Mar 7

“ THE CAMPUS

March 7, 2018 – Volume 111 Issue 20

Students to participate in ‘March For Our Lives,’ advocate for gun control Chandler White

COPY EDITOR

Students will participate in a gun advocacy protest taking place across the nation.

“March For Our Lives” is a public march planned for March 24 in various locations across the United States. The march was organized by Cameron Kasky, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student, who survived the Feb. 14 shooting that left 17 dead and at least 14 injured.

The march is to demonstrate advocacy for gun control.

Participants will gather at the Oklahoma County Election Board, 4201 N. Lincoln Blvd. at 11 a.m., where there will be voter registration forms and absentee ballots. The

march begins at noon, down Lincoln Avenue to the Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.

Dr. Mark Davies, professor of social and ecological ethics, said the effect of the Parkland shooting is unique from other mass shootings in recent history.

“It’s related to the fact that the students have decided that they’re not going to mourn in silence, that they’re going to do something to try to change the culture around this. That takes a lot of courage,” he said.

Vance Klassen, music theater freshman, and Madeline Powell, music theater/vocal performance freshman, coordinated with the Facebook group for the Oklahoma City march to spread word of the march to OCU students and faculty.

When I saw people my age and people younger than me that are being so loud and so proud and going up there and doing that, I felt like I needed to do something.

Aaron Bates acting freshman

Klassen said this particular shooting has finally summoned action from society.

“There’s always been the desire to do something, but I feel like it took this one for somebody to actually stand up and do it,” he said. “The intentions have always been there, but the fact that it took teenagers to finally say, ‘enough is enough’ and to go ahead and

commit to what is actually necessary and essential to our country has taken quite some time, but I’m glad it’s finally arrived.”

Davies will be out of state at the time of the march but said he supports the cause.

“I think we have to take measures that are going to take those kinds of weapons away from citizens who are not either in the

military or in law enforcement,” Davies said. “We just don’t need those guns. I’m not one to say that all guns should be taken away from people, but these kinds of guns are not for shooting deer or rabbits or quail.”

Powell said the death of Nicholas Dworet, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas senior with a swimming scholarship, is what made her want to participate.

“That, for me, just really hit home because we’re freshman, and, a year ago, that could have been us,” Powell said. “To think that something that you’re that passionate about could be taken away from you by someone who was reckless just really got to me.”

Aaron Bates, acting freshman, said seeing people younger than him taking a stand

inspired him to participate in the march.

“Whenever stuff like this happens, I always feel like I should be doing something, but I’ve always kind of sat on the sidelines,” Bates said.

“When I saw people my age and people younger than me that are being so loud and so proud and going up there and doing that, I felt like I needed to do something.”

More information about the march is available on the “March For Our Lives OKC” Facebook page.

See Page 4 for photos of the “Art Against Gun Violence” performance on Friday.

Professor to run Boston Marathon to raise money for scholarship Sage Tokach

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Dr. Erik Heine, professor of music theory and assistant director of the Honors Program, will run the Boston Marathon on April 16 to raise money for a music scholarship he created.

Heine set up The Deb Heine endowed scholarship fund in 2016 when he wanted to make a positive effect on the university using the resources he had available, Heine said.

His goal was to run 50 miles in 12 hours, asking donors to pledge any amount of money per mile. Heine achieved his goal in eight hours, and he ended up running 71.85 miles in 12 hours.

He used the $6,000 he raised to set up the scholarship.

“Running is my hobby. It’s the one thing I do outside of school,” Heine said. “The scholarship fund was inspired by my mom because she first introduced me to music. She was a music minor in college.”

The scholarship fund has about $8,400 but needs a minimum of $25,000 to officially begin producing scholarships, Development Officer Christi Jeffreys said. Heine’s goal is to put $50,000 in the fund. When enough money is gathered, the fund’s interest will produce a $2,000 to $2,500 scholarship per year.

The $50,000 goal ideally will be reached this spring, and the scholarship can begin accepting Spring 2019 applicants, Heine said.

Any music student who has attended OCU for at least five semesters and intends to complete at least one more semester will be eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Jeffreys said, because upperclassmen typically aren’t awarded as much financial aid as underclassmen, this scholarship is intended to encourage upperclassmen to push through to the end.

Heine likened this to pushing through the end of a marathon.

“With the marathon you hear that term, ‘the wall,’ which hits around mile 20, about three quarters of the way through,” Heine said. “That’s about the equivalent of the end of junior year. The idea is to line those two things up and help students get through.”

