school spirit. Senior Health and Physical Science major Rebecca

Espinosa said this was her first CU Homecoming.“So far I love how homey it feels,” Espinosa said: “I’m

from a smaller town in Dallas, and it just makes me feel at home. Black and gold are my colors.”

The score was 32/23 Aggies as the candidates walked to the middle of the court.

As each couple made their way onto the court, an announcer shared facts about each candidate.

Second runners-up Corey Medley of Aggie Ambassadors and Deslyn Beford of Students of the Caribbean Alliance were announced first.

Geno Vazques and Jessica Frederich, both representing the International Club, were declared first runners-up.

The men were given pins while the ladies received bouquets.

Finally, the Homecoming King and Queen winners were finally announced.

Illaboya was given a crown, scepter and wore a sash, while Raji was presented with a tiara, bouquet and matching sash.

The announcer gave a blanketed thank you to all of the contestants after the winners were announced.

The nominees were escorted off the court to “Know Your Enemy” by Green Day.

Though the CU women’s basketball team was defeated homecoming night by Abilene Christian University, the men’s team walked away victorious with the close score of 67-62.

Playstation on Campus TourInteractive preview of the latest Sony creations

Teaching others from the past: Civil rights activist Myrlie Evers-Williams speaks on her experiences during the civil rights movement in America. She visited Cameron University on Feb. 18.

Newly crowned queen and king: Bukky Raji (left) and Uade Illaboya (right) grace the court with crowns after being named Homecoming Queen and King. A “Cameron Safari” was this year’s homecoming theme.

See CIVIL RIGHTSPage 3

Alex Rosa-FigueroaStaff Writer

See SONYPage 2

Photo by Tiffany Martinez

2013 Queen and King crowned

Students were able to mingle and get a preview of Sony’s upcoming game lineup as the PlayStation on Campus tour arrived at Cameron.

Starting at 10 a.m. on Feb. 20, students gathered in the MCC Ballroom to participate in the PlayStation on Campus tour event. This event allowed attendees to participate in contests, get free merchandise and try out the latest games to set to be released on Sony’s video game platforms.

According to Brandon

Smith, tour manager for PlayStation on Campus, the tour focuses on giving students a chance to meet up and have fun.

“This is a good opportunity to come, hang out and play,” he said.

The tour has hit campuses across the state and nation, including the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and the University of Arkansas. At each stop, students were able to try out new product while getting a taste of what was to come. According to Smith, PlayStation recognized Cameron as having a core gaming group — on that

would be highly receptive to the tour’s visit — and added the school to their list of stops.

A number of Sony consoles — from the PlayStation 3 to the PlayStation Vita— were on display in the ballroom for students to play. Attendees were able to experience yet-unreleased games such as “God of War: Ascension,” “Dead or Alive 5 Plus” and “MLB 13: The Show,” in addition to the more recent releases, including “Metal Gear Rising: Revengance” and “Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time.”

Playing new games was not the event’s sole

purpose, however. While in the ballroom, students were able to take part in a number of PlayStation-themed offers. In addition to a one-month subscription to PlayStation Plus, the paid section of the PSN online service, attendees were given access to the PlayStation University of Play, a program that provides students with deals and discounts, such as $10 toward new games, a deal on a PS3 bundle and discounts for the 3g Wi-Fi enabled PlayStation Vita.

Photo courtesy of Public Affairs

News2 February 25, 2013www.aggiecentral.com

CU Succeed presents Diversity BingoCameron University

students experienced the diversity on campus in the Student Development’s Diversity Bingo event.

In another installment of the CU Succeed Series, Coordinator of Diversity Affairs Taylor Thompson hosted the event to spread awareness of the diversity of students on campus. The event took place at 11 a.m. on Feb. 19 in the Centennial Room.

Thompson — who hosted the first Diversity Bingo in the fall semester — said the event was well-received enough to bring it back again.

According to Thompson, the event was a take on classic bingo with a twist.

“Diversity Bingo is kind of a play on the actual game bingo, but instead of having numbers in the squares, there are descriptors of certain groups and

characteristics,” Thompson said. “One descriptor will say grew up in a single parent household or Native American, and you have to go around and ask them [the players] if they qualify in this section.”

Thompson said the event helps students learn how to communicate in awkward situations and work with others that may be different from themselves.

“It can create some uncomfortable situations,” she said. “We have one square that asks if anyone is transgender. It is sometimes about having difficult conversations and knowing how not to offend someone when asking these type of questions.”

Thompson said she enjoys playing the game with students. While she always has fun with the groups, she said the success of the event rides on the number of participants.

“The more students that come and participate, the

better the experience will be,” she said.

Thompson said she thinks such an event is an important staple to any campus. She said it is a fun way to allow students to become aware of and accept the diversity of the Cameron environment.

“I think it is important because we do need to increase the awareness of diversity on campus and so that people will learn to accept others that are different from them,” Thompson said.

Thompson said she believes students should attend Diversity Bingo to experience something new. Students not only receive the chance to make new friends, but to also learn about other cultures and lifestyles.

“Students should attend just to do something different and meet other students on campus,” she said. “It gives them the opportunity to learn more

about someone they might not have come in contact with.”

Thompson said she sees the game as a useful tool for people in need of icebreakers. The game not only lets people of different backgrounds interact, but makes them work together in order to win prizes.

“I think it is a good idea for RAs on campus. They interact with so many students from different cultures and backgrounds,” she said. “This event could be an icebreaker event to begin new semesters.”

For any students or organizations looking to put on their own Diversity Bingo event, Thompson said she is willing to help by providing bingo sheets and even hosting the game.

“If students ever want to put on this event with a group of friends, I am willing to come and host it,” Thompson said. “I can see Diversity Bingo as something that professors or

classrooms can use to begin new semesters.”

Thompson said students and professors may contact her for more information about the game.

“We prefer a two week

notice before putting on the game. If anyone would like more information, they can contact or call me or Student Development,” she said.

Kaitlyn StocktonStaff Writer

Bingo: Coordinator of Diversity Affairs Taylor Thompson leads the discussion at CU Succeed’s Diversity Day. The event took place Feb. 19 in the Centennial Room.

Photo by Kaitlyn Stockton

Homecoming bonfire blazes onCameron Univeristy’s

PAC held their sixth annual homecoming bonfire pep rally at 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 15.

Despite the chilly weather, CU students gathered around the fires and enjoyed popcorn, s’mores and hot chocolate.

The men’s and women’s basketball teams were introduced and announced the schedule for upcoming games. The Aggie Dancers, Aggie Band and the CU cheerleaders performed to increase school spirit.

Aside from the large bonfire, there were also four small firepits made for popping popcorn and roasting marshmallows.

PAC member, 19-year-old junior Sidney McCormack, said the bonfire event was put on to help gain support for the next day’s athletic games.

“We really wanted to

get the spirit going for the homecoming games tomorrow,” McCormack said. “I think we achieved that with the good turnout we had.”

McCormack said the event provided athletes and students alike an opportunity to socialize.

“The pep rally is a good chance for the athletes to not only be recognized,” McCormack said, “But they can also socialize with their supporters and fellow students.”

Angelo Lencioni, a 21-year-old sophomore, made a last-minute decision to attend the bonfire with a friend, and she said she appreciated the warm atmosphere and concersation afforded by the fires.

