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said she still experiences pressures after years of upholding the presidency position.
“The biggest pressure is that you have lots of different stakeholders, and they sometimes have conflicting values for your presidency,” Shipley said. “You become this proving ground where all those opinions come together, and you try to meld them into a consensus that strengthens the university. Your goal is to advance the university to keep it moving forward while also making all those stakeholders feel a part of it.”
Shipley went on to describe the difficulties of juggling the opinions of students, faculty and staff while also keeping in mind the success of the university.
“It gets hard when there are contradictions,” Shipley said. “When it’s easy is when everybody feels the same way. It gets more difficult if you’re being forced to change; the best kind of change is change that you can shape yourself at a time that works for you.”
As a result of desiring a tightly bonded university community and ensuring everyone’s voices can be heard, Shipley said she goes out of her way to create connections with students.
“It’s very important for me to connect with the students of this university,” Shipley said. “I really like to get out and be seen, not for my ego, but so that they know who their president is. I want them to know they have a president who cares about them and is present.”
Though being open to all opinions can benefit the university community, it can also open the door for negative feedback and opinions. Being the president means being the target for public scrutiny, but Shipley said she tries hard to focus on solutions rather than the negativity itself.
“You have to compartmentalize people’s opinions so that you find the positive rather than being overwhelmed by the negative,” Shipley said. “You have to hear and digest the negative, but you can’t let it overwhelm you. You have to compartmentalize the noise versus the important negative opinion I need to focus on because every issue has some noise around it that isn’t as meaningful as the heart of the issue.” When the noise gets too loud, Shipley said she resorts to physical activity, reading and watching movies. She and her husband also enjoy cheering students on in the stands. Shipley said she has also found joy in motivating others to be better versions of themselves.
“The older you get, the more it seems that you can help others be a better version of themselves,” Shipley said. “Although I want to keep being a better version of myself, I primarily feel the most important thing I can be right now is helpful to other people in this work because I’ve seen and learned a lot. I feel I can help individuals navigate experiences that might be more difficult to navigate without my help, and that’s what I get the biggest satisfaction from.”
Though Shipley enjoys every part of her presidency, five years from now she sees herself on a beach under an umbrella living a life of less structure.
“I will be outside somewhere, not in an office or board room,” Shipley said. “This is the end of the road for me. I enjoy this, but this is a very structured life. I want to enjoy freedom in life.” PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN President Suzanne Shipley hands executive committee Chairman Caven Crosnoe the budget reports at the conclusion of the Nov. Board of Regents meeting. Nov. 7.
PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN President Suzanne Shipley talks about keeping the change to professor’s mandatory office hours from 10hrs to 5hrs per week at the Board of Regents meeting. Nov. 7. “The older you get, the more it seems that you can help others be a better version of themselves” SUZANNE SHIPLEY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Student signs Amnesty International petition to end child detention centers. Oct. 16, 2019.
STEPHANIE ROBLEDO REPORTER T he Amnesty International campus chapter focuses on spreading awareness of human rights and social justice throughout campus. “Amnesty International is the largest human rights organization in the entire world; it is an international non-governmental organization. It has offices from more than 50 countries [and locations]; one of them includes New York,” Herbert McCullough, political science graduate, and student adviser, said. “The overall goal of Amnesty is to promote human rights.”
Although Amnesty International was active during the ’90s on campus, in the early two-thousands, it fizzled out. It was not until 2016 that the organization was revived with McCullough being one of the first members. Since then, the organization has become involved within the campus through events done over the years.
“We’ve done different political demonstrations across campus, also peaceful protest,” Katherine Kurylas, senator and political science freshman, said. “Last semester we protested the child detention center at the border and made a replica of the cage and the foil blankets. We had it set up in the atrium for a day or two and people could come up to read cards and get informed on what’s going on. We also did a campaign called write for rights; people got to come and write letters to foreign governments that are committing human rights violations. Those letters are sent to those governments as a form of protest.” Amnesty International has done all these activities for students to become aware of the world around them. Its members want to make a positive impact on the world. Amnesty is not stopping anytime soon; it has plans for the future that will impact not only the world but MSU as well.
“[We have] refugee constitution resolution happening right now where we are trying to make MSU the second university here in Texas that is welcoming refugees,” Guadalupe Gamiz, secretary and social work junior, said.
Amnesty has become involved with the campus through its peaceful protest and has plans to further their involvement. Amnesty celebrates the differences within MSU and promotes the rights of others both in and out of campus.
“[Our purpose] is being a voice in terms of the promotion of human rights and social justice. Before amnesty international there wasn’t really, necessarily, many organizations that conducted issues of human rights and social justice,” McCullough said. “Amnesty International is one of the few organizations that promote human rights and social justice that is primarily inclusive to everybody.”
This organization is one that creates change in the right direction on campus. It is an organization that is important on campus for students and their rights.
“Amnesty, in general, is important here at MSU, because MSU is a very diverse place so you always want to make sure the voices of others are being heard,” Gamiz said. “[Amnesty International] makes sure that the students know there is someone
on campus that is listening to them.”