Heine ran more than 5,300 miles in 2016 and 2017 combined.

He ran the 2017 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in three hours and 11 minutes, qualifying for his gender and age group

“

Submitted

Dr. Erik Heine, professor of music theory and assistant director of the Honors Program, runs with his son, Stephen, by pushing him in an adaptive chair.

Heine said they run together nearly every weekend.

in the Boston Marathon. The Boston Marathon will be his last marathon, Heine said.

“I’m tired and marathons take an extraordinary amount of time,” he said. “My family is being supportive because they know it’s the last one. I want to spend my time running with my son, who is disabled. I’d rather put my energy toward that in the future.”

Heine said preparing for a marathon is like rehearsing for a show.

“You can rehearse and train, and it can go perfectly, and one thing can slip you up and make everything a train wreck,” he said.

Every mile he runs is for the benefit of students, Heine said.

“One parent of a student was exchanging emails with me and said I was going to suffer so students don’t have to suffer financially,” he said. “That put things in perspective for me. If everything goes

right, I’ll suffer for just under three hours. I’m not doing this to seek attention or anything. I’m trying to raise money for a scholarship that will be useful for students for decades and decades.”

Patty Irwin, music theater/vocal performance junior, said Heine has been a mentor for her as a runner and a person.

“When I ran my first 25K, Dr. Heine finished the race over an hour before I did, but he waited for me and ran the last 100 meters by my side,” Irwin said. “He has trained so incredibly hard for this race, running more splits than I can even imagine.

He’s attempting something so few people would even try, and it directly benefits OCU students.”

Victoria Ecker, music theater/vocal performance senior, said Heine inspired her to run a 24-hour race to raise money for heart disease research.

“He always runs with a purpose and seeks to give back any way he can,” Ecker said. “He is incredibly selfless, passionate and strong-willed. Every step he takes in the race will go toward providing education for a future music student, and that is the greatest gift of all.”

Heine said he and Dr. Mark Parker, dean of music and theater, worked together to send letters asking some donors to pledge $1,000 for a mile of the race, but any amount helps.

“Ten dollars covers two coffee-type drinks at Alvin’s, if I understand correctly,” Heine said. “If 100 people give that much, we’ll already have $1,000.”

If the scholarship fund does not reach the goal of $50,000, Heine said he will reconvene with university officials.

“I guess we’ll deal with that if we get there,” he said. “I’m trying to be optimistic and not think of plan B or C yet. This is it.”

To donate or find more information about Heine, his training log or the scholarship, go to okcu.edu/advancement/ fundraising-events/endurancechallenge.

Emily Bradley, mail center manager, also takes donations from Star Cards in the mail room in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.

Official encourages awareness as severe weather season begins Zoe Travers

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Officials and students are preparing for the state’s severe weather season.

Severe weather season in Oklahoma is typically from March to May, and the state ranks third in the nation for most frequent tornadoes.

Risk Manager Lee Brown said emergencies are communicated through Blue Alerts, and students should be aware of the weather and stay informed.

Brown also said students should come to him or facilities workers if they are concerned about their safety.

“We’re here for y’all,” Brown said. “If you feel in any way unsafe or you don’t feel prepared, communicate with us. We’ll work with you to make sure you know what’s going on.”

Students from out of state should communicate with Oklahoma students to learn how to act in a situation, Brown said. There are shelters across campus. The only campus housing without a designated shelter is Cokesbury Court Apartments.

Students also should be aware of the siren system. It used to sound all the sirens in the county if there was a tornado anywhere in Oklahoma county. Now they are divided by sectors.

“Our sector pretty much goes from I-40 to just north of Penn Square Mall,” Brown said. “If there’s a tornado within that vicinity, the sirens in this area will go off, and that means you need to seek shelter immediately.”

The sirens are tested at noon every Saturday, and it is the same sound as a tornado warning.

There is no way to predict severe weather patterns for this

M MEDIAOCU.com

If you feel in any way unsafe or you don't feel prepared, communicate with us. We'll work with you to make sure you know what's going on.

Lee Brown risk manager

spring, Brown said. Brown has researched predictions from the National Weather Services for the next 90 days. He said he has not seen much indication of potential severity. Tornadoes are environment-based, though, not climate-based, so the presence of a tornado depends on factors like the stability of the air, Brown said.

“The university risk manager is not a climate change denier in any way,” Brown said. “I have a full expectation for there to be changes in weather patterns over the next few years or over the next decade. Whether or not that’s going to manifest itself in 2018, I don’t know.”

