Wichitan — Summer 2017

Summer 2017 | Midwestern State University | thewichitan.com | Your Campus. Your News. | Special Issue

PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARQUART | THE WICHITAN

PHOTO BY KAYLA WHITE | THE WICHITAN

Adam Magee, music sophomore, pracPHOTO BY IZZIEL LATOUR | THE WICHITAN Addison Cassady, marketing freshman, tices trombone on the field during band Mustang Maniacs members hold up our sign during the Homecoming football game against UTPB tossing a beanbag at the Chi Omega practice Aug. 24. where we won 76-21 at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 29. beanbag toss on Aug 23rd.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB Education more than just going to class SARAH GRAVES, REPORTER

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hether it’s joining the Student Government Association or writing for The Wichitan, students can get involved in one or more of the 95 registered campus groups. The organizations allow students to get involved and interact within the campus to enhance their college experience.

“One of the single most important things a new student on campus can do is get involved, to plug themselves into the university and get engaged,” Keith Lamb, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, said.

Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Matthew Park said he believes getting involved with campus organizations is important because it increases the likelihood of success in and out of the classroom.

“Students that are getting involved are becoming greater connected to and engaged within the university community.

Because of that engagement and connection, they are graduating faster with higher GPAs. They are also more involved as alumni. After the fact, they report a better quality of experience during their education and report they had a lot more fun while going to school,” Park said.

Mario Ramirez, assistant director of student development and orientation, said he agreeds with Park.

“It’s highly important to get involved.

There are tons of studies that show students that are involved are most likely to get a higher GPA and be more successful in college and their career over students who are not involved,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez said the involvement will

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academic organizations

club sports

cultural organizations

Greek chapters

help students with their future careers and other future endeavors.

“We [the office of student development and orientation] highly encourage students to be involved because it brings them out to do something other than laying in their room or watching tv in the room,” Ramirez said. “We promote involvement because not only are you increasing your connections and networking, you are gaining skills as a student leader in your organization. You are exposed to meeting other people from diverse backgrounds. I believe being involved can really help you become a very well-rounded student and individual. In the future, this will definitely help you with your career.”

Students can choose any group to fit their needs for camaraderie and learning

BY THE NUMBERS

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hobbies and sports

16

honorary organizations

5 religious organizations

new skills. Though Park said finding their place isn’t always extremely easy.

“Students do have to take a little bit of risk in that they have to put themselves out there. The opportunities are heavily present, but they will not simply fall into someone’s lap. Students have to be willing to explore to experience something different, and probably with people they have never met before. But the idea is this notion of commonality, or shared interest, which can then bring people together,” Park said.

Ramirez recommends curious students to search the website to discover the many opportunities offered on campus and attend events. However if a student has an idea of a new organization not on campus already, they can talk to the office

see CLUBS pg. 2

15 special interest

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student governance

university committees

2 | Summer 2017 |

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY MAKAYLA BURNHAM, BRADLEY WILSON, IZZIEL LATOUR, RUTTH MERCADO| THE WICHITAN

Members of Gamma Phi Beta and Tau Kappa Epsilon participate in the Homecoming float competition on Oct. 28. | Marcus Vougan, business management senior, makes a blueberry snocone at the Roundup Olympics on the Quad Aug. 24. | With friends on the orange team, Orlando Espinoza, psychology freshman, builds a structure on the Quad as part of Roundup Olympics. | University President Suzanne Shipley posses with Maverick and students a part of mustang maniacsd at a football game. from CLUBS pg. 1 of student development and orientation to start a club of their own.

Students must also realize how much time an organization can take.

Joining too many clubs can cause students to be overwhelmed, and their grades can suffer.

Lamb said, “Students can learn many things from being involved.

They learn time management which is really important because you don’t want to overextend yourself. You learn how to pace yourself.”

Each semester students participate in rush week to join one of the 16 fraternities and sororities on campus to find their niche.

Sydney Jongewaard, marketing ju-

wichitan

the

Vol. 81 | Summer Edition

Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room B103 3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 • wichitan@mwsu.edu thewichitan.com • @wichitanonline

nior and Gamma Phi Beta president, said, “I was really involved in my high school, so I knew I couldn’t just go to class for college. In fall of 2014, I came here knowing only one person.

I joined Gamma Phi Beta, and it gave me a sense of belonging here.”

In addition to the organizations, students can also choose to get involved with the work-study program on campus. Departments around campus such as the Moffett Library employ students for up to 20 hours a week. Students workers can earn money and help pay for college expenses.

Shannon Miles, nursing senior, has worked at Moffett Library for the past three years.

“I really enjoy working at the li-

brary. They are flexible and schedule around my class times each semester,” Miles said. “It’s convenient since it’s on campus too.”

For some students, working while earning their degree is optional, while others need a job to pay bills and expenses. The work-study program allows students to make money while still sustaining their grades.

Other students spend their free time competing in one or more of the 18 different recreational sports offered on campus this fall and spring.

Reagan Bates, marketing junior, said he has played on recreational basketball, football and volleyball teams.

“I got into rec sports because a lot of the guys from surrounding towns

started a team and asked me to join.

It’s always fun to play on the same team with people I competed against in high school,” Bates said. “Plus, I’ve made several new friends while playing.”

The experiences and friendships made outside the classroom, in addition to work in class, can impact students for the rest of their lives.

Miles said, “Being a member of Gamma Phi Beta, working in the library and studying abroad in London, made my college experience memorable. Without these things, I wouldn’t have truly experienced college. There is so much more to college than going to class. It’s the experiences and lessons learned here that will shape the rest of my life.”

EDITOR: Joanna Gartman

Copyright ©2017.

DESIGN EDITOR: Justin Marquart

The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication.

COPY EDITOR: Leah Bryce PHOTOGRAPHERS: Izziel Latour, Makayla Burnham,

Justin Marquart, Bradley Wilson, Rutth Mercado, Lauren Roberts, Arianna Davis

ISSUE STAFF: Sarah Graves, Dakota Mize, Vincent Lusk,

Emily Richburg, Herbert McCullough, Ryane Hatten, Mercy Yermo, Zoie Flores, Cooper Miller, Cortney Wood, Abby Jetton, Caleb Martin, Greta Lazzarotto

ADVISER: Bradley Wilson

Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University.

The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief (250 words or fewer) and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a email address, telephone number and address.

4 | Summer 2017 |

MSU phasing in brand extension C

DAKOTA MIZE, REPORTER

onfusion over MSU’s location will be settled when a new brand extension is implemented over the next two years.

Julie Gaynor, director of marketing and public information, said, “About 2013, we brought back the tower to Midwestern State and we sim-

Official logo approved as part of the 2013 rebranding. It is now used on the website, business cards, letterhead and other official MSU communication.

plified it, but it wasn’t a new logo. It was just a cleaned up version of an older logo. In 2006 we had a mascot change, so we brought in the mustangs logo. We’ve always had the athletic logo, which are the big letters. That’s been with athletics for a long time.”

An outside firm was hired in 2017, at a cost of $100,000, to create a comprehensive capital campaign including a new logo. This logo, initially, will only be used in association with the capital campaign.

