The Cameron University Collegian: October 15, 2007

COLLEGIAN THE CA M ERON U N I V ER SIT Y

Informing the Cameron Family Since 1926

Monday, October 15, 2007

News

Mixed Martial Arts taps out Cameron

By Bennett Dewan and Henry Evans Newswriting Students Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest growing sport worldwide according to ESPN.com and its parent network.

The sport had remained relatively undiscovered by the Cameron University population until early this summer when

Speech, debate team continues to bring home the gold.

SEE PAGE 4

A&E

Volume 81 Issue 7

the San Da Fight Club opened directly across the street from the Cameron House.

Run by CU graduate Gerald Thomason, who instructs along with submission wrestler and fellow alum Paul Cuzzort, the San Da Fight Club emphasizes mixed martial arts for conditioning, practical fighting skills and competition fighting.

The sport of mixed martial

arts, or MMA, is on a meteoric rise that has coincided with the popularity of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The sport involves all kinds of fighting techniques, ranging from Thai Kickboxing to Judo, to Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling.

See MMA Page 3

Photos courtesy of San Da Fight Club

Good connection: (Above) Justin “Manny” Mansel, Multimedia freshman, throws a punch during MMA training. Mansel is a member of the San Da Fight Club which is taught by Gerald Thomason.

Good form: (Right) Jeff Wozencraft, Communications senior, demonstrates a triangle choke with the help of Gerald Thomason. Wozencraft is also a member of the San Da Fight Club.

Wildlife Refuge presents unique learning opportunities

Nepal students face new life in new country

By Chris Allison

By Elizabeth Yocham

Newswriting Student

Author speaks on campus about life experiences.

SEE PAGE 9

Sports

Aggie tennis aces LSC Championship.

Collegian Staff

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers Cameron students and others a variety of activities.

Located 20 miles northwest of Lawton off the Medicine Park exit, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is steeped in the history of our community. First set aside as a forest and game preserve by Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt in 1901 and 1905, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge has become an iconic symbol of the prairies of the “old west.”

According to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Web site, it is the oldest managed wildlife preserve in the United States.

After traveling all over the Western United States, Former Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Nature Interpreter Ulrike Stradtmann was impressed by the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge’s beauty when she first saw it in 1982.

Being thousands of miles away from home and all alone were their fears. Little did they know that they would come halfway around the world to exchange their fear of loneliness for family, friends and seven room-mates.

Seven girls-Biology majors, Sadikshya Bhandari, Miki Katuwal, Sweta Shrestha and Alisha Chitrakar, Anita Bhagat, a mathematics major, Samata Prawah, a physics major, and Samikshya Sharma, majoring in accounting- who are all freshman from Nepal ventured to CU in search of a quality education. In the end, they have found much more than that: They found each other.

See WILDLIFE Page 2

See NEPAL Page 4

Student government tackles academic forgiveness

By Bira Vidal

SEE PAGE 6

Voices

Bookslut satisfying readers over the Internet.

SEE PAGE 5

Collegian Staff The Student Government Association has been reading and examining new legislation for the past weeks that concern improvements in Cameron’s current academic forgiveness policy.

SGA Vice President Tobias Kuhn created Resolution 306010, which is aimed at changing the definition of academic forgiveness for students who have failed a class or are trying to increase their grade point averages by retaking a course.

The present policy gives students the opportunity to retake a class and remove a bad grade from their GPAs, but not from the retention/graduation GPA. After the completion of a class for the second time, students are still required to have the previous undesired grade in their overall GPAs. Vice President Kuhn based his arguments for the legislation on the importance of a good overall GPA for students when applying for jobs and internships, seeking tuition assistance, and furthering education after college.

Also, Cameron University only excludes from a student’s Cameron GPA the letter grades “D” and “F.” Students with a “C” are able to retake a class, but not increase their overall GPAs.

According to Vice President Kuhn, if his resolution passes, it would be possible to have “the reprieved grade removed from retention/ graduation GPA and overall GPA.” However, Dean of Students Jennifer Holland, explained to students that the academic forgiveness policy is not regulated by CU, but by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and any change in the policy would have to be changed at the state level.

Vice President Kuhn’s solution was to bring up the resolution during the Oklahoma Student Government Association (OSGA) conference and then to move it to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and CU Student Affairs Office.

Through the resolution, students would have limited chances to improve their GPAs. But the resolution stated the first grade received in a certain class would still be removed from the student’s Cameron GPA and overall GPA. In the case of a student receiving a lower grade than the previous one, the student would have that grade added to the retention/graduation GPA and another chance to retake the class. But the number of changes would not exceed a total of 18 hours. The second and subsequent grades would be permanently in the student’s overall

GPA. Concerning enrollment schedule, the resolution determined students who desire to retake a class and drop the previous grade would have to wait a week after freshmen enrollment.

The resolution went to the legislation committee for further analysis. After a second reading, the SGA body decided to move the voting of the legislation for this week. If approved by the students, the legislation will make its way to the CU Administration and possibly to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

By the end of the meeting, President Jeff Wozencraft encouraged students to brainstorm about possible future legislations. He divided senators and representatives into four groups and each groups was in charge of coming up with legislation ideas for the next meetings.

News

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October 15, 2007

Small plastic leads to big problems

College students look to credit cards for financial woes

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College is becoming a crash course on debt, and not just in the various fields of study.

Greg Patterson, a financial consultant for AG Edwards, explained that in order to get ahead in life and have money to save and spend, you must have an education.

“Get your education,” Patterson said.

Although that is great advice, to what lengths should students be willing to go, toward obtaining this new-found freedom in the real world?

Katie Tiberghien, a Cameron University R/TV major, said there is a smart way to go about obtaining an education without sinking into an enormous amount of debt, even with the high cost of living.

“There are scholarships, federal aid, work study programs, and even a GI bill that students could use and to help save money,” Tiberghien said, “you just have to want it bad enough to search for it.”

Some students think that credit cards are the answer to living while in college.

However what students don’t understand is that it may make life difficult, when they graduate, trying to pay back all the debt that they have incurred. Tiberghien passed

emergency savings account and live within your means.

“I don’t feel sorry for people who max out credit cards,” Tiberghien said. “It’s all about self-discipline and knowing the difference between needing something and wanting something.”

Even though education is a

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Newswriting Student

the crash course of credit card debt when she paid off her last credit card, and starting paying with cash.

“I learned my lesson with credit cards,” she said. “Once I paid off the balance on my last one, I started using cash and sticking to a budget.”

For college students, finances are sometimes overwhelming and difficult to keep track of. According to Bankrate.com, there are seven steps to having a successful budget: track spending for a month, put savings on autopilot, prioritize spending, use cash for daily spending, tackle credit card debt, build

M

By Tami Mann

foundation for a better way of While credit cards give students living, credit card debt can alter instant gratification, the future the way you live for years after you payments will have a much larger graduate. impact.

