Sept. 27, 2017 | Midwestern State University | thewichitan.com | Your Campus. Your News. | Vol. 82 No. 5
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY DOMINIQUE NEWTON, NURSING SOPHOMORE
The aftermath due to Hurricane Maria in the Caribbean.
Hurricane Maria reeks havoc in Caribbean JUDELLE TYSON REPORTER
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s Hurricane Maria churned through the Caribbean last Monday its first stop was a direct hit to the island of Dominica. According to the country’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit via a live broadcast from Antigua on Thursday, Hurricane Maria left the country in a complete disarray and it would take a very long time to get the country back to what it once was. “Every village, every street, every cranny, every person in Dominica was impacted by the hurricane. We have no running water, no electricity, very limited telecommunication services by Whatsapp mainly” Skerrit said. Skerrit went on to say that they island has never seen such destruction and it would take a long time for them to “bounce back.” Skerrit said that residents who didn’t evacuate to shelters had tried to ride out the storm in their homes, but Maria had different plans for them leading them to resort to unconventional ways to survive, himself included. “People were just exposed to the elements of the hurricane, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. People were hiding in their cupboards....cramping themselves in their
kitchen cupboards to survive. Blanchard further expressed her concern In my case for example, I had to for her family and her put a mattress over my head with community of Point Michel two police officers to prevent the which was severely affected falling roof from coming onto by the storm and though the us,” Skerrit said. community can be rebuilt, While Hurricane Maria made it is nothing compared to it rounds students here at MSU the 18 lives lost. still had no idea if their family “My main concern is had survived the catastrophic their water and supply. storm and the longer it took for There is no running water them to hear from their loved and the roads have been ones, the more worry and fear compromised by debris so gnawed at them. going to the city to get food Radiologic technology BEYANDRA BLANCHARD and water is tasking. I’m sophomore Beyandra Blanchard RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY also concerned about their said that she was finally able to SOPHOMORE safety-people are becoming connect with her family today agigated and violent,” after waiting a whole two days and this has been the most emotional she has felt in a Blanchard said. “Point Michel was one of the most severely affected communities. My while. “I spoke to family today. I finally heard family members all lost their roof and most from them a whole Two and a half days after of their possessions. The community is nearly the storm. Two and a half days had never felt unrecognizable from the footage I’ve seen. so long. This is the most emotional I’ve been The structural damage isn’t extensive and can in a long time. It’s hard to be fully focused be rebuilt. The same cannot be said for the 18 on anything while you’re wondering if your lives claimed.” All is not lost for the Dominica and family is nourished and clean,” Blanchard although the island has literally been said.
“I spoke to
family today. I finally heard from them a whole Two and a half days after the storm.”
knocked to its knee, their Caribbean brothers and sisters have already started to assist in the form of food supplies, money, clothing, and essential items. “There are NGO’s in Trinidad, Antigua, Barbados etc who have started sending aid in the form of supplies,” Blanchard said. Like Blanchard, nursing sophomore Dominique Newton was completely oblivious to the state his family was in and was finally able to communicate with his family last Friday. “I was not able to get into contact with my parents or my family up until Friday, my mom had initially went to the radio station nearby in the capital and had asked them to send out a broadcast to let her kids in the US know she was okay. My friends heard it up here and told me what she said and though I had not heard from her directly I knew that she was okay because of that broadcast, but I had not spoken to her directly and because I knew about what was going on back home I still wanted to hear from her directly,” Newton said. “I finally got to hear from her on Sunday morning and it was a huge relief, I felt like the conversation we had set my mind and my
see HURRICANE MARIA pg. 3
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STAF F E D I T O R I A L
Weather the storm together OUR VIEW: Everyone should come together to mourn.
W
Don’t hate my date W
hen most young adults starts college, they are told not to get into a relationship for at least their first full year as freshmen. They are bombarded with reasons not to even date in college, like that your grades will go down, or you’ll forget to make friends. Or, my personal favorite, that you should enjoy meeting, talking to, Alex Rijos and going on single dates with lots of people. I’m not here to crush your spirits if you’re that freshman that wants to date lots of people and go out as much as possible. I am speaking out against those college students, adults, or parents who shame those of us who did choose to date seriously in college. I started my freshman year in the fall of 2016. My first semester I went through sorority rush, finding my home in Alpha Phi. I grew as a new member, got my sorority big sister, and enjoyed events relating to both greek life and Midwestern State in general. Then, in November of last year, I randomly met the guy who wound up becoming my first college boyfriend. At the beginning, it was hard balancing greek life, school work, and a significant other. I felt myself falling in love, but feeling like those comments my single peers made could come day be true. I decided to figure it out, and after nearly 10 months, me and my boyfriend are still in a happy relationship. Even if many people probably won’t believe this, I have grown as a person just by being with another person. I have learned to two step, and I’ve (somewhat) learned to understand
hile everyone mourns the loss of cornerback Robert Grays, business sophomore, dozens of foreign exchange students wait for a message, a call, a text, anything to hear from their families back home, and the rest of the community needs to stand with the Caribbean students too. By no means is this meant to minimize the pain of anyone mourning; however the campus rallied together for an incredible individual that encouraged so many people, yet seemed to put a large portion of the student body on the back burner. Many students haven’t heard word from family in weeks, and as hurricane Maria destroyed parts of Puerto Rico just this weekend, it’s crucial for these students to talk with their family members. It’s incredible to see the Wichita Falls community come together for the Grays family at ’m 21 years old, nearing the end of my such a critical time. There have been donations, college career and I have been dating the ceremonies and contributions made in honor man I plan to marry for two years. For some of Grays since news of his death broke early last reason, this is the magic formula that makes week. With that in mind though, the Caribbeevery other female in the universe and most married males ask me about children. How an students on campus mourn Grays as well as many I want, what do I plan to name them, hope their families will contact them with any when do we plan on having them, etc. Every news. They wait here, almost 1,500 miles away, Leah Bryce time the shock and horror on their faces makes for any indication of safety or tragedy, and most for a great Kodak moment when they hear my dry reply, “I don’t want kids. I’m not meant to be a mother. Nick doesn’t have been met with silence or indirect comwant them either.” munication from friends-of-friends that relay I don’t hate children. I love my nephew and my cousins, messages to students from their families. I’m always the family member surrounded by kids at the gatherings, I just have no desire to be a mother. Everyone rages It’s vital to encourage one another in times on about the theory of women’s rights, gender equality and of hardship and stand together to weather the the right to choose, but even those people fail to remember storms that face each person every day. that having children is an option, not a mandatory right of
