March 8, 2023 v116 i20-24

THE CAMPUS

Freede Center gets new flooring, PA system

Winter freeze flooding damage under repair; athletic teams found new ‘homes’

Beth Woemmel NEWS EDITOR

Over the winter break, significant freeze-induced flooding occurred across the OCU campus, affecting Methodist Hall, Cokesbury Apartments, the School of Law, and Freede Wellness Center.

Due to the flooding in Freede, the flooring of all three basketball courts, as well as the PA system, had to be removed, with replacements now underway.

“The weather, the temperature, caused some pipes to freeze,” Director of Athletics Corey Bray said.

“So, we had a pipe that froze here in Freede. When it thawed, of course, it broke, and water came into the arena in one of the closets where the PA system components are housed.”

The water then flooded the arena as well as its subflooring, the foundation of the basketball court.

“There are 2.5 inches of flooring out there ... just under 30,000 square-foot flooring,” Bray said. “So, the water got on top and un-

derneath the floor.”

The water began to warp the wood, causing it to ripple, buckle and become uneven.

“You can sand a floor several times throughout its lifetime,” Bray said. “It didn’t have any more sands left in it to level it back out. So, the insurance adjuster totaled the floor. It’s been completely removed, and we’ll replace it.”

Beyond the floor and PA system, there were only minor damages throughout the building.

“There was some flooring in one of our coach’s offices: our head competitive cheerleading office,” Bray said.

“There was a sprinkler head that broke during the freeze and was dripping some water down on her flooring. Some of her flooring is getting replaced.”

Due to the damages to the floor, the athletic teams that practice in the gym have had to find different facilities to practice.

“The teams have been practicing all over the community,” Bray said.

FREEDE continues on Page 3

SSM Health, OCU announce nursing initiative

win-win endeavor.”

On Feb. 3, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital announced a fiveyear partnership with the OCU Kramer School of Nursing meant to address the local and national nurse shortage.

The program is called Saints and Stars, and will allow selected nursing students to work at SSM Health part-time while working on their degree, combining in-hospital practice with their lessons in class.

“As one of the nation’s leading nursing education programs, we are invested in helping address the nursing shortage,” OCU President Kenneth Evans said.

“Training and supporting the next generation of nurses while at the same time strengthening the workforce at SSM Health is truly a

Alongside their work in SSM Health, the chosen students are granted a $3,500 annual scholarship from SSM Health and a $5,000 annual discount from OCU.

“My mom actually works here so most of my tuition is already taken care of,” said junior Joy Warlick, a participant in the program.

“So, with the combination of that and this scholarship, I will have very little left to pay the school. That’ll be awesome.”

The students in Saints and Stars are all junior nursing majors chosen through an online application and interview, she said.

“The school reached out to me and then I applied, not thinking much of it,” Warlick said.

NURSING continues on Page 3

Library offers tutoring through Enhancement Center

The Learning Enhancement Center is a free tutoring service for undergraduate and graduate students located on the first floor of the Dulaney-Browne Library.

The LEC is staffed with peer educators, who are students that have taken classes and received recommendations from professors in the subject for which the student is tutoring.

They offer several subjects, including anatomy and physiology, chemistry, writing, calculus, college algebra, exercise science, music theory, and many other subjects.

Another service they offer is academic coaching, a resource for students who do not need subject help but assistance in balancing college life instead.

Academic coaches assist students in time management, scheduling, test prep, goal setting, motivation, etc.

The LEC program presently seeks to hire more peer educators.

Applicants must have a professor recommendation for the subject they wish to tutor.

Applications are available on the library website, as is a list of openings and a link to make an in-person or virtual appointment.

More information about the LEC program is available by contacting Laurel Newsom, lec@okcu.edu or 405-208-5953.

University names Shelley new dance executive director

Amanda Kohutek NEWS EDITOR

On Feb. 13, President Kenneth Evans announced that Melanie Shelley will take over as the executive director of the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment, after serving as interim dean over the program since the recent departure of Chair Jo Rowan and Dean John Bedford.

“Melanie has worked tirelessly to advance the Ann Lacy School

of American Dance and Entertainment forward into the next generation,” Evans said in an email sent to students, faculty, and staff.

“I am excited to see how she continues to position the school as the nation’s preeminent destination for dance students.”

Shelley has worked at OCU since 1987, serving as a costumer, choreographer, stage manager, and

company manager for the American Spirit Dance Company, an academic advisor, and then the dance school’s associate dean before taking her interim position over the school.