“I heard about the bonfire but wasn’t sure about going,” Lencioni said. “My friend talked me into going, and I’m glad he did.”

A native Chilean,

Lencioni said he was enjoying the bonfire and the complimentary snacks.

“I am having a blast,”

Lencioni said, “And I ate a lot of these marshmallows.”

Senior Autumn Corn, 22, said she rarely attends

CU functions, but opted to attend this event during her final semster.

“It’s my last semester,”

Corn said. “I’ve never really come out to events like this so I figured why not.”

Corn was happy she made the decision to come out to the bonfire because it gave her a reason to dance with her friends around the fire.

“I’m having a great time,” Corn said. “The music selection just makes me want to dance.”

Twenty-year-old sophomore Miriah Kuch attended the bonfire for the second consecutive year and noticed a change in the ambience.

“I came last year and it was fun,” Kuch said, “But this year has more spirit. I really like the vibe.”

The event also included a raff le drawing for a prize, and Kuch said she and her friends waited to hear the name of the winner.

“They raff led off a Kindle Fire. My friends and I were bummed that none of us won,” Kuch said.

Kella HaireStaff Writer

Fire away: Cameron students watch on as the bonfire burns. The sixth annual bonfire pep rally took place Feb. 15 for the basketball Homecoming the next day.

SONY continued from page 1

Contests and giveaways were also open to the campus as the tour event proceeded. Taking center stage was the MLB 13 Move Home Run Derby. The derby is a nation-wide contest for students to test their mettle at MLB 13: The Show and compete for the highest number of home runs. The virtual home run champion will receive a PlayStation 3, its handheld counterpart the Vita, and a copy of MLB 13 for both systems.

Students could also face each other in the digital field of combat. At 2:30 p.m. the ballroom played host to a PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale tournament. All vying for the prize, competitors clashed with the colorful characters and mascots that claim the PlayStation as their home.

The prizes don’t stop when the event does, though. Liking and providing an RSVP for the event page on Facebook made students eligible for both during and, according to Smith, after the

event. “We’re giving away a Vita

every week,” he said.Smith also said that the

event page would serve as a hub for students to interact and discuss their time at during the tour.

“It’s kind of a message board for people to share their experiences here,” he said.

With contests to participate in, games to play and fellow gamers to interact with, the event was appealing to all manner of students in attendance, such as Freshman History major Kevin Nomitz.

“We saw the sign downstairs and decided to come up,” he said.

The event also drew the eyes of non-students as well—attendee Mark Crowl, in particular, said he was pleased with the gathering.

“I heard that the tour was in the area and wanted to stop by,” he said. “It’s neat.”

The tour will find its next stop at UC San Diego, and Eastern New Mexico University after that.

Chili, hot dogs, homemade cinnamon rolls and pastries captured the attention and taste buds of Cameron University students, faculty and staff when the members of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) held a Valentine’s Day Bake Sale.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 12, SVA members remained busy in the lobby of Nance Boyer, satisfying CU’s sweet tooth and raising money to support to military veterans and their families. SVA includes veterans who currently attend classes at CU and ROTC members. Robert Johns, the SVA President — and K K Dingle, a member of SVA — held the organization’s first bake sale and saw which items went first.

“The most popular items sold at the Bake Sale were hot dogs, chili, bottled water and pastries,” Johns said. “The hot dogs were donated by Bar S of Altus, and the chili was made by the vice president of student services, Jennifer Holland.”

Dingle explained the purpose of the bake sale — the objective is to provide support for other military veterans and their families during their college careers.

“The money from the Bake Sale will be used for SVA activities,” Dingle said, “such as on campus events with special

guests who will speak and offer support to SVA members.”In addition to organizing local and on-campus events, Dingle

mentioned a possible trip to the Okla. state capitol that would enable the members of the organization to share the SVA mission with others.

“We hope to raise enough money to go to the state capitol and raise more awareness for veterans,” Dingle said. “To inform them of how SVA is benefiting and supporting their members — medically and mentally.”

According to the Student Affairs Center website, SVA members across the Unites States have been striving to support and encourage military veterans and their families since 2008.

Since 2012, CU veteran students and ROTC members have been recognizing the needs of veterans and their families that live in the state and elsewhere.

“The SVA organization is new to CU,” Dingle said. “It was established late in 2012, and this is our first fundraiser to collect money for activities and events we want to be involved in.”

Johns said knew of students who had heard about the organization and wanted to be involved, so he took the initiative and helped begin the program at CU.

“The organization is student and donation based,” Johns said. Veterans share the experience of serving their nation, and

Dingle said CU SVA members have recognized the need to show veterans support on and off campus.

“Veterans of our community need people out there to do things with them,” Dingle said. “They’re just like us; they need companionship.”

Johns said he hoped to have more than one location for the next campus fundraiser in order to attract more interest and make it more accessible to students, faculty and staff on the opposite side of campus who may not have time to walk to Nance-Boyer

Jones said the Valentine’s Day Bake Sale provided SVA members $414.70 to add to organization activity funds. Because the first SVA fundraiser was a success, Johns said SVA is planning another bake sale to take place on March 14.

SVA hold Valentine’s Day bake saleSadie JonesStaff Writer

Photo by Sadie Jones

Valetine’s veterans: SVA President Robert Johns along with member K K Dingle work at the table for the Valentine’s bake sale, which took place Feb. 12.

Photo by Kella Haire

News 3February 25, 2013www.aggiecentral.com

Lawton Warden speaks at Cameron The Cameron University

Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology Speaker Series continued with the Warden of the GEO Lawton Correctional Facility, Hector Rios.

Warden Hector Rios spoke as a part of the series at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 18 in the Wichita Room in the Shepler Center.

Despite retiring from the U.S. Penitentiary Atwater in April 2012, Rios decided to work for the GEO Lawton Correctional Facility as Warden.

“I retired back in April, and I was enjoying retirement and the phone didn’t stop ringing,” Rios said. “I am glad I am here in Lawton with this staff, because I believe we have a quality staff.”

Rios spoke during the event about recruiting correctional officers for facilities.

“We’re always recruiting; we’re always looking for

good people who have that calling in corrections,” Rios said. “We go through the academies, and out of about 25 people, after six months those 25 become 20, then 15. Corrections is not for everyone.”

Rios said the training of those correctional officers is important, and intelligence plays a key role.

“Training is always important,” Rios said. “Another thing about Corrections 101 is intel. Intelligence really, more or less, dictates what direction your institution is going. With intelligence, you have the information you need to stop a fight or stop a stabbing or stop contraband. It’s very, very important.”

According to Rios, the maintenance and sanitation of an institution can change its environment.

“If you run a clean institution, the environment is different,” Rios said. “I’m a firm believer in that. If your institution is not clean, and it’s filthy, it can

take a turn to a different environment.”

During the event, Rios told those who were attendance about two prisoners who had attempted to escape while Rios was on the job in 2005.

“There were two who were out,” Rios said. “The staff was doing its job, though, and noticed there was movement in no man’s land. There were two, and one of them was America’s Most Wanted. It goes back to not doing the basics right. We were not doing the basics right, rotating offenders from one cell to another every 15 days. There was a lot we failed to do.”