football. I’ve learned how to have serious conversations, how to manage monthly money on dates, and most of all, how to love someone and treat them the way they deserve to be treated. I am learning valuable lessons every day and, with the help of my boyfriend, finding more about myself. Some people will swear up and down that being in a relationship while in college holds you back. I strongly disagree. I was fortunate enough to meet an incredible man last November, and am even luckier to have the chance to experience life with him. Together, we have experienced both beautiful moments and bumps on the road. But in the end, it’s worth it because It’s way more fun to live life with a significant other, especially one I consider a best friend. Now, I occasionally still get comments like “You’re in college, you should be having fun, not being committed to someone” or “You’ll end up breaking up after college”. I’m not going to lie, those snarky remarks hurt. But I’ve decided not to let people who don’t believe in my relationship the way that I do stay in my life. Just because I’m in a serious, committed relationship at 19 doesn’t mean I’ll miss out on greek activities, get behind in school or get married any time soon. I’m planning to finish college, get my degree, and start my career, and these are before any sort of more serious commitment. If you are in college, and you luckily meet someone who makes you happy, go for it. Date them. Cherish them. You can still have fun, even if you’re not single anymore. Alex Rijos is an English sophomore.
Societal pressure of motherhood
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passage for all females.
wichitan
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Vol. 82 | No. 5
Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room D201 3410 Taft Blvd. Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 • wichitan@mwsu.edu thewichitan.com • @wichitanonline
As a human being, try not to rush to conclusions about people’s personalities or motives based on one decision. I do not hate children. I will not feel differently about my own children, because I won’t have any and I don’t hate kids anyway. I might regret it one day, but that is something I will have to live with, not anyone else. Not wanting children is not a negative thing and it shouldn’t have a stigma of something being emotionally wrong with a person. Yes, that person may change their mind, or they may regret not having kids in the future, but that doesn’t give anyone the right to pass judgment or make assumptions about a person because they don’t have a paternal desire. The movement in America about being more accepting of people’s differences doesn’t just apply to the big and routinely discussed topics. Just because someone has a different desire out of life doesn’t mean you get to “fix them.” In the great words of “Frozen” character Elsa, just “let it go.” Leah Bryce is a mass communication and English junior.
EDITOR: Kara McIntyre
Copyright ©2017.
VISUALS 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.
FEATURES EDITOR: Cortney Wood STAFF TRANSLATOR: Leah Bryce BUSINESS MANAGER: Brendan Wynne ISSUE STAFF: Judelle Tyson, Brittni Vilandre, Alex Rijos,
Devin Field, Makayla Scheck, Stephen Gomez, Yareli Lora,
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Elias Maki, Rachel Johnson, Marissa Daley, Harlie David, Sarah Keeling, Shea James
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.
| Sept. 27, 2017 | 3 from HURRICANE MARIA pg. 1 heart at peace somewhat and I’m just glad to know that she is alive and okay.” Though this is a very School supplies difficult time for him, Baby necessities Newton says that he intends to be strong and Nonperishable food items push forward as his family General toiletries wouldn’t have it any Drop off locations other way. Clark Student Center “Our house like everyone else was badly Moffet Library destroyed, our roof was McCoy School of Engineering pretty much ripped out, Dillard College of Business all of our windows were pulled out and part of Legacy Hall our house is destroyed, Killingsworth Hall but again life takes Colony Park precedence and I am thankful that she is safe and alive,” Newton said. “I believe the damage sustained in Dominica is significant, this has been by far the worst thing to every happen to my country. As a kid we were told about Hurricane David and how it sent Dominica forty years behind and that was a category 4. Last week we were hit by a category 5 and it just completely destroyed communities and it just left my people not in the best of places, but time and time has shown again that Caribbean people and my people we rebuild. My people are strong-willed, they are passionate and they are very patriotic, we had tropical storm Erica which completed devastated my country and we rebuilt after that, and here we are again and we will rebuild again, although this hurricane did much more damage, but as always we will rebuild. “ According to Newton, the support and help from other Caribbean islands, CSO, students and other organizations here at MSU is synonymous in getting Dominica back on its feet. “Thanks to the other Caribbean islands that have been sending food and clean water back to my country as their is a food shortage there now,” Newton said. “The Caribbean Students Organization has no added Dominica to its relief endeavor for the Caribbean per their Carib Fest contributions and I’m pretty sure that CSO has a lot more plan to get students all the help that they can.” According to Director of International Student Services Dr. Randy Glean, several mechanisms have been put in place for those students affected and the faculty and staff have been made aware of these mechanisms so that they can better accommodate these students. “We put in an intervention so they could miss class the following day and professors were informed. Set up an immediate meeting to inform students of all the safeguards in place. Set up a structure for all students to make calls from my office at no cost. Those owing installments can miss payment with no late fee...and pay later in the semester. Students at Colony Park and Forest Glen can pay October rent in November. We contacted the local food pantry to provide a contingency plan for emergency supplies. We have holding open hours so that students can come in to speak of any personal issues or emergency needs,” Glean said. “Collaborated with Hunans’s for a late night $5 grab box is available every night they want to take food home. Spoke to political officials and got assurance that they will work with us to assist further after things settle. Speaking to shipping lines to allow students to send a barrel of supplies home to families. Set up structures for fundraising on campus for hurricane relief. Students who visited and expressed concerns about finances were given the assurance of short term support.”