Although spring has begun, there still is risk of winter weather.

Brown said students can make their own decisions about what “cold weather” means to them, but recommends layering up for any weather below 45 degrees because of the risk of wind chill.

“The wind could kick it below 32, no problem, especially in Oklahoma where the winds come sweeping down the plains,” Brown said.

He said it’s also important that students let him or facilities workers know if they see something dangerous on campus.

“That’s really what will keep us all safe is if we talk to each other and bring as many minds to the table as possible to really work together about concerns and issues our community has in terms of being weather aware,” Brown said.

Students from out of state have expressed some concerns about weather, but most students feel secure in knowing how to stay safe.

Rebekah Small, religion freshman, is from Texas. She said she expects severe weather, but she’s not too scared.

“One of my roommates is from Oklahoma, so I feel like, if I’m with her, she’ll tell me what to do,” Small said. “I just know the basics.”

Sydney Hagan, design and production sophomore, is also from Texas. She said dealing with the weather in Oklahoma has been an adjustment.

“I’ve definitely learned to check the weather every morning before I get ready because often it’s completely different than it was the day before,” Hagan said.

Hagan said there are some things that would make her feel more secure on campus.

“I feel like making emergency shelters clear and having emergency procedures readily accessible could help ease lots of students who are unaccustomed to severe weather,” Hagan said.

“I’ve lived in Methodist all year and actually have no idea where the emergency shelter we’re supposed to go to is.”

A list of safety precautions, procedures and shelter locations, is available at okcu.edu/main/emergency.

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Students need more safety information, practice The best way to stay safe in dangerous situations is to know emergency procedures.

University officials provide materials to learn about procedures, but they don’t always communicate them in effective ways. Students should research the procedures to stay aware, but officials also should communicate them more clearly.

An Emergency Resource Guide is located in every classroom on campus. The guide contains instructions on how to react in case of fires, hazmat spills, floods, tornadoes, and active shooter situations.

As severe weather season begins, it is important to know what to do in case of tornadoes or high-speed winds. Students should “proceed to the nearest interior room at the lowest level of the building” or a tornado shelter, and close the door, according to the guide.

There are 17 emergency shelter locations on campus, including Tom and Brenda McDan-

iel University Center, which is open 24/7. People should remain in the shelter until campus police or the Oklahoma City fire department announce that it is safe to leave.

See Page 1 for more information on severe weather.

Officials are working with a mass communications class to create an informational video explaining the correct procedures in active shooter situations.

The three main points to remember are to either evacuate, hide out or take action against the shooter. The order of the steps depends on each person’s situation, though.

The Emergency Resource Guide emphasizes to “determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life.”

When evacuating, find an accessible and safe escape path and call campus police at 405208-5911 when safe. Hide out if evacuation is not possible, making sure to lock and bar-

“What are your Spring Break plans?”

ricade the door with furniture.

“As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter,” according to the resource guide. The guide suggests acting aggressively, throwing items, improvising weapons, or yelling.

Campus police responds within minutes, but, while they are on their way, it’s up to you to keep yourself safe.

The Emergency Resource Guide also is available on okcu. edu/main/emergency/resources.

Students should read up on things that could affect them in the future, and officials should share the information more often. Even posting links to the guide on the university’s social media accounts could help students better understand what they are to do.

“Working on sending my fake pie made in stagecraft class to Waitress the Musical on Broadway”

“I am going to Denver, Colorado to go hiking.”

Cami Benton music theater sophomore

Darius Freeman acting freshman

“I'm going to LA to stay with an OCU alum.”

“I am going to New York City for OCU NYC with my mom.”

Katie Pearson dance management junior

Colton Kastrup music theater senior

“I am finishing up This Is Us and starting Queer Eye on Netflix.”

“I am going back home to see my family.”

Sireene Khader cellular and molecular biology sophomore

Hannah Malinowski dance pedagogy sophomore

Landmark Van Gogh documentary impresses visually The Oscars are behind us, but the contributions of films will linger forever, even those that tragically fell in battle against cinematic nominees deemed superior. Just because it didn’t win “Best Picture,” doesn’t mean it wasn’t the best picture.

Loving Vincent is a landmark in film history as the first fully oil-painted animated feature film, an endeavor that required four years, a team of 125 painters and 65,000 painted frames. The film is best described as an animated biopic documentarian detective mystery that follows real-

life postman Armand Roulin.

He attempts to deliver the recently-deceased Vincent Van Gogh’s last letter to his brother, Theo, stumbling upon some revelations about Van Gogh in the process.

