SWEAT FOR SUCCESS: Football players practice through the heat to prep for season opener npage 8
Wednesday n September 1, 2010
Shrinefest pairs good Texas music with a good cause npage 7
thewichitan
your university n your voice
State calls for deeper cuts from strapped budget “ ” Brittany Norman Editor in Chief
As the Texas Legislature continues to dig deeper into the pockets of state agencies to cover an $18 billion deficit, MSU administrators must prepare a plan to return as much as 10 percent of the university’s state appropriations for the next biennium. President Dr. Jesse Rogers said the proposed cuts, which will be finalized during the January 2011 legislative session, will be difficult even in the best-case scenario.
This is the largest budget cut I’ve been involved in. We’ve never been in a position to cut up to $6 million out of our operating budget. -MSU President Dr. Jesse Rogers
“It’s very serious,” Rogers said. “Our budget will be cut somewhere between 5 percent – which is a certainty – and 10 percent. That is on top of the 5 percent we cut this biennium.” Rogers said the university has already pared away $2 million from the 2010-2011 budget after the legislature requested that all state agencies reduce their
budgets by 5 percent. “That first 5 percent was difficult,” Rogers said. He said the university slashed $600,000 in the previous school year, and plans to cut the remaining amount – over $1 million – over the next year. One of the money-saving measures the university has taken is instating a limited hiring
freeze. “(Limited hiring freezes) are very hard to do because we are not overstaffed,” Rogers said. “We need every position we have. There are quite a few positions still open, and if we can hold positions open for awhile, we will do so.” He said MSU has also postponed or scaled back some cam-
MSU gets ‘Sprinkled’
See BUDGET on page 3
New provost prioritizes accreditation, recruiting Chris Collins Managing Editor
urges students to embrace change Brittney Cottingham Features Editor
See CONVOCATION on page 5
such as student services, maintenance projects and the academic budget, to start hammering out a new budget. “This is the first time I’ve done that sort of planning as a provost or president, but this is also the largest budget cut I’ve been involved in,” Rogers said. “We’ve never been in a position to cut up to $6 million out of our operating budget.” In the past, it has been possible to handle budget cuts at solely an administrative level,
Dr. Alisa White (Photo courtesy)
Convocation speaker Jonathon Sprinkles
A who’s who of MSU: President Rogers, the Deans and Administration heads, Peer Counselors, Student Ambassadors, members of fraternities and sororities, cheerleaders, athletes, and many more, were in attendance Tuesday night in the Fain Fine Arts Center Theatre to welcome the Class of 2014 to Midwestern. “[New Student Convocation] is to officially welcome our new students as the Class of 2014 and start them off on their journey to receive a great college education at Midwestern State University,” Student Development and Orientation director, Matthew Park said. But the festivities didn’t kick off until keynote speaker, Jonathan Sprinkles, took the stage and dazzled the crowd with a message of letting go of the one’s past self and accepting the future with an open mind. Telling them his motto, “If it is going to be it’s up to me. So I choose to see
pus projects and cut money out of existing projects. “It was difficult, but I don’t think the students have felt (the effects of the cuts) in too many ways,” Rogers said. But if the cuts continue, Rogers said the effects might become more noticeable. As a result, the administration has formed three committees to develop plans for the potential 5 or 10 percent cuts. Those committees will be seeking input from across the university. The committees will look at specific areas of the university,
(Top) Cheerleaders throw prizes into the audience during New Student Convocation Tuesday night. (Bottom) Jonathon Sprinkles spoke to new students about moving into their futures with open minds. (Photos by Kassie Bruton)
After a search spanning over a year and more than 100 applicants, MSU admins have chosen Texas native Dr. Alisa White to fill the empty provost’s office. White said her main priorities at MSU will be meeting accreditation goals, improving retention rate and helping with student recruitment in a fiscally depressed era. White, who started working as provost July 16, was born in December 1958 in Weatherford, Texas, to Robert White and Kathryn Shires White. The 51-year-old provost has lived in Montana, Arizona, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alaska, Louisiana, Georgia and Texas. Her family moved often because her father Robert worked as a traveling minister and church administrator with the Church of God. White earned her Ph.D. in
