DON’T BE A VICTIM: First Step, MSU and Sheppard AFB team up to educate campus about how to combat violence and abuse
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Wednesday n April 6, 2011
THE TOP DOG: The University of Connecticut’s men’s basketball team writes the end of Butler’s Cinderella story, 53-41
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GIRL TALK Successful women discuss their careers Chris Collins Managing Editor
It’s a small world
Photo courtesy
Local surgeon to speak at MSU on international charity work Chris Collins Managing Editor In war-torn 1960s Palestine, a boy was born with a congenital birth defect known as a cleft lip. As a young man, he was treated by an American surgeon who fixed it to where it was hardly noticeable. The man grew up, married and had children. His children had more children. His granddaughter was also born with a cleft lip, as the condition is hereditary. When the man decided to enlist the help of a plastic surgeon in Palestine to repair the child’s lip, he unknowingly went to the same doctor that had helped him years ago. The doctor was Eid B. Mustafa, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has a practice in Wichita Falls. Mustafa will speak Thursday at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU on his international volunteer work. For 23 years, the Palestinianborn American doctor has made annual trips to Palestine and other
countries, offering his services to the needy as part of the nonprofit organization Physicians for Peace. Back in Palestine, the man with the cleft lip did not recognize Mustafa, but Mustafa recognized him. For almost 20 years, the doctor had carried a photograph of that longago patient with him everywhere he went – he was one of the first people Mustafa helped as part of the program. “Having carried around that guy’s picture, I got his attention when I told him his name and the town he came from,” he said. “The world really is a small place.” This is just one unique experience Mustafa has collected in his travels around the world. He has met a former president of the United States, has been held at gunpoint by Israeli militants and has treated many severely burned and disfigured people – some from accidents, many from war. “It’s worth it,” he said. The doctor takes frequent medi-
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(Top) Dr. Eid Mustafa helping a child on a medical mission. (Below) Mustafa sits in the office of his Wichita Falls practice. (Photo by Hannah Hofmann)
Dominique Calhoun, director of multicultural services at MSU, knows firsthand how powerful women can be – he was brought up by a single mother who raised him while working a full-time job. So it’s no surprise that Calhoun hosted ‘It’s a Man’s World,’ a panel discussion that served as a tribute to professional women in Wichita Falls, last week. The event, which was part of Women’s History Month, was held in Clark Student Center Shawnee Theatre. Calhoun asked four successful women in the city to speak as part of the program March 29. MSU Provost Dr. Alisa White, Assistant Director of Student Development and Orientation Cammie Dean, Assitant professor of Counseling, Kinesiolog y and Special Education Dr. Julie Wood and United Regional CEO Phyllis Cowling. Each woman shared experiences in their professional careers that either Provost Alisa White. (Photo by challenged or Chris Collins) empowered them. Cammie Dean was the first African-American elected official in the county of Dubuque in Iowa. She said that when she ran for a seat on the school board, she never actually expected to win. Much to her surprise, she won the election over an incumbent and made history in the process. “When we talk about women’s history month it’s important to acknowledge that we have come a long way,” Dean said. “But it’s still difficult to make inroads.” The United States’ women’s rights is currently rated no. 90 in the world. “Women need to be stepping up to the table and making a stand,” she said. Dean stressed that the process of creating equal opportunities for men and women starts with students in a university setting. “This is where you cut your teeth and learn leadership skills,” she said. “It’s not enough to just go to class. There are all sorts of opportunities on this campus for you to develop the skills you need. Dr. Alisa White said that while she’s grateful for her administrative position with the university, ascending through the ranks was never easy. In fact, statistics show that it’s even hard for women to receive the title of full professor. Since the 1970s, women promoted to full pro-
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Variety entertainer has more than a few tricks up his sleeve Brittney Cottigingham Feautures Editor
The University Programming Board (UPB) brought in all-round entertainer, Brandon Styles, who amazed MSU students Tuesday night. There is one big difference between Brandon Styles, the performer, and Brandon Kraneberg, the man. Brandon Styles wows audiences with his “one-of-akind -show” a great blend of comedy, dance, impressions and award-winning magic. Brandon Kraneberg is the smart businessman behind the tricks and laughter, booking gig after gig around the country. Styles and Kraneberg are
one man trying to make his dreams of becoming a regular Las Vegas regular performer come true. Unique, variety and enjoyable are three words Styles said described his act. He is currently on tour performing at various colleges around the nation. “I like that students can be wild,” Styles said. “When they are interactive, I myself as the performer enjoy performing more. Younger ages sometimes don’t respect the talent as much as older ages; this is the only hard part.” From Grand Rapids, Mich., Styles has been performing on stage since the second grade, his first being impersonating Michael Jackson in full costume, moonwalk included. For this en-
tertainer, who has mastered more than 60 impressions, it is all about making people laugh and smile. “Singing impressions is a rare talent,” Styles said. “It’s not how many impression you can do it’s how many you can do well. I do love being a well-respected magician also, but my voice I think of as a magic trick itself.” The Michael Jackson impression took years to prefect, Styles said. That impression along with Janis Joplin is his favorites to perform. Jim Carrey, Chris Farley, Napoleon Dynamite and other stupid humor are what make Styles laugh. Sophomore Leslie Majors has seen Styles perform in the past and calls him “surprisingly
hilarious.” “It was totally not what I was expecting,” Majors said. “He surprises you because you see him on stage and you think ‘this kid won’t be funny’ and he is. These impressions are on point and I hope to see him again at Midwestern.” For students interested in careers in comedy, Styles advises them to be unique and the make all material original. “Don’t think you know it all,” Styles said. “Study the business and find good people who have been there and done it.” University Programming Board’s next event will be Game Night Thursday in the Clark Student Center at 7 p.m.
All-around entertainer Branson Styles shows off one of his unique magic tricks. (Photo by Hannah Hofmann)