Though I knew it was a fully oil-painted film, it took some time for that concept to sink in. Watching it, I found myself repeatedly thinking “surely not” and “this has to be some kind of filter.” But, about 15 minutes in, the revelation hit.

Each frame was meticulously painted in the style of Van Gogh, which makes every second of the film as interest-

Chandler White is an English junior from Meeker, Oklahoma. He likes gothic horror and good hip-hop.

ing and impressive as its own conceived work of art. It’s as though the viewer is seeing the whole world as Van Gogh did, experiencing his world long after his death.

The style somehow lands without hitch. Art merges with cinematography in an almost seamless way, and the frames

synchronize with one another insanely well, making everything look cohesive and fluid.

Watching Loving Vincent, you just don’t want to look away, but, the second you do, you will see everything differently, finding the shades and strokes of color in your whole world.

I’ve heard the complaint that

the movie, being so obsessed with its visual style, forgets to put together a pleasing storyline in the process, which is fair. It definitely feels like Loving Vincent’s visual experience is much more interesting than its storyline, but this storyline still is compelling, if not as much as the visuals. As Roulin investigates Van Gogh’s death, he seems to experience some of the same feelings and struggles as the artist himself.

He’s emotionally troubled. He gets fired, he’s desperately eager to prove himself, and he finds himself sympathizing more and more with Van Gogh until he’s

practically trying to avenge him. Roulin is proof that the artist is the hero inside all of us. This dynamic alone made the story satisfying enough to keep me interested.

Throughout Loving Vincent, the question is often asked of whether Van Gogh’s art would be truly appreciated after his death. To me, this film is incontrovertible proof that his artistic legacy can only breed more art in a gorgeous cinematic display and truly fulfilling experience. But it would seem that some artists simply aren’t fully appreciated in their day.

Columnist encourages evaluating, changing bad social media habits Social media is exhausting.

OCU students already have stressful lives, and we add to them by worrying about likes, posts and what our friends are doing while we’re lying in bed at home binging Parks and Recreation.

Social media is plaguing.

Many of us play games with each other, whether it be a subtweet or losing a friendship over an argument about something petty like the comparison of movies.

Social media is dangerous.

Social media has a direct link to depression and suicide in a collegiate environment, according to a 2015 New York

Times article by Julie Scelfo.

Social Media is daunting.

Some of us fall into the trap of looking at pictures of our exes moving on, getting jealous of friends hanging out without us and seeing family going on without us while we’re stuck stressing about homework.

Social media is damning.

Our own president uses it to tweet out potential legislation.

He uses it to intimidate other world leaders and to make fun of political rivals. Bullying is incredibly common on social media. I had issues myself in high school where fellow students bullied me on Facebook.

Social media is intimidat-

Harrison Langford is an acting junior from Las Vegas who loves golden retrievers and the New York Giants.

ing. We have to appear as though we’re the best person that we can be. For some of us, our profile pictures have to be precisely Photoshopped so we appear perfect. Our page has to be clear of any profanity or lewdness in case it’s being scanned by potential employers, universities, etc.

Social media is perilous. We must navigate it carefully as we attempt to talk about our lives and feelings without offending anyone. Every time I post a status, I can gauge who will react and how. I have to mentally prepare myself for what’s to come as a result of my status.

Social media is ugly. It’s not

real. We portray these versions of ourselves and get so caught up in wanting to be liked on social media that we forget to put down the screen and focus on who we actually are.

Social media is shameful.

I am especially culpable for everything I’ve described. Not only do I use social media for all of those things, I find myself encouraging it. Then I find myself wondering why I’m often tense and stressed out.

Social media is exhausting, plaguing, dangerous, damning, intimidating, perilous, ugly, and shameful. This has nothing to do with screen time or distracting yourself from

the outside world. It’s about asking if we’re ready to take a step away from who we are online and analyze who we really are.

I need to work on my social media habits and focus more on what I am doing and less on what everyone else is doing. Only after I gain that focus will I be able to be satisfied with who I am on my iPhone screen and who I am when I look in the mirror.

It is my sincerest hope that, as we go forward, we, as students and young adults, are capable of recognizing when we are being plagued by social media.

Campus Calendar Calendar items must be received in the Newsroom or stupub@okcu.edu by noon Friday for inclusion in the following Wednesday issue.