A modification of the graphic standards established and approved by the Board in 2013, this MSU Texas will initially only be seen in association with the satellite campuses in the Fort Worth area.

Gaynor said the university is not going through a name change, and it is not necessarily going through a logo change.

“What it is is just an extension of our brand,” Gaynor said.

The athletic logo is used to promote our athletics program.

While it is the primary mark for athletics, it has also been widely used in the community.

The institutional mark is to be used by all academic and administrative units in their official communications.

The university seal is a restricted use mark for special uses only. It denotes the president’s approval. It is most commonly used by the board of regents and the president’s office.

It’s more than just a color EMILY RICHBURG, 2015 STAFF MEMBER | ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY DANIEL LAUDERMILK

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uring football games students wave flags and paint their bodies with school colors. The Alma Mater proudly touts the maroon and gold. In the fall of 2015, to ensure consistency as part of the university’s graphic, the maroon has shifted to more of a red color, returning to the official color adopted in 1987.

A look into the bookstore located in the student center shows the new color being used. From shirts to souvenir cups, the new maroon is proudly displayed.

“The new products are not really red,” said Jenny Denning, bookstore manager. “It is just a different shade of maroon.”

Denning added that the reason for the change in color had to do with the school becoming licensed.

The University entered an agreement with Learfield Licensing Partners to become the official licensing agency for our campus. Licensing is granting permission to use intellectual property rights.

Administrators said they believe using Learfield guarantees: • Added protection to the brand

• Consistency of school logos and Color Chart, is 202C. colors “We would look around and see all • Additional opportunities for promothe different colors that were being used tion and saw it as a dilemma. We went back • Additional revenue stream and forth for a long time trying to see The benefits to licensing include pro- which color would represent who we tection of our brand, consistency of lo- are,” Gaynor said. gos and colors and revenue stream.

Gaynor said each company that they The additional reveordered products from nue could come from a 10 had a different idea of percent royalties charge what the color maroon for any outside vendor was. using the official school Students display diflogo and colors on merferent viewpoints on the chandise. shift of maroon.

Even though the li"It's pretty trivial and censing agreement has irrelevant to be honbenefits, there have been est," said Brandon AlJULIE GAYNOR some issues regarding usDIRECTOR OF MARKETING len, junior mechanical ing local vendors. In orengineering. "No one is der to use local vendors, going to notice the slight difference in the vendors themselves are officially lichange." censed.

“If they’re planning on making that Julie Gaynor, director of marketing and public information, said, “It is the weird ketchup, red color our new mafirst time in a long time we are becoming roon, we’re going to look like a bunch of our true color.” Gaynor also explained hotdogs when they add it to the gold,” that Midwestern’s maroon color, ac- Kenadi Campbell, computer science cording the Pantone Matching System sophomore said.

“It is the first time in a long time we are becoming our true color.”

MSU Gold

MSU Maroon

FLASHBACK TO 1987 The Colors Committee suggested that the University adopt the following ink colors as guidelines for all campuswide print publications.

• Pantone 124C Gold and Pantone 202C Maroon for slick paper finishes; • Pantone 124U Gold along with Pantone 201U Maroon for flat (or dull) finishes.

The printer must show evidence that the above colors can be duplicated on any paper chosen. In instances in which fabrics are chosen, and it is impossible to exactly duplicate the above colors, efforts will be made to replicate as closely as possible, those colors (chosen above) by the Colors Committee.

| Summer 2017 | 5

Greek Life, more than what you think VINCENT LUSK, REPORTER

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reek life is so much more than you think. Greek life is so much more than Hollywood thinks. Greek life is so much more than the normal person thinks.

“Greek life to me is a way to be apart of something, a brotherhood.

Whenever I came into college, I had no intentions on rushing, but these guys came and sought me out and it was cool because they expressed interest in me and wanting to become my friend,” Taylor Thornton, marketing sophomore and president of Kappa Sigma. “And as you find out more about the fraternity you build lifelong connections and learn the history.”

Greek life means more than just partying or just living a crazy college lifestyle. Greek life offers students an opportunity to learn value, lessons, and opportunities.

“For me, I’ve found some of my best friends through Greek life, guys who will be standing next to me at

my wedding. It has also given me the opportunity to become a leader, and to learn more about how to excel at life, and you learn how to manage school and be social, and those lessons have shaped the person I am today,” Thornton said.

Greek life is not for everyone, some people will drop out, and some are reluctant to pull the trigger. Some current members of fraternities were not sure they wanted to join a fraternity, but are glad they joined.

“I was always super hesitant about it, and didn’t think I would join a fraternity, but I met the people and became friends with them, and I really liked some of the guys.

But honestly the most important reason I joined was resume building. There is a huge network with Greek life, and I think it will help my future when looking for a job,” Jackson Simmons, biology and chemistry junior and Sigma Alpha Epsilon member, said.

The Inter-Fraternity Council holds formal rush each semester, where potential new members can sign up to join a fraternity or sorority. Greek life often has a stigma that education is not important and comes second to partying. However, greek life has increases the education quality for its members.

“Greek life holds you accountable. We have grades that we have to meet with the school, but as an individual chapter, we have grades that we want our members to make each semester,” Thornton said.

Each fraternity and sorority has set up study hours as well as tutoring for members to exceed in the classroom. If you do not meet grade standards, the fraternity will drop you.

“I have always valued education, being a biology and chemistry major, education has always been important to me. To me education is first before the fraternity,” Simmons said.

MSU: Texas’ only public liberal arts school HERBERT McCULLOUGH, REPORTER

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n 1987, Midwestern State University joined the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, making MSU the only public liberal arts schools in Texas.

“COPLAC accepts one representative from each state,” James Johnson, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “If you are that representative and meet the criteria, you are a member. That was our work that predated me.”

Johnson said that COPLAC is an organization of public liberal arts universities that promotes the ideals of a liberal arts education.

“As members of that organization, we have an opportunity to meet and share best practices and research related to delivering education,” Johnson said. “We try to keep classes small in order for faculty members and students to build that personal relationship, personal touch, personal experience so students can know their professors.”

Gayonne Beavers, director of office admissions explained what separates MSU as a public liberal arts institution compared to other

private liberal arts institutions. As a public liberal arts institution, she said that MSU is much more affordable than many private liberal arts institutions in Texas and the United States.

“Typically liberal arts institutions are historically private,” Beaver said. “Whenever you go to a private institution, there is also private tuition. In order to get a liberal arts education, you need to go to a private institution which will be a lot more expensive for the student.

But because we are a public liberal arts university, the only one in the State of Texas, we are able to offer students a private school experience at a public university cost.”

One of the first questions Beaver is asked by students and their families is what are the majors MSU has to offer as a public liberal arts institution. Many students are surprised by the large variety of majors available at MSU. “Typically a liberal arts institution has a limited number of majors,” Beaver said. “The

see LIBERAL pg. 6

In Greek life, education comes first. Greek life has many preconceived notions. Greek life teaches members how to function in and run a business.

“Greek life is a business and you have to run the business and you have to run the parts of it and do it right,” Riley Carr, nursing sophomore, and Sigma Nu president, said.

Greek life is a social club that members say teaches them how to talk to people.