Relief Efforts:
PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARQUART | THE WICHITAN
Suzanne Shipley, university president, at PHOTO BY ELIAS MAKI | THE WICHITAN the candle light vigil in honor of Robert The stage at the candlelight vigil remembering Robert Greys on Jesse Rogers Promenade on Grays on the Jesse Rogers Promenade Sept. 21. on Sept. 21.
‘Keep your head up’
“He was always smiling, never saw him with a frown on his face ever,” Gage Thomason, undecided freshman offensive he 5’8, 160-pound cornerback Robert Grays, business lineman said. “He’s just a good guy to be around. He cared sophomore, inspire his Mustang family, and according about everybody.” While his ever present smile continues to be his trademark, to his team mates his legacy and the impact he had on Grays’ perseverance to never back down from a challenge the campus will carry on forever. “Rob was a character he always kept everybody up even if urges his team onward. “He’d get banged up and he’d sit out for a play or two, then things didn’t look too good, motivated people,” John Little Jr., he’d come right back. I mean it was sophomore defensive back said. “He amazing,” head coach Bill Maskill had a smile that was very contagious. said. He was a great guy, great friend, closest Even off the field, Grays spread thing I could have to a brother. The inspiration. only thing separating us was blood. Before the first game of his college He was always finding the good in career, nervous beyond belief, situations, no matter how bad it was JOHN LITTLE JR. Little looked to his “brother” for he always found the good, and he went UNDECIDED SOPHOMORE inspiration. With his unforgettable 100 miles per hour every time he did smile, Grays looked at him and said, something. He put all his effort into it.” On his final game against Texas A&M-Kingsville, Grays life “Don’t worry about it bro, you got it. We gonna get the dub took a turn that would impact not only friends and family, but and you know we gonna turn up afterwards.” That night the boys won their first game 31-19 against hundreds of students on campus. With 3:24 left in the fourth quarter, Grays’ cleats brushed against the soft bristled turf one Truman State. Marking one of the first “dubs” in his college career, this is last time as he ran to complete his 34th tackle of his Mustangs what soon shaped Grays life at MSU and where students would career. “He’s made this tackle hundreds of times,” Kyle Williams, soon realize just how big of an impact he had. Although T’Andrea Brown, social work sophomore, said athletic director said, via The Wichitan. “But it was just one of she never knew him, a lot of her friends did. those situations that landed wrong.” “They’d say there was never a time you wouldn’t see him As Grays hit the field, he sent an entire wave of fear across the stands. Within seconds, a new story had just beginning. smiling, you would never see him mad. He was always doing The tale of a walk on freshman and veteran sophomore turned something funny, he was always doing something to make people laugh,” Brown said. into the fight for his life. The effect his personality had was contagious, according to A cloud of unforeseen hope spread across the campus on Sept. 19 as the campus awaited any possible updates of Grays Brown. “I realized last year they had a Super Bowl party and his recovery. Grays died on the evening of Sept. 19 after neck injuries favorite team was the Patriots and they won. When they won, sustained at the TAMUK game. Leaving nothing but positive he was running up and down Legacy Hall, I mean you would see GRAYS pg. 5 hopes for their friend and fellow teammate, students began to tweet their regards to the player and his family. BRITTNI VILANDRE REPORTER
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“He would want everybody to keep their heads up.”
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Total enrollment increases by
headcount and semester credit hours, so we look at both of those as far as projecting what kind of revenue were gonna have,” Fowlé said. “The semester credit hours were actually almost right on were we thought it would be. And most of the money that comes in is based on those hours.”
DEVIN FIELD REPORTER
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hile administrators budgeted for 6,150 students to enroll in fall 2017, actual fall enrollment figures showed 6,080 students, an increase of .26 percent over last fall but still not enough to meet projections. The lower-than-expected enrollment will hit all areas at the campus in the pocketbook. “Headcount wise we’re a little low, which will affect the recreational, athletic and student union fees, because it’s based on headcount, so those budgets will be impacted,” Marilyn Fowlé, vice president of administration and finance, said. Keith Lamb, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, said while he and other administrators budgeted for more students than we actually received, there is still opportunity for growth. “We budgeted what we think we’ll get every semester. If we exceed in the spring, then we can make it up real fast. If we don’t, then it could be even a larger defect,” Lamb said. “We have to look for savings within the operating budget, too. The number now is a small enough difference that those savings will be very easy to find.” Because MSU has large graduating classes — 707 degrees earned in fall 2016 and 685 degrees earned in spring 2017 — incoming classes have to be larger than the graduating ones to see a jump in enrollment, according to Lamb. “We had a really large graduating class, so we had to account for the additional graduates and try and grow the school some,” Lamb said. “We are moving in the right direction. It’s not as fast as we would like to see but we are a financially stable institution.” Data does show kindergarten through 12th grade students in Wichita Falls are shrinking the fastest — by 15 percent — while K-12 in
KEEPING STUDENTS HERE
surrounding areas are growing dramatically. Lamb said that this declining number means there are less students in this area to come to MSU, so looking at the data, he is pleased we are growing given the local data. “If you look at the numbers, our incoming students from the past several years has been very large,” Lamb said. “It took a really big dip in ‘16 but has made a great comeback in ‘17.”
SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS
When it comes to budget, semester credit hours — the number of credit hours students are taking this semester — are “more important” than headcount, according to Lamb. For fall 2017, semester credit hours are at 70,664, which is below expected for the fall but still on budget. If numbers for the spring
semester are higher it could help balance out the budget better. “Headcount is the easy thing to talk about because everyone is interested in it. When you think about it, when you are paying your fees and your tuition, almost all tuition and fees are charged by the hour,” Lamb said. “What’s more important is how many hours we’re generating and we are essentially on budget for that.” Compared to last fall’s semester credit hours of 69,744, the number of credit hours increased by 802 credit hours — which means students are taking a larger average load than previous years. Based on models that administrators and the finance department use, semester credit hours were close to what they budgeted. “We calculate on two different levels,
È ÈÇ È Ç TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY
CAMERON UNIVERSITY
EASTERN NEW MEXICO
TEXAS A&M COMMERCE
MIDWESTERN STATE
down 0.39 percent down 4.98 percent up 31.22 percent in down 7.67 percent up 0.26 percent in in fall of 2016 in fall of 2016 fall of 2016 in fall of 2016 fall of 2016
The number of first-time freshman grew from 708 to 771, but because the number of returning students decreased, the total enrollment only increased by 16 students. Both the number of new students and the number of returning students have to increase for total enrollment to increase. The admissions office has added new programs to try and solve this problem, such as increasing the school’s online presence with third-party matching services. “Keeping students is equally as important as recruiting students,” Lamb said. “Learning communities and TASP, the new tutoring center, have been enforced to keep students here and are aimed at addressing the retention issue.” According to Gayonne Beavers, director of admissions, 40 percent of the students come from the Dallas Fort Worth area — but that is a “big market” for other universities in the country. Beavers said she has increased staff by adding a new person in the DFW area to help recruit, now having two counselors and staff members in that area to be with students. “One of the key things is making sure that when you’re talking to students, you are able to be in front of them consistently,” Beavers said. “We are making sure we are staffing up enough that we can be in front of students doing presentations, having college fairs, working with student organizations that are at the high school level and that they remember MSU when they are making their college decision.”
UPCOM I NG E V E N T S Hispanic leadership panel
Sept. 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. | CSC Comanche | Gain some insight from Hispanic community leaders as tey tell their story.
Mr. & Mrs. Caribfest
Sept. 28 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. | Akin Auditorium | A night of pure talent, poise, class, and intellect. Males and females of MSU vie, respectfully for the crowns of Mr. and Miss Caribfest. The contestants first give a brief introductory speech. Then go on to compete in talent, swimwear, evening wear, and question segments. The pageant is open to persons of all nationalities.
Caribfest Soca show
Sept. 29 from 7 to 10 p.m. | Wichita Falls Museum of Art pavilion | Soca is the most popular genre of music in the Caribbean. On this night, Caribbean students compete for the title of “Soca King” or “Soca Queen.” PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARQUART | THE WICHITAN
Leroy McIlhaney, Mr. Midwester, at the candle light vigil in honor of Robert Grays, , on the Jesse Rogers Promenade on Sept. 21. from GRAYS pg. 3
“love it.” “He would also want everybody to keep never see him in a bad mood,” Brown said. their heads up and just don’t be sad about Mindful of the impact he has had on it,” Little said. “He’s in a better place. He’s the campus, University President Suzanne probably looking down and laughing at Shipley encouraged students to look after us right now.” each other in this time. Hundreds of students attended a “You might not even know the person candlelight vigil in Grays’ honor at Jesse sitting next to you suffering because the Rogers Promenade on Sept. 21, where his death, even if you don’t know the person, friends and team gathered to remember can really unsettle you, and that’s why we his legacy. have to be super vigilant for each other His legacy and the impact he had right now,” Shipley said. on people is “obvious,” Maskill and the rest of according to Maskill. the team believe that Grays “The way he impacted is in good hands now. the football team was just “We believe that he’s in his personality. Like Ford good hands, we’re going said up there tonight, to continue to practice,” he was always positive, Maskill said. “It wasn’t the he was enthusiastic, plan we wanted, but it was he was energetic, he the plan the Lord wanted. was emotional, he was GAGE THOMPSON His dad said, ‘you know we dancing, he was having UNDECIDED FRESHMAN were praying for a miracle fun, he was messing with and we didn’t get the one you,” Maskill said. we wanted, but he’s going to the Lord.’” As the morning of Sept. 24 approached, Clouds clearing up and the sight of a the football players woke up from their double rainbow brought a new light to six-hour bus ride to Rosharon, Texas for Grays’ death, and helped remind campus Grays’ homegoing celebration. Entering of Grays’ positive, outgoing personality. the church dressed in strictly their jerseys Grays was raised to always have the and jeans, the football team attended to best outlook on life. pay their respects to Grays and his family. “There was no bad days in that kid’s With the service lasting two hours and life. Now he might have had a headache open to everyone on livestream, the room or a sore tooth, but he didn’t complain,” was filled with more smiles than frowns as Maskill said. everyone remembered his life. After news spread about Grays’ death, The 19-year-old athlete made sure to the campus rose together to do anything share his positive outlooks on life with his possible to help his family. friends. Little said if Grays could see the impact “He always told me to keep my head he’s had on the campus community, he’d up,” Little said.
“He was always smiling, never saw him with a frown on his face ever.”
| Sept. 27, 2017 | 5
Caribfest parade day & culture show
Sept. 30 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. | MSU campus | On this day, the school community together with the Wichita Falls community gather and parade a specified route on the MSU campus. The paraders have the options of joining the flag waving troupe, one of the fancy mas bands, or a T-shirt and paint band, all to the rich rhythms of Caribbean music.
Glow Fete
Sept. 30 from 10 p.m. to Oct. 1 at 2 a.m. | CSC Comanche | Marks the end of Caribfest. It is an all-white glow party so wear white clothing. The crowd is entertained by American as well as Caribbean DJs.
Deadline for December graduates to file for graduation
Oct. 2 | Registrar | Deadline for December graduates to file for graduation.
Family Weekend
Starts Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. and ends Oct. 1 at Noon | Various locations across campus | Come out and be a part of family day.
CRIME LOG Theft-Felony
Sept. 12 at 7:09 p.m. | McCoy Engineering Hall | Suspect took a hat and glasses from the victim and refused to give them back.
Sexual Assault
Sept. 18 at 10:09 a.m. | Legacy Hall | Victim reported a sexual assault on campus.
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PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARQUART | THE WICHITAN
Eva Kor, holocaust survivor and forgiveness advocate, speaks to the audiance about her experience of being a holocaust survivor during the first Artist Lecture Series in Akin Auditorium on Sept. 21.
