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www.aggiecentral.com Monday, March 4, 2013 Volume 88 Issue 5 T HE CAMERON UNIVERSITY COLLEGIAN Cameron University hosts 32nd annual OSGA Spring Congress Sarah Brewer Copy Editor Members of the Student Government Associations (SGA) across Oklahoma convened from Feb. 22 to Feb. 23 at Cameron University to discuss issues in higher education and appoint students to leadership positions during the 32nd Oklahoma Student Government Association (OSGA) Spring Congress. Designed by students, staffed by students and funded by students, OSGA is a nonpartisan student advocacy association. Because the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recognizes and works closely with OSGA, the decisions and policies put forward through Spring Congress have the potential to affect change. Colten Kennedy, a senior double-majoring in History and Mathematics and serving as the president of the CU SGA, was responsible for applying to make CU the host for Spring Congress. Kennedy said OSGA serves as a vehicle to voice the concerns of the constituents each student leader represents. “What we try to do here is basically be a sounding board for students — if we see something that we want, or if we approve of something, we can pass legislation that says, ‘we agree with this,’ or ‘no, we don’t agree with this’ or ‘we’d like to change this,’” Kennedy said. “If we can effectively communicate their perspective on critical issues, then we’re doing a really good job, and so that’s what we’re striving for.” In addition to committee meetings and elections, the OSGA itinerary also featured Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon (R), former State Regent of Higher Education Bill Burgess, Jr., and former Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins as guest speakers. Bill W. Burgess, Jr. is the senior partner of Burgess & Hightower Law Firm, the owner and publisher of e Lawton Constitution and the civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army. He also serves as chairman of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce. He graduated from Cameron University with a Bachelor of Arts, and while studying at CU, he served as SGA President for two years. Burgess spoke to students during dinner on the evening of Feb. 23. He said OSGA provides students the opportunity to work with others that have opposing perspectives and teaches aspiring leaders how to build fervor for their ideas. “I think that in any kind of collaborative effort where you get to work with a lot of different people, you learn how to take your ideas or ideas that you think are good ideas for the future of either Cameron or for southwest Oklahoma or Oklahoma, you try to figure out a way to create enthusiasm in other people for those ideas — because that is really what government is all about,” Burgess said. e next speaker — Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon (R) — discussed the role of government and politics during a fireside chat with students on the same evening. Speaker Shannon earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from CU and holds a Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University Law School. In 2006, he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Seven years later, on Jan. 8, he took the oath of office to be Oklahoma’s Speaker of the House. Speaker Shannon urged students to keep their egos in check, as well as focus on maintaining relationships with others. “When you see someone excel above you, it’s very easy to allow that green bean of envy to start creeping its head up,” Speaker Shannon said. “If you figure out what you’re good at, it helps you to celebrate other people’s gifts and talents. Figure out what you’re good at — it helps everything else and the things you’re not good at — accept and hone that, too.” Jari Askins stressed the importance of offering guidance to students during the OSGA luncheon. Askins was the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma. She was the second female to govern the state and the first Democratic female to hold that position. “I think it is incumbent on you to be aware of opportunities to mentor others so that they will understand that they are capable of doing what they want,” Askins said. “It may not be running for SGA; it may just be getting through day.” Justin Barrick, a Business Management senior currently handles CU SGA proceedings as its Sergeant of Arms. Barrick was elected the Southwest Regional Director of OSGA — a position on the board of directors where he will communicate and be responsible for a quarter of the schools in Oklahoma Barrick also participated in a session where students proposed a resolution calling for the banishment all firearms on Oklahoma colleges and universities. ough the resolution did not pass, Barrick said the debate that ensued showed that students were engrossed in making changes for the betterment of their respective schools. See OSGA Page 2 Handling business: SGA Sergeant of Arms Justin Barrick (left) and SGA Vice President Chas Holbrook (right) sit on a panel and discuss the future of student government in Oklahoma. The OSGA Spring Congress conference took place Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, uniting university leaders from across the state. Delta Sigma Theta Shades of crimson bedecked the McCasland Ballroom when the sisters of the Lawton Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma eta, Inc., celebrated its centennial year and sponsored the Lawton-Fort Sill National Pan-Hellenic Council Black Heritage Banquet (NPHC). e annual event took place on the evening of Feb. 23. Its theme, “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: e Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington,” was meant to focus on the 150th and 50th anniversaries of these events. Barbara Ellis, the president of the Lawton Alumnae chapter, said this year is significant for the sorority because it is now stronger than it has ever been. “ere is nothing better than celebrating being 100-years- old when your organization starts with 22 young college women who never anticipated that it would be more than a college organization or club, so it’s awesome for all of us and our principles are still alive — that makes all the difference in the world,” Ellis said. Ellis said her sorority was pleased to present the banquet and its keynote speaker, Dr. Louise A. Rice. Dr. Rice is the Immediate Past National President of Delta Sigma eta Sorority, Inc., having served for four years as Chief Executive of the Premier National Service Organization comprised of predominantly college educated African American women residing throughout the United States and several foreign countries. Under her leadership, the sorority established the Delta Hurricane Katrina Relief Task Force to fulfill the housing, financial, health and wellness and emotional needs of Gulf Coast residents and other displaced individuals after the hurricane struck. Dr. Rice began by commending the members and leaders of the sororities and fraternities for hosting the banquet and stressed the importance of knowing the history of civil rights in the United States and the need for remaining bonded in their endeavors, she said, is necessary to expedite further social reform. “Celebrating black history is an opportune time to remember those upon whose shoulders we stand, and it is the ideal time to educate all generations about the accomplishments that we, as African Americans, have made to build our great nation,” Dr. Rice said. “ough we wear different colors, or our songs may sound differently, we are one — one body of college educated men and women committed to service and the uplift of our communities. Your esprit de corps reflected here this evening is admirable. We need to see more of this throughout the nation — collaboration and camaraderie will surely get us to the finish line of social change much faster than if we do it alone. Sarah Brewer Copy Editor Sorority celebrates centennial year at Black Heritage Banquet See BANQUET Page 2 A day to remember: Dr. Louise Rice takes the podium at the National Pan-Hellenic Council Black Heritage Banquet in the MCC. She has served as the Immediate Past National President of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for the past four years. Tiffany Martinez Managing Editor Oklahoma senate bill 618 progresses Sen. Clark Jolley of Edmond, Okla. has proposed a bill to the Senate Public Safety that will require anyone who has been arrested for a felony or certain misdemeanors, such as drug possession or domestic abuse, to submit a DNA sample. e bill was passed on Feb. 21 and now heads to the Senate Appropriation Committee where Sen. Jolley serves as the chair. Sen. Jolley, of Oklahoma District 41, has had nine years legislature experience. He has fought to stop Obamacare in Oklahoma and defend second amendment rights. He said the proposal for this particular bill came from the mother of a rape and murder victim that lives in Tulsa. “She is hoping to bring closure and make sure that whoever murdered her daughter doesn’t murder somebody else’s child,” Sen. Jolley said. Current law only requires those convicted to submit DNA samples. However, Sen. Jolley believes that the more DNA samples obtained, the safer Oklahoma communities will be. “My belief is if we do this,” he said, “we will get rapists and murderers off the street more rapidly than if we don’t do it.” e Senate Appropriation Committee will discuss the bill further, as well as the funding for it. According to the fiscal analysis, it will cost approximately $1,000 to test each person. “If it would be difficult to afford all felonies and violent misdemeanors, I would prefer to get violent crimes only,” Sen. Jolley said. Not all Oklahomans favor the new incentive. Some believe the samples would qualify as unreasonable search and seizure or a privacy rights violation. Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma (ACLU), which is a union that describes themselves as a “nonprofit, nonpartisan, privately funded organization devoted exclusively to the defense and promotion of individual rights secured by the United States and Oklahoma constitutions,” oppose the bill. Executive director of ACLU, Ryan Kiesel, said, “It is shocking that some politicians so quickly dismiss the fundamental principle of innocent until proven guilty. We urge lawmakers to again reject this attempt to build a database with the DNA of innocent Oklahomans.” If the bill becomes law, Oklahoma will be the 28th state required to obtain DNA samples from specified arrestees. Photo by Sarah Brewer Photo by Sarah Brewer
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Page 1: The Cameron University Collegian: March 4, 2013

www.aggiecentral.comMonday, March 4, 2013 Volume 88 Issue 5

The Cameron UniversiTy

CollegianCameron University hosts 32nd annual OSGA Spring Congress

Sarah BrewerCopy Editor

Members of the Student Government Associations (SGA) across Oklahoma convened from Feb. 22 to Feb. 23 at Cameron University to discuss issues in higher education and appoint students to leadership positions during the 32nd Oklahoma Student Government Association (OSGA) Spring Congress.

