COLLEGIAN Informing the Cameron Family Since 1926

T H E C A M E R O N U N I V E R S I T Y

Monday, February 11, 2008Monday, February 11, 2008 Volume 82 Issue 3

News

A&E

Sports

Voices

Speech, debate team host Christmas tournament

‘Plan 2013’ outlines future improvementsBy John RobertsonCollegian Staff

Following the incredible success of “Plan 2008: Preparing for Cameron University’s Second Century,” Cameron University President Cindy Ross, The President’s Planning Committee, and the Board of Regents are setting into motion “Plan 2013: Choices for the Second Century.”

“Plan 2008,” which was outlined and put into action in 2003, has met with acclaimed success in revitalizing CU’s campus. “Plan 2008” saw the establishment of the Center for

Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies, massive increases in financial aid available to students, the streamlining of CU’s revenue stream, a branch campus in Duncan, and a wildly successful fundraiser that exceeded the goal originally set. Two years into the fundraiser, CU had raised $8.9 million, or 106 percent of the intended goal. With a year still left on the clock, officials decided to raise the fundraising goal to $10 million. With five months now remaining and state fundraising records being set, it looks like that goal may be met as well.

President Ross, spokesperson for “Plan

2013,” said that while the successes of “Plan 2008” are admirable, there’s still a lot of work to be done, and a lot of information can be gleaned from “Plan 2013’s” predecessor.

“We didn’t just finish “Plan 2008” and forget about it,” President Ross said. “It’s a f luid document, and it’s guiding our actions straight into ‘Plan 2013.’”

See 2013Page 2

By Kelley BurtCollegian Staff

Dr. John G. Morris, Professor of English in Cameron University’s Department of English and Foreign Languages, has announced that an independent publisher in Texas has picked up his book of poetry, “Noise and Stories,” for publication later this year.

Dr. Morris, Faculty Adviser to the Ebony Society and the Magic Lantern Film Society and former Sigma Tau Delta Professor of the Year, has been writing poetry since he was an undergraduate in 1975. Dr. Morris started with an interest in writing fi ction until an instructor of the creative writing course he was taking sparked his desire to write poetry.

“At the time I began the class, I was more interested in trying to write prose fi ction,” Dr. Morris said. “However, the instructor of the class, Bruce Taylor, who became my undergraduate adviser, is a poet. He writes fi ction also, and for the fi rst time he helped me to understand what poems really are, how they are written, and what sort of dedication is necessary to write them.”

Professor to publish book of poetry

Woo your love without breaking the bank.

SEE PAGE 8

By John RobertsonCollegian Staff

Since then, Dr. Morris has continued to hone his art, and published bits of his own material through Red Rock Press, a small press that he inherited from a friend. However, the road to a major publication was made harder due to the relative unpopularity of poetry. Publishers tend to avoid poetry publications because of a small target audience. When compared to normal fi ctive works, the profi tability of poetry is meager.

“Outstanding sales for a book of poetry, usually those that have won prizes or for authors who have won the Nobel Prize for their life’s work, is $10,000. Puny and almost laughable in comparison with bestsellers in fi ction and nonfi ction,” Dr. Morris said.

For the poems in “Noise and Stories,” Dr. Morris based his material on real life situations and feelings, mixed with a bit of imagination that he hopes will reach his audience.

See MORRISPage 2

Business School: Past present and future.

The ins and outs of commuting.

Senior Tiffany Williams approaches end of Aggie career.

SEE PAGE 6

SEE PAGE 5 See DEBATEPage 2

SEE PAGE 4

Photo by John Robertson

Adding to his collection: Dr. John Morris, English Professor, steps back into the spotlight with his soon to be published work “Noise and Stories.” The book of poetry will be released sometime later this year.

Ready: Mallory Roth, SBU, Biblical Studies and Communications, and Meredith Choate Louisiana Tech University, Communications and pre-Law, face off at the CU Christmas Debate Tournament. Roth and Choate were two on the many students who converged on Cameron during the tournament in December 2007.

Photo by Kelley Burt

Sixteen schools from eight states converged on campus this past semester to participate in the 2007 Christmas Classic Speech and Debate Tournament. Hosted by Cameron University’s Department of Communications. Th e two-day, round-robin series started Friday evening, Nov. 30, and wrapped up with fi nal rounds and the awards presentation ceremony Saturday night.

Jacob Pahcheka, Communications freshman said: “We host the tournament to allow other college teams the chance to compete in advocacy, exchange ideas, showcase and fi ne tune speaking skills and memory recall. Th e schools that compete are from all over the country so we are not just limited to one type of view. It gives everyone a chance to take the best of the best and make it work for them.”

It is not typical for the schools that organize tournaments to participate extensively in competition. Dan Schabot, Assistant Professor of Communications and forensics coach said,

“Host schools are generally not eligible for their tournament championships and they enter a limited number of participants because their students help administrate the events as a service to the forensics community.”

In addition to student volunteers, many staff and community members shared their weekend assisting with judging, ballot counting and organization of the tournament processes.

Mary Stevens was one of the local volunteer judges at the tournament.

“I’ve been judging for several years now. I really enjoy meeting students from other places around the country,” she said.

A typical tournament is comprised of three, distinct areas of competition and several categories under each branch. Th e prepared speaking portion requires participants have their speeches completed before competition and includes persuasion and informative speaking rounds.

Th e impromptu category allows limited preparation time by the two competitors facing one other. Usually preparation time is about 20 minutes for both the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) and National

Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) rounds. Th e third branch of tournaments is the interpretive area, which includes prepared dramatic interpretation, prose and poetry.

News2 February 11, 2008

“I conceive of it as a series of voices, then, most of them in the first person, speaking about who they are, where they are, and why; there is also a movement from darker voices and moments to somewhat lighter ones,” Dr Morris explained.

“The poems are set in different places, and they are usually based on observations I’ve made, things I’ve thought, things I’ve read or learned or feelings I’ve felt. However, the epigraphs to the book assert that there is a strong fictive level to the stories the poems tell, too, artifice in other words, which sometimes means that I’ve invented details, changed things or altered what actually happened to me or what I have observed, and that such artifice is necessary to transform the observations into something I hope is worth reading.”