Today Voting for The Campus’ s Best of continues via bit.ly/ocubest through March 31 Baseball vs. Roosevelt at 3 p.m. at Jim Wade Stadium OCU Faculty Brass Quintet Recital from 8-9 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Wanda L. Bass Music Center Stress Relief Week Coffee and

Doughnuts from 8-10 p.m. in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center Thursday The American Spirit Dance Company’s Broadway Revue from 8-10 p.m. in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center BATAP 2nd Annual Short Play Festival from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art,

415 Couch Drive Softball vs. Panhandle State at 5 p.m. at Ann Lacy Stadium Stress Relief Week Massages from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center Friday The American Spirit Dance Company’s Broadway Revue from 8-10 p.m. in Kirkpatrick Audi-

torium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center Exploring Entertainment Business from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lacy Admissions and Visitor Center Cheer in the NAIA Championships at 4:30 p.m. in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center Stress Relief Bagels from 7:309:30 a.m. in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center

March 7, 2018, Volume 111, Number 20

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Associate Community Manager: Harrison Langford Web Editor: Nicole Waltman Associate Web Editor: Emily Wollenberg Staff Writers: Rodney Smith, Callie Dewees, Jessica Vanek

Saturday The American Spirit Dance Company’s Broadway Revue at 2 p.m. in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center The American Spirit Dance Company’s Broadway Revue from 8-10 p.m. in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts

Center Cheer in the NAIA Championships at 10 a.m. in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center Monday Spring Break Tuesday Spring Break Baseball vs. Bethany at 1 p.m. at Jim Wade Stadium

The Campus has served the Oklahoma City University community since 1907. It is published Wednesday during the academic year, with the exception of holidays and exam periods.

THE CAMPUS Editor-in-chief: Zoe Travers Editor-in-chief emeritus: Miguel Rios Associate Editor: Sage Tokach Copy Editor: Chandler White Photo Editor: Elina Moon Community Manager: Lauren Berlingeri

Last day to retain a room via housing por tal, okcu.edu/ campus/residencelife

The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and let-

Photographers: Hannah Rogers, Carolann Stout, Tiffany Kashala Columnist: Caroline Hawthorne Videographer: Emily Haan Proofreader: Tyler Patton Circulation Director: Kalen Castor Faculty Adviser: Kenna Griffin

ters to the editor. All letters must be signed and include the writer’s phone number, address, major, and classification. The staff reserves the right to edit all letters. The staff also reserves the right to refuse letters without explanation. Letters can be sent online at mediaocu.com, emailed to stupub@ okcu.edu or dropped off at the Newsroom in Walker Center for Arts and Sciences. Submitted items may appear on MediaOCU and in the print edition.

The first issue of The Campus is free. Each additional issue costs 25 cents. Contents copyright, 2018. All rights reserved.

March 7, 2018

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Elina Moon Student Publications

Barter your bride

Patty Irwin, music theater/vocal performance junior, and Stewart Ottersberg Enriquez, vocal performance senior, perform in The Bartered Bride. The opera ran from March 2-4 in Burg Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.

Above: Kyle Rudolph and Hannah Kilpatrick, vocal performance juniors, embrace during rehearsal of the opera, The Bartered Bride. Kilpatrick’s character, “Mařenka,” was forced into an arranged marriage, but Rudolph’s character, “Jeník,” won her back by tricking the marriage broker with a barter. The music school’s season finale musical will be On The Town at 8 p.m. April 20-21 and 3 p.m. April 22 in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.

Oklahoma sculptor teaches art classes through series Mallory Scheidel

STAFF WRITER

The School of Visual Arts will host a workshop titled “Modeling the Face with LaQuincey Reed” on Saturday.

Attendees will learn the basics of working with clay and how to sculpt a human face under Reed’s supervision.

Reed is a native Oklahoman from Lawton. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2005 with a degree in studio art.

“I have been making art for as long as I can remember. I love making things and using my mind to solve artistic problems,” Reed said, “I started as a painter, but slowly realized I’m a much better sculptor and that most of my training was geared to being a sculptor.”

Reed has a teaching certificate and teaches art at middle and high schools in Oklahoma City.

“If people grow up without an appreciation of art on some basic level, then the works I love and hope my kids get the chance to see may not be cared for properly,” he said. “I think back to myself as a child, and art was my escape to be my true self. I think that some kids have that feeling too, and it needs to be nurtured.”

It will be Reed’s first time teaching on a college campus.

“I’m surprised anytime anyone is interested in what I do,” Reed said. “You often learn by exposure to different voices, experiences and techniques. Hopefully I can provide a new voice and insight with my experiences.”