Forgiveness trumps hate in eyes of Holocaust survivor CORTNEY WOOD FEATURES EDITOR
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he has every right to burn with anger. At age 10, Nazis stipped her from the only home, the only family she knew. Ripped away from her mother, father and two older sisters, Eva Mozes Kor was left clutching her twin as her mother reached, arms outstretched with desperate despair as they were carted away to be processed in the Dr. Josef Mengele twin experiments, never to see her family again. Continually injected with unknown substances with gruesome treatment, leaving scars much deeper than physical. Left to the torment from the “Angel of Death.” Watching the death and sorrow suffocate the notorious concentration camp — Auschwitz. Bur Kor refused to succumb to anger, just as she said she refused to die after months of experimentation and illness plagued her prepubescent body. Instead, she travels state to state, country to country, sharing her horrific experiences as a way to take the power back and become a voice of forgiveness in a world that harbors hatred. Now 73 years later, Kor, Holocaust survivor and forgiveness advocate, urges peace and growth at the premiere of the 53rd Artist-Lecture Series in Akin Auditorium Sept. 21. “Anybody who is ever a victim always wishes they could change the past, but you cannot change what happened. What happened was history and you cannot forget it, but that means you cannot live,” Kor said. “If you cannot live, then you have to do something with it, and forgiveness is actually a very
simple thing. It costs nothing, therefore every person can afford to use it, and it’s really a way to give the power back to the victim.” Kor has received various awards for her compassion, and although it wasn’t always her immediate reaction, Kor said she found strength and healing through forgiveness because, “who on earth benefited from getting angry when you are the one staying hurt?” “Many people are willing victims, and you have to have the attitude to confront,” she said. “Some people are stuck in a victim mentality, but forgiveness is for you, so you can move on in your life and not hold on to the anger.” After moving to the United States, Kor pioneered the Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experiments Survivors Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1995. An arsonist destroyed the museum in 2003; however, through public support, Kor was able to reopen the museum in 2005. Opposed to the horrific images displayed at many Holocaust centers, Catie Charlton, CANDLES office manager, said Kor’s museum offers hope and remembrance for visitors. “Eva focuses largely on making sure guests don’t feel hopeless leaving the museum, but focuses on hope and up-lifting people,” Charlton said. “She really wants people to leave with a call to action.” That call to action is found in layers of understanding, Charlton said. Continual efforts to show empathy, Charlton said, breathes life into the world. “Make a deliberate effort to be kind,” Charlton said. “It
doesn’t take much effort, and it’s free.” From Holocaust survivors to actors with cerebral palsy, the Artist-Lecture Series delves into a variety of topics that affect the community, and Emily McDonald, sociology senior and Artist-Lecture Series committee member, said this allows students to enrich their college experience. “The benefit to having the Artist-Lecture Series is honestly exposing our students to different people who are influential,” she said. “Eva is a historical asset to us, and ultimately this is an opportunity for people to here her story of prejudice, hatred and bigotry and our campus experiences some of that which Eva speaks to. She gives a new voice from an older generation, and I hope people take her forgiveness message and apply that.” With the voice she has, Kor has accumulated an extensive list of advocacy for her forgiveness campaign. Along with her three books and two documentaries that fuse stories of Holocaust survivors, a third documentary will follow Kor to Israel and Germany and will be released in 2018, Kor continues to urge kindness as a forefront and wished the Wichita community her “deepest condolences” after the tragic death of corner back Robert Grays. “We have to treat each other with respect and love,” Kor said. “When you are a victim, you didn’t do anything to deserve it, but there is very little you can can with anger, but with forgiveness you are taking back the power that was taken from you, and you can do great things with that determination.” She has every right to burn with anger. But instead she chooses forgiveness.
| Sept. 27, 2017 | 7 PHOTOS BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN
To the left Laycey Adams, elementary education junior, and Crystal Wenfro, elementary education, work on some last minute studying on Saturday may 9, 2015. Below Geethu Philip, nursing junior, Brea Cumby, nursing junior, Mercy Riaro, nursing junior and Brandon Taylor, radiology junior, do some studying, Saturday May 9, 2015.
McCullough Hall houses tutors New program offers major specific, basic studies tutoring YARELI LORA REPORTER
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eeking help from the tutoring center, located in Mcullogh Hall, may be a solution if students are having difficulties in a course, especially if your homework and tests are reflecting your struggle. Ashley Hurst, director tutor and academic support programs, said there is plenty of help and support for students, especially for freshmen who are just beginning to navigate college and figure out their schedule. “Students are bombarded with support,” Hurst said. Not only does the tutoring center offer learning support for most general subjects, but it also offers support for other courses, such as nursing classes. “The goal, especially for the really challenging classes, is to be able to give plenty of help and support to students having a tough time in a course or need help on an assignment they don’t understand.” Hurst said. Tutoring can help improve a student’s
“The goal, especially for the really challenging classes, is to be able to give plenty of help.”
academic performance and develop many students struggle skills, such as good study habits an with foreign languages organizational skills. Hurst said it is and it can be pretty important to cultivate these skills stressful, but I’m here to and implement them throughout help and to let students college for success. know that it is okay to Hours of the tutoring center are ask for help, especially if from Sunday through Thursday, 1 you want to do better in p.m. to 9.p.m. the class that you’re have The new hours for the center trouble understanding give students flexibility and things.” accessibility by being able to walkTutors at the center in rather than having to make an encourage students appointment. and by give one-on-one “These hours compared to attention. last year are much more ideal for “Being a college AMY HURST students because majority of them student is stressful and DIRECTOR TUTOR AND ACAhave classes in the morning,” Hurst DEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAMS I know how frustrating said. it can be to study for Tutors at the center are students that something and end up not doing as well as undergo through specific training to provide you might have wanted to, but asking for academic assistance and support to students help is the first step to overcome an obstacle,” that need help. Escobedo said. Hali Escobedo, Spanish senior, said, “I With the increased number of students, it chose to be a Spanish tutor because I know can be difficult for an instructor to ensure that
all students are understanding the material. Alexis Montalvo, business management, junior, said, “I remember feeling anxious as a freshmen when I walked into my algebra class and saw how packed the classroom was. There had to have been over 30 students in the class.” Montalvo said she had difficulties learning the material in a class with more than 30 people and was too shy to ask for help. “I was scared to ask my instructor for help but I had to do something because I wasn’t doing as good as I wanted to be in the class. I ended up getting tutored at the center by someone who was very patient and knew how to help me,” Montalvo said. Preparedness and confidence before a test eases the mind. Not only does tutoring improve academic performance, but it can also help increase motivation and attitude. “The stress before a test is awful, but it’s a really good feeling when you see positive results,” Montalvo said.