The list of goals set by “Plan 2013” is as ambitious as it is lengthy. Among the goals are: the creation of a Student Wellness Center and student counseling, the expansion of Student Services including making all student services available online and the centralization of the academic advisement system, the completion of Bentley Gardens; a new Student Activities Complex; state-of-the-art technology such as increased wireless internet access on campus, increased living space for students on campus, and the repurposing of existing buildings, such as West Hall.

“We’d like to make West Hall a convergent journalism building to house “The Collegian,” KCCU, and Radio/TV courses,” President Ross said.

President Ross also outlined “Plan 2013’s” guidelines for increasing enrollment, student retention and graduation rates by utilizing new infrastructures and CU’s faculty.

“We need to provide the chance for people to come here and explore careers with a variety of student services and a helpful faculty,” President Ross said. “Not only do we have a top notch faculty, but they really go the extra mile for their students.”

“Plan 2013” also takes aim at the beautification of the CU campus, and even goes as far to implement on-campus recycling programs.

Aside from the direct CU links, “Plan 2013” intends to reach out to all of southwestern Oklahoma. Plans include an increased dialogue with other universities and local employers to get a feel for what the community needs, as well as the improvement of CU’s Duncan branch and various programs at Fort Sill.

Along with entirely new programs and accreditations, “Plan 2013” looks to not only ensure CU’s continued success in the future, but to expand CU’s new vision to both alumni and future students, creating a new sense of community that encompasses all of southwestern Oklahoma.

“We really want people to feel integrated with Cameron,” President Ross said. “We want our alumni to look back with fond memories of their time here, and we want people from the area to look to Cameron as a place to feel welcome. Cameron is vital to the growth of southwestern Oklahoma, and it’s a leadership position we welcome.”

MORRIS continued from page 1

Due for a release later this year by Plain View Press, “Noises and Stories” is in the final stages of preparation for publication, with only Dr. Morris’ decisions for the cover to be made.

Until then, Dr. Morris hopes that not only will he find his audience, but also that they will take away just as much from his book as he put into writing it. He wants it to connect with them based on similar shared experiences and the simple enjoyment of the art.

“I hope that readers of my book will find moments of pleasure and recognition in it,” Dr. Morris said. “I hope that they will think that I have not only managed to avoid damage to the language, but that I also have managed in a place or two to honor it.”

2013 continued from page 1

DEBATE continued from page 1

Photo by Kelley Burt

Shock and awe: Members of debate teams from across the country take a break from the tournament outside North Shepler. These debaters competed in the Cameron University Christmas Classic 2007.

Th ough CU’s debate team participated in limited categories, three Cameron students were recognized for their achievement in events. Carles Kirby, Education sophomore, and Korynne Gonzales, Music freshman, took fi rst place in the Novice Parliamentary Debate category, Kirby took third in Dramatic Interpretation and Pahcheka was a semi-fi nalist for the varsity public debate rounds.

Th e overall tournament sweepstakes winning school was Kansas Wesleyan University (KWU). Southwest Baptist University (SBU) was a close second and John Brown University (JBU) placed third. Th e debate tournament sweepstakes champion school was JBU and the overall individual speaking events sweepstakes champion school was KWU.

Many visiting students were impressed with the competition. Mallory Roth, SBU Biblical Studies and Communication major, appreciated the holiday theme and convenience of having debate rounds in close proximity to each other.

“I really liked the incorporation of Christmas into this year’s tournament. It was a refreshing change. Also, the locations of the individual rounds were easy to access and the central location of all the buildings made fi nding our way around campus easy.”

News 3February 11, 2008

News4 February 11, 2008

By Brandi O’DanielCollegian Staff

School of business opens its doors this December

In December 2008, Cameron University’s Business Department is expected to unveil the completed projects and improvements to their new building that will benefi t students and faculty who access and use the facility.

Tbe original bussiness building, called Smith Hall, was built in 1964. It was originally designated as a women’s dormitory.

Th e building was renovated and leased to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1971. It

later became the School of Business in 1985, housing classrooms and offi ces for the Business Department.

According to Gregory Treadwell, Instructor of Accounting, the building needed many repairs and improvements to make it a better learning and teaching environment for students and faculty.

“Th ere were a lot of improvements needed,” Treadwell said. “It needed elevators for students that were challenged, there were air conditioning and plumbing problems and the hallways were not wide enough for the fl ow of traffi c.”

Dr. John Courington, Dean of the School of Business and Professor of Economics, added that the building was not constructed with a classroom setting in mind. It originally acted as a dormitory.

Dr. Courington said: “Since it was designed to be a dorm, it wasn’t very conducive to the classroom setting. Th e classrooms had load-bearing vertical beams in them, and they were fairly big, which meant the students in the middle to the back of the room couldn’t see certain sections of the chalkboards. So, the professors had to be mindful when writing on the boards, that some of the students couldn’t see certain parts of the boards.”

With so many necessary structural modifi cations, Cameron administrators decided to tear the building down and make rebuilding the School of Business a priority. University representatives began meeting with architects and designers to help create a building that would meet the needs of the department.

Students and faculty will see numerous features added to the department once the building is completed.

Th e new Business Building will feature improved classrooms, including auditorium size classrooms, computer labs and faculty offi ces, as well as interview and interaction areas.

Treadwell said, “Th ere are plans for a trading room so students can

have a feel of being in the stock market and have that sense of excitement.”

While the building itself is undergoing major changes, the department has been making modifi cations as well.

Dr. Courington said: “Two of the biggest changes were the addition of the graduate programs and the change in faculty credentials, which help us achieve specialized business school accreditation. ”

Th e department is also focused on improving the quality of the program, which takes a look at feedback from students to see what changes for the better can be made to the department.

Treadwell said, “We look at what we’re teaching and that pushes us to do more, so that we’re producing the type of student that will be useful in their profession and produce a greater pool of students in the future.”