Designed by students, staffed by students and funded by students, OSGA is a nonpartisan student advocacy association. Because the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recognizes and works closely with OSGA, the decisions and policies put forward through Spring Congress have the potential to affect change.

Colten Kennedy, a senior double-majoring in History and Mathematics and serving as the president of the CU SGA, was responsible for applying to make CU the host for Spring Congress. Kennedy said OSGA serves as a vehicle to voice the concerns of the constituents each student leader represents.

“What we try to do here is basically be a sounding board for students — if we see something that we want, or if we approve of something, we can pass legislation that says, ‘we agree with this,’ or ‘no, we don’t agree with this’ or ‘we’d like to change this,’” Kennedy said. “If we can effectively communicate their perspective on critical issues, then we’re doing a really good job, and so that’s what we’re striving for.”

In addition to committee meetings and elections, the OSGA itinerary also featured Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon (R), former State Regent of Higher Education Bill Burgess, Jr., and former Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins as guest speakers.

Bill W. Burgess, Jr. is the senior partner of Burgess & Hightower Law Firm, the owner and publisher of The Lawton Constitution and the civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army. He also serves as chairman of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce.

He graduated from Cameron University with a Bachelor of Arts, and while studying at CU, he served as SGA President for two years.

Burgess spoke to students during dinner on the evening of Feb. 23. He said OSGA provides students the opportunity to work with others that have opposing perspectives and teaches aspiring leaders how to build fervor for their ideas.

“I think that in any kind of collaborative effort where you get to work with a lot of different people, you learn how to take your ideas or ideas that

you think are good ideas for the future of either Cameron or for southwest Oklahoma or Oklahoma, you try to figure out a way to create enthusiasm in other people for those ideas — because that is really what government is all about,” Burgess said.

The next speaker — Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon (R) — discussed the role of government and politics during a fireside chat with students on the same evening. Speaker Shannon earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from CU and holds a Juris Doctorate from

Oklahoma City University Law School. In 2006, he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Seven years later, on Jan. 8, he took the oath of office to be Oklahoma’s Speaker of the House.

Speaker Shannon urged students to keep their egos in check, as well as focus on maintaining relationships with others.

“When you see someone excel above you, it’s very easy to allow that green bean of envy to start creeping its head up,” Speaker Shannon said. “If you figure out what you’re good at, it helps you to celebrate other

people’s gifts and talents. Figure out what you’re good at — it helps everything else and the things you’re not good at — accept and hone that, too.”

Jari Askins stressed the importance of offering guidance to students during the OSGA luncheon. Askins was the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma. She was the second female to govern the state and the first Democratic female to hold that position.

“I think it is incumbent on you to be aware of opportunities to mentor others so that they will understand that they are capable of doing what they want,” Askins said. “It may not be running for SGA; it may just be getting through day.”

Justin Barrick, a Business Management senior currently handles CU SGA proceedings as its Sergeant of Arms. Barrick was elected the Southwest Regional Director of OSGA — a position on the board of directors where he will communicate and be responsible for a quarter of the schools in Oklahoma Barrick also participated in a session where students proposed a resolution calling for the banishment all firearms on Oklahoma colleges and universities.

Though the resolution did not pass, Barrick said the debate that ensued showed that students were engrossed in making changes for the betterment of their respective schools.

See OSGAPage 2

Handling business: SGA Sergeant of Arms Justin Barrick (left) and SGA Vice President Chas Holbrook (right) sit on a panel and discuss the future of student government in Oklahoma. The OSGA Spring Congress conference took place Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, uniting university leaders from across the state.

Delta Sigma Theta

Shades of crimson bedecked the McCasland Ballroom when the sisters of the Lawton Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., celebrated its centennial year and sponsored the Lawton-Fort Sill National Pan-Hellenic Council Black Heritage Banquet (NPHC).

The annual event took place on the evening of Feb. 23. Its theme, “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington,” was meant to focus on the 150th and 50th anniversaries of these events.

Barbara Ellis, the president of the Lawton Alumnae chapter, said this year is significant for the sorority because it is now stronger than it has ever been.

“There is nothing better than celebrating being 100-years-old when your organization starts with 22 young college women who never anticipated that it would be more than a college organization or club, so it’s awesome for all of us and our principles are still alive — that makes all the difference in the world,” Ellis said.

Ellis said her sorority was pleased to present the banquet and its keynote speaker, Dr. Louise A. Rice.

Dr. Rice is the Immediate Past National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., having served for four years as Chief Executive of the Premier National Service Organization comprised of predominantly college educated African American women residing throughout the United States and several foreign countries. Under her leadership, the sorority established the Delta Hurricane Katrina Relief Task Force to fulfill the housing, financial, health and wellness and emotional needs of Gulf Coast residents and other displaced individuals after the hurricane struck.

Dr. Rice began by commending the members and leaders of the sororities and fraternities for hosting the banquet and stressed the importance of knowing the history of civil rights in the United States and the need for remaining bonded in their endeavors, she said, is necessary to expedite further social reform.

“Celebrating black history is an opportune time to remember those upon whose shoulders we stand, and it is the ideal time to educate all generations about the

accomplishments that we, as African Americans, have made to build our great nation,” Dr. Rice said. “Though we wear different colors, or our songs may sound differently, we are one — one body of college educated men and women committed to service and the uplift of our communities. Your esprit de corps reflected here this evening is admirable. We need to see more of this throughout the nation — collaboration and camaraderie will surely get us to the finish line of social change much faster than if we do it alone.

Sarah BrewerCopy Editor

Sorority celebrates centennial year at Black Heritage Banquet

See BANQUETPage 2

A day to remember: Dr. Louise Rice takes the podium at the National Pan-Hellenic Council Black Heritage Banquet in the MCC. She has served as the Immediate Past National President of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for the past four years.

Tiffany MartinezManaging Editor

Oklahoma senate bill 618 progresses

Sen. Clark Jolley of Edmond, Okla. has proposed a bill to the Senate Public Safety that will require anyone who has been arrested for a felony or certain misdemeanors, such as drug possession or domestic abuse, to submit a DNA sample. The bill was passed on Feb. 21 and now heads to the Senate Appropriation Committee where Sen. Jolley serves as the chair.

Sen. Jolley, of Oklahoma District 41, has had nine years legislature experience. He has fought to stop Obamacare in Oklahoma and defend second amendment rights. He said the proposal for this particular bill came from the mother of a rape and murder victim that lives in Tulsa.

“She is hoping to bring closure and make sure that whoever murdered her daughter doesn’t murder somebody else’s child,” Sen. Jolley said.

Current law only requires those convicted to submit DNA samples. However, Sen. Jolley believes that the more DNA samples obtained, the safer Oklahoma communities will be.

“My belief is if we do this,” he said, “we will get rapists and murderers off the street more rapidly than if we don’t do it.”

The Senate Appropriation

Committee will discuss the bill further, as well as the funding for it. According to the fiscal analysis, it will cost approximately $1,000 to test each person.

“If it would be difficult to afford all felonies and violent misdemeanors, I would prefer to get violent crimes only,” Sen. Jolley said.

Not all Oklahomans favor the new incentive. Some believe the samples would qualify as unreasonable search and seizure or a privacy rights violation.

Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma (ACLU), which is a union that describes themselves as a “nonprofit, nonpartisan, privately funded organization devoted exclusively to the defense and promotion of individual rights secured by the United States and Oklahoma constitutions,” oppose the bill.

Executive director of ACLU, Ryan Kiesel, said, “It is shocking that some politicians so quickly dismiss the fundamental principle of innocent until proven guilty. We urge lawmakers to again reject this attempt to build a database with the DNA of innocent Oklahomans.”

If the bill becomes law, Oklahoma will be the 28th state required to obtain DNA samples from specified arrestees.

Photo by Sarah Brewer

Photo by Sarah Brewer

Page 2: The Cameron University Collegian: March 4, 2013

News2 March 4, 2013www.aggiecentral.com

Red River Career Expo comes to CUThe Red River Career

Expo made its 16th annual appearance on Cameron University’s campus on Feb. 19.

The Red River Career Expo welcomed students, alumni and fellow community members to seek out career opportunities from over 75 local and national companies. The expo was held from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Aggie Rec Center.

Employer Relations Coordinator Wendy Locke said the Red River Career Expo is a yearly career fair that offers students and others opportunities to interact with professionals in a variety of fields and companies.

“The Red River Career Expo is an opportunity for employers to make connections with job seekers for both local and national companies,” Locke said. “It is a great event we have every single year.”

Locke said the event is an important staple to Cameron’s campus due to it being born through the university. While the expo is normally a joint project, Locke said this year was the first for Cameron to host it on its own.

“It is original to Cameron. Cameron and the Fort Sill Army Career and Alumni

Program have hosted it for the past 15 years. This is actually the first year that Cameron University has hosted it by themselves,” Locke said. “We still had volunteers from Fort Sill, but this is the first year that we have done a lot of the legwork without them.”