Keith Prater, an AG Edwards “People need to stop and think financial consultant, said everyone about how much they are charging should know the Rule of 72. The on credit cards,” Tiberghien said.

“And think about how much they formula for the Rule of 72 may look complicated, however it is are going to be making once they actually very simple. graduate.”

Interest rate Students need to realize that multiplied once they graduate the cost of living by the and servicing debt increases. number of According to Barbara Fuchs, years it takes Mountain View-Gotebo high to double your school counselor, an education money equals 72 major will start out making around (when compounding $28,000 to $30,000 during their interest is applied). first year.

“It’s an important interest “Twenty-eight thousand dollars calculation everyone should have may sound like a great deal of in their arsenal,” Prater said. “It money,” Fuchs said. “But once only applies to you start compounding paying loans “People need to stop and interest.” and other think about how much they According bills, you to Sallie realize how are charging on credit cards Mae, the quickly it and think about how much nation’s largest disappears.” they are going to be making provider of The Rule student loans, once they graduate.” of 72 could undergraduate be the most students important — Katie Tiberghien rule and accumulate R/TV Major formula an average of $2,200 in learned in credit debt. the crash While graduate students jump the course on debt. Once the rule average to $5,800 in credit card is applied and students have an debt. Paying the minimum balance understanding of when to use it and would take 12 years and $1,115 in how to use it, the Rule of 72 could interest to pay off a $1,000 bill at 18 become the shovel students can use percent interest. to dig themselves out of debt.

WILDLIFE continued from page 1 “I was amazed at how beautiful it was,” she said. “It was kind of crisp and clear not as hot as it was in the other western states before. The smell was so good. It was an infusion of herbs, plants and grass. I heard all the different sounds of wildlife. I was also amazed at how diversity is within such a small space. You can drive between an hour and 90 minutes between places. In comparison to Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon where you have to spend several days to get a sense of what it is, the Wildlife Refuge can be visited within a day.”

Stradtmann said she returned to the refuge in 1984 and became a volunteer nature interpreter in 1992 after hearing about the guide program, “Association of Friends of the Wichitas.”

The difference between a regular tour guide and a nature interpreter is that a nature interpreter has to know the specific details of the Wichita Mountains in order to teach tourists when animals such as the bison become elusive during tours.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers tourists not only recreational use such as hiking and bicycling, but also government approved research and entertainment.

By contacting the government and getting permission to conduct research at special use areas of the refuge, the wildlife refuge can be a great benefit for those in the science courses at Cameron. There are also old mines for geologists to enjoy, and a visitor center in the wildlife refuge that informs and educates the public.

In the adjacent community of Medicine Park, there is a music hall. There is also a campground where, for a nominal fee, you can camp out in tents or RVs. There is also a fault line on Mount Sheridan that shows the geological history of the Wichitas. Visitors can even drive to the top of Mount Scott and view the refuge from up high.

In answer to the opinions that the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is boring and that not much goes on, Ulrike Stradtmann said otherwise.

“There is so much going on in the mountains that you can spend a lifetime being there not having experienced everything,” she said.

For more information on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, visit: http://wichitamountains.fws.gov/

Photo by Malinda Rust

News

October 15, 2007

3

Photos courtesy of San Da Fight Club

MMA continued from page 1 Cuzzort, who has been an active practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu since early 1995, has first hand seen MMA rise to the mainstream.

“The recent rise in popularity of mixed martial arts really came about with the T.V. show The Ultimate Fighter,” he said.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC as it is more widely known, began as a competition between martial arts styles to prove which form was most dominant.

Ever since UFC 1 the championships have been broadcast to more and more people across the globe through pay-per-view and the Spike television network.

Thomason attributes the recent popularity of MMA to television.

“People want to do it because they see it on T.V.,” he said.

Seeing MMA on television made Justin “Manny” Mansel, a Cameron Multimedia and Design freshman, want to go to the San Da Fight Club.

“Mostly mainstream UFC made me want to start doing it,” he said.

Manny said he first went to the San Da Fight Club to learn how to become a more well-rounded fighter.

The first day, Manny walked in and was impressed by the comfortable atmosphere of the school. He said he liked that it was a small school and that he could get one-on-one training with both instructors.

“I wrestle, kickbox, box and do Jiu-Jitsu,” Manny said. “I run a couple of miles everyday that I don’t train.”

Thomason said that Manny is a really quiet guy who does everything that he is told to do as far as his training.

It was this attitude that allowed Manny to go from no experience to winning his first amateur fight in less than one year.

Manny fought Daniel Pruitt in Skiatook on Sept. 22. The fight was sponsored by the Freestyle Kombat League.

Thomason said that Manny was very calm and reserved before the fight.

“My biggest worry was never being able to train in a cage,” Manny said. “I really wasn’t nervous; I just wanted to get in there.”

Manny was able to use the vast array of skills that he learned at San Da to turn the tide of the fight to his advantage.

Thomason, who coached Manny in the fight, told him that he had lost the first round and that he needed to throw his high kick.

“He went out and hit the guy with a hellacious head kick, wham,” he said, “and the guy stumbled.

Then he caught him in a guillotine.”

Manny practiced the guillotine, a headlock style choke that can be applied on either the ground or standing, over and over again before the fight.

Manny won when the other fighter tapped out due to the severity of the chokehold.

Even though Manny won the fight, his version of the story remains, like his character, humble.

“I kicked him in the head and got him in a guillotine,” he said.

Now that he has a 1-0 record, Manny wants to give up his amateur status to become a professional fighter.

“Eventually,” he said, “before 2009.”

The San Da Fight Club, now that they have won their first competition, has more mixed martial artists waiting in the wings until it is their turn to climb in the cage.

Faculty and students from Cameron who attend classes at the club include Dr. Christopher Keller of the Communication Department and Jeff Wozencraft, the current CU Student Government President. Both go on a weekly basis for the conditioning and competition.

Wozencraft said he heard of the classes from Dr. Keller last semester in Introduction to Journalism, and decided to check it out.

The San Da Fight Club meets from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4401 N.W. Gore Blvd. The contact phone number is (580) 678-2665.

Information can also be obtained on their website at www.lawtonmma. com. Thomason said that the first lesson is free and the price for classes is $45 dollars a month after that.

“This is the cheapest place in town,” Thomason said.

“If we get 20 or more people we’ll get a bigger place,” he said. “There’s no experience necessary. We’re not trying to make money. We give people the opportunity to train.”