“We are a social organization, so we have to be actively social, and being able to find small things with people in common to build connections with people is important and can help you with any area in life,” Carr said.

Philanthropy is another important aspect of the fraternities and sororities. The fraternities have community service programs where they have raised money to fight child abuse, raise money for the homeless, as well as collect clothes

for donation.

“I know for a fact SAE advocates for community service, we raised money for Patsy’s house, we’re always building shelters, and walking dogs, whatever it is we want to help the community,” Simmons said.

Greek life also grants members unique experiences not found else where. For many of the members of the fraternities and sororities, joining Greek life made the transition from high school to college smoother.

“Coming in as a freshman I didn’t know many people, and I wanted to make friends. Rushing and joining Kappa Sigma for me helped me find myself and who I was,” Thornton said.

Joining a fraternity or sorority is not free. However, prices vary with each greek chapter and the fees go back into the fraternity or sorority programs.

6 | Summer 2017 | from LIBERAL pg. 5 thing that makes MSU unique is that we have branched out the typical liberal arts concept and we are offering majors like health services and engineering which are typically not within liberal arts majors.”

Brandy Jolliff Scott, assistant professor, said that liberal arts are the collection of fields of study that includes a wide variety of academic majors that emphasizes traditional intellectual fields. “When you hear the term liberal arts or liberal arts degree it is someone who has a fairly broad education and a wide range of topics like English, math, literature, history, politics, and science,” Scott said. “So it kind of that collection of fields of study.”

Johnson said the most popular common misconception of a public liberal arts institution stems from the word ‘liberal.’ He said many people are far too familiar with the political terminology instead of the definition of the word itself.

“Unfortunately, the first confusion is using the word liberal,” Johnson said. “More are familiar with the political context or the political views. The origin of the word goes back to freedom and it is intended to be a broad base exposure to a variety of subjects.”

Johnson said the second most common misconception about a public liberal arts institution is that it only limited to specific majors such as those found in fine arts and social sciences.

“Liberal arts is truly a philosophy that can be reused a crossed all disciplines,” Johnson said. “There are certainly strong professional programs in liberal arts universities and here.

It is a combination of philosophy and different opinions, not just about art, music, history, writing or literature; it is that and it is a philosophy of approaching education.”

Jolliff Scott said the most common misperception many students have with the field of liberal arts is that it limits employment opportunities. She said having a liberal arts degree is one of the most well-rounded degrees to have.

Much like the variety of degrees, the liberal arts field offers a wide variety of skills needed in the workforce.

“People worry that having a liberal arts degree means that you don’t have specific job training,” Jolliff Scott said. “But actually, for so many of the fields in liberal arts, we have training for a wide variety of careers. You learn how to write, process information, and think critically. You also learn about math and statistical skills. You learn how to do research; you learn how to engage in public speaking.”

Scott, like many faculty and students, is very proud of MSU being a public liberal arts institution.

“When I went to college, I would have loved to have a liberal arts degree but I did not have that luxury. That MSU provides a liberal arts education at a public school to students in Texas and from other states is a vital service to have and a really noble goal.”

PHOTO BY ARIANNA DAVIS | THE WICHITAN

Shirley Hazel, sociology senior, and Careisha Whyte, accounting and sociology senior, present their research on legalized assisted suicide during the campus Celebration of Scholarship April 27.

Undergraduate research can jump start careers GRETA LAZZAROTTO, REPORTER

O

Nationally recognized as Best Value in Graduate Education

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Apply today at grad.mwsu.edu • graduateschool@mwsu.edu • 940-397-4920

nce each semester the Clark Student Center Atrium becomes the setting for undergraduate research presentations. People presenting, people listening, people looking around. Dozens of posters fill every foot of the room, organized in a path that all students can walk through to explore what their peers have researched.

Clayton Meyers, marketing sophomore, attended the spring exposition of the Enhancing Undergraduate Research Endeavors and Creative Activities program.

“I came to support a friend and to get a further understanding for remittences [topic of the project attended],” Meyers said. “It was absolutely worth attending. The EURECA presentations are something a class won’t teach you.”

Magaly Rincon-Zachary, director of undergraduate research, said she believes that researches are an important tool for undergraduates and encourages students to participate.

“Research are very important for students,” Rincon-Zachary said. “Reading others research opens their minds, develops critical thinking skills and also increases students’ knowledge on topics they are interested in.”

Through EURECA program in fall and spring semesters and UGROW program in the summer, students have an opportunity to work alongside faculty members to develop a research on a chosen topic while getting awarded with scholarships up to $2,000 to

complete their projects.

“This is my first semester mentoring a student,” Ronald Young, accounting professor and EURECA mentor, said. “I find these research extremely valuable. Everything that makes students think and use their brain is a great thing.”

The advantages of participating in such projects reflect on students’ both academic and working career. According to RinconZachary, research strongly implements studymethods, but most importantly employers take into great account these type of experiences if they feature in applicants resumés.

Students can sign up for undergraduate research any time throughout their college career. Incoming freshman are required to have a minimum ACT of 25, or SAT of 1130, or be within the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class. Later on, enrolled students will be required of a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and major GPA of 2.75 to be admitted.

Rincon-Zachary said that GPA is not a significant selective element for research project.

“GPA doesn’t really matter,” Rincon-Zachary said. “The purpose is actually to make them better students and data shows us that not only 4.0-GPA students are researchers.”

Students who produce relevant and complete works also might travel to attend conferences and meetings where they can present their projects to other students around the country.

| Summer 2017 | 7

WICHITA FALLS RESEMBLED A CITY RAVAGED BY WAR COOPER MILLER, 2014 STAFF MEMBER

On April 10, 1979, Wichita Falls experienced its most violent tornado in its history. Known as Terrible Tuesday, the supercell thunderstorm spawned multiple tornadoes that took the lives of 58 citizens, 42 of whom were in Wichita Falls, and forever changed the lives of others. The tornado was one of three from the same storm cell to strike Texas, and the fifth deadliest tornado in Texas history.

PHOTO BY PAUL IVERSON | DALLAS TIMES HERALD

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lmost 40 years ago, a massive F4 tornado

tore through Wichita Falls, in an event Roger Hinesh of Wichita Falls rode out that the Dallas Times Herald and Wichita the storm in his car. He said he “hit the Falls Times labeled Terrible Tuesday. floor and prayed a lot” when he saw it.

WHAT TO DO IN A TORNADO?

A TORNADO WATCH means weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. Go about normal activities but be alert to the weather.

A TORNADO WARNING means a tornado has been sighted or indicated on radar. Take refuge immediately.

• Under no circumstances should students, faculty, or staff attempt to leave campus while a warning is in effect.

• Students should be directed to an interior hallway on the lowest floor of the building.

Persons should lie on the floor as close to the wall as possible. Avoid auditoriums, gymnasiums, or other free-span rooms.

• RESIDENCE HALLS: Residents should go to bathrooms or hallways on the first floor at front of building and close hallway doors. RAs will sound air horns if possible.

• Stay away from open areas of glass.

SOURCE: MSU Disaster Policy

In a time where spring storms and weather alerts were common, a storm like this was not.