Another change to the department will be to name the new Dean of the Business Department. Th e position is currently held by Dr. Courington, until which time a new dean is selected.

Dr. T.K. Bhattacharya, Professor of Finance said: “We are in the process of recruiting a new dean. We hope to get someone with vision, energy and the ability to motivate. We hope the new dean will take a leadership role in improving recruitment of students.”

With the soon-to-be completed School of Business and the changes made within the department, students and faculty will see a vast diff erence in the new learning environment.

Photo courtesy of Alumni RelationsOut with the old, in with the new: The old school of business building was demolished in 2006. The new building is under construction with an unveilling planned for December.

Voices 5February 11, 2008

Editorial BoardEditor-in-Chief - Jessica LaneNews Editor - Josh RouseAssistant News Editor: Jim HorinekCopy Editor - Malinda RustA&E Editor - Amanda HerreraSports Editor - Kareem GuisteVariety Editor - Bira VidalAssistant Editor - David R. Bublitz

Newsroom Staff Ads Manager - Kelley BurtCartoonist - Th omas PruittFinancial Offi cer - Susan HillStaff Writers - David L. Bublitz, Jessica Frazier, Kyle Weatherly, Kerry Meyers, Brandi O’Daniel, Jacob Russell, Ashley Wilkerson, Elizabeth Yocham, Laura Batule

Faculty Adviser Dr. Christopher Keller

Newswriting StudentsChris Allison, Dewan Bennett, Henry Evans, Diana Harger, Erik Hurley, Tamra Mann, Valerie Pennington, Adrienne Reid, Lauren Roberts, John Robertson, Danielle Rogers, Clayton Wright

About UsTh e offi cial student newspaper of Cameron University, Th e Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Letters PolicyLetters to the editor will be printed in

the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

Th e 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 fi rst and last names, classifi cation and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verifi cation.

Letters can be sent by regular mail or e-mail to collegian@cameron.edu, or they may be dropped off at our offi ce - Nance Boyer 2060.

Our Views Th e opinions expressed in Th e Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. Th e unsigned editorial under the heading “Our Voice” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. Th e opinions expressed in Th e Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma.

COLLEGIAN

Founded in 1926veritas sempiterna

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

Many skills make up a disciplineWhen I first began

attending classes at Cameron, I came into my degree with the assumption that I would be refining my interests. Little did I know that my electives and even my required courses would help me to develop passions outside of my major.

It all began when I enrolled in a film class taught by Cameron English professor Dr. John Morris. Dr. Morris’s passion for film helped me to bring to surface my own movie interests. It was in Dr. Morris’s class where I first

Graphic by: David R. Bublitz

David R. Bublitz

Commuting doesn’t have to drive you crazyLike many Cameron students,

I commute to college. I’m from Duncan and it takes just under an hour to get from my driveway to my desk.

In between the two destinations, there is a lot to anticipate and much more to leave to the unexpected. The driver in font of me on the two-lane Duncan Bypass might be going 50 mph instead of 65 mph.

Or, my glasses are on my desk at home instead of on my face. This is usually remembered at an inconvenient but not irretraceable distance.

Actually, you could say commuting is pretty chaotic. It requires getting up earlier and going home later.

It also takes a lot of planning, especially for commuting students with evening classes or those on work-study programs at CU. You can’t just make a quick trip home for assignments or books. Forgetting one’s purse or wallet can alter the plan for the entire day.

Gas money becomes an entity in itself.

Time has to be factored in to gather the day’s supplies and to make sure those supplies make it to the car. You learn how to brush your teeth while running.

In the five years that I have

been making the 30 plus mile trip to CU, I’ve discovered ways to make my commuting experience easier and even enjoyable.

There are things you need to keep in your car. This includes: an emergency jug of gasoline, jumper cables, tire changing kit, sealed bottles of water, a coat or blanket, f lashlight, ice scraper, and it’s not a bad idea to keep a few dollars and some change. So far, I’ve made it without a cell phone.

I highly recommend getting some form of auto club card

that offers free tows and other roadside services. My beloved ‘91 Honda is getting on in her years, so I’ve been really glad to have an auto club card when I’m stuck on the long stretch between Duncan and Lawton.

Again, having no cell phone, I rely on good Samaritans and highway patrolmen. No, it isn’t very safe, but I never accept rides and try to exercise every possible caution.

Speaking of good Samaritans, I’m not one. I feel bad passing a car with hazard lights blinking, but it’s a scary world. I’m not sure I even recommentd pulling over to help other drivers. While I’ve appreciated those that have aided me, I don’t resent not being helped by my fellow citizens of the road. I am actually more comfortable waiting for a police officer. Maybe I watch too many horror movies

and read too many trashy crime books. Maybe I watch too much news.

There are also a few things that you don’t necessarily need, but come in handy or make the journey easier. I highly recommend spending one of the between class hours in Goodwill or at the Salvation Army. Having a spare change of clothes seems paranoid until you really need them. Packing a long and short sleeve shirt can save you from an uncomfortable day in the unpredictable Oklahoma weather.

The drive from Duncan to Lawton is not the most scenic view, but there are a lot of ways to entertain yourself or to be entertained.

The most obvious is having a car stereo. If you don’t have one installed, there’s nothing wrong with seat-belting a boom box in the passenger’s side with a pillow underneath for shock absorbence.

The pillow can also be used as a tray while reading in your (parked) car or for an in-between-class nap. (If you can find a comfortable spot among all the stuff you need.)

For the more studious or procrastination-prone, you can recite your speech, notes, thoughts for an essay into a voice recorder, or imitate your professors. Talk to yourself; see what’s going on with you. It’s cheaper than therapy. Practice a talk you need to have with someone later. We all do it. About 80 percent of the talking the average person does in a day is self-talk. Commuting allows a private space of time to get these things done. Just watch where you’re going.

In short, commuting CU students, try to see the drive as something to look forward to. Everyone needs a little alone time, commuting gives you a regular time-slot for solitude. Use it.

learned about Director Darren Aronofsky, someone who has become in many ways a personal muse to me.