Locke said she was excited to have 81 vendors sign up for this year’s career fair. Even though there were a few cancellations due to the weather, she said she was thrilled to have over 76 diverse companies on Cameron’s campus.

“There’s so many different types of industries,” she said. “We had everything from nursing to engineering. We have companies that come year after year since it is such a great, big event for Cameron.”

Locke said she enjoys the idea that anyone is welcome to the expo. With the economy in a low state, she said she did not want to segregate anyone from the opportunity of a job.

“The great thing about the Red River Career Expo is it is actually open to the public. Anybody can come in and look for a job,” Locke said. “In

this economy, we do not want to segregate such a big fair to Cameron students and alumni. It gives the entire community a chance.”

As Career Services and Student Development took over the Red River Career Expo, Locke said the group made minor changes from the previous years. She said the group attempted to alter the expo’s logo and signs to include more gold and black for a Cameron feel.

“All the preparations, all the calls, all the business connections were centralized in

Career Services. It was housed here at Cameron. We took it and went running with it,” Locke said. “We were excited about all the little changes that added up. It is just the little things that we did that made the event stand out this year.”

Locke said a major goal of the expo is for students to establish connections with recruiters in their field of interests. She said there have been many success stories due to the Red River experience.

“We have had success stories where students have gained connections and did

get hired from the expo,” she said. “Some companies said they found some valid candidates. They were looking to hire three to six people from the candidates that walked through. We are making connections for our community.”

Senior Maurice Buckner said he saw the event as a way to experience what careers are available in the Oklahoma and Texas area.

“It opens your eyes to what it out there and what is in this area, considering everything is from here to Texas,” he said. “It just lets you know what the job market looks like.”

Overall, Locke said she was both surprised and thrilled to see the large turnout. Even though she said she was nervous about running the event for her first time, Locke said she was happy with its outcome and cannot wait to start working on next year’s career fair.

“A lot of people said this is the best Red River Career Expo we have been to,” she said. “I was nervous about the steps up to the event and making sure everything ran smoothly. I was very happy with the turnout. We received so many compliments that it just makes me that more excited about next year.”

Kaitlyn StocktonStaff Writer

Job fair: Representatives from different local and national companies talk to Lawton residents about the opportunities their companies have while at the Red River Career Expo. The expo took place at the Aggie Rec Center on Feb. 19.

Photo by Kaitlyn Stockton

Religion in American life discussed amongst panel

On the evening of Feb. 21, six men of differing faiths and backgrounds participated in the Religion in American Life Panel Discussion.

Taking place in the CETES Conference Center, the panel was open to the public and was held to discuss the role of religion — with particular focus on Christianity — in an increasingly pluralistic and diverse society.

The panel was a result of the work of Dr. William Carney, Director of Composition and recipient of the Philip L. Jones Endowed Lectureship in Ethics. Carney explained that a lectureship, such as the one he received, is a form of funding that allows scholars to research and examine a particular subject or issue in depth.

“It’s an excellent way for a faculty member to look at a particular issue deeply,” Carney said. “It’s giving me the chance to go to Indiana and look at Billy Sunday’s archives.”

Dr. Carney organized the panel discussion, not necessarily as part of his ongoing research into American evangelist Billy Sunday’s career, but as a related byproduct — an extension of the research that reached out to the public and the clergy alike. Carney detailed the process of gathering the men involved.

“It was a long process, and I spoke to a lot of the Lawton clergy,” he said. “Those people who were at the panel were the ones that said yes and were enthusiastic about doing this.”

Dr. Carney explained the impetus behind the panel and his research, which he sees as a means to look deeply into a ubiquitous subject that is more often experienced than

it is dissected.“We are surrounded by

religion, but we rarely get a chance to think about it,” he said.

In the spirit of academic dissection, the panel broached the topic of Christianity in the modern world, and discussed how Christians — and indeed, how people of faith — could reconcile beliefs with tolerance.

The night began with an introduction courtesy of Dr. Carney. He brought the subject of the night before the audience, explaining the prevailing nature of the topic at hand.

“We know in 2012 that 76 percent of the population identified as Christian,” he said. “Clearly there is a strong Christian footprint.”

After the introduction, the six men that made up the panel spoken in turn to explain their beliefs and their views, which contextualized where they would be coming from in the ensuing discussion. They then discussed a number of questions, from how one reconciles faith and political alignment to an examination of what the essential elements of faith are.

Pastor Tim Evans of Dayspring Community Church, spoke on the action and nature of God. He posited that perhaps people misunderstand these subjects, taking the nature of God to be one of judgment and condemnation and the action of God to be legislation — that is, the question of who can Christians get into political power.

Dr. James Ford, Professor at Rogers State University, examined the rising idea of being spiritual without being religious, presenting the possibility of “protestant” being the spiritual minority of the country. He spoke in favor of a more tolerant

nature for the church.“I see judgment and love in

all religious texts,” he said. “A spirit of humility is necessary in all of us.”

Bryan Tener, Pastor of the First Methodist Church in Cache, approached the panel speaking on the subject of humility. He brought into question the idea of truth, and whether or not human beings could ever grasp it.

“We may think we have a grasp on the ‘big T’ Truth, when actually it’s a ‘little t’ truth,” he said. “If we’re not engaged in a spirit of humility, we can be misled into thinking we have a ‘big T’, which is dangerous.”

Mr. Robert Peterson, President of the Oklahoma Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put an emphasis on the importance of teaching the scripture at home, and not leaving spiritual guidance to the church alone.

Similarly, Dr. Ronald Price, Associate Professor of Communication at Cameron, put an emphasis on the value of scripture, though was less than pleased at the smaller role of the church in spiritual life.

“I am concerned with the shrinking attendance of worship service,” he said.

The panel ran for over an hour, and ended with the discussion turning toward the audience. Attendees were invited to ask questions of the panel members, which elicited further examination into the role of tolerance in the faith, the idea of truth and man’s inability to grasp it and the applicability of a 2000-year-old document.

Dr. Carney, in response to one audience question, raised the point that encapsulated the night — a night marked with academic discussion and reflection.

“The word is the word,” he said. “When it was given human tongue it became discourse.”

Alex Rosa-FigueroaStaff Writer

BANQUET continued from page 1During her address, Dr.

Rice mentioned the leaders of the civil rights movement and recalled their teachings when discussing current divisive issues.

“We have come a long way — our nation is at a crossroads, and the powers that be — our elected officials and lawmakers — need to make a decision to end gun violence. Every day, a child is killed, and of course black children are disproportionately killed by gun violence,” Dr. Rice said. “What would our nonviolent leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — say or do to make gun control a reality? What can we do? This is not what we and he and others have worked so hard to achieve — to waste our hard-earned freedom and equality with senseless, random shootings.”

Before ending her speech, Dr. Rice quoted passages from “I Have a Dream” by the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

and encouraged the audience to keep his teachings in mind.

“Keep being the beacon light of hope to the African American community, extinguishing the flame of injustice and bring a joyous daybreak to end the long

night of captivity. Remember — Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King, Jr. could walk. Martin Luther King, Jr. walked so Barack Obama could run. But Barack Obama ran, and he ran so our children could fly.”

Table discussion: Guests at the Black Heritage Banquet listen on as Dr. Louise Rice talks to the crowd. The Black Heritage Banquet took place at the McCasland Ballroom on Feb. 23.

Photo by Sarah Brewer

OSGA continued from page 1“It was a very heated

debate – it actually got turned down; it did not pass. There was opposing sides, and it went back and forth,” Barrick said. “I think it proved well for OSGA to have a bill that had that much f lame in it that got

everybody involved — passionately debating and expressing both sides on the bill.”

Barrick said that students was enjoyed their Spring Congress experience at CU.

“We welcomed them and we got excellent speakers

that came to speak to us that were just outstanding, and I am proud that Cameron was able to host such a warm and welcoming event for not only the speakers, but for everybody who was able to come and participate in OSGA.”

The debate: Students argue their point for gun control at the 32nd annual OSGA Spring Congress. The resolution for gun control did not pass. The congress took place Feb. 22 and 23 at Cameron University.

Photo by Sarah Brewer

Page 3: The Cameron University Collegian: March 4, 2013

News 3March 4, 2013aggiecentral.com

Students donate blood for homecomingAs part of the homecoming

week’s festivities at Cameron University, the Oklahoma Blood Institute held a blood drive on Tuesday Feb. 19 in the McCasland Ballroom.

The blood drive ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and was open to the public, but the emphasis was on student participation.

“We know that students are healthy and interested in making a difference,” Community Relations Director for OBI Leslie Gamble said.

Gamble said that giving blood was a good way for cash strapped college students to give back to their community.

“We know that college students don’t have a lot of money, and blood donation is a way for them to have a huge impact for no money at all,” Gamble said.