Accountability comes with being a correctional officer, because according to Rios, officers make ensure that none of the offenders slip away as they take care of other work at the facility.

“We have to make sure we account for our offenders,” Rios said. “We have to make sure if we have 2506 today then we have

to have 2506 tomorrow as well. There’s a lot of transportation going on, and a lot of people go from one prison to another.”

Rios said that caring for people as individuals is necessary when running a correctional facility.

“Another thing I think is important is respect for humanity,” Rios said. “It’s important that we do the right thing every day to have a safe environment.”

Rios said that working well with other officers and staff members to avoid less than satisfactory outcomes is the most crucial element of working in correctional facilities.

“Most important is teamwork,” Rios said. “I think with teamwork, we can get the mission accomplished. In corrections, you’re not going to have it perfect. Because there is always something going on that we sometimes don’t know about. So, the importance of having teamwork is working together.”

Tyler BoydstonAsst. Managing Editor

To the crowd: Warden of the GEO Lawton Correctional Facility Hector Rios speaks as a part of the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology Speaker Series. The event took place Feb. 18.

The Cameron University campus was recently the site of the second annual “Chuck Wagon Cook Off” as part of the Homecoming festivities.

At 12 p.m. on Feb. 16, the grounds between Burch Hall and the Aggie Gym were turned into an Old West-style cooking competition between three teams: Snake Creek Cattle Co., made up of Cameron Alumni; Bar CU Ranch, comprised of Cameron Faculty; and the Dust Bowl Diner, a group of Cameron Agricultural students who decided to break off from the faculty team this year to try their hand at cooking on their own.

The day started at 5 a.m. as the teams got their fires going; since a portion of the cooking was done with Dutch ovens, this step was a necessity. Each team was asked to prepare a meat dish, a potato dish, a type of bread and a cobbler for dessert, all while using only the cooking utensils and cast iron equipment that were standard issue for a chuck wagon cook of the old west.

Last year, there were only two teams competing — the Alumni’s, and one that combined the efforts of the faculty, staff and students. This year, however, the students decided to strike out on their own, giving the event another team and another wagon.

The event exceeded expectations with the number of people in attendance. Dr. Leon Fischer, Chair of CU’s Agricultural Department and Wagon Boss for Bar CU Ranch, said that seating had been set up to accommodate 300 attendees; however, as the serving lines opened and people began to sit and eat, there was not enough room at the tables. Many who came to the event ended up sitting on haystacks or the ground in order to eat.

While he was pleased to see the growth of the event since last year, Dr. Fischer said that he was already thinking of ways to improve the cook-off for next year.

“We may end up having to rent another wagon next

year,” he said. “We can’t seem to cook and serve enough food fast enough for the crowds that come through here.”

If the logistics of obtaining another wagon work out for next year, Dr. Fischer said he may consider splitting up the faculty from the staff in order to make a fourth team.

Dr. Fischer also said was proud of the Aggie students for their willingness to run their own wagon and the hard work they put in to not only the cook-off, but also in the Homecoming events held that week.

River Mitchell — a junior Agricultural Business Management major and Wagon Boss for the Dust Bowl Diner — said that for him, cooking on a chuck wagon was almost second nature.

“It’s something that I have done since I was real little,” Mitchell said. “I think I have quite a bit more experience than some of my competitors; I’m 21-years-old and my family has been cooking on a chuck wagon as long as I’ve been around.”

Mitchell also said he was proud that his team was able to complete their meal 30 minutes ahead of the other teams, but he admitted that the Dust Bowl Diner had more members on its team than the other wagons did.

“The students turned out

thick today,” he said. “We had plenty of help.”

The Dust Bowl Diner team was able to compete as an individual entity this year because Mitchell’s family donated a chuck wagon to use during the event.

Rep. Don Armes — Snake Creek Cattle Co. Wagon Boss and Cameron Alumnus of 1984 — said he was pleased to return to the competition this year and was excited to have the addition of judges.

Besides the competition aspect of the event, Rep. Armes said he liked the cook-off because it allowed for the students, as well as all the citizens that attended the event, to experience a part of cowboy history in a way that made it come to life.

“You may have seen a chuck wagon, but a lot of people have never actually put their hands on one and worked with it,” he said. “These kids are learning how to cook cowboy style, which is neat.”

The event ended with Albert Johnson, Jr., the vice president of University Advancement, awarding two plaques: the first was given to the Dust Bowl Diner for winning the judge’s blind taste test and the second was awarded to the Snake Creek Cattle Co. who was voted the crowd favorite.

Carson StringhamStaff Writer

Chuckwagon cook-off serves up competition

Prepping the food: Cameron alumni Don Arms, Wagon Boss for the Snake Creek Cattle Company, checks on his team’s biscuits in one of their Dutch ovens.

Photo by Carson Stringham

CUAA hosts Aggie Family and Friends Awards Lunch

CIVIL RIGHTS continued from page 1

Charlene BelewStaff Writer

At 11 a.m. on Feb. 16, the Cameron University Alumni Association (CUAA) held its annual Aggie Family and Friends Awards Lunch in the McCasland Ballroom of the McMahon Centennial Complex.

The CUAA’s constitution states that its purpose is to promote the goals and purpose of CU and to increase the interest in graduates, former students and friends.

After the lunch, the class of 1963 received their Golden Associate Medallions, faculty members were inducted into the Faculty Hall of Fame Awards and Outstanding Young Alumni and Distinguished Alumni were recognized.

To be an Outstanding Young Alumni, members of CUAA must be younger than 40. The recipients for 2013 were Kristi Dawn Lynn, Ph.D., and Steven Miller, M.D.

Distinguished Alumni recipients must be over the age of 40. Those who recognized included retired Colonel Norman Lamb and Ann A. Warn, M.D., M.B.A.

CUAA also sponsors the Faculty Hall of Fame Award

that is given to current or retired faculty and inducted Professor of Physical Science Dr. Gary Buckley and Professor of English and Foreign Languages Dr. Teresa Lubrano for 2013.

Dr. Buckley said that it has been an honor to have been chosen for the Faculty Hall of Fame as well as working with students and faculty over the years.

“After looking over the list of members of the Faculty Hall of Fame, I am honored to be included in their number,” Dr. Buckley said. “The people on the list have collectively had a tremendous inf luence on Cameron University and its students and it has been a privilege to work with many of them closely over the years.”

Dr. Buckley said that it was interesting how some of his past encounters inf luenced him later in his life. He said that most people have stories of significant moments that have had an impact their lives, and that one of his was as early as junior high when he played basketball.

“When I was in about 7th or 8th grade, I was playing intramural basketball in junior high school. The basketball coach was also the math teacher. One day after an intramural game,

Coach Kohl came over while I was in the locker room and said ‘Buckley, you didn’t turn in the extra credit in math today.’ I said ‘No, coach, I didn’t have time to do it.’ His response: ‘Well, you better decide if you are going to be a mathematician or a basketball player.’ I assumed he was leaning toward the mathematician part since I had no trouble in math class and decided to stop getting taller¬¬ ¬— as is obvious — and give up my NBA dreams forever. Never quite made mathematician either, but I am closer to that than the NBA,” Dr. Buckley said.

Dr. Buckley also said that if it had not been for a friend of his, he would have never knew about the career opportunity available at Cameron.