Within two days of the tornado touching down, the death toll had risen to 49 and an estimated 5,000 residents were homeless, according to a Wichita Falls Times article by Rocky Scott and Phil Ringman.

The destructive storm crippled the city, displacing an estimated 10 to 20 percent of the population and estimations up to $278 million in damage, becoming the fifth most deadly tornado in Texas history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

IMPACT ON MSU

Structurally, the campus was one of the safest places to be during the storm, according to former President Jesse Rogers, who at the time was academic vice president.

Rogers recalls windows of the Hardin building being found broken with blood splattered from people punching them to escape the storm.

Luckily, according to Rogers, only a small section of the university was hit.

“It looked like it was going over the south of the school,” Rogers said. “Everything east of the coliseum and the president’s home was completely destroyed. It looked like Hiroshima from Midwestern Parkway downward. All I could see was dust, two-by-fours and foundations of homes.”

The damage to the university’s property was minimal; however, the roof of the coliseum was ruined and the porch of the president’s house was ripped off.

The real destruction came when they saw how many students and faculty had lost their homes due to the storm.

“We had so many faculty that completely lost their homes,” Rogers said.

Rogers said he met with the deans to figure out what the school was going to do about classes for the rest of the spring semester.

“We decided we were far enough along in that semester, that we were all going to get to-

PHOTO BY MARK PERLSTEIN | DALLAS TIMES HERALD

The tornado cut wide path of destruction through Wichita Falls homes and apartments. gether and help those faculty who had lost everything, report their grades, and tell everybody we are done,” Rogers said.

The semester would have ended on May 17, but Rogers said there were so many problems as a result of the tornado that there was nothing to do other than carry on the best way they could and let every professor choose what to do with their class.

“I will never forget how professional this school was and how people put things in priority when a tragedy like that hit,” said Rogers.

“The way this faculty pulled together was a really proud moment for me.”

PLAYBACK OF THE TORNADO

Rogers said he recalls the Tuesday of the tornado being windy and stormy.

“I paid some attention to it,” Rogers said. “But it didn’t alarm me.”

He mentioned that thunderstorms and weather alerts weren’t as unusual of an occurrence in 1979 like they are today.

“In that period of time, it seemed like we lived under severe weather alerts,” Rogers said.

By this time it was almost quitting time and Rogers left to go home like any other day.

“I lived right down on Taft and on the way

home I thought I heard a train,” said Rogers. “I pulled into the garage and stood out in the front yard and my daughter drove in and said, ‘Daddy you better get in the house. There’s a tornado coming.’”

Don Henschel, professor of theater who was also chair of the department at the time, also recalls the beginning of the storm.

“I heard the sirens and went up to look out the second floor windows,” said Henschel. “To the southwest was a huge black storm cell. I thought the storm was as close as the next block.”

Henschel, having never seen a tornado before, described it as a confused black mess of clouds that came to the ground near its center.

“It bore no resemblance whatsoever to the one I knew so well from the Wizard of Oz,” Henschel said.

Rogers too describes seeing one side of a black wall cloud while watching from his front yard.

“It became deafening,” Rogers said. “Cars were driving down Taft. I bet some were going 90 miles an hour, so I knew something was wrong.”

While watching from his front yard, Rogers said pieces of two-by-four and hailstones the size of grapefruits starting falling all around him.

“At that point I thought, you know, I better get out of here,” Rogers said.

8 | Summer 2017 |

Students weigh convenience and fre

Moving away from home and onto a college campus for the first time can be a with many decisions to make. Being able to decide where to live on campus is complexes for students to choose from, providing

BRIANNA SHEEN, 2015 STAFF MEMBER | ADDITIONA DINING UPDATES Students living in the residence halls are required to buy a meal plan, a plan available to students living in on-campus apartments and off-campus as well. The food court was renovated in 2015, adding Chick-fil-A and a Burrito Bowl. A coffee shop that serves Starbucks coffee was opened in Moffett Library and an Einstein Bros Bagels in Dillard. Students can use their meal plan and dining dollars at all of these locations.

“I liked how we had our own rooms, and only shared a bathroom with the people next to us.”

EMILY SLEDGE BIOLOGY JUNIOR

RESIDENCE HALLS Living on campus is a way to get involved in activities happening at the university. Clint Coulter, director of residence halls, said, “Living on campus is proven through research that a student is better prepared academically. They tend to have a higher GPA and higher graduation rates.”

He explains how living on campus helps out socially as well.

“Residents are surrounded by other students in the building that my have similar interests or the same major,” he said.

This helps students make new friends and meet people that could possibly help out with studying if they have the same classes.

Living on campus allows students to visit the library and labs more often so there is a quiet place to study if it is hard to focus in their rooms. Students only have to pay one fee each semester that covers rent, utilities, TV, and internet. This is much easier than having to worry about paying rent each month in an off campus apartment.

Now that Legacy Hall is open, students can no longer reserve rooms at the off-campus Mustang Village Apartments through university housing.

Living on campus comes with responsibility and following university housing policies as well. While

living in residence halls, residents must check in their guests and follow the curfew for how late their guests can stay.

There are four residence halls on campus: Killingsworth Hall, Pierce Hall, McCullough-Trigg Hall, and Legacy Hall, which opened last fall.

All residence halls feature communal kitchens and laundry rooms, providing easy access from the resident’s rooms. There is air conditioning, cable TV, and wireless internet available as well. These services are included in the price of the room.

Killingsworth is a 301-bed, six-story hall designated for girls only and features semi-private rooms with twin beds and mini fridges. There are two communal kitchens in this hall as well as private bathrooms located in each hallway across from the resident’s rooms. Pierce, the boys hall, is designed the same way, but is smaller than Killingsworth, holding 227 beds and a similar set up for the bathrooms.

McCullough-Trigg Hall is a 152-bed, co-ed residence hall. Although it is open to both boys and girls, there is one gender per floor of the six-story building. The fourth floor is reserved for Honors program students. McCullough-Trigg offers more privacy because its floor plan has two bedrooms, each with a closet and a door, sharing a living room and vanity area. The rooms also contain mini fridges and living room furniture. Four students share one bathroom with a toilet and a shower. It’s similar to living in an apartment.

Emily Sledge, biology junior, and former McCullough-Trigg resident said, “I liked how we had our own rooms, and only shared a bathroom with the people next to us.”

Sledge said it was nice to have her own space if she wanted it.

“If we wanted a movie night, it was nice to have a place with a couch and extra chairs,” she said. “So everyone didn’t have be in your room.”

Audrey Beach, exercise physiology graduate, studies on Resident Assistants, or RAs, are assigned to each floor in every residence hall to help incoming freshman adjust to college life and get them involved on campus.

Nicole Buchanan, education junior and Sunwatcher RA, said, “As an RA, I like to help my residents get involved and plan events based on their

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY BRADLEY WILSON AND IZZIEL LATOUR | THE WICHITAN

University President Suzanne Shipley cuts the ribbon, with board members and SGA President Shayla Owens, to commemorate the official opening of Legacy Hall. | Jordan Smith, criminal justice freshman, during Move-in for Legacy Hall at Midwestern State University, Aug. 20, 2016. | With her mother, Stephanie Moore, Ellie Gunderson, a sophomore in political science, in her new room Aug. 20, 2016.

| Summer 2017 | 9

eedom when deciding where to live

a nerve-racking experience. Students get a newfound freedom and are faced a tough one. There are four residence halls on campus and three apartment lots of options for new and returning students.