mass communication from the University of Tennessee in 1990, her MSLS in library science from the University of Tennessee in 1984 and her BA in business from Lee University in 1980. She said she gets the impression that Wichita Falls has a strong community spirit. “People really believe in working together to develop the university and provide quality education. I felt like it was a good team to be part of,” she said. “I think there’s an energy to a campus that translates very well to someone who has an adventurous spirit,” she said. “A university is not a place to go and sit back on your laurels. There’s always something to move forward and do.” She said her first job out of college was as an advertiser for Yellow Pages. She also advised a campus radio station and a cable TV station in Georgia, and has done professional market re-
See PROVOST on page 3
New music hall gives band room to play Chris Collins Managing Editor
(Above) MSU band members rehearse in their new stateof-the-art music hall. Construction was completed on the facility over the summer, allowing the band to leave behind the old, cramped and moldy music hall. (Right) The new music hall is situated by the Fain Fine Arts building. (Photo by Brittany Norman)
The MSU band has finally found a new home. After more than 60 years of waiting, the band has moved out of its dingy, moldy headquarters and into a 3,000 sq. foot, state-of-theart rehearsal facility. Construction on the building began at the end of spring and was wrapped up this summer. The project cost about $3 million, $500,000 of which was donated by the Fain Foundation. The first rehearsal in the old building was in 1946. Before then it served as an Air Corps barracks in Wichita Falls. The building’s name, like the busy street, was Call Field. When it was moved from its original location to MSU, it was one of the first buildings on campus. The barracks, which was decent for housing soldiers, made a less-than-ideal- practice hall. “It was very small,” said Larry Archambo,
professor of music. The building was completely renovated in 1988. This was also the year MSU added a marching band and football team to its list of student activities. Last year’s band, with 132 members, was the largest in school history. This year the band has 128 members, its second biggest troupe in history. The MSU music department is accredited by
the National Association of Schools of Music. The organization sets guidelines regarding how much space each individual musician needs in order to be comfortable and competent. “It’s like if you play trumpet, you should have ‘x’ amount of square feet to play in. It’s for comfort, for air quality, for a few different things,” Archambo said. “It’s a little different for a tuba player, a little different for a piccolo player, string bass, whatever. He said that based on the NASM guidelines for space allotted to players, the MSU band should have about 45 members to be comfortable. With almost triple that many members, it was time for a change. “When we had marching rehearsal in there it was deafening,” Archambo said. “It was crowded we had to move all the racks that hold stands and chairs outside just so we could have room to play. It was pitiful. It was terrible.”
See MUSIC HALL on page 3
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The Wichitan
campusvoice nour view
Sound Off Now or Shut Up Later Texas universities are starting to really feel the economic recession and administrators are seeking input from the MSU community on how to best save money. Now that they’re asking, it’s time to speak up. Committees have been formed across campus to collect opinions and ideas from areas beyond the Hardin Administration Building. Take advantage of it. President Dr. Jesse Rogers plans to address the Student Government Association about the state-level budget cuts MSU is facing. Tuition hikes are almost inevitable, but everyone should have a voice in what is cut, downgraded, postponed, and eliminated. Students make up the largest percentage of the campus population. Staff, faculty, and administration are going to get their say, but
students at MSU notoriously waste opportunities to have their voices heard. Don’t make this just another Athletic Fee election where a couple hundred students make a decision that ultimately impacts the entire student body. If the continued improvement of athletic programs and facilities is your thing, say so. If the idea of studying in a moldy corner of Moffett Library for another four years sounds miserable, advocate against the new library project being put on the backburner. If your wallet can’t take another tuition fee addition, let someone know. Everyone’s ideas and suggestions won’t make it into the university’s plan. Some things are already slotted to occur, others will simply be too expensive in a budget situation where anywhere between 10-15%
of expected funds are no longer available. Students are the integral population of this university. Decisions made at the administrative level ultimately affect the student body, whether it is financially, academically, or through the activities and organizations. As a result, students should join the decision-making process when given the opportunity. The more ideas people bring to the table, the more informed the decisions ultimately reached will be. Billboards and advertisements remind MSU students that this is their university. They should take the initiative to ensure their opinions and ideas are considered. The administration is offering the student body the opportunity to be heard – don’t waste it.