“I had never heard of Cameron until I went to Texas A&M University for graduate school. There I ran into a fellow graduate student that became a life-long friend who had graduated from Cameron in 1975.” Dr. Buckley said. “When I was looking for a job toward the end of my master’s degree he directed me toward Cameron since they had a tutorial opening. Little did I know then that at this point I would be in my 29th year.”

Photo by Tyler Boydston

“This is something that is part of my life,” Evers-Williams said. “It’s important to not only delve in the ugly part of history but to also give hope — hopefully encourage the younger generation to be innovative and to admit that there is still so much work to be done. We each have to find a way to be committed to make that change, whether it is through classes or simply making sure there is dialogue between groups of people on campuses.”

Food line: Attendees at the banquet prepare their plates in a buffet line. The banquet took place at the Aggie Rec Center at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 18.

Photo by Tiffany Martinez

A&E4 February 25, 2013www.aggiecentral.com

Dancing the night away

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my: (top) CU students enjoy themselves at Cameron’s Homecoming Dance. (on right) CU girls show off a prettier side in their evening attire. The theme of this year’s Homecoming events was safari.

Cameron students danced among tigers, zebras and amid other wild decorations at the annual Homecoming dance beginning at 9 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the MCC Ballroom.

In addition to these cardboard facsimiles, the placement of animal-print lanterns and a rustic arch further transformed the dance floor into the setting for a safari — the theme chosen for the 2013 annual Homecoming week.

Student Activities Specialist Megan Canfield was responsible for planning

the Homecoming Dance at CU alongside Programming Activities Council (PAC) students. Canfield said that creating an atmosphere that fits the theme could be crucial to the achieving the desired attendance for the event.

“I think the success of the dance might depend on what the theme was or what the decorations were like — I know the students had a lot of fun with the Under the Big Top theme last year, and so we’re trying to create a similar atmosphere with the safari theme that we’re going with,” Canfield said.

Canfield said that their interpretation of the safari theme was based on a concept that counted on animals, and

she went on to describe the direction they took when choosing accents to decorate the venue.

“There is going to be animal print all over the place,” Canfield said. “With a safari, you could go with a jungle or with grasslands, and you could probably call a trek through the Artic a safari.”

Since the date of Homecoming Dance coincided with Valentine’s Day, Canfield said the students selected decorations that had a wild, romantic flair that would simultaneously play on the holiday and Homecoming theme.

“We kind of lucked out because the dance is schedule on Valentine’s Day, so we’re

going to go with this safari-meets-hearts and a ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ theme,” Canfield said.

She also hopes that students will consider going to Homecoming Dance with their significant others as part of their date night plans.

“It will be interesting to see — since the dance is on Valentine’s Day — what our attendance will be,” Canfield said. “I’m hoping it will still be high and people will think ‘okay, we can go out to dinner and then go to the dance.’”

According to Canfield, the DJ appointed to man the turntables and drop the beats during the Homecoming Dance will be one that is familiar with the creating

soundtracks for other annual CU events.

“We will have a DJ from the same entertainment company that we use for our Foam Dance Party. There will be a lot of urban music, and hopefully our DJ will cover a wide range of genres so students will have something to dance to no matter what,” Canfield said.

Cortney Cochrane, a sophomore Biology major, said she was attending her first social college function by deciding to come to the CU Homecoming Dance with her friends and her Alpha Phi sorority sisters.

She said she found the blend of music provided the DJ enjoyable but looked

forward to dancing to her favorite brand of tunes.

“I lean more toward country,” she said. “I like the line dances and two-stepping, but I can dig on this music. I’m not a big hip-hop person; I’m more of a country girl.”

Cochrane said that she looked forward to attending the dance, as the event was the culmination of the Homecoming week for her.

Despite missing the game, Cochrame enjoyed spending time during the safari-themed soiree.

“I was expecting to have a good time with my sorority sisters here at the dance — and so far, so good,” she said. “There’s quite a few of here, and we’re having fun dancing.”

Sarah BrewerCopy Editor

Funny finds: Found Footage Festival 2013James Meeks

Staff Writer

Instead of surveying wild animals on a safari, Cameron students watched a series of retro and humorous VHS tapes salvaged from thrift stores during a presentation entitled the Found Footage Festival on the night of Feb 11. at the MCC Ballroom.

Hosted by long-time friends Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett, this presentation was a stop on a tour that included universities across the country.

Prueher and Pickett began their love for the weird and strange footage found on VHS tapes during their high school years in Wisconsin. Prueher worked at a McDonald’s restaurant where he stumbled upon a custodial training video designed to instruct employees.

“I found a McDonald’s training video as a freshman in high school at the break room,” Prueher said. “It was so ridiculous. I felt like Joe had to see it; the world had to see it.”

Prueher explained that after he found the McDonald’s video, he figured there would be more videos similar to it and the hunt for more videos began.

To support their pursuit for more videos, Pickett took a job after college where he was sure to come across more VHS tapes.

“I actually took a job at a video duplication house after college, and while I was there, I would steal extra videos for myself,” Pickett said. “Whenever something remarkably stupid would come through, I would make a copy for myself and our collection grew from there.”

The footage that Prueher and Pickett show in their shows range from training videos, exercise videos, commercial outtakes and VHS services such as video dating and public access television tapes.

Prueher and Pickett always begin the show with their favorite tape, a training video from an insurance company called Federated Mutual.

“It’s basically just accident reenactments, one after the other, people getting hurt over and over again,” Pickett said. “They are not actually getting hurt, but its brilliant you just sit there and watch people getting hurt; it’s hilarity.”

Prueher said that they like starting out the shows with this video because each accident presented builds on the humor of the last.

“Each accident is funnier than the one that came before, and it just keeps ramping up,” Prueher said. “(Federated Mutual) is not trying to be funny with it, but there is no denying it; it’s just hilarious.”

As they tour, Prueher and Pickett also try to get in contact and

search for the people in the videos they find to figure out what was the thought process of making the video.

One of the videos they show, a clip called ‘Dancing with Frank,’ features Frank Pacholski, a man who dances in a circle of senior citizens in a man-thong. Prueher and Pickett said they met Pacholski recently, but they left this reunion with more questions than answers.

“He stayed in character in entire time, he didn’t answer any questions the whole time,” Pickett said. “We met him on the beach because that’s where he wanted to meet us and he told us it was his art and his passion but he wouldn’t tell us anything.”

Pacholski then told Prueher and Pickett to meet up with his manager at a coffee shop to talk more about the show to get the answers they sought, however the manager was not whom they expected to be.

“[Pacholski] didn’t want us to bring cameras, so we went to the coffee shop, didn’t bring cameras and it was him dressed up in a suit and tie and he introduced himself as Vick,” Pickett said.

Prueher said that Pacholski was committed to the charade and maintained both characters during their entire visit.

Prueher and Pickett have also been featured on the Jimmy Kimmel show where they promoted their book, “VHS: Absurd, Odd, and Ridiculous Relics From the Video Tape Era.”

To view their newest finds, visit www.foundfootagefest.com.

New Music Festival at CU features The Trio Tulsa

The Sound of Music: Maureen O’Boyle, Diane Bucchianeri and Dr. Roger Price perform as The Trio Tulsa as part of the CU New Music Festival. The trio formed in 1985 and has been performing together for 28 years.