News

4

October 15, 2007

Aggie Speech, Debate Team continues success

By Malinda Rust Collegian Staff According to the old “Schoolhouse Rock” songs about multiplication, “three is a magic number.” But, for Cameron’s Speech and Debate Team, three is a winning number.

The team came home from Sterling, Kan. with a first place sweepstakes award for their performance in the second half of the Barton Community College/Sterling College Swing Tournament, which was held Sept. 28-30.

The team also placed second in the totals for the entire weekend.

Only three students from the team- Bethany Beck, Justin Barrick, and Michael Faggett- led Cameron to victory. Each of the three students competed in four or more events and took home trophies in almost every one.

Beck, a senior majoring in Communication, took first and second place in informative speaking and persuasive speaking during the first and second halves of the tournament. She also placed second in impromptu speaking and fourth in extemporaneous speaking during the second half of the tournament. Beck competed with Faggett in Parliamentary Debate and finished with a 2-4 record.

“It was one of the most frustrating debate weekends I’ve ever had,” Beck said. “But the individual events went very well.”

The swing in Sterling was the first college forensics tournament for Barrick, a freshmen majoring in political science. He placed fourth in after dinner speaking in both halves of the tournament, and he finished six rounds of International Public Debate with a 3-3 record. Barrick also competed in informative speaking and extemporaneous speaking.

“Getting an award was really unexpected,” Barrick said.

“I was just coming over here to get my foot in the door and see what forensics was all about. I was just going to wait until the next tournament to compete, but Dan suggested that I go to this one. I only had three days to prepare my speech, and I got fourth overall.”

Faggett, a freshmen radio/television major, placed in four events during both halves of the swing. He placed first and third in extemporaneous speaking, second and first in persuasive speaking, second and third in informative speaking, and sixth and third in impromptu speaking.

While Faggett competed on his forensics team at Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas, he is new to the Cameron team this semester.

“I feel good knowing that I can compete at this level,” Faggett said. “It keeps me motivated to do it.”

“We had three people and we won,” Director of Forensics Dan Schabot said. “That’s crazy. It shouldn’t happen.”

Schabot explained that several students were unable to compete in the tournament due to prior obligations, like Convocation, homecoming celebrations, or family reunions.

“We thought we should wait to get ready for the next tournament,” Beck said. “We wanted to take some of the new people out to get some practice and work out some of the kinks.”

According to Beck and Barrick, a combination of preparation, hard work, and simply “being good” helped them succeed over the other teams.

“My students do all the work and they deserve all the credit,” Schabot said. “My job is to put us in a position to win.”

The Speech and Debate team will be competing next at the Pi Kappa Delta Bi-Province Tournament on Oct. 19-21 at John Brown University.

Photo by Melinda Rust

Schabot takes podium as new speech, debate coach

By Chris Allison Newswriting Student Before joining the Cameron University faculty this fall as the new Director of Forensics in the Department of Communication, Dan Schabot had many years of competing, teaching and coaching experience in the field.

After participating in four or five Speech-Debate tournaments during his senior year of high school in Puyallup, Wash., he received a scholarship to Lower Columbia College in Longview, Wash., where he obtained an Associates degree.

Schabot then earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Speech Communication at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

He is currently working on his Ph.D. in Communication at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

Schabot served as an intern in the Jonesboro office of United States Senator Tim Hutchinson.

Later he was hired as the Systems Administrator in Sen. Hutchinson’s Washington, D.C. office.

He competed in tournaments during his Lower Columbia years and won six tournaments while attending Arkansas State. While a student, Schabot considered his greatest competing achievement winning a tournament in Monroe, La. “I went through the whole tournament without ever losing a ballot,” he said. “I won six rounds in the preliminaries. I went to quarter finals and won on a 3-0 decision.

Semifinals, I won on a 3-0 decision.

Finals, I won on a 3-0 decision.

And I was the top speaker at the tournament.”

As a graduate student at Arkansas State, he coached forensics for one and a half years. During those years, Schabot’s team won a national sweepstakes award in policy debate. Schabot also coached during his four years of teaching at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky., and his three years of teaching at the William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Looking back, Schabot considers his most rewarding moment in

coaching was when he watched two very weak Cumberland debaters improve.

“The third year I was there, we went to the second tournament of the year at Ball State University in Indiana,” he said. “They won all their preliminary rounds. They finished as quarter finalists, but they won all six rounds against top notch competition from all over the country. These kids started out terrible, the worst you could possibly imagine. I got to see them grow, and it really proved to me that in this activity it does take some talent, but if people come in and work hard and they stick with it, they can really accomplish just about anything they want.”

Schabot looks for very specific qualities in his prospective team members: being able to speak publicly, enjoy talking to people, exude charm and wit, prove willingness to work hard and show determination.

Schabot said he came to Cameron University to coach the speech and debate team because he knew Tyler Thornton, whom he replaced.

Thornton had told Schabot that he was leaving Lawton to finish his doctoral degree at the University of Oklahoma and that the job of Director of Forensics would be open.

For the last three years, Schabot helped run Cameron’s tabulation room in Thornton’s Christmas college speech and debate tournaments and met the faculty of the Communication Department and toured the campus. He was very

impressed with the campus and the faculty working here. After seeing an 80-year-old article in the Collegian about the debate team, he was very excited about joining the legacy set down by the likes of Tony Allison, Richard Smith, Eddie Skaggs and Tyler Thornton.

“How exciting is it to be in a place where people care about what you do,” Schabot said.

Schabot’s main goal for the Cameron squad is to win a national championship for the university.

Schabot is admired among the staff, Tony Allison, the Chair of the Communication Department at CU, was impressed by him.

“We were very excited to hire Dan Schabot,” Allison said. “From my experience, it is always a good strategy to hire someone who has a better record in competition than we do. Dan’s team placed 8th in the nation at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament held on the campus of Central Michigan University, while Cameron placed 12th. Dan is an upbeat, positive kind of guy and those are essential qualities in life.”

ever expected. However, they all agree that it has been fun.

Bhandari said that there is hardly ever a dull moment due to the unique qualities of each of the girls.

Of course there are advantages and disadvantages when living

with seven people, the girls said, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages more often than not.

Privacy is something that is often sacrificed. In return though, the girls offer one another a concrete support system and a home away from home.

“No matter what, we each have each others’ backs,” Chitrakar said. “Everyone is there for everyone.”

Besides their household support system, they have also received support from outside sources, which has made their adjustment to a new culture much easier.

Katuwal said that she came to America knowing one of her friend’s aunties who was able to help her out. In addition to helping Katuwal adjust, this

auntie also adopted all seven girls as her own in order to make sure that they were well taken care of.

Overall, adjusting to American culture has not been too difficult, the girls said. The main challenge at first was adjusting to the food.