September 1, 2010
thewichitan 3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 n Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 News Desk: (940) 397-4704 n Ads: (940) 397-4705 Fax (940) 397-4025 n E-mail WICHITAN@mwsu.edu
editorial board
nEditor in Chief: Brittany Norman nManaging Editor: Chris Collins nEntertainment Editor: Lauren Wood nOp-Ed Editor: Cameron Shaffer nSports Editor: Andre Gonzales nFeatures editor: Brittney Cottingham nPhoto Editor: Position Open nAdvertising manager: Rachel Bingham nCopy editor: Alyssa Johnston nadviser: Randy Pruitt nReporters: nPhotographers: Kassie Bruton, Damian Atamenwan
Copyright © 2010. The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication. Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University. First copy of the paper is free of charge; additional copies are $1. The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a telephone number and address for verification purposes. The editor retains the right to edit letters.
Cool heads missing in mosque debate
nSocietal Floss
Institutional apathy plagues student body Last year a lot of time was spent by the voice of the student body trying to solve the student body’s problems. But the Student Government Association, particularly the Student Senate did not do a fantastic job accomplishing anything. On May 4th at the SGA banquet Dr. Keith Lamb, the university’s Vice President of Student Affairs and long-time adviser to the SGA, gave a speech praising the accomplishments of the Senate. The only thing he could find to mention was the creation of a freeplay field between Sundance Court and Sunwatcher Village. While this singular achievement is something the university considers worthy of brandishing, it was in no way a SGA triumph: there was never actually a vote in the Senate on the issue. The actual concern brought to the attention of the Senate was that the practice fields over by the Wellness Center were con-
Cameron Shaffer Opinion Editor stantly being reserved by organizations even when they were not present, an annoyance that still persists. The voice of the students was nothing but a clamorous silence last year, which is simply a shame. The chief reason that the SGA proved itself ineffective is that it is designed to institutionalize apathy among its members, which necessarily produces a political ennui in the student body
as they observe no effect on the university administration being produced by the SGA. Midwestern’s SGA is one the few student governments in Texas that pulls its members from student organizations. The principal incentive for student organizations to send representatives to the Senate is money; student organizations only receive university funding if they have a member regularly attending the Senate as a senator. With a few notable exceptions, the senators representing organizations did not care a bit about being there. They were only there because they had to be, and the results were pretty clear-cut. Schools such as the University of Texas, DBU, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and SMU have their senators elected directly from each college within the university. Their student governments
are smaller, more representative of the student body, and actually accomplish quite a bit. It is no wonder that their student bodies responds positively to their respective student governments as their voice. Student government effectiveness and work fuels student body enthusiasm which, in a cyclical manner, produces a student government that values its role as the student’s voice. The new SGA president Chris Stolarzyk is not one to let his voice get drowned out. With him at the SGA helm and the start of a new school year, the opportunity to reform the Senate is fantastic. But more importantly the opportunity to prove to the student body that the SGA is not just decoration should not be passed by. The voice of Midwestern’s students needs to speak up.