Reed was asked to teach the workshop by Holly Moye, director of the School of Visual Arts. Moye was a juror for the Paseo Arts Funding Emerging Artists with Sustainable Tactics (F.E.A.S.T.), where she first heard about Reed.

“Artists submit to the F.E.A.S.T. The jurors choose a select number to present their projects, and they win funds for it. I first heard about LaQuincey during the F.E.A.S.T. He was absolutely

Submitted Oklahoma sculptor LaQuincey Reed forms the face of a clay sculpture. Reed will teach a workshop about figurative modeling with clay Saturday at OCU.

my No. 1 top choice, and he ended up winning,” Moye said.

Moye said she found Reed’s work particularly interesting because of its use of traditional mediums and themes to convey the lesser known histories of our world.

“I think it’s really exciting work that he’s doing,” she said.

“And it’s beautiful.”

Reed said his work is figurative and more traditional.

“In my art, I want to use the figure as a way to connect the viewer with abstract feelings and ideas,” he said. “My need to make my ideas tangible and seeing other people’s art motivates and inspires me. No one else can make my art, and, if I don’t make it, then it will always only be an idea.”

The workshop is part of the Visual Arts department’s ongoing artist series where local artists are invited to teach once a month throughout the semester. Last month highlighted papier-mâché artists. Next month will feature a local videographer and documentary artist. Reed’s workshop is about figurative modeling with clay and modeling the human face realistically.

“We want to offer something to the student population that

wouldn’t be offered through a course,” Moye said.

Each month’s artist is chosen to teach a different form of artistic expression, including performance art, indigo dying and sculpture.

Moye considers this particular workshop well received.

“All of the workshops always sell,” Moye said. “There are some workshops, though, that fill up quicker, and this was definitely one of them.”

Capriana Campo, music theater senior, and Anastasia Conyers, studio art sophomore, signed up to attend the workshop.

“I have a very open mind about this workshop. I expect I will learn a new skill that I’ve never done before,” Campo said.

Conyers owns a bakery, which specializes in edible art and is learning how to pull sugar and make sugar sculptures.

“I do some fondant sculpting, but would like to up my game a bit and start doing sculpted cakes,” Conyers said. “You never know what you will walk away from a hands-on workshop with, so I always try to keep an open mind. If it helps my sculpting at all, it will benefit me in school and in my business.”

Workshops are open to students and anyone who wants to attend. Moye said they attract a variety of people.

“We get students, but we also get a lot of other faculty members or staff members as well,” Moye said. “I think it’s just a really great opportunity for people on campus if you don’t have time to take a class, or if it doesn’t fit in with your schedule, or you’re not registered to take courses. You can just come.”

Workshops are from 1-4 p.m. once a month in Norick Art Center. Attendance is free and materials are provided. Workshops are reserved via email on a first-come, first-served basis. Spots are limited, and class sizes vary. Students may email Moye at hmmoye@okcu.edu to reserve a spot.

OCUImprov troupe announces two final performances of the semester Nicole Waltman

WEB EDITOR

OCUImprov announced their remaining performances for the semester.

The next improv show will be a joint performance with Second Act Improv at 10:30 p.m. March 22 in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.

The final shows of the year will feature musical improv performances at 10:30 p.m.

April 13-14 in Clara E. Jones

Administration Building.

This year’s OCUImprov co-captains are Joanne Hoch, acting senior, and Madison Carey, acting junior.

“I really like improv because I enjoy ensemble work,” Carey said. “It’s exciting when everyone’s working together and knowing that, if I look stupid, that someone has my back to make me not look stupid. It’s a cool creative outlet.”

OCUImprov has 11 active members, all of whom auditioned for a spot.

“We tend to do more long form and that’s more ensemblebased,” Carey said. “I find that exciting, especially at an arts school where it can be really competitive and sometimes a little ‘me against you’ or ‘me against the world.’”

Hoch said short improvisation is what most people consider “acting games,” while long-form improvisation is more about telling a full story or creating an entire play with scenes instead of games.

Two classic forms of long-

form improvisation are called “The Harold” and “The Armando.” The Harold involves three “beats” of group games and sets of three scenes. When executed correctly, all scenes interconnect in the end.

“I love The Harold because it’s hard but can be so rewarding if it’s done well,” Hoch said.

The troupe rehearses two days a week from 10:30 p.m. to midnight.

“I love improv because it’s high energy, anything goes, and you get this great mix of true

storytelling and creation, while also being completely zany and wild and funny,” Hoch said.

“Some of the funniest stuff I’ve ever seen has happened at improv shows.”