Before long, I found that my personal DVD collection

had grown to ridiculous proportions.

Then I enrolled in a guitar class taught by professor Kirsten

Underwood. When I was in high school, I enrolled in music classes every year,

but I didn’t really pursue those interests when I started attending college. Professor Underwood cured me of my musical neglect.

Last fall, I was required to attend some kind of design class as part of my current degree track. I decided to enroll in Drawing 1, just because I had always wanted to learn more

about visual art in general. I’ve never been that great at

visual arts, but the drawing

professor, Kathy Leontas-Warren, helped me to appreciate drawing and painting as well as develop my own abilities.

What took me by surprise after having completed the film class, guitar class and drawing class was the level of connectivity that exists between the Theatre, Music and Art departments and my own field of study, Creative Writing.

I think that people often try to stress the differences between each of the fine arts in an effort to present each art form as a unique, important universe within itself.

It is my opinion that to develop a firm understanding of any given art form, it is best to embrace all forms of art and study the relationships that exist between them.

Having come into the film, music, and art classes with an intimate understanding of creative writing, I was much more equipped to appreciate the structure, agility (whether mental or physical) and skill it takes to understand and craft film, music, and art than I think I could have been if I came into each department completely oblivious

about what I was to learn.Just to be clear, I’m not saying

that I came away an expert in film, music and art after just one class in each department.

However, I think there exists a firmer and greater Truth in terms of my experience aside from that of pure and complete knowledge, and that Truth encompasses the ability of my professors to instill in me some small degree of artistic grace and passion.

I don’t have to tell Cameron students that their professors are knowledgeable. You all know that from attending classes day after day.

Teaching information is practical and important, but to teach passion is a whole different world. Teaching passion requires a certain degree of divine grace.

It’s not my purpose here to

brown nose or suck up. Lets face it, I’ve already received my grades in the afore-mentioned classes. At this point, I could pretty much say whatever I want to say about

my experiences here at Cameron, whether they be good or bad, within reason.

My purpose is to encourage you, my fellow Cameron students to embrace other disciplines, pursue your interests and learn more about what interests you. My purpose is to encourage

because I know how much I would regret it now had I not chosen to branch out and try new things.

Jessica Lane

MCT Campus

Sports6 February 11, 2008

Hard worker. Determined. Dedicated. Sleep deprived. These are a few words that describe CU’s guard and forward for the Aggie basketball team, Tiffany Williams.

Williams, a senior majoring in Chemistry is looking forward to graduation in May, but before walking across the stage and hanging up her basketball shoes, she is looking back on her experiences at CU and the path that led her to the Land of the Aggies.

When forced to choose between a business class and chemistry her sophomore year, Williams took on the chemistry challenge, later realizing the opportunity to attend medical school after graduation.

“I chose the chemistry degree because I like to challenge myself,” Williams said. “I am taking this year to apply to medical schools in Oklahoma, South Carolina and Florida.”

Before chemistry labs and long hours of basketball practice, Williams had a spark ignite within her when, told by boys at recess, she could not play ball with them. Little did they know they had just challenged someone with a heart for competition.

“I have always been one to run with the boys playing basketball,” Williams said. “They told me I couldn’t play with them, so of course, knowing me, that didn’t work.”

The “no girls allowed” rule was short lived. Soon after her run in with the boys on the court, Williams was invited to play on a basketball team. The team was coached by the mom of one of the boy’s who had tried to run her off the court.

One of her funniest moments playing basketball occurred on the court while playing in the state quarterfinals with Eisenhower High School.

“I wore glasses before I got contacts. I was playing a game and I must have swung around or something,” Williams said. “The girl knocked my glasses off and I thought she had them on the bottom of her shoe. So I was running down the court chasing after her and telling her to ‘stop.’ ‘I think my glasses are underneath your foot.’ We found them and about two weeks later I got contacts.”

Williams described more memorable moments shared with the CU players, staff and fans.

“Every year I have been here I

have been surrounded by a bunch of great people, from the staff to the players to our fans,” Williams said. “Even during the past two years, when we haven’t had the best record, the overwhelming support from the fans was great.”

Many student athletes do not just shine on the courts and in the classroom, but also in the community, and Williams is no exception.

Williams serves as campus president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAC), conference president and national conference representative.

“We get together at the conference level and share our concerns to try and improve the student athlete’s well being,” Williams said. “It allows athletes to make known their voice and opinions.”

Some of the issues addressed by Williams as a member of SAC are: financial assistance for student athletes during summer semesters to allow on-time graduation and male players in female practices.

Williams said: “You get to acquire knowledge that most student athletes don’t know. Then, when they come to you with a concern, you are excited because you get to help them out. You get to let them know what they are entitled to as student athletes.”

Because being involved in student activities takes time out of a busy schedule, Williams said time management is the toughest part of being a student athlete and community volunteer. She strives to keep that balance between being a student and athlete.

Since playing professional basketball after college is not on her list of “things to do” after college, Williams continues to prepare for medical school.

“I am looking at working for Sea World as a bio chemist to accumulate a fraction of what is required for medical school,” Williams said, “and contemplating between a hospital setting and a private practice in radiology.”

“The overall experiences you are

supposed to get while you are in college, I think I have experienced. I have no regrets. I enjoyed every aspect of being here at CU. It’s like a family. We try to help each other out whether it is with school work or personal issues. We try to come together,” Williams said. “We [athletes] spend the majority of our time together. It is one of the experiences you can’t buy…getting to know them [teammates] on a personal level.”

After learning so much from athletes, staff and fans, Williams ref lects on her experience at CU, not as an end, but as a step into the future.

Williams says goodbyeAggie guard graduates with medical school dreamsBy Alexis Del CielloCollegian Staff

2008 Aggie Women’s Basketball

Home Schedule

February

16 University of Central Oklahoma Aggie Gym 2:00pm

23 Northeastern State University Aggie Gym 2:00pm

March

1 Southwestern Oklahoma State* Aggie Gym 2:00pm

Sports 7February 11, 2008

Th e season couldn’t have started better for the Cameron Aggie baseball team (4-0) who last weekend swept all four games in their season-opening series versus Pittsburg State University (0-4). Th e teams have matched up to start the season for the last few years, and this was the fi rst time CU had won all four games. Th e four-game series had it all for the Aggies, from a complete game shutout, to a walk-off homerun, to even a near no-hitter.