The debate raging over the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero proves once again that those who wish to exercise their constitutional rights in a way that will inevitably incite emotional reactions should be prepared for the backlash. The First Amendment clearly states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” If Americans make decisions based upon those words (not always the case), there is nothing legal that can prohibit someone from building a mosque near Ground Zero. They have as much right to worship there as anyone else. If people weren’t still so emotionally raw from the tragedy that occurred at Ground Zero, it would be a non-issue. The “Ground Zero Mosque” isn’t next door to the site of the September 11 terrorist attack. It is two blocks away. It would no more be a “Ground Zero Mosque” than the strip club three blocks from the site is the “Ground Zero Strip Club.” But people think with their emotions, not with their heads. Many feel that building a mosque so near the site where thousands of people died as a result of Islamic terrorism is a slap to the face of everyone who suffered through the heartache in the months and years since 9/11. In a way it is. The developers, while they have every right to build their house of worship wherever they please, should have been more sensitive to what others might infer about their proposed mosque. They should have known that people would be outraged. They should have, at the very least, expected it and had the grace not to react with outrage when people stood up against the “community center.” It is a community center rather than a minaret-tipped mosque, which is important to point out as well. The symbolism, however, remains unchanged. Whatever the intentions of those who
Brittany Norman Editor In Chief planned to build their mosque so near Ground Zero had in mind are irrelevant. It’s the perception that matters. Would it have been so difficult to choose a location a few blocks farther away? Maybe not. Is it wrong for protestors to shout out that no “terrorists” should be allowed to worship within a certain area of Manhattan? Of course it is. Whether or not building a mosque near the former site of the World Trade Center is right is irrelevant. What matters is that Islamic people have as much of a right as members of any other religion to worship wherever they please in the United States. If members of one religion are to be forbidden from worshipping within a “buffer zone” around Ground Zero, members of all religions should be as well. That’s not really what America is about. The group planning the Islamic community center should be allowed to build, but they should not expect to do so without having to stand up for their right to do so, repeatedly, in the face of harsh opposition. People may know what is right and legal, but the ache left behind nearly a decade after the attacks on the twin towers is still very much a part of America, and strong emotions like that are difficult to overcome.
news
September 1, 2010
BUDGET...................................................................................................................continued from page 1 Rogers said. However, since the new cuts will impact so many areas of the university it is important to seek campus-wide input, he noted. “I think we need to do everything we can to involve everyone as far as their ideas (and suggestions) are concerned,” Rogers said. This openness extends to the student body, as well. “I’m going to go talk to the student body about it and assure them that this budget cut will not be made up by increased tuition,” Rogers said. “Our (normal) tuition increases will continue because of inflation, but I’m not going to ask the student body to make up this money with a tuition increase.” He said he plans to ask the SGA to have a couple of sessions with him to discuss the issue once they are organized for the semester. Rogers also said that the money doesn’t have to be made up solely with “cuts.” “It can be increased income as well,” he said. “We’ll have some increased income because of higher enrollment, but it’s important to streamline some of our operations without hurting (them). That’s very hard to do.” At this point, Rogers does not predict that it will become a necessity to cut current positions and employees. “We haven’t gotten to the point yet that we will have furloughs or layoffs,” he said. “We may hold positions open longer, but I think we can get through this thing and still hold a good staff and good faculty to-