The campus was alive with the sound of music at 7:30 p. m. on Feb. 19 when the Cameron University Music Department presented the New Music Festival in the McCutcheon Recital Hall.

The CU New Music Festival is an annual event that is made available through a grant from the Lectures and Concert Series.

According to Professor Dr. Gregory Hoepfner, the head of the New Music Festival committee and the host of the event this year, the New Music Festival has been taking place for over 20 years.

Dr. Hoepfner said he considers many things when picking the performers for the festival.

“I think about what would benefit the community and the students,” Dr. Hoepfner said. “I try to pick people who can interact with the students and make the music as accessible as possible.”

Past performers have included some relatively famous composers.

“I have been amazed at some of the composers who played at this festival in the past,” Dr. Hoepfner said. “Composers like Norman Della Joio, who is one of the most famous South American composers, have played here.”

This Trio Tulsa, consisting of Maureen O’Boyle on violin, Diane Bucchianeri on cello and Dr. Roger Price on

piano, was this year’s featured performance.

According to O’Boyle, the trio formed 28 years ago at the University of Tulsa.

“The trio started in 1985, though the members have changed over the years,” O’Boyle said.

The Trio Tulsa plans its performances from a repertoire that includes modern classical compositions.

“We have another concert in two weeks where we will perform more standard classical music,” Bucchianeri said.

Dr. Price, the pianist in the group, said he likes a wide variety of musical styles.

“What I like is variety — all different combinations,” Dr. Price said. “I guess you could say we just like music.”

In addition to the music, who he plays with is equally

important to Dr. Price.“When you get to work

with friends in chamber music like this it is the most fun you can have as a musician,” Dr. Price said.

“It is always great fun when you finish performing and see that everyone enjoyed it,” Bucchianeri said.

Twenty-three-year-old senior Music major Melissa Delgado said she enjoyed the concert and pointed out which

pieces she liked the most.“I loved the fourth

movement of the Craftsbury Trio piece,” Delgado said. “It was beautiful and calm but with a rich sound.”

After their performance, Bucchianeri and O’Boyle had to make the three hour trip back to Tulsa.

“We have classes to teach in the morning,” O’Boyle said.

But for some Cameron students, the experience would not end with the concert. According to Dr. Hoepfner, Dr. Price would remain at Cameron until the following day.

“Dr. Price will be teaching a Masters class to some of our piano students in the morning,” Dr. Hoepfner said.

Dr. Hoepfner is already writing grant proposals for next year’s festival.

“I am putting in a grant to get a trio from St. Louis for next year,” Dr. Hoepfner said.

In the future, Dr. Hoepfner said he would like to see the festival grow to include more than one featured musician.

Philip HarringtonStaff Writer

Photo by Pascal Garoute

Photos by Sarah Brewer

A&E 5February 25, 2013www.aggiecentral.com

Correction

Photos by Lyle Gay

Technicalities: Cody Dickson stands back as the medics examine Nicholas Palanish after a T. K.O. in the second round. Dickson boasted the only knockout of the night.

Kaylee JonesA&E Editor

The arena was dim as neon lights flashed across the walls, panning over audience members as they filled the stands. A line of people waited outside in the cold, ready to make their way into the Great Plains Coliseum to enjoy Lawton’s first-ever Fists of Fury Cage Fights.

Officials surrounded the cage as an announcer entered the ring, introducing the judges and sponsors for the evening. As people found their seats, Coors Light girls made their way through the crowds with tubs of beer for thirsty viewers. The audience was asked to stand for a rendition of the National Anthem.

At 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 16, the fights began. Fourteen fights were listed on the card, two of which were professional fights with a title

belt on the line. For the first time in Lawton, a women’s mixed martial arts fight was on the docket as well. Mark Carter served as referee for the night, while Bobby Higdon, Sofia Vaughn and Sarah Siler acted as judges. Coors Light was the main sponsor of the evening, along with Billingsley Hyundai, Apache Casino Hotel, K-Law 101 and East Gore Discount Tobacco.

The first fight featured Oklahoma fighters Jose Rodriquez of Lawton and Robert Hoffman of Hobart. Each fighter was escorted to the ring with a posse of five or six men as their weight and previous record were announced. Two rounds ensued in which Rodriquez maintained control. Hoffman was a good sport however, clapping for his opponent as he himself rose for each new round. Fifty-seven seconds into the third round, Rodriquez was declared the winner by RSC, meaning “referee stopped contest.”

Ring girls in string bikinis carried cards declaring each new round. The second fight was fought between Julian Learned of Edmond and Nathan McGill of Atlanta, Texas. Learned’s girlfriend cheered from the sidelines as the 18-year-old fighter submitted McGill one minute and 28 seconds into the second round.

The evening continued with fights three, five and six being won by decision. The fourth fight was fought between Brian Maurer of Chickasha and Derek Stewart of Ada. Stewart won on a submission from his opponent one minute and 12 seconds into the third round.

The crowd erupted for the seventh fight, as Cody Dickson of Ft. Sill won against Nicholas Palanish of Dallas by T.K.O., or technical knockout. It would be the only victory by knockout all night.

Immediately following the seventh fight, intermission was announced. Enough time was given so spectators could run to the restroom and refill their beers before the fights commenced again.

The eighth fight was a disappointment for those who viewed cage fighting as a spectator sport. The crowd booed as Lucas Queen of Harrah, Okla, submitted Jason Griggs of Atlanta, Texas a mere 33 seconds into the first round.

Jessy Griggs of Lawton won the ninth fight against Tolutomi Agunbiade of Wichita Falls by unanimous decision. Griggs has been fighting for three years and said he expected the win.

“My opponent is extremely good on the ground. He’s 5-0 and has submitted all of his

opponents in the first round,” Griggs explained. “My goal was to keep it standing, take my shot and not get hit.”

The tenth fight marked the first women’s MMA fight in Lawton. Ashley Cannon of Dallas and Michele Buckland of Atlanta fought it out for three rounds before Cannon was declared the winner by split decision.

Following a quick win by Shakir McKillip of Chickasha by RSC, the title fights commenced. In the two amateur title belt fights, Marcus Sanchez of Chickasha and Jason Anderson of Norman emerged victorious. The night concluded with the main event: Rodney McSwayne of Lawton vs. Preston Snook of Moore. Following his victory by submission three minutes into the second round, McSwayne explained his motivation.

“I just want to do good for Lawtonians,” McSwayne said.

Fighting the good fight: Jessy Griggs (left) fights Tolutomi Agunbiade (right) in Lawton’s first ever Fists of Fury cage fight. Griggs won the fight by unamimous decision.

Fists of Fury a Lawton knockout

Students came to the MCC Ballroom to watch comedian Jen Kober perform during Cameron University’s Homecoming 2013.

At 9 p.m. on Feb. 13, students entered the MCC Ballroom, ready to hear standup courtesy of Jen Kober. Kober has

had a handful of movie appearances — notably a part in “American Pie Reunion” — and currently stars in television shows such as Fox’s “The Mindy Project” and “Anger Management,” Charlie Sheen’s most recent show on FX.