“We had good defense and came up with some good timely hits,” Head Coach Todd Holland said. “As a whole we played pretty good for an opening weekend. We found out a lot about our guys, we played as a team, and our guys showed what they could do. Th ere will be more opportunities for the guys to show what they’ve got but overall I was really pleased.”

CU and PSU matched up for a double-header on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. On Saturday, the Aggies won the double-dip 7-4 and 4-0, and on Sunday CU won both games by the scores 6-1 and 7-4. Last season the teams split one double-header.

In the four games this weekend the Aggies hit a team batting average of .277 and hit 6 homeruns. Th ey also recorded a total of 28 hits against PSU, who batted only .235 in the series. Additionally, CU only recorded 4 errors and 17 strikeouts.

Th e Aggie pitching staff only gave up a single homerun all weekend and pitched a team earned run average of 2.57. Th ey also struck out 14 batters and gave up just 24 hits. Additionally, CU pitchers forced the PSU Gorillas to hit into 7 double-plays.

“I thought the pitching staff did really well, and I think everybody else as a whole played alright,” Coach Holland said. We had good defense and timely hitting and that’s what it takes to win. We were even down in a couple of games and still came back to win it. Th at says a lot about the character of this team.”

Junior outfi elder Chris Caves had a very solid weekend, hitting a team-high 3 homeruns with 2 coming in Saturday’s second game. He fi nished with a .545 batting average after going 6-11 with a walk and 6 runs. Caves also recorded 2 strikeouts and a team-high 5 RBI.

Junior catcher Clint Powell was the game one hero as his 3-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning gave Cameron

Aggies start season 4-0 with sweep

their fi rst victory of the season. PSU had fought back to take the lead 4-3, and after Caves’

solo homerun tied the game at 4, Powell won the game with just one swing of his bat. Powell also fi nished the weekend with a .200 batting average after going 2-10 at the plate. He fi nished the weekend with a team-high 5 RBI.

A pair of Aggie pitchers recorded complete game victories this weekend, as juniors Justin Kirkpatrick and Brad Bichel started their seasons 1-0. Kirkpatrick went a strong 7 innings allowing no runs on a mere 3 hits. Bichel also went all 7 innings and gave up a single run on 5 hits. Additionally, Kirkpatrick threw 4 strikeouts and 4 walks, while Bichel struck out 5 and walked only 2.

Senior outfi elder Tyson Moll had a good series off ensively as he fi nished with a team-high .667 batting average. He knocked in 2 RBI and went 4-6 from the plate.

“Caves had a good weekend, as did a lot of our guys,” Coach Holland said. “Moll had a big hit in the second game; he played good all weekend.”

Th e Aggies stay home this week to host Central Missouri next Saturday in a two-game double-header. Th e fi rst pitch is scheduled for 1:00pm. CU hosts three teams before they hit the road for the fi rst time in late February.

“I think next weekend will be a big test,” Coach Holland said. “It’s still early so we still need to fi nd out where we stand. Overall I was very pleased. PSU is a pretty good team and we played very well.”

Playing their sixth and seventh games in four days, the Cameron Aggie softball team (4-3) today split their afternoon double-dip with the St. Edward’s University Hilltoppers (5-2). Th e Aggies played fi ve games over the weekend at the St. Mary’s University Invitational, and stayed in the Lone Star State to take on a very tough St. Ed’s team today. Th is afternoon CU was shutout in the fi rst game 6-0, but rebounded and came from behind to win the nightcap, 7-6.

“Today was a good test since we were playing at somebody’s home,” Head Coach Richie Nye said. “Over the weekend we played a bunch of neutral games but today was a real road test. Th ere is nothing wrong with splitting on the road at somebody else’s house, especially when they are a really good team like St. Ed’s.”

In the fi rst game, the Hilltoppers opened up a three-run lead in the third inning thanks to an error and a two-run homerun. SEU padded their lead in the fi fth

inning courtesy of fi ve hits that brought in three runs. CU was held to just 3 hits in the game.

Senior outfi elder Sammi Adams and junior fi rst-baseman both went 1-3 in the game with singles. Boren also struck out once in the game.

Whitney Richardson, another of CU’s senior outfi elders, hit Cameron’s only extra-base hit of the game with a double in the sixth inning. She went 1-2 in the game.

Sophomore pitcher Ashton McBride started the game and was saddled with the loss after giving up 3 runs on 5 hits in her 4 innings. She faced 18 batters, striking out and walking three

apiece.After getting their loss out

of the way, the Aggies came out strong in the second game and built a 3-2 lead after just the fi rst two innings. A solo shot by junior catcher Shareena Pulse got things going for CU as they looked on their way to their fourth victory of the season.

An inning later, SEU rebounded to tie the game at 3 after the third frame. Th e Hilltoppers built a 6-3 lead going into the fi nal inning and seemed ready to sweep the Ags, but in the top of the seventh Cameron got their bats going again and scored 4 runs on 4 singles.

McBride shut SEU down in the bottom of the seventh, sending them back to the dugout after three straight at-bats.

“I think we grew up a lot today, especially in the second game,” Coach Nye said. “We were able to come from behind after giving up our early lead. To me, that showed a lot of character. I think we can grow from that; it’s the learning how to win that’s important.”

McBride pitched the complete game victory to move to 3-2 on the season. She went all 7 innings giving up 5 runs on 8 hits. She faced a total of 38 batters, striking out 4 and walking 7.

Junior third-baseman Chelsey Jordan had a great game for the Aggies, as she went 1-3, including the game-winning hit, with 2 RBI. She also walked once.

“Ashton stepped up and pitched out of some jams for us. She came out with the lead in the seventh and sealed the win for us. Th at showed a lot of maturity on her part,” Coach Nye said. “Chelsey had the game winning hit and had a great second game.”