“The Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment is home to me, and the students and faculty are like family,” Shelley said. Her term as executive director

began March 1, where she’ll continue her work of guiding the dance program.

“As the university continues to emerge from the pandemic, Shelley has placed a focus on expanding performance and event management opportunities for students beyond traditional main-stage productions; developed a new leadership structure at the school to focus on increased collaboration; and overseen successful in-person auditions in October and January that now see

the dance school poised for one of its largest incoming classes to date,” the OCU Communications Office said in an email announcement.

Shelley has garnered multiple awards over the years, including OCU’s Exemplary Teacher of the Year, the Distinguished Service Award from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and Ann Lacy Dance school’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

DANCE continues on Page 3

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital President Tammy Powell, OCU President Kenneth Evans, Dean of the Kramer School of Nursing Gina Crawford, regional chief nursing officer at SSM Health Elain Richardson, and nursing student Joy Warlick speak at a press conference on Feb 3, announcing the new Saints and Stars program between OCU and SSM Health.

Shelley

Beth Woemmel Student Publications

Amanda Kohutek NEWS EDITOR

Ian Weston OCU Communications

Doha Hana MANAGING EDITOR

Akhilesh Karedla, a library student assistant, tutors another student in the Dulaney-Browne Library in 2015.

Ian Weston OCU Communications

Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute’ reveals cast’s talent

From Feb. 17-19, OCU Opera and Musical Theatre performed their first spring mainstage opera, “The Magic Flute” directed by Cynthia Stokes.

The opera is by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart from a libretto, a book of texts to be sung for a performance, by Emanuel Schikaneder. The show premiered on Sept. 30, 1791, just two months before Mozart died.

The opera follows Tamino, a prince, who is rescued from a monster by three unknown women. The women show Tamino the daughter of the Queen of the Night, Pamina, who he instantly falls in love with. They explain that Pamina has been captured by Sarastro and Tamino goes to rescue her with the help of a magic flute, magic bells, and Papageno, the reluctantly involved bird catcher.

Pamina was played by sophomore musical theatre and vocal

performance double major, Audrey Logan, who explained that “Pamina is the love interest of the protagonist, Prince Tamino.”

She went on to explain Pamina’s importance to the plot, saying that “with the help of Papageno, the bird catcher, Pamina is able to escape and meet Tamino, only to have him torn away from her. In order to be worthy of Pamina’s love, Tamino must undergo trials before the two can finally be together.”

“Tamino takes a vow of silence, but can’t tell Pamina it’s part of his trial. She becomes frantic that he no longer loves her and tries to end her life. Tamino’s vow of silence ends just in time to admit his true feelings for Pamina before it’s too late. And of course, the two live happily ever after,” Logan said.

Papagena, Papageno’s love interest, was played by freshman music theatre major, Lizzy Perrone, who described her as, “a sweet, spunky, level-headed, funny, young lady who desires true love and companionship.”

Perrone went on to say that “she is the perfect counter to Papageno in the way that she shares his humor and good nature, but she also adds balance to Papageno’s over-the-top, extroverted personality.

Perrone explained that the cast began rehearsals Jan. 12, meaning they only had just over a month to rehearse.

Perrone also explained that some of the biggest challenges she faced were the difficulty of the music, a want to perform well, and a mental block from a lack of mainstage experience as a freshman, but that, “the cast was extremely encouraging, and I had the coolest double, Camryn Creech, who helped me so much throughout the process,” she said.

Audrey Logan said that “the hardest part about Pamina was definitely the German. But it takes a village to put on a production of this caliber, and I truly experienced that on a personal level. With the help of some incredible professors, I was able to learn and perform the German in a little under two

months!”

Logan said that her favorite part of the opera was “the suicide quartet between Pamina and the three spirits.”

“That quartet was truly an emotional roller coaster, but I loved every second of it- especially the part when the spirits stop me from using the knife and inform me that Tamino does love me,” she said.

Lizzy Perrone said that her favorite part of the show was, “when Sarastro says ‘He [Monostatos] is more than a prince. He is a human being!” She went on to explain that “it might have to do with the fact that for some reason in rehearsals, that was a line that the cast continuously laughed at, so it may be because of the memory connected to it.”

Perrone said that her “moment of ‘Wow, OK, this is going to be really good’ was the first time I was called to a rehearsal with the full cast, and we ran through Act II.”