gether.” Rogers said that the university plans to save money on utilities, wait on construction projects that were previously planned for, and keep operating with a limited hiring freeze in place. “We can cut some here and cut some there, but we can also cut enough that it will hurt the quality of the institution,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any way of escaping that the students will notice a little bit larger classes. You’ll see the university slow down on building. We’ve had a great 10-year run (with construction) while the economy was good.” He said certain projects will continue as planned, and others will be postponed indefinitely. Students can rest assured, however, that summer classes will not be placed on the chopping block, Rogers said. “If we do this right, I hope the students will see little difference,” he said. “There will still be enough classes to take so that you can graduate on time. You’re still going to see as many full-time faculty.” Rogers said this budget crunch is the result of the nationwide recession finally hitting Texas with substantial force. He attributes the delayed impact to Texas’ budget system, and the state’s use of stimulus money to balance the budget in the past. “We are just now really beginning to feel the effects of the recession,” he said. “We’re still better off (than other states). I don’t think that Texas will have to cut as deep as California or Oklahoma and the Midwest because our economy is just big-
The Wichitan n 3
campus briefs
ger and our business environment in Texas is still good.” He added, however, that an $18 billion deficit is a lot of money even for the Texas Big brothers and Sisters meeting in budget. CSC Caddo at 9 a.m. Rogers said that making higher education more cost-effective in the long-term Part-time Job and Volunteer Fair in must involve a shift in priorities. CSC Comanche at noon “The real cost of higher education is Student Organization Fairin CSC Atrithat we have a low number going to colum at noon lege and finishing college,” Rogers said. “I think we can look at it in a different light than just cutting a budget. :It costs us just as much money for stuBig brothers and Sisters meeting in dents to come, take some courses and never CSC Caddo at 9 a.m. graduate as it does for them to come and stay and graduate. We’ve got to find more Foreign Film series: persepolis at Kemp ways to get those people who start college Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. through to graduation. If we just had more people graduating, the cost per graduate would go down. We wouldn’t need more faculty, more building, anything.” Rogers said if more students worked to graduate in four years, or to graduate at all, the cost of higher education would pay for itself due to the economic impact of more educated people in the workplace. “The central problem is that we have a big (Texas university) system built up and very few people really taking advantage MSU band members rehearse in the new Fain Instrumental Muof it,” he said. “We keep building a bigger sic Hall. (Photo by Brittany Norman) system, and what we need is to build more BAND................................continued from page 1 success into the system in some way.” He said the carpet hadn’t having carpet on the floor and been replaced since the 1988 having kids drip their spit in renovation. The air-condition- the same piece of carpet for ing, heating and plumbing was 22 years,” Archambo said. “It’s completely worn out too. just gross. And that’s what that of a minority group, Calhoun with the event attendees which about an hour and a half. HowBrittany Walsh “The quality of air was just building was. Gross. It outlived said that was not the case. is being a part of the Wichita ever, Dominique Calhoun says For the Wichitan awful,” Archambo said. “It was its usefulness.” “The name may seem a little Falls Area of Texas Schools that his hope is to build on this moldy. It wouldn’t stay cool, it “On this building, they went Black Educators. Midwestern held its first ever misleading,” said Calhoun. first event, and to make it a wouldn’t stay hot. This move all out,” Archambo said. “I’m When he was first putting Torrence said that the purMinority Networking Event telling you this place is state-ofthe event together, all of the pose of the Black Educators regular occurrence throughout was overdue.” this past Friday. The event, The new building features the-art. I think this is comparathe year. which was held in the Kiowa members of the business “net- is to improve the achievement professional soundproofing ble to any band facility around. events as this one enables the room of the Clark Student work” wanting to attend the of African-American students panels high on the walls to ab- At any level. We had the worst Center, was a part of the week event were of a minority back- in the community. The group’s group to get a first hand account sorb excess sound and prevent band hall within 50 miles of ground. Minority, from a busi- main focus is on assisting the of the ways the Black Educators long welcoming activities put echoes. Instead of the deafening here. Now we feel like we went ness standpoint is anyone who is students in achieving graduon by the office of Student Decan improve their standards for roar of an entire band, students from having one of the worst not a white male. This includes ation from high school, and velopment and Orientation. helping their students. Torcan now concentrate on listen- band halls to having one of the anyone of ethnic background, helping them advance to the The purpose of the gathering rence says if they know what ing to their instrument and im- very best band halls.” and women. next level (college). was to help students establish Dr. Ron Fischli, dean of the Therefore Calhoun decided Torrence said that this is is expected of their kids at the proving. relationships