Sophomores Courtney Cliff ord, an outfi elder, and Callie Schlatter, a catcher, both went 2-3 in the game with an RBI. Pulse was the only other Aggie to record multiple hits as she went 2-4 with an RBI in the game.

“I’m pleased but I still think we have a lot of room for improvement,” Coach Nye said. “We have had a lot of positive things happen so far, so we will try to build on those things and get stronger.”

last week the Aggie softballers headed back out on the road to take part in the Abilene Christian University Invitational tournament, in Abilene, Texas.

By Craig MartinSports Information Director

Photo courtesy CU Online

And the swing: An aggie baseball player gets ready to swing at the pitch at home last weekend at the McCord Field. The went 4-0 in their opener for the new spring season, which featured many seniors.

A&E8 February 11, 2008

Are you a romantic?Are you a romantic?Students, faculty share stories of their most romantic Valentine’s Days

Farouq Alattar

Marketing Freshman

“I came to this country from Jordan when I was 13 and couldn’t speak

English at the time. It was about four months after I moved here that I

noticed people carrying balloons and fl owers in February. That fi rst year

I was here, there was a girl that I was kinda interested in, that I went to

school with. Well, when I walked into class one day there was a box of

chocolates, a card and a note for me. I knew she was interested in me but

there was a language barrier. Anyway, we ended up going on a date that

night and even though there were less than 10 words spoken between us,

it was really romantic. “

Jonathon Herndon

Political Science Freshman

“I had been dating my

girlfriend for about two

years. For Valentine’s Day,

I bought her a dress and

fl owers and left them at

the apartment we shared,

with a note saying to be

ready by seven o’clock. We

were living in Norman at

the time, so it wasn’t very

far to drive to Bricktown. I had reserved the whole back room of a

restaurant for us. I don’t remember the name of the restaurant, but

the back room was called the Van Gough room. It was amazing,

with lots of duplicates of his paintings on the walls. The best picture

was the one on the back wall of ‘Starry Night.’ It was all illuminated

and made the room really romantic.

I asked a friend of mine to be our chauff eur for the evening and it

was really funny because I had to teach her how to drive my 2003

Mazda 5-speed standard before she could. So she dropped me

off at the restaurant before she went back to get my girlfriend so I

could get everything ready. I had candles and the table set before

she got there. We had the most romantic dinner and she didn’t

like to dance but we danced that night anyway. There was a whole

spectrum of emotions and even though the room was beautiful, it

wasn’t as beautiful as her face was when I saw her walk through

the door. We’re not together anymore, but I still remember that

night and think about what I can do for that next special someone

in my life.”

Velton Flowers

Business Counselor

“Back in 1992, my son used

to sing in a group called

“The Gentries” at Eisenhower

High School. The group of

students was part of the music

department and for Valentine’s

Day they raised money for the

group. They would go around to

diff erent departments and as far

as Ft. Sill to present fl owers and

perform for loved ones. I was a

graduate student at the time,

working as a research assistant at the research center in the

business department here at Cameron. I was just sitting there

and these students I didn’t know walked in. Then my son came

in, and then my wife. They started to sing to me and presented

me with fl owers and candy. I had no idea they were coming. It

was very touching that my wife had planned the whole thing. “

Lioret Reeves

Marketing Junior

“My dad sends fl owers to my mom all the

time. In 2005, he was in Afganistan and sent

fl owers for Valentine’s Day like he always does.

That year was special because he sent eleven

real roses and in the middle was a fake one.

The card said ‘I’ll love you until the last one

dies.’ That was really, really sweet because

they’ve been together for fi fteen years. It

showed me that romance doesn’t always die

with marriage and what I want to look for

in a man. Parents can be great role models

for showing you what you want out of a life

partner. You see how well they work and you

want that in your life.”

Nancy Heger, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences

“When I came to work for Cameron

I had to leave my husband in Austin

until he could fi nd a job up here. That

was in August 2006. The separation

was really diffi cult, but when

Valentine’s Day came around, it was

really special. He sent me a box of

chocolates and fl owers to my offi ce.

The secretary left them on my desk so

that when I came in I was very happily

surprised to fi nd them. I still have them in my offi ce and when I fi gure out

how to preserve them I will make a dried fl ower arrangement. It was a very

special day.”

Jamaal Richardson

English Junior

“In high school, whenever Valentine’s

Day came around, you could have

special gifts delivered to classrooms.

I had a teddy bear and fl owers delivered to my girlfriend with a ring

attached to the bear. It was a gold band shaped like a heart with her

initials engraved in it. I wasn’t in the class when it was delivered, but

I knew about the anticipation and excitement when the people who

delivered the stuff came into the rooms. It made me feel good to know I

made her Valentine’s Day special.”

Amanda Herrera

Journalism Senior

“My fi rst Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend was four years ago. It was the most

special so far. He invited me to his house that evening. When I got there, I saw

he was on the porch grilling steaks. We went inside and he had a beautiful

dinner prepared for me. It was gorgeous. He thought of everything, even a

lovely dessert of fresh fruit. Afterward, we watched the “Notebook” together.

It was such a great night because I realized how much eff ort he had put into

making my night special. He was so cute running around trying to make sure

everything was perfect.”

Photos and stories compiled by

Kelley Burt

Collegian Staff

How to woo your lover without breaking the bankBy Amanda HerreraCollegian Staff

There are a lot of things red associated with Valentine’s Day, but your bank account balance doesn’t have to be one of them.

Let’s face it, there are many people out there who cringe when they hear the words, “Valentine’s Day.” They think they have to spend a fortune because somebody decided to invent a holiday to increase sales of boxed chocolates and stuffed bears — relax. There are ways to show your lover you care without breaking the bank. Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be a financial burden, so just put your wallet away and get creative.

Here are a few tips for those with a big heart and a not-so-big budget:

Frame a photo collage of you and your significant other. Spend some time digging up pictures of your favorite times together. Not only does the gift show you put effort and time into making something for him or her, the

two of you will have a good time strolling memory lane when you present the gift.