AL REPORTING BY KRISTEN GREGG AND ZOIE FLORES

her apartment bed in Sundance Court. likes.”

This semester she took some of her residents on volunteer trips to help the humane society, faith missions and the women’s shelter.

“Living on campus allows students to become acclimated to the university,” Buchanan said. “Students build lifelong friendships allowing them to

get more involved on campus.”

Legacy Hall is the university’s newest hall. The rooms are T-shaped, unlike the Z-shapes rooms of Killingsworth and Pierce, so there is a divider wall separating the two sides of the room. Instead of carpet, there is vinyl flooring and it will provide the same amenities: internet, cable, vanity and sink area with storage and a mini fridge.

The first floor has no rooms, it is all common space for students to sit and relax. The north side of the building is a recreational area that has a pool table and a convenient store. There is also a multipurpose room with a big projector screen which can be used for presentations or movie nights.

Legacy also has learning communities. Students enrolled in a Living Learning Community, or LLC are housed together with access to faculty and staff.

Every community has a different color.

Kristi Schulte, director of residence life and housing, said, “What strikes me about Legacy Hall is the way that community forms within the building. I feel as though the lounges have been transformational in shaping the way community is formed.”

Because of the shared lounges and kitchen areas, it’s not uncommon to see groups of students watching television together, playing board games, or simply hanging out.

“At the beginning of the year, students appeared to be connecting in these “neighborhoods” with one another,” she said. “As they became more comfortable with one another, they began to connect with other communities throughout the building.”

Schulte also mentioned seeing more traffic in the Market Street Learning Commons.

“The small group study rooms in the United Supermarkets Community Learning Commons have been very popular. It’s difficult to find a time of the day when this area or the recreational area is not in use,” she said.

The Market Street Learning Commons will be open 24 hours, seven days a week beginning in midAugust.

Schulte said the Sunwatcher Clubhouse is going to be renovated and turned into the administrative services building, but the plans have been delayed at the moment.

APARTMENT COMPLEXES There are three apartment complexes on campus — Sundance Court, Sunwatcher Village and Bridewell Court. All of the complexes have cable TV, wireless internet, and utilities included in the payment each semester.

Bridwell Court apartments are for graduate students or students with families. Unlike the other oncampus housing options, Bridwell uses 12-month contracts.

Sundance Court is the newest apartment complex on campus. The units are connected by hallways, giving it a hotel feel. The complex is located on the edge of campus just across from the wellness center. There are four-bedroom, two-bathroom units and two-bedroom, two-bathroom units available to students. All units include a full kitchen, laundry area and full-size beds in the bedrooms.

Sunwatcher Village, a garden-style complex, offers more privacy compared to the rest of the oncampus housing options. It is located across from the three residence halls in the middle of campus.

The bedrooms also have full-size beds and the units come equipped with full kitchens and and a washer and dryer.

Carlie Hughes, psychology junior and current Sunwatcher resident said, “I like that its the same setup as real apartments. I also like how it comes furnished so we don’t have to buy the furniture ourselves.”

“As an RA, I like to help my residents get involved and plan events based on their likes.”

NICOLE BUCHANAN EDUCATION JUNIOR

PHOTOS BY ARIANNA DAVIS | THE WICHITAN

Shon Dadrien Cooks-Jones, nursing freshman, prepares for his finals. May 5. | Apartment residents have stoves which come with their living room space, allowing students to cook while living on campus. | Kent Ogawa, marketing senior, utilizes the desk space in his apartment room for his large desktop, which he uses for gaming, editing, studying and just browsing the Internet. Ogawa lives in Sundance Court.

10 | Summer 2017 |

Traditions contribute to university life From its beginnings in 1922 as a junior college housed within a high school building, Midwestern State University has become a campus of 255 acres and 70 buildings. The university offers a variety of academic programs in liberal and fine arts, mathematics, sciences, business and applied sciences.

Whether alumni consider themselves Indians or Mustangs, the university, now with 6,064 students, has carried on a tradition of pride.

RYANE HATTEN | ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SARAH SHELTON AND YVETTE ORDONEZ WICHITA FALLS

The name “Wichita Falls” originated from the first settlers of the area in the 1700s, the Choctaw Indians. The name “Wee-Chi-Tah” means “waist deep,” which was the description of the river they built their tribe around then.

“Back in middle school we learned about the Indian tribe that sent one of their women into the river to test its deepness and cross it,” Melody Gregory, art junior, said. The sculpture is located on Wichita Street, off Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

SCHOOL NAME

Established in 1922 as Wichita Falls Junior College, the second municipal junior college in Texas, MSU was based in Wichita Falls High School. Later, a legislative act and vote of the people of Wichita Falls formulated a separate tax district to support the junior college.

In 1937 the college attained a new, 40 acre campus of its own located on the south side of town. The Hardin Building rose above pastures and wheat fields. In that year the college was renamed Hardin Junior College, in honor of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Hardin.

In January 1950, the name changed to Midwestern University, the junior college remained as Hardin Junior College.

Another change in the university’s status came Sept. 1, 1961, when the 56th Texas State Legislature made Midwestern University part of the Texas Colleges and Universities System.

In 1975, the Texas Legislature changed the name to Midwestern State University.

FROM INDIANS TO MUSTANGS

In 2006, MSU changed its mascot from an Indian to a mustang named Maverick. The Indian served as the university mascot for 83 years before retiring. The NCAA opposed any “hostile” Native American mascot or logo as abuse toward their culture, which resulted in the change to no longer allow Native American logos.

“I saw some Native Americans that were interviewed about it didn’t care or show to have any problems with the mascot,” Logan Canifax, art junior, said. “They took it as a

2013 FILE PHOTO BY LAUREN ROBERTS

Jane Brumley, junior accounting major, said “The Toy Story display was amazing. It was nice of the donors to help pay for a new one,” at the Fantasy of Lights 2013 opening Dec. 10. compliment because they were being recognized as the ones who settled here first. I wish we were still the Indians. We have enough mustangs in the area,” he said.

The campus continues to honor Native Americans with street names such as “Tomahawk” and “Tee-Pee,” statues like the Sunwatcher that represents the university’s 75th anniversary and the South Plains Indians.

HOMECOMING

Homecoming is a week-long event here at MSU that provides activities for students, alumni, family, and friends. Every year the school parade goes through the campus.

“There are tons of traditions during homecoming week. It brings different social groups together, and the rivalry is pretty cool during competitions like building the best float. And you get to go all out with school spirit,” Mark Broomfield, exercise physiology junior, said.

At the Cardboard Boat Race, one of the annual events during which students construct a cardboard boat to successfully travel across Sikes Lake.

“You can only use the duct tape and cardboard to make the boat, and really you just have to strategize with the people in the boat to make it across without sinking,” Taylor Courtney, mass communication senior and member of Sigma Kappa, said.