OCUImprov hosts auditions at the beginning of every new academic year.

“We have lots of fun, exciting things coming on the horizon,” Hoch said. “Not just specifically with shows, but how we plan to interact with the campus at large.”

Carey encouraged students

of all majors to come to shows as well as audition for the troupe.

“Please come, even if you’re not a theater or music theater major,” Carey said. “We want to broaden the people that come, so then more people will audition.”

Students can like the Facebook page “OCU Improv” and message the page via Facebook with questions.

Annual film series concludes with two drama screenings Rodney Smith

STAFF WRITER

Tiffany Kashala Student Publications

Prepare yourselves Hannah Cozart, acting freshman, and Chloe Byars, music theater freshman, perform in The Shadow Collective Playwright Festival’s production of The Four at 10:30 p.m. Friday in Watson Lounge in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel.

The festival featured three original shows written by OCU students. The second performance was Four Players. The final performance, The Assassin’s Lover, was canceled. It has not yet been rescheduled.

March 7, 2018

Officials are continuing their 36th annual international film series with two more movies.

The series started in response to the lack of international films being shown in theaters at the time. It has continued with the OKCU Film Institute, hosting movie showings at 2 p.m. every other Sunday in Kerr-McGee Auditorium in Meinders School of Business.

“Back then, in Oklahoma City, there was no place to see these kinds of movies,” said Dr. Tracy Floreani, director of the Center for Interpersonal Studies through Film and Literature. “They weren’t being shown at the mall or theaters, and they didn’t have movies at the art museum yet. There was nowhere else to see these

kind of movies outside of the megaplex.”

The film series is free and open to everyone. Audience members are encouraged to stay after the movie to discuss the film with their peers.

There is a new theme for the movies being shown each year.

This year’s theme is “Picturing Reconciliation.” Floreani chooses the films with assistance from an advisory committee and selects students who help her research movies that pertain to the theme.

Kendall Havern, business administration freshman, said she didn’t know about the series until recently, but she is intrigued.

“I applaud the school for offering yet another opportunity for students to experience the arts,” Havern said. “I plan to be in attendance soon.”

The next film screening is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly on March 18. It tells the true story of a French man who suffers a stroke leading to locked-in syndrome, a condition in which the body is unable to move but the mind is still aware. The audience follows his struggles as he adjusts to his syndrome.

The final film of the series is Paterson on March 25. The drama follows the daily life of a bus driver who writes poems in secret.

A full schedule of past and future screenings may be viewed at okcufilmlit.org. The OKCU Film Institute also has Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts under the username “OKCU Film Lit.”

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news

SHINING STAR

Senior volunteers at children's hospital, plans to move to California Nathan Boone, mass communications senior, volunteers at the Children’s Hospital, while enrolled in school and working a full-time job.

At the hospital, Boone directs and produces two 60-minute live shows aired weekly for child patients who are unable to leave their rooms. The children range from infants to age 18. One show, which features bingo with trivia questions, is one of the hospital’s longest running programs, Boone said.

Last week, someone dressed as “the Cat in the Hat” was a special guest because March 2 was Dr. Seuss Day. “The trivia questions were about Dr. Seuss, and there’s a number on the screen that children can call to say their answers and communicate with the hosts,” Boone said. “Our on-air talent didn’t have any jokes prepared to fill time, so I googled some Dr. Seuss jokes and wrote down the appropriate ones for her.”

Other special guests include comedians, local music performers and art therapists, Boone said.

Boone also produces his own comedy improv show for the children at the hospital. Each show has a theme, like outer space, and children call in from their rooms to give suggestions of characters, situations and locations.

“If I’m lucky, I get a child whose parents gave consent for them to be on camera,” he said. “The two of us do a scene, and, sometimes, we bring in a third person to riff off of.”

Boone said he discovered the opportunity to provide entertainment for the hospital when he decided he wanted to do something good that didn’t involve getting paid.

“I was miserable at my job at the time and decided I wanted something to feed my soul,” he said. “I love doing camera work, so this volunteership was perfect. I couldn’t ask for anything better, aside from being paid.”

Boone’s camera and acting skills come from multiple places.

After graduating high school in Oklahoma City, Boone moved to Los Angeles for five years to audition and work as

Ideally, I've always thought of myself as a sort of Mr. Rogers some day. I do enjoy a good cardigan.

Nathan Boone mass communications senior

an actor. He took improv classes with Improv Olympic in Hollywood, and worked as a waiter and baby sitter on the side.