She explained that “since Papagena only really ever interacts with

Papageno and for such a limited time, I was called to very few rehearsals at the beginning and only ones that were with the actors playing Papageno.

“So, this rehearsal was really my first pieced together introduction to the cast and how the story of ‘The Magic Flute’ was being brought to live by our wonderful director, Cynthia Stokes,” she said.

Perrone said, “I had also never seen a majority of the cast perform, so it was super cool being introduced to a lot of the cast’s talent for the first time, and I mean obviously we’re at OCU, so everyone was impressive, but it was just that extra little thing of ‘Wow, I’m working with such a talented group of people who are just as passionate about this as I am,” she said.

Perrone explained that “I think that idea of all of us sharing the same passion of performing and storytelling is what ultimately brought the whole thing together.”

Continued at MEDIAOCU.COM

On Feb. 28, the four OCU choirs combined for their Winter Choral Concert, led by Dr. Randi Von Ellefson and Professor Tony Gonzalez with collaborative artists John L. Edwards, Jean Shackleton, and Donald Tullius.

The University Chorale started the concert with, “Even When He is Silent” by Kim Andre Arnesen, directed by student conductor Raeslyn Miller. They followed with the song, “I am Loved” by Christopher Harris, directed by student conductor Maddie Ferrara.

The University Chorale ended their portion of the concert with, “She Walks in Beauty” by Kevin Memley, directed by Professor Gonzalez.

The Ad Astra choir followed, beginning their section of the concert with, “God will Give Orders/Sweet Child” by Sarah Quartel. The song was directed by Dr. Ellefson and featured Christopher Delgado on cello, Nathan Rainey on djembe, and soloists Olivia Davis-Eagan, Asia Fleetwood, Catherine Schenk, Madi Spear, and Amelia Unger.

The choir continued with the song, “O Virtus Sapientiae” by Hildegard von Bingen.

The piece was arranged by Katerina Gimson and directed by Dr. Ellefson, and featured Alyssa Crowly, Meredith Dorbin, Katie Garthe, and Lianna Paglia as soloists.

The Ad Astra choir finished their piece of the concert with the song, “Whether the Weather” by Catherine Dalton, directed by Dr. Ellefson.

The University Singers were next up with, “My Flight for Heaven” by Blake Henson, directed by Professor Gonzalez.

Their second piece was, “I Carry Your Heart” by Connor Koppin, directed by student conductor Alexis Crist.

The University Singers ended their part of the concert with the piece, “The Music of Stillness” by Elaine Hagenberg, directed by Professor Gonzalez.

The Chamber Choir rounded out the concert, beginning with the piece “Ubi Caritas” by Ola Gjeilo, directed by Dr. Ellefson. Their next song was, “Sure on This Shining Night” by Morten Lauridsen, directed by graduate conducting associate Sam Brady.

The Chamber Choir ended the concert with the piece, “Chantez á Dieu (Psalm 96)” by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, directed by Dr. Ellefson.

Above, Troy Freeman, portraying Tamino, sits surrounded by the Knaben, portrayed by Anna Nash, Tionna Bell, and McKenna Byre in “The Magic Flute,” Feb. 15. “The Magic Flute” was the first School of Music mainstage this semester and ran Feb. 17-19. At right, Freeman as Tamino lies on the floor during the opera. “The Magic Flute” was the second mainstage opera of the 2022-23 school year for the Bass School of Music and was guest directed by

Cynthia Stokes.

William Peetoom ARTS EDITOR

William Peetoom ARTS EDITOR

William Peetoom Student Publications

Graham Darnell

Library announces new text notification system, loaner laptops

Beth Woemmel NEWS EDITOR

The Dulaney-Browne Library is implementing new services this semester for students to utilize.

“You can opt-in to text notifications from the Dulaney-Browne Library’s circulation system,” Stu-

NURSING

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“I was really excited whenever I got it, though I didn’t know what all of it entailed at first.”

The first group of students were hired as of January, with their first shifts beginning in February, and 20 more juniors will be chosen to join each year for the next four years in a similar manner.

“It’s been really cool to

FREEDE

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dent Affairs announced Jan. 18.

Opting-in to the text notifications will allow alerts and messages from the library circulation system to be sent directly to students’ phones.

“Please note that switching to texts means you will not receive email notifications; it is one or the

be connected to other classmates through that program,” Warlick said.