They explained that they do not eat beef due to their religious beliefs and because the cow is their national animal. On top of that, they said, the food here lacks spice.

Living together has actually allowed them to cope better with food challenges since they are able to cook whatever they wish.

In general, these seven girls share one common goal, which is to receive a quality education.

According to Prawah, coming to America as a student allows her the opportunity to receive a researchbased education and an education that will be recognized world wide.

“It’s a matter of pride to hold an American degree,” Shrestha said.

According to the girls, CU was a good place to come because of its average rank, non-resident tuition waiver and most importantly, its affordability.

“We want to use what we’ve learned here and take it back home and use it there,” they said.

Dan Schabot

Nepal continued from page 1 Even though all seven came from the same city in Nepal, surprisingly, none of the girls really knew each other before coming to CU. They met for the first time in Marcella Gustafson’s office. At that moment bonds of friendship formed and they knew that they would stick

together.

Currently, all seven girls live together. Sharing much more than a house and bills, they also share common perspectives, experiences, challenges and goals.

Having seven people live together is beyond what any of the girls had

Voices

October 15, 2007

5

Don’t take your family for granted I hate you.

I hope you die.

I wish I had never been born.

How many times have we said these things to our parents at some point or another in our lives? In the heat of an argument, strange words come out of our mouths, whether we want them to or not.

Some say that when you’re mad, your true feelings are expressed. If that’s true, I really feel sad for people who are my age and younger.

I’ve had my fair share of fights with just about anyone. I’ve fought with my co-workers, my professors, my bosses, what few friends I have and even my grandfather.

Some of the things I say, I regret in the long run. And, for whatever reason, I never really apologize for them.

Over the years, I’ve come to be some kind of advice-giver for my friends. I don’t know how it ever happened, or even why. But, every time someone has a problem, I’m the person they look to. Most of the time, I’m told things like “I hate my mom so much I wish she would die,” or “My Dad is [choose your phrase] and I wish I was never born.” Do we really feel that way about our parents?

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking

about this over the past couple of months. It was started by hearing this 15 year-old kid tell his mom she was a (use your imagination) while playing “Halo 2.” She had simply told him to turn the game off because it was time to eat.

While we’re in the game, he’s yelling at her and cussing her and he eventually told her he hated her.

All of this drama was over a video game.

If there’s one thing I’ve always held true in my life, it’s what little family I have. My family is only one person, my grandfather. He’s 72-years-old and like many people his age, he has some health problems. Each morning, when I wake up, if he’s not awake, I step into his room to make sure he’s still breathing. I lay awake at night, sometimes, wondering what I’ll do when he’s gone. I have no one else, never did. He’s always been the constant in my life. And that’s what really hurts me when I hear people talk about their parents like I sometimes hear.

Sure, no one ever has the “perfect” parent. There was always that toy you wanted when you were a kid and they told you “no.” There was always that time you wanted to go over to your friend’s house

and they told you “no.” There was always that time when you wanted to go out that night and they told you “no.” But, is one event really enough to make you say you hate them?

When people come to me for advice when they’re fighting with their parents, I’ve always told them family is the most important thing.

Without family, you have nothing.

What is the point of having all the money in the world if you don’t have a family to spend it with?

Friends come and go constantly.

But family is the one constant.

I think we take our blood for granted. Some people I know, my age, feel as if their parents owe them something. For what, I have no idea. But, that seems to be an ever-growing assumption with people these days.

I work two jobs, go to college full time and squeeze “Halo 3” in during those times when I’m not working or studying. Shamefully, most of the time, I should be spending time with my grandfather. I don’t know how long he has.

He could die tomorrow. He could die while I’m writing this. He could die while you’re reading it.

Can anyone explain this paradox we’re in?

Sure, we want our parents there for us when we’re down and not feeling well. But, any other time, most people couldn’t care less about them. And then, when they fight, words like “hate” and “die” are thrown around like ammunition in some demented civil war.

I’m not trying to tell anyone how to live their lives.

I’m the last person that should ever do that. And I’m sure most of you are reading this wondering what my point is. Maybe I don’t have a point.

When I wake up each morning and I don’t see my grandfather sitting on the couch, I get worried.

When I see him asleep, peacefully, I’m happy. When I call him and he doesn’t answer, I get really worried.

A pit forms in my stomach and my insides not up into a fisherman’s knot that refuses to untie itself.

When he answers or calls me back, I’m happy.

I never had the privilege of having two parents who loved me

and I them. Maybe that’s given me some kind of perspective on things.

I’ve come to notice most people really don’t respect how lucky they are to have their parents and families. All I’m saying is stop once in a while, when you’re arguing, and think about why you’re fighting and what you’re going to say.

Is that date really worth it? Is that party really worth it? Is that game really worth it?

What if something were to happen? How would you feel about living your entire life knowing the last thing you said to your mother or father was “I hate you.” It’s not worth it. Just say “I love you” once in a while. They deserve it. You don’t know how much you have until it’s truly lost, forever.

Josh Rouse

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Lust for books:

Blog offers outlet for readers who can’t get enough

By Wendy Zang MCT Campus

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Editorial Board

Bookslut—it sounds scandalous, but really it’s just about getting a good read.

According to the site itself, “Bookslut (www.bookslut.com) is a monthly Web magazine and daily blog dedicated to those who love to read. We provide a constant supply of news, reviews, commentary, insight, and more than occasional opinions.”

There are more than two dozen contributors from across the country that write for Bookslut (though blog entries tend to be by only a handful of those). Contributors’ backgrounds range from freelance writers to library assistants.

The magazine part of the site is updated monthly with feature stories, reviews and columns. Recent stories: an interview with Gabrielle Bell, the worst covers of 2006, a column on the problems with translations and reviews of the latest in fiction, nonfiction and poetry.

The blog is updated daily and, as of late, has been heavy on links to news from the literary world _ from Art Garfunkel’s reading list to the finalists for the Story Prize.

Ultimately, you can’t judge a site by its name. Bookslut is worth checking out for any serious fan of the written word.

Editor-in-Chief - Jessica Lane News Editor - Josh Rouse Assistant News Editor: Jim Horinek Copy Editor - Malinda Rust A&E Editor - Amanda Herrera Sports Editor - Kareem Guiste Variety Editor - Bira Vidal Assistant Editor - David R. Bublitz

Newsroom Staff Ads Manager - Kelley Burt Cartoonist - Thomas Pruitt Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff 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 Students Chris Allison, Dewan Bennett, Henry Evans, Diana Harger, Erik Hurley, Tamra Mann, Valerie Pennington, Adrienne Reid, Lauren Roberts, John Robertson, Danielle Rogers, Clayton Wright

About Us The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Letters Policy Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length.

Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification.

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

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The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma.

COLLEGIAN The reliable source for campus news.

Sports

6

October 15, 2007

CU baseball aims for top 16

By Brandi O’Daniel Collegian Staff The Cameron Baseball Team is setting its hopes high this season and anticipating making it into the top 16 in the Lone Star Conference North Division.

Last season’s team fell short in their attempt at the conference when they fi nished 25-27 and slipped into seventeenth place out of the teams in the region.

Coach Holland, Cameron’s head baseball coach, said, “Last year was not our best year, but every team has its uptimes and downtimes.”

Since its establishment in 1931, the Lone Star Conference, which was originally a Texas league, has grown to include teams from universities in surrounding states, including Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico. It is now known as one of the most distinguished and leading programs in intercollegiate athletics.

Holland has coached his team through winning seasons since 2003 (when he became head coach). Two years ago, he took the Aggies baseball team to number one in the conference.

This year’s team guarantees a fresh start with a combination of returning players and several new faces from around the area.

The team took a hit at the end of last year’s season with the loss of 10 valuable players.

Coach Holland said, “We lost 10 players to graduation, so we brought in 13 or 14 new players from a little bit of everywhere.”

Holland said that he traveled throughout Oklahoma, Texas and Arizona to round out his team before the start of the season.

While there are many new faces lining the bench this year, there are several players returning to the team.

“We have a lot of new players and quite a few returnees,” Holland said. “We’re excited about a new start.”

Some of the players coming back this season include: pitchers Bevan Anderson and Cody Dillon, catcher and outfielder Kyle Walbrick, infielders Bryan Nichols and Josh Mathiesen, outfielder Brooks Pollard and utility player Jorey Price.

One player that may not be coming back this season is Blake Watson. According to Coach

Holland, a serious knee injury may keep him benched for the remainder of the season.

With the unique blend of players, Coach Holland said that he thinks they have a good team and a real shot at making it into the top teams in the conference.

“Our team goal is to be in the top 16 in the Lone Star Conference,” Holland said.

“We have a good group of new and returning kids with a lot of talent. We’re hoping for a good conference this season.”

The promise of a new season also brings expectant spectators to live out the new year with hope that the Aggies will bring home another conference win.

Cameron students can look forward to rooting for the baseball

team playing its first two games at home in February against Pittsburg State University. The games will be Feb. 2 and 3 at McCord Field.

For more information on the Cameron Aggies baseball schedule please contact Craig Martin, Director of Sports Information, at goaggies.cameron.edu or send emails to cmartin@cameron.edu.

Photo courtesy CU Online

Standing tall: Nine members of the Cameron Aggie Baseball Team await the first pitch. The team is destined to end this season in the top 16 of the Lone Star Conference standings.

Aggies ace LSC Championship

By Craig Martin Sports Information Director The Aggie men’s and women’s tennis teams played hard last weekend at the Lone Star Conference Individual Championships at Hamilton Park Tennis Center in Wichita Falls, Texas bringing home several individual champions.

On the men’s side Junior Daniel Pazos came out victorious in his first match of the tournament winning 6-4, 6-1 on Friday. This earned Pazos his spot in the No. 1 Singles Championship match where he was defeated 6-3, 6-1, putting Pazos in second place.

Senior Jordi Mullor played strong during the tournament winning his first match on Friday, 6-1, 6-3. Mullor went on to win the No. 2 Singles Championship match 7-6, 6-2.

Senior Nicolas Mascheroni won his first match sending him to the No. 4 Singles Championship round where he came out on top, winning 7-5, 6-0.

Senior Ignacio Murgier and Junior Saman Samii also brought home individual championships. Murgier won the No. 5 Singles Championship match 6-1, 6-3, while Samii won the No. 6 Singles Championship 6-4, 6-3.

Also in Doubles Juniors Daniel Pazos and Cristian Easton brought home the No. 1 Doubles Consolation Championship winning their match 4-6, 6-2, 10-8.

In doubles Seniors Ignacio Murgier and Nicolas Mascheroni brought home the No. 2 Doubles Championship, dominating their match 6-2, 6-3.

The Senior Junior duo of Jordi Mullor and Saman Samii won the No. 3 Doubles Championship winning the final match 6-3, 3-6, 10-8.

The Aggie Women’s tennis team also played hard this weekend bringing home a few consolation championships. Junior Sophia rich won her final match 6-2, 6-4 giving her the No. 3 Singles Consolation Champion.

Sophomore Carolina Mullor won her first match 6-2, 6-1 putting her in the semifinals where she lost 6-3, 6-1, knocking her out of the tournament.

Sophomore Heather Doslich received a bye her first round putting her in the Semifinals. In the semifinals Doslich lost her match 6-1, 6-1. This put Heather in the Consolation Championship match where she dominated and won 6-3, 6-1. This awarded her the No. 6 singles Consolation Champion.

The doubles team of Junior Irene George and Senior Megan deBlonk took the No. 1 Doubles Consolation Championship winning the match 6-4, 6-4.

Sophomores Heather Doslich and Carolina Mullor received a bye in their first round putting them into the Semifinals where they won their match 6-4, 6-2.

Doslich and Mullor went on to lose the championship match 6-0, 6-2.

The Cameron Aggie men’s and women’s tennis teams had a very solid performance at this weekend’s Lone Star Conference Individual Championships finishing with 10

A Look Forward to the Spring Season February 2008 14 15 16 16 19 22 22 26 29 Photo courtesy Rafael Zurita

On fire: Meagan DeBlonk seen here training at the Cameron University tennis complex. Deblonk along with Irene George took the No. 1 Doubles Consolation Championship.

Men: University of Texas Arlington - Arlington, Texas Men: Collin County College - Plano, Texas Men: Dallas Baptist University - Dallas, Texas Men: Tyler Junior College - Plano, Texas Women: Southern Nazarene University - Oklahoma City Women: Tarleton State University - Tahlequah, Oklahoma Women: Northeastern State University - Tahlequah, Oklahoma Men and Women: Oklahoma Baptist University Shawnee, Oklahoma Men: Southwest Baptist University - Lawton

Sports

October 15, 2007

7

Seniors cement basketball squad

By David L. Bublitz Collegian Staff A new season brings with it new dreams, new expectations and new opportunities to excel for the Cameron Aggies women’s basketball team, second-year head coach Kevin Hackerott and his staff.

The Aggies’ 2007-2008 nonconference season will begin with exhibition games against Tulsa University on Nov. 6, 2007 and Oral Roberts University on Nov. 10, 2007.

While many new faces appear on the roster, the team returns five proven performers and some hardwon experience from last year’s squad.