with local busi- the event name should be Mi“The kids can become better college of Fine Arts, said the where MSU comes into play. next level, then it gives them a ness and organization leaders nority Networking Event, since Connecting with MSU stu- better idea of how to get them musicians because they can ac- building is part of a bigger projfrom around the Wichita Falls that is who was mainly being dents on a personal level at tually hear things in there now,” ect to integrate all of the unithere. area. Archambo said. “In the other versity’s fine arts into one area brought in for the occasion. such events as this one enables Dominique Calhoun, the coTorrence, who is an MSU one, you couldn’t hear. You of campus. Some of the guests who at- the group to get a first hand ordinator for multicultural ser- tended the event include a account of the ways the Black alumni, says that she loves should never, ever put carpet in “We’ve made a huge stride vices, says that his goal in plan- small business owner who owns Educators can improve their coming back to the campus and a rehearsal hall like they did.” with the facility and getting the ning this event was to bridge a his own painting business, an standards for helping their The new building’s concrete band out of that awful buildseeing all of the change that has gap between MSU students and elementary school teacher, students. Torrence says if they ing,” he said. taken place since she was a stu- floor is ideal for the band. the community around them. a published poet, and vari- know what is expected of their Instruments create condenFischli said he was glad the “It is a way to empower the ous members of organizations kids at the next level, then it dent in the late 80’s. sation when warm air is blown administration got the ball rollThe event only lasted for inside them to create tones. ing on the project when they local businesses and organiza- such as The Christian Women’s gives them a better idea of how tions, by also offering the stu- Job Corporation, and also the to get them there. about an hour and a half. How- The condensation, after it cools, did. dents the chance for mentoring, Wichita Falls Area of Texas Torrence, who is an MSU ever, Dominique Calhoun says turns to liquid. That liquid is “I think if we hadn’t gotten volunteer services, and of course Schools Black Educators. alumni, says that she loves that his hope is to build on this expelled from the instrument approval on it when we did, networking opportunities,” said One guest, Sharri Torrence, coming back to the campus and first event, and to make it a through a ‘water valve,’ which given the economy where it is Calhoun. teaches third grade at the lo- seeing all of the change that has most music students refer to as now, the plan could have been While the name of the event cal Scotland Park Elementary taken place since she was a stu- regular occurrence throughout a ‘spit valve.’ ashes,” he said. “Persistence has the year. suggested that it was specifically School. However, Torrence dent in the late 80’s. “Imagine for just a second paid off.” for those on campus who were shared another passion of hers The event only lasted for
n today:
n tHURSDAY:
Getting a leg-up on networking
PROVOST.....................................................................................................................................................................................................continued from page 1 TV station in Georgia, and has done professional market research and media purchasing. She has also worked as part-owner of WDR2, a family-owned radio station in Tennessee. Before she came to MSU, White acted as dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Texas at Tyler. “It’s been a fun journey,” White said. She said she thinks a broad array of experiences is necessary to be a successful educator. “People can be very different in how they get things accomplished and still do pretty big things,” she said. “So I tend to have a big appreciation for people who may not fir the mold. I can look at someone with a non-traditional background and see what they bring to the table. ” “My first priority is to work on the academic side of the affirmation for SACS,” she said. SACS is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, MSU’s biggest accrediting body. The university is
up for reaffirmation (think of it as a kind of quality inspection) in 2012. “They’ll be looking at our programs, our assessments of our programs, how we say we’re doing and what we’re doing for continuous improvement,” White said. “They’re in charge of assessing entire programs based on student learning outcomes.” After SACS does its assessment, a plan is instituted to improve in problem areas. She used the example of UT Tyler to demonstrate how the process works. Journalism students weren’t performing well in media ethics in capstone courses, according to a SACS assessment. “When they discovered that, they added exercises on making ethical decisions into the media law class,” she said. “My number one priority is working on the academic side to make sure we sail through SACS reaffirmation.” She said her second focus will be recruiting in a time of severe budget cuts. “We’re dealing with an $18 bil-