“I didn’t really know anybody in that class until I met them there.”

Opposite of those 20 students, up to two employees of SSM Health will be given the opportunity to enroll in OCU’s Master of Science in Nursing Education program.

“We are proud to continue the tradition of collaboration between OCU and

“Bishop McGuiness High School and the Ann Lacy School of Dance here on campus, and Oklahoma Athletic Center are kind of our three main spots where five teams are practicing for the rest of their seasons.”

Oklahoma Christian University, Redland’s Community College, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Baptist Uni-

DANCE

Continued from Page 1

“I embrace the awesome responsibility of providing a world-class experience to our students – one that prepares them for future success and

other,” Student Affairs announced.

Students can sign-up for notifications through the link provided in the email.

“Several low-use specialized spaces have been converted to small group study rooms,” Student Affairs announced.

Students are now able to reserve

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital,” nursing Dean Gina Crawford said.

OCU and SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital have partnered many times over the years, creating a partnered X-ray technician program in 1959, a bachelor’s degree program in 1981, and now, the new Saints and Stars program.

“We are very excited to be able to offer additional support to our students and to continue to build on the

versity hosted the men’s and women’s basketball games.

Brinks Junior High hosted a cheer and dance competition on Jan. 27, and Westmoore High School hosted a men’s and women’s wrestling duel as well.

“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to our student athlete coaches for the positive attitude that they have taken during this time,” Bray said.

“They’ve been very flexible in where they practice and using their resources within the community to

versatility in the entertainment industry while celebrating their talent, diversity and individualism,” Shelley said.

In fall of 2022 as interim dean, Shelley founded Ann Lacy School’s partnership with Stagestep Flooring Solu-

any of the 10 study group rooms, as well as any other individual study rooms or specialized spaces, using the second link provided in the email.

“Four new Surface Pro 7 with keyboards and cases are coming soon,” Student Affairs announced.

“These computers will [be able

high-quality education at Kramer School of Nursing,” Crawford said.

“This partnership will assist in building a more robust nursing workforce in Oklahoma.”

The participating students are provided with many different opportunities to learn by both watching and doing at SSM Health Warlick said.

“There’s a lot of opportunity with having the nurse mentor, this part-time job in

find individuals and entities that are willing to help us out during this time. Thankfully, we’ve got a lot of those.”

Bray said he hopes the repairs will be complete by mid-April, allowing athletes to finish their seasons out on their home turf.

“We’ve got some events here in April that we’d like to host in Freede and graduation, of course, in May,” Bray said.

Despite the uncertainty, updates are to come alongside the re-

tions; the brand becoming the official tap board provider of the school and giving 100 OCU dance students the chance to tap dance in a promotional video for the company filmed in front of the OCU Administration building.

to be checked] out for 7 days and will offer a great option to try out the technology or to replace your personal laptop while it is out of service.”

These added services will allow the library and technology to become more accessible for students, according to the library.

a hospital, and a lot of cool leadership opportunities,” Warlick said.

“It’ll be really awesome to already have experience once I graduate and be able to shadow a nurse in addition to clinical time.”

The students will be able to see a wide variety of jobs within the nursing degree at SSM Health over their time in the program.

“The main thing I’m excited for is that I’m going to be floating, so I won’t be

pairs. Bray says the PA system will receive updated components.

“Some [new] components [will] be helpful for not just our athletic events but other events that are housed in the Freede Wellness Center,” Bray said.

“Then, the subflooring in the floor will be consistent across all three courts. We had different subflooring on two of the three courts, so it’ll have more of a consistent play across the three courts.”

The main court’s insignia will

Around the same time, Shelley also collaborated with OCU’s Physical Therapy Program to provide incoming dance students with medical referrals and physical therapy exercises as needed, tracking them as a part of an injury prevention study.

assigned to a specific department,” Warlick said. “I want to be a labor and delivery nurse, but I’ll also be able to tell if there’s any other specialty that I’m interested in.”

“Over these five years, Saints and Stars will not only provide support for the nurse shortage in local hospitals but create excitement for young nursing students on their way to a future in the medical field,” Warlick said.

also receive some updates.

“The design of the main floor, where we play basketball and volleyball, will be similar, but some tweaks in it [will] modernize and update [the] branding and logos,” Bray said.

“They’re doing some updates to that design of the wood floors [too].”

The repairs and updates will cost though, with the flooring costing approximately $380,000 and the new PA system about $40,000.