8 | Sept. 27, 2017 |
Furry friend provides comfort YARELI LORA REPORTER
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lijah is an 18-month-old golden retriever that is part of the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. He is a professional comfort dog in the community and comforts anyone that needs love and support. “Elijah has a job. He is here to comfort those in need and wherever he is wanted, that is where he goes. He’s out here for the community,” JoAnn Kurtz, lead coordinator of Lutheran Church said. On Wednesday, Sept. 20 Michaela Seeliger, Director of Christian education at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, brought Elijah onto campus to comfort students after hearing about the loss of sophomore football player, Robert Grays. “I got a news alert on my phone and so JoAnn and I were e-mailing before the sun even came up about how soon we could get to campus and what we could be doing because when I got on Facebook everybody everywhere was already talking about it,” Seeliger said. Grays suffered a neck injury while making a tackle during the team’s game Saturday, sept. 16 against Texas A&M-Kingsville and was hospitalized. On Sept. 19 he died from critical injuries suffered in the game. “I knew that students needed some support and comfort so I figured that I would bring Elijah onto campus. We stood around different areas where I could see students so that they could see him too and love on him and just let him be there for them,” Seeliger said. Students had a positive response to Elijah’s visit on campus. “It’s important to have plenty of support during trying times like these. We lost an ambitious young man who was passionate about football and close to so many people on campus. I didn’t know him personally, but I feel the sadness and broken spirits all around,” Jaelen Lewis, engineer senior said. Elijah is a furry friend who brings a calming influence and allows people to open up their hearts and receive help for what is affecting them. “People grieve in different ways. Some people don’t like to share their feelings or open up and talk about what happened and you have to respect that. Sometimes your presence is enough just like this dog,” Lewis said. After stressful and traumatic events, people can seek relief by petting and cuddling a dog. “He makes such a big difference in people’s lives by providing comfort and just being by your side,” Seeliger said. One student smiling widely as he eagerly approached to pet the gently-furry canine, instantly fell to one knee to stroke and gently
PHOTO BY HARLIE DAVID | THE WICHITAN
Felisa Nihof, pre-vet sophomore, stops by to greet comfort dog Elijah on her way out of Moffet library on Sept. 20.
squeeze the dog’s ears. “It’s not everyday you see a dog on campus just hanging out ready to be loved on and petted. If I usually see a dog with a vest on I usually assume you can’t pet it because it’s working,” Lewis said. Elijah is a professional comfort dog, meaning anyone can pet him. He provides affection. “There is a difference between a service and comfort dog. A comfort dog is to do exactly just that. To comfort anyone and is allowed to let anyone pet him,” Kurtz said.
When Elijah was sitting in front of Moffett Library, students that walked by stared and smiled widely as he began to wag his tail. Josh Mujica, a graduate student in education, said a dog is a great way to alleviate a tough time. “It’s really unexpected to see a dog on campus, but I couldn’t think of a better way to support a grieving community than by having man’s best friend by your side to help you get through it,” Mujica said. For students that didn’t know Grays agree that Elijah can make someone’s day. “I felt really bad that I didn’t really know
Robert but I think it’s such a wonderful idea to have a dog like Elijah come on campus during a time of need and I think it would also be great if they did that more often. I’ve seen this dog like three times on campus and it literally makes my day just to see him,” Felisa Nihof, pre vet sophomore, said. Elijah derives from Lutheran Church Charities (headquarter in Northbrook, Illinois) that help make a difference by sharing mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Lutheran Church Charities is a non profit ministry that supports Christian human care ministries of the church. Lutheran Church Charities also works throughout the United States and Internationally. “Our Pastor had gone to a conference and had said how he saw a booth set up by the people that have the comfort dogs, the organizers, and he saw the booth and he started asking questions and came back to our church and told us about his experience and wanted to share it with our community. It took us almost two years before we were able to get the dog,” Kurtz said. Once Elijah was ready, the handlers had to travel to Chicago for three days of training. “The training with the handlers was three intense days of training from 7 a.m. to 5:30 at night with homework,” Kurtz said. Elijah has been in the community for three months and has already been busy visiting churches, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, events, and in disaster response situations. “We got Elijah back in August from Chicago and as soon as we got him, he got deployed down to Houston for about a week to help with the hurricane Harvey victims,” Kurtz said. According to American Kennel Club, Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. The breed is highly intelligent with a tolerant attitude that makes for a highly capable working dog. “Elijah knows 33 commands and he is triple vested,” Seeliger said. The K-9 is vested for the police force, the military and comfort. “There’s over 100 nation wide and only five dogs in Texas that are a part of Lutheran Church Charities K-9 comfort dogs,” Kurtz said. Like Elijah, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are all golden retrievers who bring a calming influence, allowing people to open up their hearts and receive help in times of need. “He is an influence that doesn’t argue with people, doesn’t judge anyone, he’s just there to love. You know he doesn’t tell anybody that they are wrong or that their feelings aren’t valid, he’s there to love and to be loved back,” Kurtz said.