The homecoming bonfire is another tradition before the big homecoming game. Students can trade in other university T-shirts in exchange for a bonfire T-shirt throughout homecoming week. The T-shirts that get turned in are added to the bonfire collection.

“The bonfire was pretty fun, and I liked seeing the Tarleton shirts on there,” Katie Brown, kinesiology sophomore, said.

FANTASY OF LIGHTS

Beginning in the late 1920’s, the Burns family of Wichita Falls began a Christmas celebration for the first time. The celebration included setting up a small Christmas tree on their front porch with one single bulb. As time went on Mr. Burns succeeded in the oil industry, and the couple made it their tradition. Each year they added a new display.

In 1954, Mr. Burns passed away in a car accident, but Mrs. Burns continued the tradition in memory of her husband. From the years 1954 to 1970, throughout Christmas season, Mrs. Burns displayed bright, colored lights on her front lawn. At the time, the display became so large and detailed that Mrs. Burns had to hire help each year to maintain it.

In 1971, Mrs. Burns passed away, and the display stopped. However, in her will she left the decorations for her son so he could donate them to Archer City. The display remained in storage for three years until the death of her son. Archer City offered the display to MSU to publicly show it free of charge.

“I’ve gone since I was able to walk,” Canifax said. “The reason we always went is because when my grandma was a kid, she saw it start out in the Burns’ yard. She lived out in Valley View so if she could make it into town around Christmas, it was a big deal for her.

Now she likes to take us and reminisce about it when she saw it as a kid.”

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE

Wichita Falls is home to Sheppard Air Force Base, named in honor of Senator Morris Sheppard, former chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee. The base opened on Oct. 17, 1941, it trained aircrew and aircraft mechanics during World War 2. Today, SAFB is the largest and most diverse training base in air education and training command in the United States. It holds a daily population of 15,000 and graduates 62,000 airmen annually.

“I lived on base for a couple of years, but I’ve been going my whole life, whether it was getting groceries, work, or I’ll still get my hair cut on base,” Branson Spencer, music freshman, said.

WORLD’S SMALLEST SKYSCRAPER

During the 1920’s oil industry boom, a conman and Amarillo contractor named J.D. McMahon made his mark on the city by creating the world’s smallest skyscraper -

see TRADITIONS pg. 11

| Summer 2017 | 11

Social media connects students to campus CORTNEY WOOD, REPORTER

W

ith more than 6,000 student on the campus, administration alongside student organizations work to get information out to students through emails, web word alerts and D2L notifications, but for students that live in the digital age, social media is crucial for students to stay connected to event on campus.

A.J. Lopez III, coordinator of social media student affairs said all throughout the year, students are able to contact information just by a few taps of their fingers and a send of a tweet.

According to Lopez, he has to check each social media platform to “make sure the campus hasn’t burned down” while he slept.

“Students make sure to tag us in all kinds of things: from events, to rumors they heard, to needing to needing to remind students of finals schedules,” he said. “Usually I keep

my phone on silent because we get notification bings all the time, but students normally know they won’t get a response to a question after midnight.”

From there, Lopez said coordinates with variety of people on campus to help push any information to students.

We have a master calendar that we have created to know what’s coming up, when we need to post about it and which platform would most appropriately suit that event.

Organizations use the “Big Four,” (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat) most often because more than 24,000 people follow the official Midwestern State University Facebook, Twitter and Instagram alone, not including any student organizations linked to the campus.

As things come up, Lopez said most students use those platforms, however use them

from TRADITIONS pg. 10

ing still resembles the other campus brick but isn’t the exact same.

and getting away with it. McMahon planned with investors to assemble a multi-story office building that would overlook Oklahoma. The skyscraper was the measurements of a 480foot building, but McMahon intentionally did not mention to his investors that his blueprint was measured in inches rather than feet, which made it 480-inch (40 ft) skyscraper. As a feature in “Ripley’s Believe or Not,” the building is still a visible landmark located in downtown Wichita Falls on the corner of 7th Street and LaSalle.

BRICK

MSU developed a tradition creating the same look for buildings on campus - all with “MSU brick” covering the exterior of the buildings.

However, that changed, when the only supplier of the brick stopped making it.

“There was a source for the original brick and then everybody basically quit making it,” Kyle Owen, associate vice president for facilities services, said.

But that didn’t stop the buildings from being designed in brick.

Debbie Barrow, director of board and government relations, said a company in Texas developed the MSU brick that was used for all campus buildings but over time the original materials used to make the brick ran out. In addition, Legacy Hall, the newest dorm build-

HUMANS VS. ZOMBIES

One of the newer traditions at MSU is Humans vs. Zombies, a campus-wide game of tag put on by the University Programming Board.

Students begin the game as humans and there is only one chosen Zombie to tag them. When humans are tagged, they become Zombies and try to tag the remaining humans. As either Human or Zombie, students are identified by their bandana color. Humans are expected to wear the bandana around their legs while zombies wear it around their heads. As humans, students are able to use socks against the Zombies for protection. The ultimate winner of the game is the last human and zombie to survive. Also, prizes are provided for the winners.

“I really enjoyed how everyone took the game seriously as well as how many people played. The more that people play, the more fun it is for everyone,” Marcus Greetis, English sophomore and top human winner, said.

Cole Alsup, mechanical engineering sophomore and top zombie winner said, “I liked that the game provided me with friendly, outside the box competition with friends and people I never would’ve met otherwise. I know a good 60 people that I can easily start up a conversation with now because we competed with one another.”

in different ways. Student organizations contact Lopez and coordinate when their event is and how to reach students.

Organizations such as the student government association, the Wichitan, fraternities, the people respecting the identity and diversity of everyone and the university programing board all connect with the administration to further promote student involvement on the campus.

“We can tell what events are going to be popular based off the screenshots and interests of students leading up to an event, and therefore know which events will be the most fun to cover live as they happen,” Lopez said.

“We use Bradley Wilson for the academic stuff because we always know he will be there for the Wichitan, so we retweet what he posts. We constantly look at the times and schedules of events to put out information.

Incoming freshman seek out the university’s social media first, Lopez said, which gives students a feeling of connection when they receive a tweet back or like. Some students have a larger following that the campus social media and are “top influencers” on the student body, and through that, Lopez said the administration is trying to figure out how to unitize that to draw more people into interacting with the campus.

“We really up our social media interactions with students and prospective students because we want to create a familiar communication option for students,” he said. “We take selfies with touring students, post flyers of organizations with particular interests, but more than anything it’s kind of random at what information we get so we have to constantly be on the lookout for what students need to know.”

Career Management Center The Career Management Center (CMC) presents several opportunities for you to be introduced to and guided through the professional development process. The CMC focuses on preparing you for significant and personally satisfying careers and teaching you how to effectively market yourself to prospective employers.

CMC Services include:

Resume and Cover Letter Development

Networking Events

Job Search and Interview Skill Building Graduate School Planning & Preparation On-campus Employer Interviewing Business Etiquette Training

Clark Student Center - Room 108

The Job Search System includes: Full-time Opportunities Part-time Opportunities Internship Opportunities

940-397-HIRE

careermanagement@mwsu.edu

12 | Summer 2017 |

Athletic mentality: ‘We are going to win’ As athletes prepare for their classes, 6 a.m. practices, study-hall, long bus-rides, conference championships, endless tears and two-a-days, they also prepare for the glorious moments ahead. Every bit of hard work each student-athlete contributes makes a difference. Earning four Lone Star Conference championships, MSU athletes continue to make history.