Cameron’s ballroom was the setting for Kober’s performance, decorated in line with the week’s safari

theme. Cardboard animals shared the stage with Kober, and cutouts of the letter “C” that were painted and designed to match the theme with lions, zebras and giraffes lined the ballroom and added to the night’s audience.

Students filed in in the minutes leading to Kober’s scheduled appearance, reserving seats and getting PAC-provided nourishment from the snack table located in the back of the room.

As Kober’s time approached — once the audience members had settled into the chairs set before the stage — a PAC representative came before the audience to begin the night. To start off the festivities, PAC launched free T-Shirts into the gathered crowd, sending the audience into a mild frenzy as hands reached and students stood, grasping for a chance at the clothing thrown from the stage.

With the shirts tossed and an audience suitably excited, it was time for the event proper to begin. Microphone in hand, Kober took the

stage and began her show with observational humor. Pointing to the stage’s décor, Kober noted the letters flanking her with a playful sense of disdain.

That playful-yet-biting sense of humor pervaded the night, as she turned the show toward the audience. Kober interacted with her audience in a multitude of ways, from one-on-one discussions with students to crowd wide questions.

One of her first topics of discussion was hometowns and origins, to which end she asked the audience who was or was not native to Lawton.True to the tone, Kober put a humorous spin on the non-native crowd, as they responded to her question with applause and whooping.

“Do you see,” Kober said, “that they’re the happier group?”

The comedian continued to interact with students throughout the night, asking questions and going off the audience’s responses. Kober’s comedic brand was a biting one, with insults dedicated for unsuspecting attendees

and hecklers alike. One heckler found themselves the center of attention as Kober turned the show’s focus toward them, with playful dismissals of their major and intellect given to a laughing audience.

The students were not alone in the caustic ribbing, as Kober had no small amount of stings and bites for herself. Her self-depreciation came in the form of notes toward her weight — a size she referred to as, “hard to kidnap.” After one story, the comedian took a pause before turning to the audience to make note of it.

“I’m just catching my breath,” she said. “I walked around in that last bit.”

After the show, Kober chatted with students and bartered merchandise. She sold her CD, “Bringing Hefty

Back,” to interested students, and offered autographs as well.

Megan Canfield, Student Activities Specialist, explained the process in bringing Kober to Cameron. After a number of PAC representatives went to the National Association for Campus Activities conference, they were interested in Kabor and made plans to bring her to the campus.

“We talked to her agent and brought her down,” Canfield said.

Jen Kober stars in FX’s “Anger Management,” and more information on her can be found at jenkober.com. For more information on PAC activities and other events, students can look at the events calendar at cameron.edu/eventcalendar.

Comedian Jen Kober brings laughter to CameronAlex Rosa-Figueroa

Staff Writer

Punny stuff: Comedian Jen Kober pokes fun at herself during her standup. The event was one of several featured during the 2013 Homecoming Week.

In the February 11, 2013 issue of the Collegian, a mistake was made when

Troy Hamilton was referred to as Tony Hamilton in the “LPO to say I do” story.

The Collegian apologizes for the mistake.

Photo by Alex Rosa-Figueroa

Voices6 February 25, 2013www.aggiecentral.com

Editorial StaffManaging Editor - Tiffany MartinezAssistant Managing Editor - Tyler Boydston Crossroads Editor - Dianne RiddlesA&E Editor - Kaylee JonesSports Editor - Matthew BerbereaCopy Editor - Sarah BrewerAggie Central Editor- Mitch WatsonArchivist - Mitch Watson

Newsroom StaffFinancial Officer - Susan HillStaff Writers - Kaitlyn Stockton, Charlene Belew, Sadie Jones, Carson Stringham, James Meeks, Alex Rosa-FigueroaAdvertising Manager - Tiffany MartinezPhotographer - Kali Robinson

Newswriting StudentsPhilip Harrington, Kella Haire

Faculty Adviser Dr. Christopher Keller

About UsThe 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 free of charge. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.

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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 [email protected] or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www.aggiecentral.com.

Our Views The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Aggie 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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THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

Sarah BrewerCopy-Editor

How a little black dress led to self-loveWhen the English Department

sent me an e-mail asking me if I was interested in campaigning as the nominee for Homecoming Queen, I paused, overcome with elation and the kind of terror that seems too frivolous to me now — but I had nothing to wear.

Other than making an appearance at another event scheduled that week, my duty as a nominee was promenading down the court during the halftime coronation ceremony where one female student would become the CU Homecoming Queen.

I wanted to look as regal as the role might require — despite keeping a collection of formal dresses from similar occasions in my closet, none of these outfits fit, and so plans for a shopping excursion were made.

I scoured rack after rack looking for something that would fit. I was accustomed to slipping into something little, but when the first dress was too little and the sizes embroidered on the tags began rising, I brushed back my tears and convinced myself that there was nothing wrong with me.

This would not do. I was ready to concede before the campaign had begun, but my mother suggested that I look once more at the options stashed in my wardrobe.

Between a clover-green bridesmaid dress and a paisley-print maxi dress, the little black dress I had worn for Halloween years ago had been draped discreetly on a hanger where it would remain out of sight and out of mind.

Peeling the little black dress from closet, I reminisced about the story. I wanted to play the part of a masked harlequin clown that night, and the sequined-embellished, one-shouldered sheath conveyed the look of mystique and mischief associated with these characters. I remember seeing it online and immediately wanting to wear it for one night of

revelry in Oklahoma City.When I tried the dress for the

first time, it was far too lose for me — for my less than lithe frame — and I felt as foolish as a jester while my friends and I traipsed around town. However, the joke — or

fault, really — was on me. For reasons I cannot fathom

now, I had subjected my body to a rigorous exercise regimen and substantially reduced the fuel my body needed to complete the

outrageous demands.I consumed fewer than a

thousand calories during the day and ran as much as ten

miles during the night hours for months. I was constantly doing arithmetic in my head

— adding and subtracting numbers — to ensure

that my hips would eventually meet a certain measurement. I aspired to become a size zero — a size nothing.

My excessive concern for my body

image had manifested into a disorder that

was poisoning me from the inside and gradually

weakening the other physical, visible parts of me.

When others took notice of my changing figure, I changed tactics so those closest to me would not suspect that I was susceptible to an eating disorder.

My co-workers would bring me these decadent, molten chocolate cakes to snack on during my shift, but I saw through their ruse. I would occupy myself with some task, leave the cakes in the refrigerator and feign forgetting so I could avoid eating something I was secretly craving. I was denying myself an otherwise innocuous treat and the sustenance my body so desperately needed.

When my friends and I would hang out — and when the Oklahoma wind came sweeping

down the plain, they joked about it

sweeping me away with it — but both of my feet were planted firmly on the ground and I was pleased with the control I had taken to forge a figure that was my own.

But when my family members made comments with what I perceived was criticism but understand now was care, I wanted to withdraw from them altogether — especially during meals — because I failed to see what they saw. I had become less substantial than my own shadow, but I thought I looked like a super model. I was blind.

And yet, they were there for me after an infection seeped into my lungs and caused me to cough without end. My mother rushed me to the clinic where my physician told me that my health was at risk. His concern was at the last the impetus for my recovery.

Flash forward three years later, and lo and behold! The little black dress fit where it once fell over my figure. Confidence had come from gaining weight and respect for my body.