According to Gamble there is a need for blood donations is great.

“It means the difference between life and death for people across our state,” Gamble said.

Gamble said that the blood collected by OBI is used for people battling cancer, premature infants, surgeries and injuries.

“Many times its people that had no idea the day before that they would need blood,” Gamble said.

Gamble said that the blood they collect at these blood drives is used by hospitals all over the state to treat their patients.

“Around 140 hospitals in Oklahoma depend on us for blood for their patients,” Gamble said.

This dependency means that OBI needs to collect a lot of blood from a lot of different people.

“We have around 40 blood drives a week around the state,” Gamble said. “We need about 700 donors a day to keep up with need.”

A few of the students who were trying to help meet that need, by either donating time or blood, were 21-year-old junior Psychology major Lacy Reink, 19-year-old freshman Biology major Megan Medlinger and 20-year-old sophomore Criminal Justice

major Dalton Matthews. Reink said that she had

donated blood twice before in her life. So when she found out about this blood drive she wanted to donate.

“I saw the sign downstairs and thought I would come donate because it is for a good cause,” Reink said.

Medlinger, however, knew about the blood drive in advance. She said she learned about the blood drive on Aggie access and made a special trip just to donate blood.

“I have been giving blood since I was in high school,” Medlinger said. “I have always thought that giving blood is a good way to help out.”

Though Matthews was ineligible to give blood at the blood drive due to a prior blood donation, he still wanted to help out. He was there volunteering his time — something he said is important for Cameron students to do.

“I donate blood every four months,” Matthews said. “Giving blood helps give back to a broader community. It is a way for Cameron students to literally save a life.”

If students missed the blood drive and still want to donate, Gamble said that they can still donate at a donor center, one of which is in Lawton.

“Our donor centers are a great place for people to donate, and they are open 6 days a week,” Gamble said.

Gamble said there are some things that potential donors should keep in mind before donating.

“You should eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids before you donate,” Gamble said. “It is also important that you get a good night’s sleep before donating.”

There are a few things that Gamble said could keep someone from being able to donate blood.

“Health factors, transplant recipients and certain travel can keep you from donating,” Gamble said. “But if you are over the age of 16-years-old and in good health on the day of donation, you should be able to donate.”

Gamble wanted to stress that a potential donor should not rule out the chance of donating without trying first.

“Even with the restrictions, more people are eligible to donate than think they can,” Gamble said.

Because of the need Gamble, said that everyone who can give blood should give blood and often.

“You can give red blood cells every 56 days and platelets as often as every 7 days,” Gamble said. “It is literally a matter of life and death for some people,” Gamble added. “You can’t live without blood.”

Philip HarringtonStaff Writer

Blood drive: Sophomore Criminal Justice major Megan Medlinger sits down after getting blood drawn. The blood drive was held Feb. 19 in the McCasland Ballroom.

Photo by Philip Harrington

Event focuses on education of military children

On Feb. 18, Education majors as well as faculty and teachers and counselors from Lawton Public Schools gathered to learn a bit more about how to work alongside military children.

Dr. Sandy Franklin, Chief of Curriculum Development for the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), spoke at the event.

Dr. Franklin began the presentation with a video, featuring a voiceover and pictures drawn by military children. The video was a way for Dr. Franklin to present MCEC to the audience.

“For those of you who are not familiar with the Military Childhood Education Coalition, it’s important that you get a sense of our work as we begin our time together,” Dr. Franklin said. “This

way you understand where we come from, and the research that goes behind our organization and how we use that to benefit the needs of military kids nationwide.”

According to Dr. Franklin, MCEC not only works with children in the public school system, but also works with students at the college level.

“I also understand that because we have our university colleagues with us as well, that takes things up a notch,” Dr. Franklin said. “Not only does MCEC work with the needs of pre-k to 12th grade, but our mission extends to age 23.”

Dr. Franklin said her role as the Chief of Curriculum Development for MCEC is to oversee what goes on in the professional development training.

“The first thing we do is a lot of research,” Dr. Franklin said. “We also have professional development

training, and my role as Chief of Curriculum Development is to write the curriculum that we use in our professional development training. We have about 54 trainers nationwide that deliver our professional development training. We also have student programs, which helps students during transition.”

Dr. Franklin also reminded the audience of the mission statement for MCEC.

“Our mission statement just reiterates the fact that our main goal is to provide quality educational experiences for all military-connected kids, especially around mobility, transition, deployment and separation,” Dr. Franklin said. “Our work extends through all branches of service. That extends to the Coast Guard.”

According to Dr. Franklin, MCEC is

currently trying to work on a military identifier in order to help children who are moving as a result of their parents being re-stationed.

“Currently, we’re trying on policy initiatives,” Dr. Franklin said. “We’re working with the legislature

to get a military identifier that parents would opt in to choosing at the time of registration so we can know who our military children are as they move from place to place. Currently, most states do not have that, and it makes it very difficult.”

MCEC has also covered research projects in their search to better the education of military children, with four projects since 2001.

“Our first research project was in 2001,” Dr. Franklin said. “That was the secondary education transitions study, where we were looking at the transitions in the secondary level, and what schools can do to improve in those areas. Then in 2005 and 2009, we had research projects that deal with special education, because we realized that the needs of special students are often compounded because of transition. Our most recent research project that we just finished in 2011 for the Army was educating the military child of the 21st century, and we were looking at transition to see if things had improved since 2001, not only at the secondary level.”

Tyler BoydstonAsst. Managing Editor

Addressing the crowd: Dr. Sandy Franklin discusses the effects of constant moving on military children, as well as how to teach and help those children. The event took place in the McCasland Ballroom on Feb. 18.

Photo by Tyler Boydston

CU Succeed workshop helps prevent plagiarismCameron University’s

Student Development program held its Preventing Plagiarism Workshop at 2 p.m. on Feb. 26, in the Library.

The Preventing Plagiarism workshop was a part of the ongoing CU Succeed Series and was the seventh installment held this spring.

Taylor Thompson, the coordinator of Diversity Affairs in Student Development, said that this is the first spring semester to have the CU Succeed series. This year, Student Development decided to make the CU Succeed series available over both the fall and spring semesters.

The Preventing Plagiarism workshop featured Dr. Judy Neale and Assistant Director of the Cameron University Library Barbara Pickthorn as the speakers. This workshop had two main points: identifying plagiarism and finding ways to avoid it.

Dr. Neale gave students an exercise at the beginning

of the workshop. She introduced Cameron University’s core values and asked the students to choose one of the six, and write a paragraph about what it means to them. After the students read

their paragraphs aloud, she asked students to trade the paragraphs, scratch out the name on the top and instead put their own, demonstrating a prime example of plagiarism.

After going through

different examples of plagiarism, including obvious plagiarism — such as purchasing papers, hiring someone to write papers or copy and pasting from the internet — and accidental plagiarism —

including using similar words from a source or not using direct quotations, Pickthorn worked with students to show them how to cite their sources to avoid consequences of plagiarism.

After showing a small video on plagiarism and how to cite sources, she used a game show to decide what should be cited and what should not be cited. Students in the workshop had to decide if the writing was directly from a source or if it was written by a student. Pickthorn then used the examples of MLA format as well as APA format to teach the students which format is correct for what kind of paper and why it is necessary to avoid being found guilty for plagiarism.

After the teaching of the workshop was finished, students participated in a small raffle to win a door prize for attending the workshop.

Students were also rewarded pickaxe points for attending.

Thompson said that the CU Succeed Series

is beneficial to students because it makes them learn different concepts and strategies to help them succeed.

Thompson also said that they try to hold one workshop a week for students to attend.

“We try to do at least one workshop a week,” Thompson said. “I think it is beneficial because you get to learn things that will help you feel successful. We vary from Preventing Plagarism to Dress for Success and we’ve also done an Extreme Couponing Workshop. It’s a lot of different things to help make students well rounded.”

Thompson said that they use various ways of coming up with ideas for the CU Succeed workshops.

“Sometimes we research on what other universities are teaching,” Thompson said. “We also e-mail our faculty and staff to see if they have any ideas. Normally, the speakers of the workshop get to use their own ideas to present to the students.”

Charlene BelewStaff Writer

Photo by Charlene Belew

Showing the way: Coordinator of Diversity Affairs Taylor Thompson (left) and Administrative Assistant Melissa Caro (right) look through CU Succeed Archives. The Preventing Plagiarism workshop took place Feb. 26.

Page 4: The Cameron University Collegian: March 4, 2013

Crossroads4 March 4, 2013www.aggiecentral.com

Zeta Epsilon Zeta paying it forward

Teaching charity by example: Krystal Lewis admires one of the donated prom dresses. Lewis donated seven of her own dresses to the collection.

Members of the Lawton Zeta Epsilon Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., seek to empower young women through upcoming events.