Burn a CD of your partners favorite tunes. Try sticking to a theme, or choose songs that bring back memories. The music can set the mood for a romantic evening at home.

Get in the kitchen. Cooking someone a meal is one of the nicest ways to show them you care. Especially if you don’t cook that often. Think about your date’s favorite foods and surf the net for some great recipes. Remember, it’s the little touches that count, like a nice table setting, or arranging the plate garnish into the shape of a heart.

I know many guys hate “chick f licks,” so a man who is willing to sit down and watch one or two for the sake of making his girlfriend happy will score big points. Pop up a big bowl of popcorn and surprise your girl with an evening of tear-jerkers.

For the Valentine’s Day overachiever, do all of the above. You can start now and blow your

honey away with a whirlwind of romantic gestures that will melt even the coldest of hearts.

Remember to keep the effort thoughtful and romantic. Most people don’t remember getting a box of chocolate years later, but the memory of a homemade gift can last forever.

A&E 9February 11, 2008

Oscar Corner

By Chris AllisonCollegian Staff

Can you escape fate or does the inevitable, such as death, trap us on a preordained path in life?

Th is is the central question and theme of the Coen brothers’ new phenomenal movie “No Country for Old Men.” Based on a 1980 Cormac McCarthy novel set in west Texas, “No Country” tells the story of Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a down-on-his-luck Vietnam veteran who, while hunting, stumbles across the remains of a drug deal gone bad. He picks up a satchel with $2 million inside. After years of disappointment, he thinks his luck will improve for the better.

Th is theft instantly turns Moss into a hunted man. It is not enough he is chased by Mexican gangsters, but Moss has the horrible luck of also being hunted by one of the scariest killers ever to be portrayed on fi lm.

Th e killer, a complex man named Anton Chigurh, (Javier Bardem) is hired by a criminal organization to track down the money. Chigurh rebels against his employers and hunts Moss in his strategic way.

One of Chigurh’s main goals is to

track down the money, but greed is not his motivation. Th is is a cat and mouse game to him and he will stop at nothing to recover the money and kill Moss.

Th e local sheriff , Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), is tracking Chigurh hoping to prevent further bloodshed and save Moss’ life. But Bell feels too old and overmatched by the violence and evils of the world represented by Chigurh.

Bell misses the old days, when some sheriff s did not even have a gun. As he contemplates his future usefulness, his uncle tells him that the violence he is witnessing in the world is not new and that there were no “good old days.” His uncle reminds him that evil and death are inevitable, and he who thinks he can stop them suff ers from vanity.

Th is is perhaps the Coen brothers’ fi nest fi lm. Th ey have had hits and misses since “Fargo,” so this is a comeback for them. “No Country for Old Men” is easily their most suspenseful movie since their debut fi lm, “Blood Simple.“

“Blood Simple” is also a chase movie set in Texas with Frances McDormand being hunted by M. Emmit Walsh. Th ere is even a scene

that is in both fi lms, where one character is waiting and listening to the approach of the assailant outside the door. Even though this is one of the Coens’ few straightforward and non-quirky fi lms, it is still sprinkled with dark humor. Th e suspense is further increased by the fact that there is almost no musical score in “No Country.”

Movies are notorious for blaring a beautiful, but oftentimes loud and distracting score. In thrillers, viewers can tell when something bad is going to happen by the suspenseful music. Seeing Jason walk toward a victim with a bloody axe defeats the scare. “No Country” avoids this pitfall.

Th e cinematography in this movie is spectacular. Th e Texas countryside is captured beautifully and the use of light and shadow is very eff ective. Th e script is one of the major highlights of the fi lm. Th e cynical dialogue and one-liners make this perhaps the best written fi lm of last year.

Josh Brolin gives another good performance. Th is was quite a year for him with his dark turns in “Grindhouse: Planet Terror” and “American Gangster” as well as this

wonderful fi lm. Kelly McDonald gives a great performance as Llewelyn’s worried wife. Tommy Lee Jones proves once again how great an actor he is with his somber performance. Even though Brolin has the most screen time, Jones is symbolically the central character of the fi lm.

Th e highlight of the fi lm is Javier Bardem; whose deadpan delivery is so chilling it rivals Hannibal Lector. Chigurl carries a compressed air gun and decides his victims’ fate with the fl ip of a coin. Some might think he is a senseless, homicidal maniac with no motive or morals. But in actuality, like Chigurl, the most dangerous murderer is the one with intensely twisted morals that even he does not understand. He is unpredictable, sometimes even to himself. Bardem will defi nitely get the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Th e fi lm is nominated for eight Academy Awards including: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture. To date, it has swept the award season.

I understand that quite a few people do not like the ending. To this I say that not every movie

made in Hollywood has to have a Hollywood ending. I admit I was a little disappointed, but upon a further viewing, I came to better appreciate and enjoy the ending.

In my opinion, “No Country for Old Men” and “Th ere Will Be Blood,” are movies vying for the best fi lm of 2007.

Reporter rating: 4 out of 4

MCT Campus

‘No Country’ snags eight nominations

A night for romance:

Dr. Morris to read poetry at local art galleryBy Kerry MyersCollegian Staff

If you’re trying to fi nd that something special or out of the ordinary to do with your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day — a poetry reading may be just the thing you’re looking for.

Th e Leslie Powell Gallery and Foundation is hosting its 11th Annual Evening Poetry Reading from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Feb. 14.

Dr. John Graves Morris, Cameron University Professor of English, will be the reader for the event titled, “All the Way to Green: Poems of Love.” He will be reading his own writings.

Dr. Morris said he deeply enjoys performing readings at the Gallery.

“Every year it is so gratifying,” he said. “It has become tradition.”

Nancy Anderson, the Leslie Powell Gallery Director, said the gallery has great a great turnout

every year. “We often have a full house,” she

said. Th e Leslie Powell Gallery and

Foundation building is one of Lawton’s oldest buildings, erected in the 1920’s as part of the second wave of the Central Business District. Th e foundation fi rst occupied the second fl oor of the Little Chapel of Lawton, where it held exhibits until 2000, according to the gallery’s website. It has since been renovated with an art deco look.