Chemistry senior Tiffany Williams provides the offensive base for the Aggies this year following an explosive performance last season. She returns as a guard after leading her teammates in most categories on the offensive side of the court. Last season, she had the highest scoring average per game, total points, the most scores from the line and 3-point range, and total rebounds.

Merrisa Martinuzzi complements the Aggies’ offensive talent. Martinuzzi is a senior guard who led the Aggies in assists and maintained the highest free throw percentage of all the returning players. Her mixture of speed and athleticism forms the foundation of Hackerott’s offensive compound.

At 6 feet 2 inches, senior forward Sarah Moore adds balance and substance on both ends of the court for the Aggies. Last year, she put up the highest field goal percentage offensively for the Aggies. While on defense, she collected the second most blocked shots.

Sophomore, Megan Atkins, a 6-foot-2 forward from Colleyville, Texas, provided last season’s team with big defensive stats. In her freshman debut, Atkins led the team in defensive rebounds and blocked shots. With one full season under her belt, she will cast a big shadow on the defensive side of the court for the Aggies.

Evelyn Taylor, a 5-foot-8 junior guard, was recruited last season from Rose State Junior College due to her athletic play and scoring abilities. Although Taylor was inactive last season due to an injury, Aggie fans will watch her light up the scoreboard this season.

Hackerott and his staff recruited very deliberately to complement the returning Aggies, so fans will see a

very different team this season.

“This year we are much more athletic across the board,” Hackerott said. “I like to play an up-tempo game, and this team will provide that and score more often.”

The Aggies’ inability to score was a major concern in Hackerott’s inaugural season. He said that he addressed that issue during the recruiting season.

“Last year we lost a lot of close games,” he said. “We played a lot of teams tough, but we had a real difficult time making baskets.

“I think we’ve improved our offensive ability tremendously. We have kids this year who can score in many different ways.”

Aggie fans will see a more balanced roster this year. According to Hackerott, this roster is multidimensional in many aspects of the game, which improves the team’s ability to make baskets.

“Our depth is so much better,” Hackerott said. “We have nine or ten kids who we can lean on night in and night out, which in a long season is a big thing. I think athletically we are quicker at almost every position. We also handle the ball better which will reduce our turnovers.

“The biggest thing is the ability to score. Our offensive average last year was around 58 or 59 points per game. This year we’d love to be up in the 75 to 77 range, and if we can do that, then we will win a lot more games.”

All Aggie fans want to see the women’s team go deep into the playoffs. While it is unusual for a second-year coach to accomplish, Hackerott believes the chemistry on this team has the right stuff to go far.

“It will be a big step for us if we can get into the top four, provide ourselves an opportunity and get these kids some post-season experience,” he said. “I’m excited, and our girls are really excited, which makes all our jobs a little easier. Our first eight or ten games are against six ranked teams in the conference. If we play those games well and get some wins I think we have a great shot at post-season play this year.”

Hackerott and his staff believe that the Aggies possess the right mix of talent and tenacity to go deep into the playoffs this year.

The staff has put together a team that complements Hackerott’s philosophy of play and will keep Aggies fans on the edge of their seats from the first tip-off in Tulsa to the conference playoffs in

Photo by Kareem Guiste

Senority rule: Sarah Moore, one of the women basketball team returners, holds on tight on the drive.

The other returners to this year’s Aggie squad are Merrisa Martinuzzi, Tiffany Williams, Sarah Moore, Eveline Taylor and Meagan Atkins.

Bartlesville, Okla.

“My game is an exciting, uptempo style on both ends of the floor,” he said. “It is a pressure game that always keeps us in attack mode.

If our girls can get into that mindset

and score some baskets, then I think we are going to steamroll some people.”

“I think Aggie fans are going to enjoy watching this team,” he said.

“I know the kids are going to play

The Coaches Corner

hard. They really enjoy playing the game, which makes it even more fun for the fans. So, now we just need to get wins. Winning cures a lot of things, and I think these girls can do just that.”

Get to know your Cameron Aggies Coaches

Photo courtesy CU Online

Composed: Women’s basketball Head Coach Kevin Hackerott

By Craig Martin Sports Information Director Kevin Hackerott was introduced as the school’s new women’s basketball head coach

on April 5, 2006, in a brief news conference on the CU campus.

The former athletic director and head women’s basketball coach at Pratt (Kan.) Community College, Hackerott was selected from a pool of more than 50 candidates and assumed official control of the Lady Aggie program on April 17.

“I’m delighted to be reunited with Kevin and his family,” said Cameron Athletic Director Jim Jackson, who served as the athletic director at Pratt prior to joining the Cameron program in August 2005. “Kevin has a passion for his sport and a passion to be successful and I know that when people in our community get to know him, they will be extremely pleased with the type of individual he is and the type of program he will run here at Cameron University.”

In three seasons with the Pratt women’s team, Hackerott

guided the Lady Beavers to new heights. His teams have averaged 17 victories a year while establishing 20 new school records in the process, including season-high marks for points scored, assists and three-pointers made. Hackerott joined the Pratt program in 2003, and promptly guided the team to one of the best records in school history, finishing 20-12 and advancing to the quarterfinals of the ultracompetitive Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) postseason tournament.

The 2003-04 team also attained the school’s first-ever women’s basketball national ranking, climbing as high as No. 13 in the NJCAA Division I Top 25 poll. He also spent one season as head coach at Highland (Kan.) Community College, where he took over a struggling program and produced a winning season in

his only year with the team.

In four seasons as a head coach, Hackerott has a combined record of 67-57. He has coached a slew of players who have garnered individual recognition, including one national All-Academic selection, two preseason AllAmericans, one Freshman of the Year, five all-region picks and six all-conference award winners.

“I couldn’t be happier about this opportunity,” Hackerott said. “This is my second goaround with Mr. Jackson and it was a great fit the first time and I’m sure it will be a great fit this time. One of the reasons I’m very excited to be here is because of his leadership, along with Dr. Ross’s, and where this athletic department is going. Cameron has a lot of great things to offer and I believe we can promote a very good product to young ladies who will want to come and

play basketball here. We will be successful.”

In addition to his head coaching experience, Hackerott has served in an administrative capacity at Pratt. He was assistant athletic director from 2003 to 2005, before being elevated to athletic director when Jackson left for Cameron last summer.

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Rockhurst University from 1992-96, and was an assistant men’s coach at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., for two seasons.

A native of Cimarron, Kan., Hackerott received his bachelor’s degree in history and government from St. Mary of the Plains College in 1992. He earned a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1995. He and his wife, Kendall, have three daughters.