According to sorority member Miracle Barnes, a 29-year-old Department of Human Services Child Welfare Worker, the organization is very active in the community. She said each member of the sorority feels strongly about the empowerment of women and providing positive interaction to promote such in the lives of local young girls.

Other members include: Kiara Reed, a 23-year-old United States Army Officer; Sherry Walker, a 32-year-old United States Army Specialist; Keshia Streeter, 25-years-old, DHS Child Welfare Specialist and Krystal Lewis, 31-year-old, program support manager for Employee Partners Office.

“We are very community oriented; we are very involved with providing our services — as much as we can — to the community,” Barnes said. “We do a lot of events in the community.”

Barnes said that the employment of two of the sorority members helps to facilitate the organization goals.

Barnes said that the ladies’ professions tend to benefit the organizations efforts within the community.

“Two members of our sorority work for DHS, and we have a lot of involvement with the children of our community that are in need in different families,” she said. “So we definitely use that as grounds to aid us in establishing need.”

Streeter said that the event, A Second Time New, was established when the group realized they wanted to reach out to teenage girls.

“With A Second Time New, we wanted to reach out to high school students and we wanted to teach them etiquette, how to dress, how to be more ladylike, how to be a finer woman — not to join our sorority, but just to be better inside,” she said. “So we thought we could reach out and enrich them by giving them prom dresses and homecoming dresses, especially reaching out to the less fortunate girls who cannot afford a nice prom dress or a homecoming dress.”

According to Streeter, the prom dress event will not take place until the end of summer to allow the group time to organize everything.

“We will probably hold this event between August and October so we will have enough time to prep, talk to the school superintendent, talk to the schools so we can get a list of names of some girls who are actually in need of dresses,” she said. “If we do it for homecoming, then we will have ninth through 12th grade girls coming and we will give them a dress for free.”

Streeter said that a Mary Kay rep would be donating her expertise to help the young ladies with makeup.

“We will also have a Mary Kay rep coming — to teach them how to put on makeup, how they should dress and pretty much how they should carry themselves.”

According to Streeter, next month, on April 13, the organization will host the Let’s Walk for Her, a one-day event at Elmer Thomas Park.

“The Let’s Walk for Her event is pretty much a walk for any woman that has struggled — from the richest woman to the poorest woman,” she said. “W-A-L-K is an acronym — Women’s Awareness for Lasting Knowledge.”

Streeter said that they hope to get people throughout the community involved in this event.

“We are going to try to reach out to other organizations, other sororities, fraternities, community groups, American Red Cross, Susan G. Koman, Storks Nest — just a whole bunch of different businesses around the area to come out and walk for us and set up a booth or a table so they can give out information,” she said. “We will also have a big high heeled shoe there for collecting used, slightly used or new shoes that we are going to donate to the battered women’s shelter, foster

care and anybody else that needs shoes for women.”Streeter said that all members enjoy giving back.“Giving back is one of the reasons that we all join, and

we don’t mind doing it,” she said. “Our principles are finer womanhood, sisterly love, community service and scholarship, so community service is one of the big pieces of our organization.”

Walker said that she strives to empower young women.“My goal is to transform the mind-set of some females,” she

said. “You know, right now in society there are videos, and if you look on Facebook, there are pictures saying you have to have this and you have to have that – my goal is to transform that mind-set.”

Walker said that she wants to move people to become better.

“You know it’s all about being happy in life; if you’re unhappy in life, you are just moving with the motions,” she said. “Don’t just go with the motions; make the waves that move you.”

Lewis said that she applies her life principle when she encounters other people.

“The principle that I live by is an acronym for power — purpose oriented woman empowered by righteousness,” she said. “I try to make sure that in all things that I do in my life and with the people that I encounter, I make a positive impact.

According to Lewis, everyone has the opportunity to make a positive impact on someone’s life.

“You have to realize that every person you touch — you make an impact on and you have to decide what kind of impact you are going to have on him or her and their life,” she said. “With young women, you always want to make sure that they know they are worthy and valued and that you make that lasting impression on them.”

Dianne RiddlesCrossroads Editor

Preparing donations: Krystal Lewis coordinates accessories. Lewis has collected several complete outfits.

Photo by Kali Robinson

Photo by Kali Robinson

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Sports 5March 4, 2013www.aggiecentral.com

CU baseball splits weekend series with CardinalsAaron GillStaff Writer

Cameron University men’s baseball team split the weekend series with William Jewell on Feb. 24 at McCord Field after coming off of a two game win streak against Southwestern Oklahoma State University earlier in the month.

The Aggies, looking to keep their winning streak alive, took the diamond for the first game of the doubleheader and emerged victorious by a score of 7-6. The Ags started off the first inning by scoring three runs off one hit and two William Jewell errors. Senior Thomas Galvin got on after out running a single to the catcher. Galvin then advanced to second after senior Nick Smith reached on a fielder’s choice.

Smith and Galvin then advanced one base on a passed ball leaving Galvin on third and Smith on second, both in scoring position. Junior Brad Blumer stepped up to the plate next and reached on an error at first, then advanced to second on the error. Both Galvin and Smith scored, unearned. Blumer scored later after advancing to third and then coming home after a wild pitch hit the backstop.

William Jewell steadily scored throughout the remainder of the game putting at least one on the board each inning. The first William Jewell run was recorded in the top of the second after a single shot to right center brought home Sam Morman for the Cardinals.

CU baseball Head Coach Todd Holland expressed his team needed to keep the win streak alive and play to win.

“Coming off of a six game losing streak was tough and winning those two against SWOSU was a definite confidence builder,” Coach Holland said. “We knew we needed a win so we played to win.”

The third inning was productive for the Aggies, recording three runs after two were plated for the Cardinals. The inning started with Blumer grounding out to second and senior Tyler Cox reaching on an error to center and then advancing to second, putting him in scoring position. Senior Kenny Acosta walked and junior Dalton Hilliard recorded the second Aggie out of the inning by f lying out to center.

That brought up junior Kaz Sanders who bombed a three run homer to bring in Blumer and Acosta. Junior Brandon Raidy reached first after being hit by a pitch and was left on base as the inning ended after junior Keaton Green grounded out to second.

The Aggies scored their final run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Galvin reached on an error at second and advanced to second after Smith singled up the middle. Blumer laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing both Smith and Galvin to second and third, putting them closer to scoring position.

Cox stepped up to the plate and had an RBI single to left field bringing home Galvin and ended the scoring of the Aggies for the game. William Jewell recorded two

more runs before the end of the game but fell one short to the Aggies 7-6.

The Aggies lost the second game of the day to William Jewell by a score of 10-5, Cardinals. The teams played well defensively as neither team scored in the first or fourth innings.

The Aggies scored one run in the bottom of the second and once again in the bottom of the third. Senior Kevin Lum had an RBI single that scored sanders in the second and an RBI double by Smith in the bottom of the third that scored Galvin.

Both teams scored in the fifth and sixth innings, but the game took off in the favor of the Cardinals in the top of the seventh after the game had been tied, 5-5. The Cardinals plated five runs on two hits and no errors. The game ended after the Aggies failed to math the five runs of the Cardinals in the seventh, leaving the Cardinals with a win by a score of 10-5.

Coach Holland explained the Aggies had a good second game after keeping the first four innings close, but said there are still some things that need work.

“It was a good game,” Holland said. “We made a few mistakes here and there that can be corrected in practice, it’s all about fundamentals and keeping your head in it.”

The Aggies next home series will be against West Texas A&M University on March 15-17 at McCord field. Additional information on CU baseball and all Aggie athletics can be found at www.cameronaggies.com

Senior night caps perfect home seasonMatthew Berberea

Sports Editor

Cameron University Men’s Basketball faced off against the Northwood University Knights Feb. 24 at Aggie Gymnasium for the final home game of the season and Senior Night.

Cameron came into the game with five straight wins and 11 straight at Aggie Gym. Northwood was the underdog coming into the game with a record of 4-21, but looked to spoil the perfect home season for CU.

The game opened with both teams exchanging points with neither able to pull ahead by more than one possession. They hit the 8:40 mark tied for the fifth time at 19-19, but Northwood quickly hit the gas and went on a 10-0 run over the next two minutes.

Trailing 19-29 with 5:45 left in the half, senior guard Devon Crabtree started to find his rhythm from outside. After starting the game 2-4 from behind the arc, Crabtree drained five of his next six to lead the Aggies back in front heading into the locker room 44-41.

The second half started where the first left off as two quick threes from Crabtree and two layups from senior forward Rudy Harrell increased Cameron’s lead to 54-41 with 18:41 left in the game.

Once again the Knights refused to go down easy and

fought back over the next few minutes with a 13-4 run of their own bringing the Aggie lead to 59-54.