Amnesty’s mission is to bring awareness of the injustices happening around the world and help make an impact through peaceful protest. This is an organization for students that want to create a change and help others.
“Everyone in this country to a certain extent is more fortunate than a lot of other people, so it doesn’t take much to help others that are in less fortunate situations than you are,” Kurylas said. “Whether it is coming to a write-for-rights thing where you are just writing a letter to a foreign government, it doesn’t take much to help make an impact.”
PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN Elementary education junior and pitcher Jacey Henry stretches out to throw a pitch against Clarendon College. Oct. 15, 2019.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JACEY HENRY Elementary education junior and pitcher Jacey Henry throws a pitch as an 8-year-old for the team she played for in Oklahoma.
TAYLOR ANDERSON SPORTS REPORTER F our-year-old Jacey Henry (No. 22), elementary education junior, gleamed at two-time Softball Pitcher Olympian Cat Osterman, dreaming of how she could one day play like her.
“My parents would take me to watch the College World Series and USA Olympic team every year in Oklahoma City which is where I saw Cat Osterman pitch and she was who I looked up to and became my inspiration to be like her,” Henry said.
Through Henry’s young eyes, she looked at Osterman as the coolest, especially after getting a high-five from her.
“When I first watched her I remember her striking out so many girls and being young, I thought that was so cool. She also gave me a high-five and I won a signed poster by her which won me over as a little girl,” Henry said.
The love for the game was always there, so deciding to play collegiate softball was not a hard decision.
“Falling in love with the game I wanted to continue to play so all through travel ball and the lessons that were the goal to play collegiate softball. It also allows me to go to college and get a degree while doing something I enjoy,” Henry said.
For Henry’s first year wearing the Mustang jersey, she said it’s the best year in college.
“This is my first year at MSU and it has been the best year out of the three years being in college. The coaches treat us with respect and are always willing to help. I also really like how the girls want to work hard and any time I go to the field, there’s someone out there working on their own time,” Henry said.
Henry plays for more than herself, but also her 10-year-old brother, Clint Henry.
“When school and ball get busy, I think to myself ‘just keep going’ and I also want to be someone my 10-year-old brother looks up to so that motivates me to be a good role model for him,” Henry said.
With her little brother in mind, she also encourages younger players to slow down and enjoy the sport and only control what you can.
“I would tell them to slow down and enjoy it. Don’t get so caught up on always trying to win and be perfect and put all of the pressure on yourself. Only control what you can,” Henry said.
Henry plans on obtaining her master’s degree in speech pathology and utilizing it in a children’s hospital.
PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN Nursing senior Gemma Gonzalez runs 1,600 meters in the distance medley relay event.
Day one recap of the LSC indoor track and field championships PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN Athletic training junior Katie Till runs 800 meters in the distance medley relay event. Feb. 21. PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN Education freshman Elizabeth Butzke runs 1,200 meters at the start of distance medley relay event. Follow The Wichitan on all of our social media platforms to stay up-to-date @wichitanonline
TAYLOR ANDERSON SPORTS REPORTER T he women’s indoor track team started the Lone Star Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships at Texas Tech off strong, putting the Mustangs in 5th place at the end of the first day at Lubbock on Friday, Feb. 21.
Amerhyst Woolf, nursing junior, ran up a storm as she finished 2nd place in the 5000 meter, clocking in at 18:08. Woolf made it to the podium but also recorded a career best by shaving over a minute off her previous time, 19:19 at the UCO Weilert Open.
“I’m super excited, because it was really unexpected, because I was sitting 15th, so to go from 15th to 2nd, it’s just so crazy. It was an interesting race, real tough and definitely a fighter until the end but [I’m] super happy. It definitely shows that all the miles and the hard work that, not only myself but us as a team, that we all put in is paying off,” Woolf said.
The distance medley relay also made it to the podium, set a new career best and finished 3rd place with a time of 12:54.
Elizabeth Butzke, childhood education freshman, led the first leg running 1200 meters in 3:53 minutes. Taylor Carr, sports and leisure freshman, followed up the second leg, clocking in a career best of 1:00 in 400 meters. Katie Till, athletic training junior, finished with a 2:25 in 800 meters. Gemma Gonzalez, nursing senior, brought up the rear in the 1600 meter portion with a time of 5:35.
“I’m tired, but I’m happy because we all did so well,” Gonzalez said.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS •Gonzales also finished third in the women’s 800 meter with a career-best 2:19.66 time. •Mercy Yermo, exercise physiology, ran past the 2000 meter mark in the 5000 meter run before dropping out of the competition. •Miracle Mahone, pre-med freshman finished 16th in the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.98 seconds. •Hannah Ponder, kinesiology junior , finished 18th in the women’s weight throw with a distance of 12.14 meters. •Carr finished 16th in the women’s 400 meter, posting a career best time of 1:01.00. •Sydni Lewis, psychology freshman, finished 20th in the 400 meter with a time of 1:06.24.