“One of the things that I am always proud to say is that the Gallery is a great place to be,” Dr. Morris said. “Th e people there are very generous and supportive. Th e Leslie Powell Foundation did a wonderful job of converting the building into what it is today. It is a great place to read poetry,” he said.

Th e Gallery also holds noon “Lunch Bag Lectures” from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. on the third Th ursday of every month. Th e Lunch Bag Lectures are free to the public, and the time allotted gives visitors plenty of time to browse the Gallery. Th e Lunch Bag Crowd examines subjects that include many customs of other societies such as, arts, history, science, travel, music and mythology.

Th e most interesting people in Lawton gather here, Anderson said.

To view a calendar of gallery events, visit www.lpgallery.org.

Courtesy Photo

All the way to green: Dr. John Morris reads poetry at the Leslie Powell Gallery. This Valentine’s Day, he will be reading poems of love at the gallery’s 11th Annual Evening Poetry Reading.

MCT Campus

Variety10 February 11, 2008

Kerry MyersKerry MyersCollegian Staff Collegian Staff

Th e elegant nineteen year-old Th e elegant nineteen year-old Taylor Th ompson was crowned Taylor Th ompson was crowned the 2008 Miss Black Cameron the 2008 Miss Black Cameron University on Saturday, Feb. 2 at University on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the University Th eatre.the University Th eatre.

During the introduction During the introduction of Master and Mistress of of Master and Mistress of Ceremonies, Pageant Director Ceremonies, Pageant Director Rayla Willis announced that Rayla Willis announced that they made positive changes in the they made positive changes in the pageant this year, bringing back old pageant this year, bringing back old traditions and creating new ones. traditions and creating new ones.

Th e girls started off with a Th e girls started off with a show stopping performance show stopping performance dancing to Rhianna’s “Umbrella”. dancing to Rhianna’s “Umbrella”. Th e contestants later went on Th e contestants later went on to perform in an ambassadorial to perform in an ambassadorial performance portraying powerful performance portraying powerful black women from the past. Th e black women from the past. Th e contestants portrayed people like contestants portrayed people like Rosa Parks and Debbie Allen. Rosa Parks and Debbie Allen. Taylor Th ompson acted as Lena Taylor Th ompson acted as Lena Horn with her rendition of Horn with her rendition of “Stormy Weather.”“Stormy Weather.”

Phenomenal talent was Phenomenal talent was showcased at this year’s showcased at this year’s competition. During the talent competition. During the talent portion, Th ompson delivered an portion, Th ompson delivered an electrically charged performance electrically charged performance of Jennifer Hudson’s “I am of Jennifer Hudson’s “I am Changing” that earned her a Changing” that earned her a standing ovation. Th e other standing ovation. Th e other contestants displayed talents such contestants displayed talents such as piano (by Shanice Biggins) and as piano (by Shanice Biggins) and dancing (by Wandee Albert). Th e dancing (by Wandee Albert). Th e contestants went on to compete in contestants went on to compete in eveningwear and a question and eveningwear and a question and answer session.answer session.

Other award winners include: Other award winners include: Shanice Biggins, Academic Shanice Biggins, Academic Award and Miss Congeniality; Award and Miss Congeniality; Ashley Virgil, Business Woman Ashley Virgil, Business Woman Award of 2008; and Wandee Award of 2008; and Wandee Albert, Community Service Albert, Community Service Award. First runner up of the Award. First runner up of the pageant was Wandee Albert and pageant was Wandee Albert and second runner up was Ashley second runner up was Ashley Virgil.Virgil.

Th ompson competed against Th ompson competed against six other contestants to earn her six other contestants to earn her crown. Th ompson is a sophomore crown. Th ompson is a sophomore

at Cameron University, majoring at Cameron University, majoring in human ecology. Her platform in human ecology. Her platform is D.R.E.A.M.: Dreams Realized is D.R.E.A.M.: Dreams Realized through Extracurricular Activities through Extracurricular Activities and Mentorship. and Mentorship.

Th e Y.M.C.A. of Lawton Th e Y.M.C.A. of Lawton currently employs Th ompson. currently employs Th ompson.

Th ompson was asked what Th ompson was asked what she would do to improve the she would do to improve the community and raise awareness of community and raise awareness of her platform if she was crowned her platform if she was crowned the 2008 Miss Black Cameron the 2008 Miss Black Cameron University. Th ompson responded University. Th ompson responded that she would continue to work that she would continue to work with the Y.M.C.A. to reach out with the Y.M.C.A. to reach out to the community’s young people to the community’s young people by teaching them etiquette and by teaching them etiquette and public speaking skills. Th ompson public speaking skills. Th ompson was also named this year’s Miss was also named this year’s Miss Black Fort Sill.Black Fort Sill.

Miss Black CU adds charmMiss Black CU adds charm to Black History Month to Black History Month

Becoming a Cinderella:Becoming a Cinderella: Contestants dance to Rhianna and Chris Brown’s hit “Cinderella.” This year’s Miss Black CU brought Contestants dance to Rhianna and Chris Brown’s hit “Cinderella.” This year’s Miss Black CU brought seven girls together for the pageant. Former 2007 Miss Black CU passed the crown and rights to Taylor Thompson.seven girls together for the pageant. Former 2007 Miss Black CU passed the crown and rights to Taylor Thompson.

Six judges evaluated the contestants’ performances and charisma.Six judges evaluated the contestants’ performances and charisma.

2008 Miss Black CU2008 Miss Black CUTaylor ThompsonTaylor Thompson Photos by Kerry Myers and Bira VidalPhotos by Kerry Myers and Bira Vidal

Photo Collage by Bira VidalPhoto Collage by Bira Vidal

2008 Miss Black CU2008 Miss Black CUTaylor ThompsonTaylor Thompson

First Runner up:First Runner up:Wandee AlbertWandee Albert

Second Runner up:Second Runner up:Ashley VirgilAshley Virgil