Crabtree was then called on to slow down the Knights and he drained his 10th 3-pointer of the night, tying a Cameron University single game record. That bucket sparked the crowd, which erupted minutes later when junior guard Tim Johnson finished a fast break with a monster one-handed dunk over Northwood big man Everett Plesant and the foul.

The Aggies used the crowd and momentum to continue to build their lead with an alley-oop dunk from point guard Craig

Foster to junior Andrew “Grenada” Thomas. Two possessions later Thomas once again found himself on the receiving end of an alley-oop from Foster.

The Knights did their best to fight back but were unable to pull within eight points Cameron as the Aggies played solid defense and hit their free throws to seal the victory, 86-75.

Head Coach Wade Alexander said that winning at home is always the goal but going undefeated at home is a daunting task.

“It’s something we talk about every year,” Coach Alexander said, “winning your home games. We finally accomplished it after

five years, and its not an easy task.”

The win gives Cameron a regular season record of 18-7 and 13-5 in conference. The Aggies finished the season second place in the conference and fifth in the NCAA Division 2 South Central regional rankings.

Crabtree led the Aggies in scoring with 30 points to go along with three rebounds and four assists. Senior forward Andrew “Country” Thomas finished his final home game with 14 points and seven rebounds while junior guard Craig Foster finished with a double-double, 11 points and 11 rebounds.

After missing most of the

season recovering from an offseason injury, Crabtree showed why he is a valuable asset for the Aggies. Coach Alexander talked about what Crabtree can do for the Aggies but said he may not find too much free space after a record performance.

“He played a great game, his specialty is threes so no doubt he can do that,” Coach Alexander said. “Now it will be tough for him to get his shot off the next game.”

The Aggies look toward the Lonestar Conference Tournament where they enter as the #2 seed. Coach Alexander explained the Aggies have some areas they need to focus on

entering the tournament and the team needs to play a complete game to compete.

“We have to get our execution going again,” Coach Alexander said. “We slipped in some areas tonight and we need to get our rebounding back and just start putting it all together.”

The Aggies will play March 6 against the #7 seed, which was yet to be determined at press time.

Information on the conference tournament can be found at www.lscchampionshipallen.com and all Cameron athletics information can be found at www.cameronaggies.com.

Clear for takeoff: (Left) Junior guard Tim Johnson throws down a huge dunk over a Northwood defender and draws the foul Feb. 28 at Aggie Gymnasium.(Above) Members of the CU basketball team gathered with fans on the court after the final home victory capped a perfect 12-0 record at home this season.Photos by Matthew Berberea

Page 6: The Cameron University Collegian: March 4, 2013

Voices6 March 4, 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.

Letters PolicyLetters 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 [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

Tiffany MartinezManaging Editor

Service with a heart deserves a tipIt’s almost midnight on

a Friday. I’m wiping down my tables, filling my sugar caddies and replacing empty steak sauce bottles. The whole restaurant is empty except for one table in my section. We closed nearly an hour ago, but they are still sipping away on margaritas ordered three minutes before we closed.

No worries, I whisper to myself. No test tomorrow morning or anything, guys. Margaritas, rib eyes, filets, loaded baked potatoes and sautéed mushrooms on the side — and I see a five dollar bill sitting on the table.

Five dollars on a one-hundred dollar tab? Three of those dollars will go to the bussers, bartenders and hostesses. Three percent of the total of each check automatically tips these people out, and rightfully so. But the other whopping 200 cents will be mine. Can you imagine if there was nothing on the table? I would’ve paid right out of my own pocket to serve them while they ate at my table.

So let’s do the math. They’ve occupied my table for two and a half hours and I make $2.13 an hour before taxes. That’s seven dollars I’ve made, again before taxes, in almost three hours.

Minimum wage is $7.25. It’s a good thing I’m putting myself through college, I want to scream at them. It’s a good thing you asked me for about 50 gallons of ranch, barbecue sauce, butter and honey mustard, to sing happy birthday for your daughter and to have your steaks remade because you apparently didn’t know and didn’t bother to ask the difference between a prime rib and a rib eye when you

ordered.Thank you so much for

acknowledging the spiel I am actually required to give at the beginning of each visit. There’s nothing like answering: “How are you doing, tonight?” with, “Iced tea, no lemon.”

I am well aware, as is everyone in the restaurant business, that waiting tables is not rocket science. It doesn’t require a degree or long-term training. Waiting tables is one of the only jobs where you’ll find 16-year-olds and 60-year-olds working in the same

building. Maybe some people look down on restaurant employee personnel and think that because it doesn’t require extensive training, it’s not a respectable job. But we are servers — not servants.

As a soon-to-be-graduate student, I’ll tell you I’ve met far smarter people working in the restaurant business than I have within the confines of a college classroom.

Being a server requires a keen set of skills. Servers have to be able to think quickly, move quickly, master the

art of multitasking, manage sometimes hundreds of dollars at one time, be hospitable, patient and communicate well — more than well. In this military/college town, you run into people from all over the world. So we serve as translators, baby sitters, photographers, accountants, counselors, teachers, body-builders and maintenance repair all in one job. I hope you realize that what we do deserves a proper tip.

Of course there are bad servers working in restaurants

everywhere. I’m not asking you to hand out money to servers that don’t deserve it. I’m just asking you to realize that servers make their money from the tips that you leave them. If you can’t afford to tip, don’t go out to eat. In some restaurants, servers have ten tables to tend to, and in my restaurant, we have three. A few bad tips, or no tips, can really make or break our night. In turn, it can make or break our tuition balance, car payment or house note. Fifteen percent of your total bill is what you should leave your server, at the bare minimum, if he or she does a good job.

And if you want to be that guy or girl that leaves your number on the receipt, you might want to go a little overboard on the tip. Two dollars and a “call me” will more than likely get you an angry text, if anything. If you want to be the table that’s having a mini-reunion, meaning you want to sit there for about three hours, please tip accordingly. The server that is waiting on you could have had two or three other tables, so two or three other tips, in the time that you have taken sitting there. Also, never be the person that doesn’t eat. Restaurants are for eating. It’s where you go to be fed. A party of six people with two people eating is costing your server.

Lastly, a sincere thank you from a hardworking server to the lovely guests that are kind and generous enough to take care of us. I’ve kept receipts for years after I’ve spent the tip money, from guests acknowledging how hard I work or what great service they received. You are more appreciated than you know.

MCT Campus

Invaluability of first-hand history accounts

James MeeksStaff Writer

Why do we learn history? This is a question often asked by instructors when I have taken a history class. Often, the same answers to the questions are ‘to learn from the past,’ ‘to not repeat mistakes’ and ‘to learn about the people of the past and how they shaped the future.’

As a person, it is important to know about one’s history. As a student, however, these classes are just another grade on a long academic journey, and a simple piece of paper shows we have completed the passage.

History does not always tell us the full story. Our books are more of a collected record of events rather than the actual story itself.

Historians and journalists gather these records to tell the events of history and the stories of the individuals that set the very events in motion.

On Feb. 14, veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima came to Ft. Sill to talk to newly enlisted Marines about their time in World War II as well seeing the advancements of technology in the battlefield of today. One of those veterans was Medal of Honor recipient Hershel

“Woody” Williams.Hearing the story of

Williams and the veterans that served in that historic battle was a true honor. Listening to these stories beats any documentary from our classes and the History Channel.

As Williams told his story to me as well as members of the Lawton media, he said that whenever he wears the medal, he wears it not for himself or the deeds he did for the war.

“I wear the medal particularly in honor of two marines that day who were protecting me so the Japanese couldn’t get to me,” Williams said. “Two of them gave their lives giving that protection. So when I wear it, I always wear it being in their honor, not mine.”

Williams does not know the name of those men who gave their lives. He only knows them

by the nicknames. Troops were constantly changing — from being killed or injured in action or deployed to another unit — so Williams never really got to know who their comrades were on that fateful day.

In my family, my great-grandfather also served in World War II. He was not in Asia like Williams; he was actually in Europe and was part of one of the thousands of U.S troops that stormed the beaches of Normandy during D-Day.

I don’t know the story of my great-grandfather and his time in the war. He died a couple years before I was born so I never got the chance to hear the stories of those moments in history from a personal perspective.

I am sure if I asked my father or grandfather they

would tell me what he told them, but it wouldn’t be the same — it wouldn’t be his voice. I would not be seeing the emotion or the look in his eyes as he told me all of the details.

The only part of the story that I know of my great-grandfather was that the man, who was by his side during the battle on D-Day, was the same man officiated the union of my great-grandparents. That is the only thing I know my great-grandfather’s time in World War II.

I don’t know if the man who was alongside him is still alive today or if he has already passed on. I always hear from my family about how great a man my great-grandfather was and it makes me wish that I got a chance to meet him and to hear the stories of America during that time in history.