“I am so honored and blessed, and I thank you all so much,” Shelley said to dance students and faculty in a video posted to the dance school’s Instagram page announcing her new position on Feb. 14.

Shelley’s experience in the arts, administration, production management, instruction, and performance will help her continue the legacy of Ann Lacy School years into the future, the OKCU Dance Instagram page said.

MARCH 12-18, 2023

Gender gap remains

March 8 is International Women’s Day.

It’s a worldwide celebration of women’s achievements and triumphs throughout history.

This year’s theme is “Embrace Equity.”

Equity is the idea of giving people opportunities and resources based off their individual needs, rather than giving everyone the exact same things.

International Women’s Day was first celebrated in 1911 with more than one million people campaigning for women’s rights in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria. March 8th was decided to be the official date in 1914. The United Nations officially adopted the holiday in 1975.

We’ve progressed so much since the first celebration over a century ago, but there’s still more progress to be made.

The 2022 World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report noted that no countries have completely closed their gender gap, with Iceland closest at 90.8%.

The United States stands in 27th with 76.9%.

The gender gap measures progress toward gender quality across 4 dimensions: economic opportunity, education, health, and political leadership.

It’s more important than ever to champion women’s rights worldwide.

Social media gives us the world at our fingertips, and we can use that power to spread information and increase awareness of the ongoing gender inequality worldwide.

Don’t let women’s oppression continue to be swept under the rug.

If you think one person won’t change anything, remember that there’s power in numbers.

Half of the world’s population is still facing oppression. Isn’t that something to be angry about?

VIEWPOINTS

Celebrate these five extraordinary women

Happy Women’s History Month!

Today we celebrate five extraordinary women that have helped shaped the world today:

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an American lawyer and jurist who served as an associate of the Supreme Court from 1993 to her death in 2020.

She was only the second woman to serve on the US Supreme Court.

Born into an observant Jewish family, she regularly attended synagogue and participated in Jewish traditions.

She attended Cornell University on a full scholarship where she was inspired to pursue a career in law.

Ginsburg then studied at Harvard Law School, finishing her degree at Columbia University.

Despite her excellent credentials, she struggled to find employment as a lawyer because of her gender and the fact that she was a mother.

Only a small percentage of women had gone on to be lawyers, and only two had ever served as federal judges.

Despite this, she went on to become a leading figure in gender-discrimination litigation.

She was nominated by Bill Clinton to the Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice Byron White and became known for her outspokenness and being a trailblazer for women’s rights.

Mary McMillan

Best known as the “Mother of Physical Therapy”, Mary McMillan is credited with immense contributions during World War 1 that paved the way for the future of physical therapists.

Mary obtained extensive training in modern physical therapy practices in Europe which she used to treat children with polio in the US and used those same skills to rehabilitate injured soldiers during the war.

Following the war, McMillan and her colleagues formed the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association (AWPTA) to build on the momentum of the war and preserve the resources developed.

McMillan was elected to serve as the first president of the organization where she promised to do everything

in her power “to live up to the trust and confidence” that was placed in her by her election.

Martha Graham

Martha Graham is known for being one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century. She helped lead the American modern dance revolution, breaking from the traditions of classical ballet and working to “reveal the inner man”.

After her family settled in Santa Barbara, California in 1909, she discovered the rhythm of the sea and became acquainted with Asian art which influenced her choreography throughout her career.

She was introduced to a repertory and curriculum that explored the world’s dances such as folk, classical and experimental.

Graham made her New York City debut as an independent artist in 1926 where the critics found her graceful and lyrical. That changed in 1927, and for the next decade and furthermore, when the startingly original dances she performed were referred to as ugly, stark, and obscure.

Despite being revered as unsettling, her dance form has grown and is now one of the leading and significant alternatives to the idiom of classical ballet.

Oprah Winfrey

Many know her as the actress and talk show host, but Oprah Winfrey is much more than that.

Oprah is the founder of her production company Harpo, Inc., which produces media concentrating on topics that can help people improve their lives.

Shows focus on subjects ranging from battered women and alcoholism, to building relationships with family members. Her most successful and popular enterprise was “The Oprah Winfrey Show” which ran for 25 seasons and was named the longest-running daytime talk show in history. She has used her success to create unparalleled connections with people all around the world.

Today, because of her accomplishments as a global leader and philanthropist, she is a widely respected and admired public figure.