TAYLOR ANDERSON SPORTS REPORTER T he Mustangs continued their fight at the Lone Star Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships Saturday, Feb. 22 at Texas Tech.
Peyton Lewis, finance freshman, started day two off with a field event: triple jump. Lewis finished with a career best, 10.88 meters, and placed 13th.
The Mustangs had five women run in the mile race. Amerhyst Woolf, nursing junior, finished seventh with a time of 5:28.45, Katie Till, athletic training junior, finished ninth with a time of 5:29.40, Elizabeth Butzke, childhood education freshman, finished 14th with a time of 5:41.09, Michelle Estrada, criminal justice junior, finished 15th with a time of 5:41.09 and Olivia Johnson, education sophomore, finished 16th with a time of 5:44.02. Till won her heat by over three seconds and set a new career record.
“I was in the slow heat, so I just had to stay in it mentally. It’s stressful, because people are always judging the person in front,” Till said.
Approximately two hours after running the mile, Woolf ran in the 3,000 meter race. She finished the race 13th with a time of 10:54.58. Woolf said fatigue definitely played a factor in her ending result.
“I’m really proud that I was able to finish all three events and just put down some good times for all three of them. I think [the mile] kind of wore me out a little bit. It probably wasn’t the best decision if I wanted to put down a good 3K time, but overall I was pretty happy with my times for both events today,” Woolf said.
Gemma Gonzalez, nursing senior, added to the success of the day, placing 4th in the 800 meters with a time of 2.19.
“I was really confident during the 800 meters. I knew I had to stay in the top group from the start and pass as many girls as I could once we got to the last 200 meters. I didn’t make it to the podium, but I still ran an indoor personal record,” Gonzalez said.
The Mustangs ended the day with a 4x400 meters relay with a time of 4:03. Syndi Lewis, psychology freshman, Taylor Carr, sports & leisure studies freshman, Aaryanna Williams, psychology freshman, and Sydney Tucker, nursing freshman, took the track by storm, placing 6th.
Head Coach Koby Styles is proud of the way his team performeD.
“I couldn’t be more happier with the way we performed the whole weekend. Our team looks completely different than it ever has. We are a bigger squad and in more events. So with us doing what we did this weekend, we are going to be good in the next three years. You are going to see MSU on the top of the board,” Styles said.
Day two recap of the LSC indoor track and field championships PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN Psychology freshman Aaryanna Williams hands the baton off to sports and leisure freshman Taylor Carr in the 4x400m relay. Feb. 22.
PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN Nursing junior Amerhyst Woolf has her eyes set on overtaking an Oklahoma Christian University athlete in the mile.
PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN Psychology freshman Aaryanna Williams rounds the bend on her second lap of the 4x400m relay.
PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN General studies senior and forward/guard leaps for a slam dunk passed by mass communication senior and guard Elijah Lee. Feb. 2.
Men’s basketball recap (8-20)
AMOS PERKINS MANAGING EDITOR A fter starting the season 4-19, the men’s team finished the season strong, going 4-1 in their last five games and earning a spot in the Lone Star Conference Tournament. The highlight of the ‘Stangs’ season was the 69- 68 victory over West Texas A&M which secured them the postseason spot. D’monta Harris (No. 13), guard and applied arts and sciences senior, lead the team offesnively, averaging a teamleading 16.4 points-per-game, 6.1 reboundsper-game and 77 made 3-pointers. Along with averaging 14.1 points-per-game of his own, PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN Kinesiology sophomore and guard Derrick Herrick leaps into the air to shoot a 3-pointer against Texas A&M Kingsville. Jan. 30.
Darius Thompson (No. 3), guard and mass communication senior, recorded team-high totals of 28 steals and 20 blocks on the defensive side of the ball. Evan McCarthy (No. 23), guard and undecided freshman, was a standout newcomer for the team, averaging 6.2 points-per-game in just over 17 minutes-per-game. PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN Business sophomore and guard Trae Jones reaches for a successful layup as his momentum carries him out-of-bounds against Texas A&M University International. Jan. 2.
SPORTS
PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN Mass communication junior and guard Bri Wingfield escapes UT Tyler’s defense to attempt a 2-pointer. Feb. 15.
RECAP
Women’s basketball recap (11-15)
AMOS PERKINS MANAGING EDITOR I n an emotional season in which head coach Noel Johnson had to step away to battle ovarian cancer, the women’s team went 11-15 overall and 8-7 at home in the Dome. One highlight of the season was the Mustangs’ 84- 77 second-half comeback over Cameron University in the first Red River Rivalry game. Mica Schneider (No. 4), guard and business finance senior, came on strong in the last half of the season and averaged a team-high 12.5 pointsper-game and 3.8 assists-per-game to go along with her 50 3-pointers. Hannah Reynolds (No. 11), forward and health science junior, lead the defensive effort in the paint, averaging a teambest 1.4 blocks-per-game. A freshman standout on the team was Many Withey (No. 23), forward and elementary education freshman, who put up 3.1 points-per-game, 2.9 rebounds-per-game and .6 blocks-per-game in just under nine minutes-per-game.