Regardless of the outcome of the coronation ceremony in the Aggie Gymnasium, I felt as lovely as a princess could feel standing among the pantheon of students that were recognized by for their achievements.

I did not leave the court with a gleaming tiara atop my head, but this Homecoming experience affirmed that I am much stronger when I love my body for being healthy.

Alex Rosa-FigueroaStaff Writer

Sometimes, the hardest part of making it through the day can be not being a cynical jerk.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against the ancient Greek philosophers, or any who may yet follow the teachings of our dear and beloved Antisthenes — if you want to live a simple, care-free life that is free of the burdens of worldly possessions, unmitigated power, fame beyond reason and sex, that is certainly none of my business and I’ll let you to it.

No, the cynics I have a problem with are the modern practitioners, the lean-on-the-corner emotional no-goodniks that turn their nose up at good things like hope for change, faith in the human condition or ice-cream sandwiches that won’t melt before you’ve opened them.

Now, as I am prone to do, I exaggerate somewhat. Not everyone with a cynical attitude is a fun-stealing joy-leach who has nothing better to do than to rain on the collective parades of everyone with a smile on

their face. No, I think I can say with faltering confidence that perhaps no one with a cynical attitude is like that. Indeed, the word for people like that is a touch more colorful and far more likely to be cut by an editor before this story hits print.

But I understand, honestly and truly. The world is a cold and unforgiving place. I mean, I spent the first half of my last editorial breaking down exactly why existence is so awful and why by all rights you should be breaking down into a sobbing, weeping mess right now. The point is, the world is kind of a cesspool of misery and misfortune — and if you didn’t make it to the uplifting last half of my article, you can be forgiven for being a little jaded.

After all, you can’t be disappointed if you didn’t have expectations to begin with, right? What hurts more — the movie you were excited about turning out to be a venomous pile of sound and fury, or the movie you expected to flail about in its own waste meeting every expectation? And if you go in with low expectations and find that the experience was good after all, then you have a pleasant surprise, and don’t we all like those?

Yes, the temptation to drink deep of the river of cynicism — the modern, jaded view of the world and not the ancient philosophy, mind — seems less a temptation and more a logical course of action. You can’t fall far if you set yourself low, and you can only go up from there. Why not indulge in this kind of win-win cliché storm?

I’m glad you asked, long-winded lead up to a question I plan on answering.

For one, the amount of sheer negative energy needed to keep up that level of constant, Batman-esque cynicism is as all-consuming as it is impressive. To be a cynic requires a powerful will and a sheer determination to discard the basic, daily hopes that get us through the day. You have to try to be a true cynic, and you might find it more draining than you’d like.

But largely, the issue of cynicism comes at the cost of sincerity. If you spend life with your figurative eyes to the ground, always expecting

the worst, what kind of life is that? If you live a life in which your happy moments are borne of pleasant surprises, how different are you from the man in the desert, taking a desperate, animalistic and hollow joy from the dirty puddles you happen upon. Sure, the liquid is foul-smelling and tastes funny, but it’s better than nothing, right? And what are the odds of finding an oasis, realistically. No, it is better to lap the muddy sand and return to dune crawling into oblivion.

What a sad existence.Of course, the metaphor

is muddled when you realize that life isn’t a desert. Oh, sure, existence is a cruel mistress,

and it is often difficult to be alive. However, it is also, to no small extent, what you make of it. That was the point of my last article, you prior-mentioned few who inexplicably only read the depressing half of it.

No, life is no harsh desert unless you absolutely want it to be. I’m not so blithely ignorant as to suggest that you can will an oasis into existence — I’ll save that for my self-help book career — but if you lift your sights up a bit, maybe you could notice the camel you’ve been tailing this entire time.

Just remember, dear readers, that there is a world of difference between being realistic and being a cynic.

Importance of maintaining positivity: Part two

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

SportsFebruary 25, 2013www.aggiecentral.com 7

Aggies remain unbeaten at home Aaron GillStaff Writer

Cameron University men’s basketball looked to keep their perfect home record going Feb. 16 against Abilene Christian followed by a Feb. 20 matchup versus Tarleton State.

In the first game, the Aggies were able to hold off the Wildcats for their 12th straight home win, 67-62.

The first half started off with a quick-scoring possession for the Ags as they went on a run to the 17:03 mark, where junior guard Kimric Dixon hit a long ball to put the Aggies up 7-2 over. ACU made a quick turn around going on a 9-0 run and held the Aggies defensively until the play clock hit 12:08. Junior guard Craig Foster then came up big for the Aggies with a jumper to close the gap.

The teams traded buckets until 4:22 remained in the first half and Foster hit another inside jumper to pull the Aggies back ahead 22-19. Thirty-six seconds later Dixon drove back down court to slam one home for the Aggies and get the momentum shifted in their favor. The Aggies finished the half with a score of 32-23 after a senior guard Devon Crabtree drained a three.

The Aggies ended the first half going 13-25, 52 percent, while the downtown shots rained in at 38 percent as the Ags hit 5-13.

The Aggies struggled offensively in the second half. Shooting 5-23 (21.7 percent) from the field the momentum shifted in favor of the Wildcats who went from shooting 5-28 (17.9 percent) in the first half to more than doubling their shots made in the second half with 9-20 (45 percent) from the field.

Overall it took the Aggies coming together late in the second half to have a fighting chance for the win.

The Aggies closed down the second half leading by five, until the last 50 seconds of regulation play. The Wildcats forced a five second violation to get the ball and hit a layup down court. The Wildcats then came back and shot a three to send the game into the third overtime the Aggies have seen this season.

All the Aggies needed were an extra five minutes to seal the deal for the night. Pulling out the win by a score of 67-62, the Aggies won their twelfth home game.

The overtime period started off with the Aggies

taking control of the ball and going on a 7-0 run before the Wildcats scored. From then on the Aggies maintained the lead and pushed the ball down the court to finish the game with a solid five point lead. Despite some struggles throughout the second half the Aggies finished the game hitting 43.6 percent from the field, 28 percent from downtown and 54.5 percent from the charity stripe.

Head Coach Wade Alexander explained this was a big win for the Aggies and his team is coming up with new ways to win games.

“Every win is great, and we are just finding ways to win them right now,” Coach Alexander said. “We had a great crowd for homecoming and that really spurred our guys on.”

The Aggies kept up the work at home when they recorded lucky number 13 at home into the scorebooks, beating Tarleton State University by a score of 53-51 on a late shot with 8.8 seconds left in regulation.

The Aggies made a quick comeback in the first half against the Texans, pulling ahead 13-6 at the 13:24 mark. Running close to the

12 minute mark the Texans pulled close after sinking six straight points to bring the score 13-12, Aggies. The teams did not score again for over a solid three minutes until Dixon hit his first three of the night to bring the Aggies lead to 16-12. The Ags hit one more shot before the Texans took off with a late first half run, heading into the locker room up by a score of 21-18.

The Aggies shot 6-29 (20.7 percent) from the field, 2-8 (25 percent) from beyond the arc and 4-4 from the line. Offensively however, the Texans came out of the first half with much better percentages. Shooting 9-22 (40.9 percent) from the field, 3-6 (50 percent) from downtown and 0-1 from the foul line, the Texans went out with the better first half.