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Women’s soccer wins against UTPB MAKAYLA SCHECK REPORTER
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he women’s soccer team won the game against UTPermian Basin on Sept. 24 with a 3-0 score, adding another shut out onto their record. Compared to the past few games when the first half has seemed to be an issue, the women decided to make a change. Destinee Williamson, forward and criminal justice senior, made the first goal at the 19:49 mark of the first half. The game against Angelo State on Sept. 22 was a big reality check for the women’s team, according to Madison Davis, midfielder and criminal justice sophomore. Davis completed a penalty kick during the first half bringing the score to 2-0. “I think last week we were down 2-0, then we came back and tied it 2-2 and won with 19 seconds. Friday, we were in the same situation and we tied it 2-2 but it didn’t go in our favor, which kind of showed us that it won’t happen every time,” Davis said. That reality check was just what the team needed. They played better than they have as a whole during the past few games. The team has also faced a different formation system this weekend, compared to what they are used to. “This team plays in a 3-5-2 and so did Angelo. So, it was the second day of us playing against that system. I think we learned a lot from Friday’s game and we were able adjust ourselves tactically to be successful in this game,” head coach Damian Clarke said. At the 27:52 mark of the second half, Sarah Steward, defender and chemistry sophomore, made the shot that completed the final score of 3-0. This shut out puts the women’s soccer team at an overall of 5 wins and 2 losses.
PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN
Madison Williams, undecided freshman, sets the ball and attempts to keep it away from an Angelo State player during the game held in Stang Park Sept. 22 where they lost in overtime 3-2.
VOLLEYBALL PHOTO BY SHEA JAMES | THE WICHITAN
Volleyball players celebrate their point at the womens volleyball game against Western New Mexico in D. L. Ligon Collosseum on Sept. 22. Kristan Aduddell, sports administration senior, prepares to serve the ball at the womens volleyball game against Western New Mexico in D. L. Ligon Collosseum on Sept. 22.
10 | Sept. 27, 2017 |
M E N ’ S SOC CER
Sunny Smiles kept the Clouds away STEPHEN GOMEZ REPORTER
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PHOTO BY MARISSA DALEY | THE WICHITAN
Grantley Samuels, mechanical engineering senior, helps Akeem Shaw, accounting senior, pack up the Blick’s DJ stand used to blast music at the Jouvert Caribfest at Lucy Park on Sept 23.
miss the rain, stress of school and hardship of life, the sounds of laughter through red faces where one looked turns a cloudy day into a brighter one. Comedian Francisco Ramos preformed in front a crowd of around thirty-six people. “It’s good to see people come when it was raining, or when they were stressed out and life criss,” Ruby Arriaga, coordinator of student activities and leader of the Hispanic Heritage Month committee said. “Seeing them relax and have a good time felt great.” Ramos started the show with information about how he started as a comedian then asked if anyone was from out of the country. After a few people answered, the show began with Ramos turning his home and other’s into a joke. From learning to speak English, school, family life, relationships and even a touch of racial problems; Ramos kept the crowd engaged and laughing the whole hour. “I like how interactive it was,” Zaqucra Wallatce,biology junior said. “I like the really ‘bad’ comedies and the likes.” Ramos explained after the show that college performances with students are different than club shows with married couples so it’s helps him stay fresh and change up his show for every new event. He then went on to explain that comedians think differently than other people due to always looking for a joke, which came naturally to him all his life. Ramos encourages everyone to find something they like, work hard for it and worry about everything else after that because it will come. “The World is always a better place when your happy,” Francisco said.
PHOTO BY SARA KEELING | THE WICHITAN
Comedian Francisco Ramos was a guest brought in by University Programming Board as a part of MSU’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. About 25 people were in attendance in Clark Student Center Comnche Room Sept. 26.
MOVIE REVIEW
Kingsman sequel misses the mark TYLER MANNING FILM CRITIC
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ingsman: The Secret Service” was a breath of fresh air for the spy genre. Matthew Vaughn’s style and visual flair blended with a conventional comingof-age story made for a refreshing spy movie. Tyler The film parodied conventional spy flicks and Manning overall made a mockery of the silliness of spy tropes, while also being a massively entertaining action movie. Action scenes were brutal but fun, the score was great and overall there was a nice sense of character to the movie. I was incredibly excited to see the next installment in this franchise, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” though it is with a heavy heart that I have to say it nowhere near held up. Before I state what was wrong with the movie, I want to commend it for the few things it got right. Vaughn is an incredibly talented action director. He knows how to choreograph action better than most directors today. For the most part, all of the action sequences, from a technical perspective, are well-executed and entertaining to watch. His action scenes have a sense of style and brutality that sets him far above the caliber of a good percentage of action directors. There is also a good running-joke with Elton John in the movie that is, surprisingly, incredibly funny. That is it. Aside from “Dunkirk,” this is the most disappointed I have been in a film all year. After leaving the theater, I was baffled as to why this movie was as bad as it was when every component
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY IMBD
Taron Egerton in Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
of the film was tailored for success. The same competent director was back at the helm. And not only did the film have all of the talent from the original, but also had new talent such as Halle Berry, Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges. The root problem of this movie is its identity. Never have I seen a sequel completely miss what made the original so great. It felt like a parody of itself. The first Kingsman was a satire that poked fun at spy movies while being a competent action film. The second film feels like a middle school boy saw Kingsman and wanted to make
his own Kingsman movie. “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” is incredibly dumb. Throughout the entire movie, you are left wondering why characters make certain decisions other than blatant stupidity. Again, the script feels like it was written by someone with the same maturity as a boy in middle school. Everything from the plot to the character writing is all incredibly poor and lazy. No characters have arcs. The main villain’s master plan is dumb and the film presents pointless political satire that is not smart in anyway possible. Brilliant, Oscar-nominated actors Berry, Moore and Bridges are left with absolutely nothing to do. The biggest travesty of these is certainly Berry, where she is relegated to nothing more than typing on a fake keyboard with no major impact on the plot. The only shining jewel in this movie is Mark Strong, who has enough charisma to elevate a bland side charater. His character is the only character that I emotionally connected to throughout the film. His character is still not written well, but his performance made me care about him, which is more than I can say about anyone in this movie. Overall I do not recommend this movie. It is a mess of a film with few redeeming qualities. I pity this movie because I had a great amount of adoration for its predecessor. It completely missed the mark on everything that made the original good and instead fills its run-time with schlock. Rating: 4/10 Out in local theaters