I am honored to have heard the story of Williams and the many other veterans that served in Iwo Jima on that day in World War II. There is nothing better than hearing about a moment in history from someone who has actually lived it.

Veterans like Williams and my great-grandfather have helped defend the country we love and hold so dear. These very people have protected us and ensured our freedoms.

On the next Veteran’s Day, do not see it as a free day off from school or work, see it as a day to remember those that have fought and died for our country. Appreciate our former and current service members for the sacrifices they have made to make sure us every day citizens can live the life we know today.

An American hero: Master Gunnery Sgt. Jonathon Banks (left) speaks with Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams (right) during the Iwo Jima reunion tour. It took place at Fort Sill on Feb. 14.

Photo by James Meeks

Page 7: The Cameron University Collegian: March 4, 2013

A&EMarch 4, 2013www.aggiecentral.com 7

A pitch perfect eveningCarson Stringham

Staff Writer

Cameron University recently hosted a night dedicated to the art of vocal performance in the McMahon Auditorium.

On Feb. 26, three choirs — the CU Concert Choir, Lawton High School Choir and Cameron’s own Centennial Singers — came together to put on a show that started at 7:30 p.m. For one hour, the auditorium was filled with music that ranged from vocal jazz to classic choral, Americana standards to pop tunes and featured students singing in small ensemble to full choir. Each group was given its own piece of the program that fit its style and size.

Dr. James Lambert, Music Department Chair, said the invitation was extended to the LHS Choir to come perform in the concert as part of Cameron’s effort to not only recruit students to its music program, but to further relations between Cameron and the local communities.

“Cameron University is an interactive university,” Dr. Lambert said. “We have a mission of reaching out to the several high school choirs in an effort to introduce our music students to the music programs of the local schools and for the high school students to hear our collegiate singers.”

The Centennial Singers started the evening off the evening by singing “The Star Spangled Banner” a capella, and they dedicated their performance to those who are currently serving or who have served in the various branches of the armed forces.

The Singer’s portion of the concert was a mix of various genres of music; whether singing a capella or with jazz accompaniment, standing still or moving about the stage, they showed why they are Cameron’s premier vocal ensemble.

Doris Lambert, Adjunct Professor in Cameron’s Music Department and Conductor of the Centennial Singers, said that

she chose the songs she did for the Singers because she wanted to show what they could do.

“I chose the songs for the variety of styles that they represent,” Lambert said. “These selections also allowed me to showcase some individual singers with solos.”

At one point during their performance, CU Temporary Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Compton joined the singers on the saxophone as part of the “Telephone Song.”

Next, the LHS Choir performed two songs on the program, both of which were classic concert choir pieces. Lisa Cullison, Conductor of the LHS Choir, said the performance was the first time this group of students has come to Cameron. Cullison said that her students had their eyes opened when it comes to music being a part of their lives after high school.

“Five of the students in the Cameron Concert Choir are recent Lawton High graduates that used to be my students,” she said. “Not all of them are music majors, but they have learned that they can still be involved with music even if they are studying other things.”

Cullison said she hopes the five students will stand as examples of the possibilities for the students she has now, to show them that music can still be a part of their lives beyond high school.

Next on the program was the CU Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. John Cornish, Temporary Instructor in the CU Music Department. The Concert Choir sang five pieces of music, the last four all coming from a collection entitled “Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands.”

Each song in the collection represents the combined effort of Edward Elgar’s music being put to his wife’s poems based on the memories and experiences of their time spent in Southern Bavaria. Because each song represents a different memory, the styles of each song were vastly different from the next, allowing the Choir to show its versatility.

The LHS Choir and CU Concert Choir joined each other on stage to sing “Make a Joyful Noise” for the concert’s finale. With the risers filled to capacity, barely able to contain the enormous ensemble, the final song of the evening perfectly encapsulated the goal of the entire concert.

Dr. Lambert said while he hopes the high school students had fun with the experience, he also would like for them to learn from it as well. He said whenever students get the chance to perform outside their natural element, it makes them better musicians and teaches them lessons for later in life.

Dr. Lambert said: “Whether it’s a contest or a festival, it elevates their performance because it forces them to focus on the music and the task at hand. Whether they major in music in college or not, they can appreciate the self-discipline it takes to focus on something one element at a time and elevate it to a professional level.”

Students and community members alike attended Magic Lantern Film Society’s showing of “Glory” on Feb. 22 in Nance Boyer at 7:30 p.m.

The members of the film society prepared the classroom for the screening, and after the refreshments and donations table was set up, guests began to file into the room.

Before the feature presentation, Dr. John Morris, professor of English and faculty advisor for Magic Lantern, played a DVD of movie previews and one episode of “The Lone Ranger” film serial, adding to the theater like atmosphere of the event.

Once these two showings were finished, Dr. Morris provided the audience with a synopsis of the movie and accolades associated with it. At the close of this synopsis, the movie began.

This event was the first time Magic Lantern featured “Glory” in its 31 years.

Morris explained the definition of “classic” film had to do with the movie’s age as well as its critical acclaim. While “Glory” fit this criteria, there was more to the choice to show it than the acclaim it has achieved since its 1989 release.

Morris said, “We do try to show movies that appeal to different audiences, and February is Black History Month. So we tried to schedule a film that would contain African-American characters.”

However, it was more than the timing that compelled Magic Lantern to feature this film. The educational and entertainment value inherent in “Glory” made it a good choice to Morris, who applauded its basis on a significant point in history as well as its cinematographic success.

“Glory” chronicles the formation and struggles of the Massachusetts 54th regiment in the Civil War, the first all black unit in the United States Army, under the command of their white commanding officer, Colonel Robert Shaw.

Dr. Morris lauded the cast who portrayed the key characters of the storyline.

“Matthew Broderick played Colonel Shaw and was cast accurately. Of course, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman are tremendous.” Dr. Morris said. “I remember, when I was watching it, I was

impressed with the film.”Dr. Morris said the movie as

a whole portrayed the events on which it was based well.

He said: “Movies that are inspired by history rarely are actually completely historically accurate. But, in lots of ways it is true to the history, particularly in the way the battle scenes are photographed and the number of Civil War re-enactors that participated in the making of this film.”

This showing of “Glory” was one of many for the Magic Lantern Film Society, which has shown classic movies open to Cameron students and to the public since its inception in 1982.

Bambi Hampton, a freshman at Cameron, was there with her daughter, an Upward Bound student. Hampton appreciated the affordable and accessible atmosphere of Magic Lantern viewings.

“It’s a small setting. It’s just quaint, laid back and inexpensive,” she said.

This combination of traits has drawn in numerous guests of various affiliations with Cameron. Dr. Morris said that the movies the Magic Lantern showcase do the same.

“We have a little bit of something for everyone,” Dr. Morris said.

Using this approach, Dr. Morris said the film society has drawn in audiences for a variety of movies, all of which provided something more than face-value entertainment.

“People go to the movies to be entertained, and we believe that classic films offer a certain kind of entertainment as well as an educational value,” Dr. Morris said.

Dr. Morris said this educational entertainment value made “Glory” a fitting movie to show in this year’s Magic Lantern series.

“It’s a reenactment of that particular historical set of circumstances,” Morris said. “It’s really well done, and there is entertainment value in it.”

Movies like “Glory” that entertain and educate have provided something Morris said was another positive result of Magic Lantern.

“A film series,” he said, “is like reading great books. They say things about the time in which they’re produced or they may say things about our own time. I believe it’s good to expose people to certain things.”

Just clowning around

A Glorious DebutJacob Jardel

Staff Writer

Carson StringhamStaff Writer

The Great Plains Coliseum was recently filled with the sights, smells and sounds of the Jordan World Circus.

On Feb. 18 and 19, the circus performed two shows, one at 4:30 p.m. and another at 7:30 p.m., allowing time before, during intermission and after the shows for the audience to mingle with certain acts and special features – such as face painting or getting a picture taken with one of the tigers.

The three ring circus was led by Devin Chandler, the Singing Ringmaster, who not only introduced the acts with well executed posh and pizazz, but showed off his voice as part of his own magic act. Chandler and his assistant — his wife, Sarah — performed multiple tricks as they moved from one ring to another across the circus floor: from a disappearing act, to a sword impaling act and finally an escape routine that culminated with Chandler, who was handcuffed inside a locked chest, trading places with his wife who was standing on the chest. Chandler, while entertaining, proved to be just the beginning of the talent.

The circus boasted a large pool of acts and performers, some of whom performed multiple routines or in multiple acts. A crowd favorite was Ulises, who first performed a solo routine inside “The Wheel of Wonders,” a giant rotating arm with a large metal wheel on one end in which he had to maintain his balance; the audience next got to see him on the high wire with another performer, Johnny, and together they captivated the audience with their feats of aerial balance and finesse.

These death-defying feats not only took place in the air — some of the most exciting routines took place on the ground and involved some mode of wheeled transportation.