MERCY YERMO, REPORTER

FOOTBALL The team posted a 17th consecutive winning season while advancing to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the seventh time in program history with an 8-3 record. Junior Akoakoa Paleka-Kennedy became the second MSU standout to earn a National Player of the Year honor when he was presented with the Rimington Award given to the best center in NCAA II. The team scored in the final minute to take the lead in five games this season.

“We are working harder than we ever have for next year. I’m looking forward to a better season because even though we lost a lot of really good seniors, we have a lot of young talent that will hopefully keep up the winning tradition of MSU,” freshman kicker Jaron Imbriani said.

VOLLEYBALL The team doubled its win total in the second year with head coach Natalie Rawson at the helm, and ended the season with a 1221 record including a 6-14 mark in Lone Star Conference play. MSU was 0-16 in league play in 2015. In addition, the team qualified for LSC Postseason Tournament play for the first time since 2013. Junior outside hitter Aerielle Edwards earned second-team all-conference honors, while juniors Sarah Garfield and Kristan Aduddell earned Honorable Mention.

“We did everything we could throughout the season, and really improved from last year. If we continue to give our best effort, have each other’s backs, and focus on each game, a playoff berth can be closer than we think,” sophomore libero Khailia Griffin said.

CROSS COUNTRY The team won the program’s sixth conference championship in the last nine years record. At the Conference Championship, held at Texas A&M-Commerce, sophomore Bridget Reilly led the team with a fourth place finish, earning All-Conference honors, along with sophomore Sara Smith (7th), senior Leticia Shaban (12th), senior Ana Lopez (13th), and sophomore Michelle Rieves (15th). At regionals, the team finished ninth out of 32. To top off the year, head coach Koby Styles was named coach of the year for the fourth time in his 10-year career.

“I have some of the hardest working athletes. They compete year-round, and to be able

to put in the time to train, keep up with academics, and exceed all expectations requires a lot of discipline. These girls are special,” Koby Styles, head women’s cross country and track coach, said.

SOCCER On the women’s side, the team won the conference championship and an automatic bid to NCAA Tournament. The team concluded its season record by reaching the NCAA Tournament Regional Semi-Finals, and made history by becoming the second MSU women’s team to ever advance in the NCAA Tournament.

On the men’s side, the team won the conference after the Southland and Heartland conferences were combined. Led by two AllAmericans, seniors Christian Okeke and Flavio Guzman, the team scored 53 goals. In addition, senior Gabriel Cavalcante was named Conference Player of the Year, and Okeke was named Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Last year, the team reached the NCAA quarterfinals for the sixth time.

“After this season, we are losing really great players, but we will have young attackers remaining and experienced defenders. We will have 11 letter winners coming back, plus the class coming in, so it should be a terrific season,” Michael Meachum, associate head men’s coach, said.

BASKETBALL Although the season for the men’s basketball team didn’t turn out as the players and coaches would have wanted, MSU overcame a 20-point deficit to beat eventual Lone Star Conference champion UT-Permian Basin 8073 on Jan. 7 at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. The team also defeated No. 11 West Texas A&M (84-78) earlier that week as part of a season-best sixgame winning streak.

The women’s 1A team that finished the season, shot over 40 percent from the field while ranking second in the LSC in assists at more than 15 assists per game. Junior Whitney Taylor led the scoring average with 13.4 points per game while shooting over 39 percent from the field. Taylor has climbed up the record board for most 3 pointers made in a single season landing at third on the list.

She also earned LSC honorable mention team honors for the season. Junior Kristin Rydell

PHOTO BY IZZIEL LATOUR | THE WICHITAN

Quade Coward, senior in exercise physiology, prepares to throw the ball during the MSU football homegame against Oklahoma Panhandle state averaged over nine points a game with 41 threes this season. Kristin was also named to the LSC All-Academic Team with a 3.9 G.P.A. “The mustangs fell short of earning a LSC tournament berth, but definitely showed vast amount of growth throughout the season and the future is very bright,” Noel Johnson, head women’s basketball coach, said.

GOLF The women’s team is positioned to qualify for the NCAA II West Super Region play for the fifth time in six seasons. Senior Sierra Campbell and junior Sarah Moore were named second-team All-Lone Star Conference. Campbell placed in the top 10 on two occasions this season while finishing in the top 20 three other times. She also led MSU with a stroke average of 77.06 in 2016-17 with

a finish percentage of 79.7. Midwestern State will host the NCAA II Super Regional from May 8-10 at the Wichita Falls Country Club.

Men’s won the St. Edward’s invitational and the Ft. Smith Invitational. Ranked third in the South Central Region they advanced to the South Central/West Super Region to be played on May 8-10 in Stockton California. Their trip to regionals will become the program’s eighth consecutive trip to the Regional tournament. Senior Jared Baker won both tournaments as an individual and was the most valuable player of the Lone Star First Team All-Conference. He also ranked second in the South Central Region. Senior Tom Smith was named to the First Team AllAcademic and Second Team All-Conference.

Junior Trip Hobson earned Second Team AllConference and sophomore Clayton Meyers earned honorable mention All-Conference.

Re-Imagine

| Summer 2017 | 13

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY FIRST LAST | THE WICHITAN

The plan for the night view for the new health sciences building to be placed across from Bridwell Court apartments off of Louis J. Rodriquez Dr.

Health sciences building scheduled for 2019 A

LEAH BRYCE, COPY EDITOR

s the mass communication building comes to its final stages of construction, MSU prepares to break ground on a new health sciences building. Two years ago, the university was granted the tuition-revenue bond from the state to pay for these new buildings.

“Buildings are a recruiting tool,” James Johnston, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said. “Current state of the art technology and bringing the simulation center on campus which is usable to a number of different disciplines will hopefully help new students coming in see the family atmosphere in and among the technology.”

The new building, scheduled to be opened by March of 2019, as much as $50 million, but according to Johnston, the state bond will cover the cost.

“My view is a building is an instrument there to help deliver the instruction and the program that we have on this campus,” Johnston said. “This building will take us a significant step forward in how we are able to teach in those disciplines.”

The present health sciences building, Bridwell Hall, is about 47,000 square feet — the new building will be about 87,000 square feet. Similar to Moffett Library and Dillard College of Business Administration, this building will include an area for students to have access to food, in a “graband-go” style.

“It also allows both passive and active interdisciplinary learning. We set aside a place for interactions of cross disciplines,” Johnston said. “It’s a complete shift and step forward from we’ve been able to do

in the past.”

According to Johnston, the building is designed like a dome stage so that every classroom can be viewed from the lobby.

“What is currently the parking lot behind the McCoy Engineering Hall and the street between McCoy and Bridwell Courts will come out and the trio building will come down and the new building will go there,” Johnston said. “We will take that parking lot and part of the street and create a new green space. In preparation for parking we are creating a lot the same time we are demolishing it.”