Scoring percentages for both teams increased drastically in the second half. The Aggies came out of locker room and remained down until the clock hit 17:02 when junior guard Tim Johnson drained a three to put the Aggies ahead 25-23.

The Aggies kept the lead for almost four minutes until the Texans hit two layups and

a monster dunk to bring the score to 29, all.

The game was tied at 36-36 after Johnson hit both of his foul shots following his drive into the lane off a steal. Junior guard Assad Robinson hit a big three to put the Aggies ahead, 39-36 until the Texans took the ball the opposite direction to match Robinson’s three and tie the game with 9:02 remaining in regulation.

The Ags remained down until the 6:03 mark, where Robinson hit another three from deep off the arc. The game remained at a standstill until 4:17 when Johnson was sent to the foul line. After missing his first and hitting the second, The Aggies widened the gap to 43-41.

The game clock wound down to 27 seconds when junior guard Jonathan Patino fouled Texans’ guard Chuck Guy. Guy made both shots from the line, putting the Texans ahead 51-48.

With 22 seconds remaining in regulation Johnson drove in for a layup to pull the Ags in close, 51-50, Texans. Johnson then fouled Texans guard Brian Word who missed his free throw. Foster came up with a big defensive rebound at

19 seconds and the Aggies drove back down court where Johnson had a jumper blocked with nine seconds to go.

Johnson explained how he saw the game going with nine seconds remaining as the Aggies inbounded the ball for their last possession.

“Going into the last play coach (Alexander) was panicking and I told him to calm down,” Johnson said. “We had take that one play, so I dribbled up the court, saw an opening and lost the ball and I passed it to Kimric Dixon.”

When Dixon got the ball it was all over from there with four seconds remaining on the clock the ball left his hands almost as soon as it touched them and in an instant the swish of an Aggie win graced the gym. Dixon explained how it felt knowing the three was good as soon as he released the ball. “I knew it was in,” Dixon said. “I was telling myself even before the game that if it came down to the last second and it was me, I was going to knock it down and win the game.”

Coach Alexander said he felt this game was going to be one the Aggies needed.

“Going into this game

I knew it was going to be a tough one for both teams and they were going to have to battle it out,” Coach Alexander said. “We really needed the win and that is not just for only conference games for a possible regional tournament birth.”

Coach Alexander explained what he was thinking the team needed to do with 8.8 seconds left in the game.

“We set a high ball screen and needed a chance to make a play basically,” Coach Alexander said. “We really needed a chance to kick it out or go to the basket and the main thing we needed was an open look for a jump shot because at the end of the game they are not usually going to call a foul and if you try to force something you are usually going to finish out the game with a no call and we did not want to do that.”

The Aggies look to finish perfect at home 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at Aggie Gymnasium. CU will host Northwood for men’s basketball senior night.

Additional information for basketball and other Cameron athletics can be found at www.cameronaggies.com.

No place like home: Junior guard Tim Johnson takes on an Abilene Christian defender Feb. 16 at Aggie Gym. Johnson tied for a team high 17 points against the Wildcats in a 67-62 OT victory, then led CU with 12 points in a win against Tarleton, helping to keep the Aggies perfect at home.

Photo by Brandon Neris

Crossroads8 February 25, 2013www.aggiecentral.com

Paying it forward: Foster Care Specialists Amy Edwards (left) and Tammy Johnson (right) receive over 30 bags and backpacks from Student Support Services. Academic Adviser/Tutor Coordinator Lisa Jones arranged the drive for area foster children to give SSS members the opportunity to give back to the community.

Student Support Services Academic Counselor/Tutor Coordinator Lisa Jones came to Cameron University in October 2012 from Western Oklahoma State College SSS.

SSS is a federally funded program by a grant under the TRIO program and has been on campus for 25 years. The program serves first generation, low-income and disabled students. Jones said that most students who qualify for PELL would qualify for SSS.

Jones said that when planning the spring calendar, one of the things that she wanted to focus on was creating opportunities for members of the SSS program to give back to the community.

“As first generation low-income or disabled college students there’s not a lot that we could give monetarily to the community and to the college, but that should not limit us to what we are doing,” Jones said. “We want to show our students — just because you may not have some money or something physical — you could donate your time, you could donate things you have or be supportive to other people, which will benefit you later in life — to pay it forward.”

According to Jones, the backpack drive was one of the first events of this semester.

“One thing that we have done this semester is our backpack drive and we donated over 30 backpacks, suitcases and bags to Department of Human Services for Foster Care,” she said. “There are around 300 foster children in the county at different times, give or take, and some of those children come into custody with nothing.”

Jones said bags are in continuous need in foster care. “When the children are being moved from the shelter to a foster

home or from foster home to foster home, they have nothing to put their things in; so what we asked our students to do was at the beginning of the semester if they purchased a new backpack, or if they had a backpack that was in good condition, or a bag of some sort or a suitcase, to bring it up here,” she said.

Jones said that SSS members pay it forward with opportunities like the backpack drive.

“Because they are in college and they don’t have a lot of extra money, that is one thing they can do to help someone else that they don’t know — a random act of kindness,” Jones said. “We really encourage our students to do that.”

According to Jones, SSS members will be attending TRIO Day at the state capital in Oklahoma City.

“We are going to TRIO Day at the capital and we have appointments with all of the locals that represent us in our area: T.W. Shannon, Joe Dorman, Randy Bass, Don Barrington and Ann Coody are going to meet with us,” she said. “They are going to let us introduce ourselves to them and give us a moment to thank them for what they contribute to the state of Oklahoma and we will be able to share who we are, which is just a good life skill for our students.”

Jones said that SSS would be offering several career-oriented workshops this semester.

“Another thing that we are going to focus at the end of the semester is — students that are graduating or preparing for graduation to prepare for the business world,” Jones said. “In the week of March 25 through 29, we will be asking people that have

good quality business attire such as jackets, dress pants, dress shoes, dresses and anything that our students could benefit from when going to job interviews.”

Jones said interview clothes and career workshops are important to any student going out into the career world.

“We are preparing them for a position; they will need dress clothes that they may not have, so we want to ask our faculty and staff here at Cameron or people in the community, if they have things, they can bring them to me and we are going to put a rack up,” she said. “We will do a career services workshop because I feel like the career services here on campus is under utilized; they are going to come and talk about all the resources they can give our students.”

Jones said knowing how to dress is important to successful interviewing.

“We are also going to do a workshop on dressing for success and show our students what things to put together for interviews — what is appropriate and what is not appropriate,” she said. “Then we will have a resume and cover letter writing workshop and at the end of those workshop series, we are going to give the students an opportunity to take clothes that we have to prepare them for the job.”

Jones said students should take advantage of what SSS has to offer.

“We want our students to be able to take advantage of what we are giving them in our program; we are trying to set them up for success and brainstorm ways that they can help others.”

Any student interested in SSS program is encouraged to stop by the SSS office located on the fourth floor of North Shepler.

Dianne RiddlesCrossroads Editor

Student Support Services helps children

Helping others: Lisa Jones organizes helping events. SSS has been on the CU campus for 25 years.

Photo by Dianne Riddles

Planning upcoming events: SSS staff and members get involved. Staff has high hopes for future events.

Photo by Dianne Riddles

Photo by Dianne Riddles

Photo by Dianne Riddles