A&E

8

October 15, 2007

Country and jazz fuse

Gatlin Brothers to join CU jazz ensemble

By Bira Vidal

has brought wellknown artists Collegian Staff to southwest Oklahoma. Some Mixing two styles of music can of these country be a difficult task for performers, performers have but the combination of country reached national and jazz results in a perfectly recognition such harmonious sound. as Larry Gatlin Following its 29 previous & The Gatlin performances, this year’s Country Brothers.

Jazz Fusion concert will bring Larry Gatlin together the best sides of the and The Gatlin Cameron University’s Jazz Brothers has been Ensemble and the Larry Gatlin & nominated for a The Gatlin Brothers.

Grammy and has For a unique combination, roots in Abilene, the groups will perform songs Texas. The three together that not only reflect the brothers started melodic characteristics of jazz or singing gospel the southwestern traits of country, music in churches but also harmonize the two and and throughout fi nd a common ground. the years moved to The idea of having a concert bigger audiences, with the country and jazz styles such as Broadway, first came from Dr. James Horner, Grammy Awards an emeritus professor from the and White House School of Business. The idea grew performances and expanded through Assistant According to Courtesy photo Professor John Moots, making the Moots, this year’s A little bit of jazz: Cameron University Jazz Ensemble will join Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers for the 30th annual fusion possible. group will be a Country Jazz Fusion Concert.

Since then, Moots has great addition previous performances. popular music and how they are Other supporters of the event developed the idea of the Country to the Country “All these years we’ve done this related to the brothers’ country are: the School of Liberal Arts, Jazz Fusion. The annual concert Jazz Fusion concert compared to show, they [Larry Gatlin & The style. the Department of Music, the Gatlin Brothers] are the biggest Jason Elbert, a communication City of Lawton, the Lawton Arts name we brought in,” Moots said. sophomore who plays the and Humanities Council, the The Country Jazz Fusion has saxophone for the CU Jazz Oklahoma Arts Council and the provided students in the CU Jazz Ensemble, said that the Country National Endowment of the Arts.

Ensemble the opportunity to Jazz Fusion combines the jazz The Country Jazz Fusion perform on stage with country and country styles in absolute Concert will have two artists. To Moots, the event synchronization. performance dates. The first gives students the chance to “It’s not just two different concert will be at 8 p.m. on Oct. learn directly from experienced styles,” Elbert said. “Country and 25 in the Cameron University professionals in the field. jazz go hand-in-hand.”

Theatre, and the second concert “Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin The Country Jazz Fusion will be at 8 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Brothers are going to be would not be possible if different Simmons Center in Duncan. interacting with students, and organizations did not support Tickets are available at the CU we’ll get students performing with the concert. Moots stated that Administration Building. General professional musicians,” Moots the support was fundamental and admission is $10. CU students, said. greatly appreciated. faculty and staff are able to attend Courtesy photo The country group will also “The concert is generously the Country Jazz Fusion for free A little bit of country: Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers are be visiting the American Popular funded by Cameron University’s with a Cameron I.D. the guests at this year’s Country Jazz Fusion Concert. The group will Music classes and discussing song Lectures & Concerts Committee,” also be visiting the American Popular Music classes. writing, different styles of modern Moots said.

Some TV may fall short this fall Things to do at CU

By Joshua Rouse Collegian Staff With the falling leaves and cooler temperatures comes the new, hopeful television shows for the major networks. These new programs, like “Moonlight,” “Cane” and “Reaper,” will join old favorites from last season like the highly successful “Heroes.”

Kevin McKidd, star of HBO’s “Rome,” stars in the “Quantum Leap”-style “Journeyman.” McKidd plays a man who randomly travels back through time and tracks certain people throughout their lives. He helps them with pivotal moments in their lives, which sends him back to the present.

The stress of time traveling puts a strain on his marriage and family relationships. The show has been labeled “confusing” by many market-watchers and has been considered for cancellation. For now, you can catch it Mondays at 9 p.m. on NBC. The CW Network contracted Kevin Smith of “Clerks” to pen

and produce “Reaper,” the actioncomedy that stars Bret Harrison as a man whose soul is sold to the devil by his parents. Instead of going to Hell, he’s assigned to work as a bounty hunter, taking escaped souls back to Hell where they belong. Ray Wise plays a hysterical role as the Devil. The show combines humor and some decent special effects for a good hour of distraction. Watch the hilarious action Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on the CW. Jimmy Smits returns to television for his first major role since “NYPD Blue.” He plays in the new drama “Cane,” which is like “The Godfather” of the 21st Century. There’s no Marlon Brando and there’s no Al Pacino, but Smits turns in excellent performances week after week. He plays Alex Vega, a man adopted into a Latin mob family that deals in all kinds of illegal activities. The show has been receiving strong ratings, so look for it to continue throughout the season. “Cane” airs at 9 p.m. on Tuesdays.

“Bionic Woman” received a complete reboot over the summer.

The classic 1970s sciencefiction show about a woman who received robotic implants

arrived on the scene again with a fresh face and plenty of special effects. The sexy Michelle Ryan plays the ill-fated Jaime Sommers whose life was changed when a car accident killed her fiancé. In the accident, she also lost both of her legs, an arm, an ear and one of her eyes. Thanks to top-secret implants, she became faster and stronger with better vision and hearing. The agency that supplied her with the parts now trains her to use them for the good of the country, including stopping biological terrorists. “Bionic Woman” is one of the highest rated shows on Wednesday nights. You can watch the action-fest at 8 p.m. on NBC. The surprise hit of the fall could be “Life,” which airs right after “Bionic Woman” at 9 p.m. on NBC. Damian Lewis, best known for the role of Major Winters on “Band of Brothers,” plays a cop who was imprisoned for 12 years for a gruesome murder he didn’t commit.

After he’s freed from prison and given $30 million, he rejoins the Los Angeles Police Department to find the true killer. Each week, he investigates new cases with a strange sense of humor and a jaded attitude. Lewis could be nominated for an Emmy if the show succeeds.

Friday nights on CBS, following “Ghost Whisperer,” Alex O’Loughlin puts a new face on an old legend with “Moonlight,” which is Friday nights’ highest rated show.

It follows Mick St. John, a vampire, who doubles as a private eye.

Oct. 15 - Cameron Iron Chef - 8 p.m. For more information, call PAC at 591-8086.

Oct. 16- Tuesday Pursuits and pizza: 9 p.m. at Cameron Campus Ministries, 500 SW 27th. For more information, call 357.7226.

Oct. 18 - Free lunch: 12 - 1 p.m. at Cameron Campus Ministries, 500 SW 27th. For more information, call 357.7226.

Oct. 18 - C.O.R.E. Service - 9 p.m. at the Baptist Student Union, 2614 SW E. Ave. There will be a band and a speaker.

For more information, call 357.7226.