With the medical field constantly growing and changing the health care majors are rising in numbers. At MSU, the College of Health Sciences holds the largest student population.

“We did a benchmarking trip to Tarleton’s new nursing building. McKinney had a new Health Science building and we looked in and around the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex,” he said. “After the benchmarking trip we had a long list of what we didn’t want, and when we drew up the plan we stuck a lot to our original ideas.”

While on the benchmarking trip to other campuses, Johnston and his committee tried to design the building unique to stand out from others in the region.

When picking his committee, Johnston chose the chairs of each department in the College of Health Sciences and Human Services.

“It fits the identity and the mission of who we are,” Johnston said.

THE YARD FOOD TRUCK PARK

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14 | Summer 2017 |

Foreign language: a skill that benefits When studying a foreign language, students don’t just learn the language. Students will learn about the culture and the geography of the area as well. It’s a whole package and larger than just words.

ABBY JETTON, REPORTER

M

SU offers three different foreign languages for students to study: French, Spanish and German.

Each language is unique and will take time and dedication to learn.

Stuart McClintock, French professor, said, “Studying a foreign language requires a lot of self-discipline.”

While required for most disciplines, faculty members also say taking a foreign language has other benefits.

“Studying a foreign language makes you more global and helps you become more aware of other cultures.” McClintock, said.

Studying a foreign language can also lead to future employment.

Chris Reimels, foreign language tutor, said,”Knowing a second language makes you more marketable and could cause you to make more money when you get a job.”

LEIA DE LA GARZA, FRENCH STUDENT; Why did you decide to study French?

Because it is such a beautiful language.

What is one of your favorite things about French?

It reflects both Spanish and English and it makes it a “melting pot” language.

What is something you learned from taking French?

I learned about the culture, and how people in France live their lives from day to day. Its fascinating.

What is the hardest part of learning French?

You have to memorize the way the language looks on paper and how it sounds. The two are completely different and you can’t sound the words out.

Why would you recommend French to other students?

It’s important to open up to different cultures, and the French culture is just so interesting to learn about.

CHELSEA GLOVER, SPANISH STUDENT; Why did you decide to study Spanish?

There are more Spanish speakers in Texas than any other foreign language.

What is one of your favorite things about Spanish?

It has made me fall in love with the culture.

What is something you learned from taking Spanish?

I learned that a lot of the Spanish language is connected to English and things we already know.

What is the hardest part of learning Spanish?

Learning all the grammar techniques and making the sentences flow naturally.

Why would you recommend Spanish to other students?

Many people in Texas speak Spanish, so learning the language opens up opportunities for future jobs and relationships.

HANNAH SCHULTE-BISPING, GERMAN STUDENT; Why did you decide to study German?

My family speaks German so I already had experience with the language.

What is one your favorite things about German?

I love how truly unique it is, and how uncommon it is around the United States.

Campus carry has no noticeable effects on campus atmosphere CALEB MARTIN, REPORTER

T

he gun totin’, gun slingin’, rootin’ tootin’ state of Texas is often associated with “the old west” and middle-of-the-streethigh-noon shoot outs. When the Texas legislature passed Senate Bill 11, allowing concealed carry license holders to conceal carry handguns on public institutions of higher education, the line between a safe campus and unsafe campus became blurred. Since the Senate bill passed, the MSU Police Department hasn’t reported a single incident regarding the use or presence of a firearm on campus from a community college or public (or private) universities.

Chief of Police Patrick Coggins said he doesn’t believe that having concealed weapons on campus will result in more violence.

“I don’t know if I buy into the logic or the argument that more concealed weapons on campus will result in more shootings,” Coggins said. “I have yet to see data that shows me people who lawfully carry handguns are the people who

engage in acts that we see throughout the nation that we’re horrified by. I’m not aware of any data that shows that concealed license holders, that are legally compliant with the law, are the ones that engage in mass shootings.”

While policies regarding the implementation of senate bill 11 were being written, Phillip Blacklock, education and reading assistant professor, was included in the staff representation. Blacklock believes the bill might infringe on free speech in the classroom and make professors feel uncomfortable in their offices.

“If there was the potential for any kind of problem to escalate, then people might consider the gun as an approach to solving that problem rather than a positive communicative way,” Blacklock said.

“It took away that first amendment ability to speak and not be afraid to speak.”

Thomas Goad, graphic design junior, feared the bill would unintentionally open the door for dan-

PHOTO BY IZZIEL LATOUR | THE WICHITAN

Police Chief Patrick Coggins discusses campus carry at the first SGA meeting on Oct. 4. gerous situations.

“Whenever I got to campus, I’d feel uncomfortable if a lot of people had guns out,” Goad said. “I feel like there’s no need for it, and more guns lead to more accidents or incidents. But, now that [bill 11] has

happened, I still am pretty uncomfortable with the fact that people can carry all the time. If you’re giving people the opportunity to bring guns [on campus], you never know how much of a hot head someone is and you can’t determine who will actually act on their feelings in a negative way.”

Senate Bill 11 allows individuals with conceal carry licenses to exercise their right to conceal carry as a means of protection. The bill is not intended to encourage concealed carry individuals to take on the role of hero if a school shooting were to occur.

“We have a lot of people per square mile. That’s a highly populated area,” Coggins said. “That’s not the environment that you want to go, handgun drawn, without anyone knowing who you are, chasing after somebody. The police have no way of distinguishing between good guy and bad guy. That is a good reason for the handgun to be used in self defense but not in an of-

fensive way chasing down someone who they think violated the law.”

Dail Neely, student conduct director, believes Senate Bill 11 didn’t increase the safety or danger factor on campus. However, he doesn’t believe guns promote protection like the bill intended.

“Because the issue of campus safety is so important, and regardless of who you speak to, the administration and the safety world, that’s one of the preeminent values that we talk about. Introducing weapons in any form, into that equation, can give rise for concern,” Park said.

“We are still very much committed to the safety, wellbeing and piece of mind of all of our MSU community members. There was quite a bit of opposition or criticism, but as we approach the one year anniversary of that policy’s implementation, I have not noticed a substantial, substantive impact, or detriment that suggests the policy has really changed Midwestern State University.”

only 25 - 30% of the world speaks English as a native or non-native language

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80% of the world’s purchasing power lies outside the U.S.

Foreign language study results in “improved overall school performance and superior problemsolving skills”

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1/3 of all corporations in the U.S. are either owned or based overseas, and 63 million Americans work for multinational companies.

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College graduates who speak a second language earn, on average, wages that are 2 percent higher 

(Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia)

(Bamford & Mizokawa; Hakuta)

Credit is available, through proficiency exams, for language ability that you may already have.

Foreign Languages, Midwestern State University Bea Wood 116 jeffrey.oxford@mwsu.edu

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Important dates for new Mustangs Housing Opens ....................................................... August 19 Mustangs Roundup ...........................................August 20-25 Stampede Week ................................ August 26-September 2 First Monday of Classes ........................................ August 28 Student Convocation ............................................. August 29 Panhellenic Recruitment.................. August 30-September 3 Engagement Week...................................... September 10-16 MidwesternState

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