Mary Eliza Mahoney

Mary Eliza Mahoney was one of the first African American nurses to work in US hospitals. She was born to freed slaves and was determined to build a good life for herself.

She was drawn to healthcare from a young age and worked as a cook, janitor, washwoman, and nursing aid for 15 years before beginning a nursing education.

She joined a 16-month nursing course and graduated the next year as one of the only four out of 43 students that passed to graduate. During her time as a student, she provided nursing care, attended lectures, and studied the different aspects of surgical, medical, and maternity wards.

She even worked as a private duty nurse for four months of her training. Her reputation as a good nurse grew exponentially throughout Massachusetts and soon, she received requests for her nursing help from all over America.

Mariah Hunt Life Writer

Disasters can mean phishing for ‘donations’

Last month, two devastating earthquakes occurred in Turkey and Syria.

Unfortunately, cybercriminals often use crises to get your attention and manipulate your emotions.

Cybercriminals have already

begun exploiting this event to try to scam you and steal your sensitive information.

In the coming weeks, we expect to see an influx of phishing attacks referencing this recent event.

Cybercriminals may send

phishing emails with links asking you to donate money or view “exclusive” videos relating to this news.

Clicking these links could allow these cybercriminals to steal your sensitive information or install malware on your device.

Follow the tips below to stay safe from these types of scams:

• Avoid making donations to unknown users.

If you would like to donate to support a cause, donate directly through a trusted organization’s website.

Let your voice be heard ...

• Think before you click. Cyberattacks are designed to catch you off guard and trigger you to click impulsively.

• Stay informed by following trusted news sources.

If you see a sensational headline, research the news story to verify that it’s legitimate.

THE CAMPUS

Editor-in-Chief: Natalie Turner

Managing Editor: Doha Hana

News Editors: Bethany Woemmel and Amanda Kohutek

Arts

OCU celebrates Black History Month Events included steps, movie nights, panel discussion, kickback

Last week marked the end of Black History Month, a nationally recognized celebration that pays tribute to the contributions of generations of African Americans and Black individuals despite the adversity they face in American society.

First celebrated as only a weeklong endeavor in 1926, Black History Month reached its current duration in 1976, and since then it has been celebrated in a plethora of educational, informative, and simply fun ways.

RELIGIOUS LIFE

• March 8: International

Women’s Day; ODEI International Women’s Day Movie Night

• March 13: Spring break begins

• March 17: St. Patrick’s Day; spring break ends

• March 22: Ramadan begins

• March 23: SAC Spring Picnic; ODEI Disabilities

Month presentation

• March 27:

2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Week begins; SAC Pride Trivia

• March 28: ODEI

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women panel; International Culture Fair; SAC Plants for Pride and Rock Painting

• March 29: Pride

Movie Night

• March 30: SAC

Drag Bingo

• March 31: Trans Day of Visibility

Jamison Ko Life Editor jtko@my.okcu.edu

OCU hosted events all month long to encourage and celebrate the beauty that is Black culture. Events spanned from one-night events to all-month-long activities and were put on by a variety of organizations.

Housing and Residence Life partnered with the Student Government Association to host a steps challenge for the month of February.

The goal was for the OCU community to complete 108,000 steps, the equivalent of the 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, over the month of February. All who showed proof

of completion were entered into a drawing for a prize.

The Black Student Association also celebrated through weekly movie nights. Every Sunday, BSA showed a film with relevance to the Black community.

In a partnership with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, BSA hosted “Reflections on the OKC Sit-In Movement,” a panel featuring guests Joyce Henderson, Marilyn Luper Hildreth, and Joyce Jackson.

They also screened “Children of the Civil Rights,” a documentary which tells the story of the young

people who helped desegregate nearly every restaurant in Oklahoma City.

The DEI office also featured staff and faculty luminaries on their social media throughout the month, while the cafeteria used its TV screens to highlight important black cultural figures and OCU dining staff.

The final event of Black History Month was the Kickback, held in the Great Hall.

This event invited students and staff for community building and a good time, all while styling in their cleanest kicks.

Ash Wednesday activites open Lent Season continues with Thursday-morning

Mariah Hunt STAFF WRITER

March 22 was Ash Wednesday, meaning that the Lenten season is upon us!

Lent is a 40-day season celebrated by many Christians to spiritually prepare for the coming of Jesus on Easter.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this liturgical season known for its fasting and almsgiving.

Campus Religious Life sponsored a series of events that took place on Ash Wednesday to

allow students to prepare more fully for the Lenten season.