“LA was great, challenging and the hardest time of my life,” he said. “After five years, I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere, so I decided it was time to finish my degree.”

If you don’t have any connections, a degree is the only way to get you into a lot of doors in Los Angeles, Boone said.

“I was at a loss because I didn’t know many people and didn’t have the degree to put on my applications,” he said.

“Auditioning is a full-time job by itself. Since I couldn’t afford to aggressively keep going to auditions, I thought it would benefit me to go back to school.”

Boone enrolled at Oklahoma City Community College before transferring to OCU last semester.

“I’ve learned to let go of a lot of the guilt I had about starting college late,” he said. “I’m in my 30s now, and it’s hard to be involved, but I think I take school more seriously now.”

Outside of school and the hospital, Boone works full time at Downtown OKC Incorporated, a management group that advocates for the improvements of the districts that make up the greater downtown area. Boone said he works as a sort of mobile concierge, helping people with directions and recommendations in the downtown area.

Grace Babb, mass communications junior, said Boone works hard in and out of the classroom.

“He balances his job with school so well, even when it’s hard, and, on top of that, he volunteers,” she said. “I really

Submitted Nathan Boone, mass communications senior, edits programming for his shows that are aired weekly at the Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center. Boone has volunteered there for one and a half years.

don’t know how he manages to be so positive with all the stressful things he deals with, but he does.”

Boone will graduate in December and plans to move back to Los Angeles. He also hopes to work there this summer.

“I really want to get an internship with Conan. It’s the only one that’s not paid, but I think it’d give me the best experience,” he said. “I love working with children, but I also love entertainment. Ideally, I’ve always thought of myself as a sort of Mr. Rogers some day. I do enjoy a good cardigan.”

Boone said he is working on a reel in his free time to showcase his acting and directing skills.

“If anybody wants to collaborate on any videos, let me know,” he said. “I’d love to find a network of students that are trying to go to California.”

By Associate Editor Sage Tokach

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Elina Moon Student Publications

Take a stand Right: Katherine Metcalf, music theater senior, sings 21 Guns by Green Day at Art Against Gun Violence. Morgan Haney, music theater senior, organized the event as a way to take a stand against gun violence and raise money for Everytown, a non-profit organization that pushes for gun safety and control. They raised $113.

Above: Tyler Ronca, music theater senior; Eliza Hare, acting senior; Simón Gómez, music theater/composition freshman, and Andrea Amaro, acting senior, perform “The Wake” at Art Against Gun Violence on Friday on the quad. The event included performances of student written poems, short plays, songs, and pre-existing plays, including “Columbinus,” a play depicting the events of the Columbine High School Massacre, a 1999 school shooting carried out by two students in which 13 people were murdered.

Communications staff create new blog for collaboration Jessica Vanek

STAFF WRITER

Faculty, staff and students are working together on a newly-created blog.

NOVA, okcu.edu/main/ nova-okcu-blog, will discuss topical events happening in and outside of university activities.

NOVA started last month and is designed to connect former, current and prospective students with the university and the Oklahoma City area.

Kim Mizar, NOVA editor and communications coordinator, is in charge of the new site.

“This has been something we’ve wanted to do for awhile and felt that this was the right time,” she said.

Mizar said she wants the blog to improve OCU’s search engine optimization and work in tandem with the ongoing marketing efforts. Hopefully, the blog will catch current and prospective students’ attention, Mizar said.

“We will have a variety of contributors comprised of students, faculty and staff,” she said. “Some will contribute more than others.”

March 7, 2018

This has been something we've wanted to do for awhile and felt this was the right time.

Kim Mizar communications coordinator

The blog will allow prospective students to get an inside look at campus life by showing them the opinions of current students.

NOVA topics will range from activities on and off campus, such as community events, pop culture, student happenings, and campus life.

It also will advertise student productions and other alumni accomplishments.

NOVA will be managed in a “casual and conversational” way, according to okcu.edu/ main/nova-okcu-blog.

Blog writers already have posted about a selection of topics, including the best food in Oklahoma City, the first female OCU police chief and a spotlight piece on Sarah Jane Murray, theater alumna and

photographer.

Despite only being around for a month, the site has gained a lot of attention from students, including Megan Cheng, vocal performance freshman.

“NOVA is great because it keeps the students in touch with what’s going on in the university,” Cheng said. “They recently posted about good restaurants close to campus, and it was a lifesaver this weekend.”

Students can email nova@ m y. o k c u . e d u t o s u g g e s t any topics they’d like to see addressed on the blog.

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