Food insecurity in Wichita Falls
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CONNOR FLOYD REPORTER
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n the Wichita Falls region, 22,560 people are food insecure, meaning they do not know where their next meal will come from. Of the 22,560 individuals, 26 percent (more than 1,560) of them are students. Over the last three years, the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank has decreased the hunger gap in the region from 9.8 million meals needed annually to 6.9 million meals. “It’s our neighbor, co-worker, senior citizens, children that go to school with our children, and veterans that are food insecure. Needs continue to grow with population and there is no help to small,” Emily Kincaid, marketing and development director for the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank, said. Effective immediately, the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank is providing emergency food boxes for Dominican students whose families have been affected by Hurricane Maria. These students affected are able to pick up meal boxes on site daily. “These emergency boxes are for Dominica students who have been cut off from their lifelines and financial lines back home, and for those who are not working on campus or able to work,” Kincaid said. The WFAFB is a non-profit food distributing organization founded in 1982 that provides services to the food insecure individuals and families in the 12 North Texas counties that make up the Wichita Falls region. The food received by the WFAFB is distributed to local food pantries, homeless shelters, Texas Workforce Commission, Helen Farabee and one of the 200 local agencies or non-profit organizations. The WFAFB receives its donations from large local corporations, the GoodBuy program and monetary donations from the community. “We receive access stock from large local corporations like Market Street or Walmart. They donate the extra produce that they don’t use but it is ‘of course’ always fresh food. Another way we are able to receive food is through a program called GoodBuy, this program allows us to buy fresh produce and nonperishable items very cheaply,” Kincaid said. Lack of transportation, low-income, elderly age and food deserts all play a role in the suffering of food insecurity and hunger in the Wichita Falls region. “The east side of town is considered a food desert. There is nothing but a gas station nearby. I believe a food pantry is going to be opening within that area fairly soon,” Kincaid said. With a mission to “unite our communities to fight hunger with food, education, and advocacy,” the WFAFB provides four programs that serve those in need. Produce Express is a program that focuses on increasing fresh fruits and vegetable distribution. The WFAFB annual report says,
Food Bank truck at the loading docks at the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank on Sept. 25. “increasing our fresh fruits and vegetable distribution from 15 percent two years ago to 30 percent in 2016 has been an enormous task.” One in six people in the U.S. are food insecure and 25 percent of them who suffer are children. Wichita Falls Area Food Bank offers a program called “Power Pak 4 Kids.” It is a program focused on stopping weekend hunger in children ages 3-15 years old. Every Friday participating children are sent home with a bag of food in their backpacks. “An 8-year-old kid once said to their teacher, ‘who is the snack fairy?’ That has become one of my favorite quotes,” Kincaid said. Kincaid also spoke about a child who participated in the Power Pak program and over the course of one year went from underweight to a healthy weight. “It is a great thing to see how we can really help a child who may not be able to help themselves,” Kincaid said. Nutrition Education is a program focused on educating individuals on nutritional food and how to prepare it. The WFAFB annual report says that in 2015 only 2,316 people were educated on nutrition. Today that number
has increased to 3,851. The nutrition education program offers 295 nutrition education classes for adults and children. “No one knew what lentils were two years ago, but after our workshop where we taught a class on how to prepare lentils, they have been flying off the shelf,” Kincaid said. Kids Café is a program that provides hot meals to local children ages 3-18 in a safe environment, free of charge. “No child is ever turned away for a meal,” Kincaid said. Working with the Texas Workforce Commission, the Municipal Court and over 200 local organizations, the WFAFB relies on the community to help accomplish their mission. CEO of WFAFB, Kara Nickens said, “We have had nursing students, fraternities, and sororities all help with our volunteer work.” The WFAFB annual report says that more than 19,626 hours were logged in 2016 from more than 3,000 volunteers. The value in these 3,000 plus volunteers is valued at over $473,000. Kincaid encourages students to participate via food drives, word of mouth, monetary donations and volunteer opportunities.
PHOTO BY CONNOR FLOYD | THE WICHITAN
Breann Jackson, nursing aluma, said, “When we volunteered at the food bank, it was overwhelming to see the amount of food the warehouse stores and how much help they could use sorting and organizing the food.” The amount of food received and distributed is gauged by pounds. According to Kincaid, the year-to-date analysis says the WFAFB is currently down in pounds of food. Kincaid said, “The reason for this may be due to natural disasters like hurricane Harvey. It also has to do with larger agencies tightening up their stock. I have noticed that society feels for the extremely poor, as they should but it’s easy to forget about the working poor.” The WFAFB appreciates the help from the community. For ways to help the WFAFB reach their goals through monetary donations and financial donations go to www. WFAFB.org Kincaid said, “working here is rewarding because, in order to help people in crisis, you witness crisis. I see people’s lives improve every day and seeing other people so willing to help is very humbling.”
12 |Â Sept. 27, 2017 |
Robert D. & Carol Gunn
College of Health Sciences & Human Services OUR PROGRAMS: Athletic Training Criminal Justice Dental Hygiene Exercise Physiology Health Services Administration Nursing Radiologic Sciences Respiratory Care Social Work
Facilities:
SPECIAL PROGRAMS: Fast track program into nursing (ACCEL-RN) Computed tomography (CT) certificate Cycling performance minor Health services administration graduate certificate Online RRT-to-BSRC completion program RN to BSN or RN to MSN transition program
3410 Taft Boulevard Wichita Falls, TX 76308
J.S.Bridwell Regional Simulation Center Gaines Clinic Radiologic Sciences Athletic Training and Exercise Physiology