Starting at 7:15 a.m., students were invited to the Chapel to walk through the various prayer stations and receive ashes as Bailey Stephenson played the harp.

At 11:30 a.m., there was a station outside the Caf for people to walk by and receive ashes. Ashes are placed on the forehead in the shape of a cross to remind of the solemn Christian teaching of mortality.

They are usually accompanied by some version of the

small groups in chapel

phrase, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return.”

The final event of the day took place at Wesley UMC at 6 p.m. This event was a combined Ash Wednesday Service with scripture, prayer, the imposition of ashes, and a sermon by the Rev. Aly Shahan.

Continuing to encourage faith in students this Lenten season, the Wesley Center will be hosting a Lent-focused small group, open to all, every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. in the lower level of the chapel.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Weapons cache found on campus

Did you know?

Feb 11, 1929: Angered students nearly staged a walkout after finding out their first-semester grades were reduced by “too many cuts”.

A good number of these students had apparently thought that they had passed only to find failures on their cards due to excessive absences.

Feb 21, 1930: Instruments of warfare (the armory of Battery F of 189. FA) were found on campus covered in dust.

Feb 13, 1931: OCU added a night school enrollment program to its regular curriculum in several faculties.

Feb 27, 1931: The Campus newspaper welcomed nominations from students in the following entries for both girls and boys - most conceited, peppiest, dumbest, smartest, unpopular, popular, best griper, etc.

Feb 21, 1947: Game Nights during Leap Week activities gave girls the chance to entertain at the OCU allschool party and a musical concert.

Students participated in the events in the Grotto room of the municipal auditorium from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. There was free food and fun games such as bingo, disc golf, corn hole, cards, OCU choir orchestra, and board games with plenty of prizes to win!

Jake Adebayo Tech Archivist

Dr. Talia Carroll, university vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, poses at the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion table at the ‘Reflections on OKC Sit-Ins’ panel discussion Feb. 16. The panel welcomed local guest civil rights activists to share their stories as a part of the university’s Black History Month programming.

Deserail Rose Student Publications

Jamison Ko LIFE EDITOR

The Rev. Aly Shahan, director of University-Church Relations and Religious Life, distributes ashes outside the Cafeteria Feb. 22, 2023. This practice is done to celebrate Ash Wednesday, where ashes are worn on the forehead of worshippers to symbolize their morality and prepare for the Lenten season.

Jamison Ko Student Publications

sports

Seniors bid farewell as 2022-23 season ends

OBU hosts senior night; both SAC tourney bids end short of championship game

Kori

Guest

Favorite player?

Lebron James

Major?

Criminal Justice

Quote you live by?

“Don’t let home interfere with your work; and don’t let work interfere with your home”

What you will miss most about OCU basketball?

Seeing my teammates and coaches every day

Plans after college?

Professional basketball overseas or start my law enforcement career

Kelsi Fitzgerald

Favorite player?

Russell Westbrook

Major?

History education

Quote you live by?

“Always show up.

You never know what blessing you could be to someone else”

What you will miss most about OCU basketball? My teammates

Plans after college?

Become a teacher and someday athletic director

Fiona Wilson

Favorite player?

Amiya Howard, OCU Major?

Human Performance

Quote you live by?

“Look good, feel good, play good”

What you will miss most about OCU basketball? Seeing my best friends every day

Plans after college? Get married and attend physical therapy school

Annilia Dawn

Favorite player?

Derrick Rose (male)

Sydney McLaughlin (female)

Major?

Criminal Justice

Quote you live by?

“Don’t be afraid to be great”

What you will miss most about OCU basketball? Relationships that have been built

Plans after college?

Practice sports psychology and mentor young teens through a non-profit organization

Dadrian Hoambrecker

Favorite player? Kevin Durant Major? Marketing

Quote you live by?

“Nobody cares; go to work”

What you will miss most about OCU basketball? The people and the free food

Plans after college? My plans are not set

Above, forward Fiona Wilson warms up during halftime of her Senior Night game Feb.

16. Top, seniors Dadrian Hoambrecker, Kori Guest, Zach Lerblance and Dravon Clayborn display their portraits at center court during a pregame ceremony. At right, above, his players surprised Head Coach Mark Berokoff with a game ball marking his 400th career coaching win. At right, guard Annilia Dawn seals a lane during her final home game.

Deserail Rose Student Publications