Karoly Zeman showed the audience what could be accomplished with BMX bike routine and practice; for his finale, he rode down a ramp at one end of the arena, up another ramp at the other end and completed a full backflip before landing. There was also a motorcycle routine that ended with “The Doorway of Doom,” and the cyclist seemed to ride his bike through his assistant who was chained in place inside a door frame during the climax.

Lastly, the DeSousas, a roller-skating couple, performed tricks of speed and balance, spinning and swinging each other on a platform in the center spotlight.

The comedy duo of Kampanita & Kampanilla kept the audience laughing while circus workers would either remove or emplace large pieces of equipment for the routines. Both clowns

invited the audience to participate at different times during their routine: from having the two sides of the audience compete for which side of the arena could yell the loudest, to clapping in rhythm as they danced to Psy’s “Gangnam Style.”

Besides a couple song and dance routines that featured many of the female performers in glittering costumes, there were some specific acts where the ladies got to show off more than their dancing skills.

The “Liberty Lovelies” performed a routine of grace and strength as they clung to ropes suspended from the ceiling and later took to the skies — this time using silk ribbons and suspended hoops — performing a routine to Rihanna’s “Diamonds.”

One of the biggest draws of the circus were the animals. For a small price, children and parents were able to experience riding either an elephant, a camel or a pony as they waited for the circus to begin and then again at intermission.

There were various acts that starred animals: a tiger troupe, two routines orchestrated by Ms. Laura Harriott — the first being a dog routine, the other was a routine that featured various exotic animals called “Storybook Animal Fantasy.” The last routine of the night was the elephants. Under the direction of Habib and Mychelle Omar, the elephants performed feats like sitting on seats, lying down on command, standing in a row and carrying the Omars with their trunks.

Lisa Gladwell, Cache resident and a first year graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in Education and Reading at Cameron University, took her family to see the early show on Feb. 18. As a mother of six, she said she was pleased with the circus because it provided a wholesome activity for the family to experience together.

“We went to the circus the last time it came to town,” she said. “It’s always something fun to do with the kids.”

Sadly, Gladwell said she is upset by the fact that not enough of the events that make it to the Great Plains Coliseum are theatre related.

“I wish we had more traveling Broadway shows,” Gladwell said. “I would like my kids to experience ‘Le Miserables,’ or ‘Phantom of the Opera.’”

But while she’s waiting for that day to come, Gladwell said she plans on taking her family to the circus every time it comes to town.

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

Photo courtesy of MCT campus

Page 8: The Cameron University Collegian: March 4, 2013

A&E8 March 4, 2013www.aggiecentral.com

Review: Nora puts on a show at CUJames Meeks

Staff Writer

Sitting Pretty: CU Theatre students (left to right) Brandon Landers, Brandon Smith, Ashley Winfrey, Alexander Huff and Leah Mazur prepare for the spring production Nora. CU’s next theatre production will be the Drowsy Chaperone, a musical comedy, which will make its opening debut toward the end of the semester on April 18.

Kaylee JonesA&E Editor

Twenty-two titles of books on the wall: CU Professor Dr. Ioannis Argyros’ latest publication is “Numerical Methods for Equations and its Applications.” Dr. Arygros acted as a coauthor to the work, released in 2012.

Dr. Ioannis K. Argyros, Professor of Mathematical Sciences at Cameron University, co-authored the book “Numerical Methods for Equations and its Applications.”

CRC Press released the book in 2012. It was co-authored by Yeol J. Cho of Gyeongsang National University and Said Hilout of Poiteiers University.

According to CRC Press, the 474-page work was created to introduce advanced numerical-functional analysis to beginning computer science researchers.

Dr. Argyros said CRC Press approached him to write a book involving computational mathematics. He explained that the publishing process is a long one.

“It takes an average of two years to write it all down and a year or two to have it published,” Dr. Argyros said.

Portions of the book are used in Dr. Argyros’ upper-division math classes. Students are expected to have basic courses in numerical analysis, computer programming, computational linear

algebra and an introduction to real, complex and functional analysis.

Dr. Argyros said students are sometimes involved in the creation of his books.

Shobhakhar Adhikari, a Cameron alumnus, assisted with the research for Dr. Argyros’ latest work, and later authored a paper based from the book in addition to creating a poster to present at Oklahoma Research Day.

Daniel Ijigbamidge, a junior Mathematics major, also coordinated with Dr. Argyros to create a poster for presentation at the 2013 Oklahoma Research Day.

Dr. Argyros said he often recruits students to participate in such pursuits.

“Part of a teacher’s job is to identify a particular talent of the students and direct them accordingly,” Dr. Argyros said.

He added he hopes the inclusion of student research in his books will

encourage more involvement among undergraduate students.

“I would like to use this opportunity to encourage students to conduct undergraduate research in our department,” Dr. Argyros said.

Dr. Argyros said that he was fortunate to have good, well-educated math teacher in high school who would approach students to pursue a career in mathematics.

Dr. Argyros said his teachers played a major role in his decision to further his studies in math.

“I think that if I did not have those high school

teachers at the caliber that I had, “Dr. Argyros said, “I may have been still confused as to what to do with my life.”

Dr. Argyros received his Bachelors in Science from the University of Athens in Greece. He then received both his Masters in Science and Ph.D. from the University of Georgia.

The book marks the 22nd publication for Dr. Argyros, who has been a part of Cameron’s faculty since 1990.

Preceding “Numerical Methods for Equations and its Applications,” Dr. Argyros authored “Advances

on Iterative Procedures” through Nova Science Publishers in August 2011.

“I would like to thank my wife for supporting me, the University for supporting me and the scientific community for requesting through the publisher for me to write this book,” Dr. Argyros said.

Considering publishers limit the amount of pages for a particular work, Dr. Argyros said he plans on writing a continuation of the book in the near future.

A full listing of Dr. Argyros’ Curriculum Vitae can be found at www.cameron.edu/~ioannisa/

Nora, Ingmar Bergman’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, opened at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 in the Cameron University Theater.

In the play, the title character, Nora Helmer, played by Leah Mazur, stands up for herself in a society dominated by men.

The story involves Nora and her husband Torvald, portrayed by Alexander Huff, living in an unspecified town in Norway. Torvald has just received a promotion at the bank, which also included a pay raise.

Because of Torvald ’s promotion, one of the employees of the bank, Nils Krogstad, played by Brandon Smith, is being laid off. Krogstad blackmails Nora into convincing her husband to allow him to keep his position at the bank, which sets a series of events in motion that reveal secrets.

Nora does everything in her power to fix the problem without revealing her secret, but while attempting to keep past events in the dark, she learns the true nature of her husband.

Mazur’s portrayal of a normal housewife was truly exceptional. Mazur does an excellent job showing a change in the character from happy and carefree in the first half

to an empowered woman who stands up for what she believes in by the end of the production.

Her transformation of the character shows how far Nora has come as a person.

Huff ’s portrayal of the character Torvald is an excellent representation of a 19th century man in a high ranking position at the bank. In his love of Nora, he brings a sophisticated presence to the character and carries a well-mannered, calm tone.

During the climactic scene where Nora confronts her husband, Huff keeps the calm tone with small moments of raising the character’s temper.

Despite these traits, there are times Huff could have let some anger loose during the final confrontation of the production. Loosening his control and allowing his anger to show, then recomposing the posture would have made the climax stronger and believable.

Smith’s fierce portrayal of Krogstad shows how a man attempts to keep his job in order to survive in society.

Smith shows the brutality of the character and his willingness to do what is necessary to make sure he keeps the life he knows. He projects the anger of his character toward the others to make them bend to his will, revealing the fear they project in response to his outbursts. Smith takes his fellow actors portrayal of fear and uses those

emotions to further fuel his character’s determined anger to fulfill his agenda.

The two other characters — Doctor Rank played by Brandon Landers and Mrs. Linde played by Ashley Winfrey — engaged in their characters and added to the plot in their own way.

Landers did an excellent job portraying the somberness and somewhat gloomy outlook of the Doctor’s character.

Winfrey’s interpretation of Mrs. Linde made the character a concerned friend for Nora who believed the right thing to do was to tell her husband the truth regardless of what it would cost. Winfrey keep true to that belief throughout the duration of the play.

The story is definitely relevant and shows that a highly tense situation can bring out a person’s true nature.

Nora was an excellent production overall, the first half of the play is a little hard to get immersed in because the characters were trying to establish themselves. Some of the dialogue between Nora and Mrs.Linde feels wordy and dragged out at times, but their exchanges are necessary for revealing their agendas. The second half tied all of the character’s motives together and showed the transformations each character went through.

The next CU Theater Production, Drowsy Chaperone, a musical comedy, will open on April 18.

CU Professor asks students to do the math with the release of his

22nd publication

Photo by James Meeks

Photo by Kaylee Jones