Oct. 20- Sociology Club BBQ fund raiser: 5 p.m. For more information, call the Sociology Club at 581.2945.

To have campus event printed in “Things to do at CU” E-mail information to collegian@cameron.edu or call 581.2260.

Quote of the Week “What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life.”

-E-mail Brunner-

Forget everything you know about vampires because this show throws all legends out the door. Garlic doesn’t bother them, wooden stakes to the heart don’t kill them (though it puts them in a catatonic state) and sunlight doesn’t turn them into dust. St. John, unlike his fellow vampires, uses his powers to help those who can’t help themselves.

One case from his past brings him face-to-face with a girl he once saved when she was little, and he tries to protect her while still protecting his identity. “Moonlight”

airs at 9 p.m. on Friday.

As the season goes on, many shows will fall by the wayside and will quietly be canceled after less-than-stellar performances.

However, this season appears to have many shows with the promise of becoming this year’s “Heroes.”

Don’t forget to catch the second season of the comic book-style show, which airs at 8 p.m. Mondays and includes numerous casting editions, like “Veronica Mars” star Kristin Bell.

A&E

October 15, 2007

9

Famed author visits campus

By Jessica Frazier Collegian Staff With only standing room available, Debra Monroe read a selection from her soon-tobe-released novel. Dr. Monroe’s reading took place at noon on Oct. 5 in the Centennial Room (formerly the Will Rogers Room) of the Shepler Center.

Monroe’s novel is a collection of personal memoirs. The selection she read to Cameron faculty and students recollected the time in her life when she adopted her daughter. She described what she

had to go through: endless paper work and remodeling her home, phone calls that turned out to be false alarms and the final call that ensured the adoption of her daughter.

“I read a selection from really early in the novel because once you get any later it is so involved in what has already happened that you can’t see what it all means in the end,” Monroe said.

Monroe opened up the floor for questions after she finished reading the selection. She discussed the differences between her new autobiographical novel

Photo by Jessica Frazier

Monroe’s memoirs: Dr. Debra Monroe signs one of her novels for a fan at a reading held Oct. 5. Monroe spent time after the reading visiting with Cameron students and faculty.

and her previous works. Monroe asserted that she would not change anything about her life.

“I’m writing the way I want to write,” she said.

After the reading, Monroe spent time signing books and speaking with faculty and students.

Jason Poudrier, a Creative Writing junior, spoke with For birthdays this week: You’re on a quest to find the truth, the Monroe about pursuing buried treasure or both. This sort of thing is addictive, though. It could a Master of Fine Arts in become your life’s work.

Creative Writing.

“I wanted to get some To get the advantage, check the week’s rating: 10 is the easiest week, 0 the most challenging. advice on my writing technique, as well as the Aries (March 21-April 19) This week is an 8. You and your application process for partner need to get serious about your plans. Living for the moment is fun, graduate school,” Poudrier but living for the future’s hot. said.

According to Poudrier, Taurus (April 20-May 20) This week is a 6. Put your he was interested in how attention back on the job. You can reap some great rewards. This is a rare Monroe remembered opportunity. Don’t waste it goofing off. details about her life that she records in her book.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) This week is a 7. If you have a strong leader, you can sit back and relax. Go along for the ride and you’ll end up in the perfect place. If not, find an excuse to split.

Weekly Horoscopes

Cancer (June 22-July 22) This week is a 5. Keep chugging away. You’re achieving your goals, even though it seems to take forever.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) This week is an 8. This is one of those weeks when everything seems possible. Amazingly, it almost is. Begin new adventures now.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) This week is a 5. The job’s more difficult than anticipated, but you can cope. Just take it one step at a time, and stick to your schedule.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) This week is an 8. You’ve been seeking truth, and perhaps philosophical logic. That answer and many others are very close right now. Reach out and grab them.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) This week is an 8. Slow and easy does it. Simply produce the results according to your agreement and great riches will be yours. Selling antiques works, too.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) This week is an 8. You’re naturally very insightful, and today you will be awesome. The answer is so obvious you wonder why you never saw it before.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) This week is a 5. Give yourself plenty of quiet time for thoughtful contemplation. Easily and naturally, you’ll have a comforting revelation. You’ll know why you waited.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) This week is an 8. An absolutely marvelous experience is in store. One of your friends is about to have a blinding revelation. Or your team finally wins a game.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) This week is a 6. You naturally think outside the box. Due to your suggestion, a barrier that seemed impenetrable is simply blasted away. You make the impossible look easy.

“I am currently working on a piece about my life after leaving the military,” Poudrier said, “but I am having trouble remembering some details.”

Monroe offered practical advice to several students for improving their work.

Dr. John Morris, Associate Professor of English at Cameron, bought several books and said he was stocking up on Christmas presents. Morris had Monroe sign his books for specific people on his Christmas list.

Monroe is a professor of English at Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, where she has taught for 15 years. She has written two short-story collections, “The Source of Trouble” and “A Wild, Cold State.” She received the Flannery O’Connor Award in 1990 for “The Source of Trouble,” and “A Wild, Cold State” was

named by “Elle” magazine as one of the ten best books in 1995.

She has also written two novels, “Newfangled” and “Shambles.”

Monroe has published her works in many literary magazines, such as “American Literary Review,” the “New England Review,” and “Quarterly West.”

She was inducted into the Texas Institute for Letters in 1998, and has received two teaching awards while at Texas State University: the Piper Award for Teaching and the Liberal Arts Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence.

The reading was sponsored by the CU Lectures and Concerts Committee, the Department of English and Foreign Languages and Sigma Tau Delta, Cameron’s chapter of the International English Honor Society.

Variety

10

October 15, 2007

Students get down, dirty

at PAC Mud Stock

By Kerry Shanks

we normally don’t see at campus events,” Naifeh said. “This was our first event of At 3 p.m. on October this type and first event we have done 9, the Cameron University during the mid-afternoon. Next year we Programming Activities hope to continue and hope to see more Council served up an people come out and have fun.” afternoon filled with muddy Shantee Hicks, chairperson of Mud fun and sunshine.

Stock, had a great time.

The first ever “Mud “Hopefully next year the word will Stock” volleyball game was spread and there will be more people,” said held South of Cameron Hicks.

Village, East from the Fitness Hamburgers and hot dogs were served Center. Students from all to the hungry volleyball players during and over campus showed up to after the event and many students came participate in the dirty fun. just to watch everyone else get dirty.

Director of Student So, next time you pass by a muddy Activities Zeak Naifeh stated volleyball field, jump in and join the fun. the turn out was better than expected for a first time event.

“We were glad to see a different group of students getting involved with campus events that

Collegian Staff

Photos by Kerry Shanks and Kareem Guiste Photo Collage by Bira Vidal