lion shortfall state-wide. In the next legislative session, schools will be looking for ways to continue to offer what they’re needing to offer, doing no harm to students but still doing it efficiently,” White said. One of White’s interests, she said, is studying the retention rate, the rate at which students who attend MSU continue to attend semester after semester. “I haven’t had a chance to look at our data that carefully yet, but this is a problem state-wide and nationally,” White said. “We have a lot of students who come to the university and they don’t finish. So they have no degree and they leave with debt. That really bothers me, because without a degree they won’t have the same earning power.” White said the administration needs to look at ways to make students more successful. “I mean graduating in four years, graduating efficiently, graduating through programs that help them be an educated person and help them be
successful in the workplace,” she said. trict Advertising Foundation. “I want “When these people graduate, they’re to make sure to stay active in my not going to be competing with the discipline,” she said. “I can’t imagine people they graduate with, they’re go- ever being complacent. I hate to be ing to be competing with people with bored.” graduates from SMU and OU and A&M. This is a society that moves. If you want a job at the Times Record News, you could be competing with people that move to Wichita Falls to take your job. You’ve got to be better than everybody else.” White’s son, John Michael Coleman, is a 15-year-old student at ! Rider High School. Her husband Elliott Herzlich owns a jewelry store in Tyler, Texas. Eventually he will move to Wichita Falls to live with his son Make it easy with an English Tutor. and wife. White said she stays Ms. Liberty Deatherage, Master of English active in her field. She’s Call or Text (940) 704-8408 a trustee of the 10th Dis-
English Class Too Froggin’ Hard?
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The Wichitan
September 1, 2010
Welcome back Mustangs! Student Development and Orientation host weekly actitives gearing up students for the new year Alyssa Johnston
For the Wichitan Jonathon Sprinkles spoke at the New Student Convocation & Campus Block Party Tuesday night, and it was a huge success according to Cammie Dean, the assistant director of Student Development and Orientation at MSU. Welcome Week is an important week that is full of fun events for new and returning students at MSU. Welcome Week allows students to connect and get to know each other through events such as the Convocation and Spirit Days. “I really like how the people around here are a lot more diverse,” said Devin Colley, freshman and former Abilene Christian University student. Dean stated that the New Student Convocation was the “feature event of the week.” She also said that the turn out for the events was better than expected. There were at least 200 students attending each large event, and the Convocation held at Fain Auditorium was full. “The incoming students are really positive and excited to be here,” stated Dean. The events were bigger and better this year than in the past because new organizations such as Alpha Phi Alpha and the Interfraternity Council sponsored new events. This year the SGA allocated funds for the operation of Welcome Week, proving the students want to get involved. As an incentive for coming
to the events and participating, MSU had a contest for a free iPad. Students that came to the marked events were entered to win an iPad. The funding for the iPad came from the Dillard College of Business Administration as well as the office of Student Development and Orientation. When asked what he thought about the iPad contest, Colley said, “I know kids like me; they’re always reluctant to come out to the organized things, so that’s really cool”. Welcome Week is important because it “sets the tone for new and returning students to get involved, be a part of the community and feel great about being on campus,” stated Dean.
To celebrate the end of the first week of school, new and returning students rushed to the Castway Cove to enjoy the slides and to soak up the sun at Castaway Cove. (Photo by Kassie Bruton)
Speaker Jonathan Sprinkles lead in interactive activities while giving his lecture about decision making on Tuesday night at New Student Convocation. (Photo by Kassie Bruton) MSU Peer Counselors Joel Smith, Stephanie Parker, Josh Loeffler, Wesley Hart, Lisa Moore and Lori Haggard brought together from Spirit Days for an Ice Cream Social on Wednesday night at Sunwatcher Plaza. (Photo by Brittney Cottingham)
Students escaped the heat by attending a day trip to Castaway Cove for only $5 on Saturdayto kick off Welcome Week. (Photo by Kassie Bruton)
The student Wellness Center hosted a Student Dodgeball Tournament on Wednesday night. (Photo by: Damian Atamenwan)
After Student Convocation, the Student Development and Orientation department threw a block party. (Photo by Kassie Bruton)
news
September 1, 2010
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CONVOCATION............................................................continued from page 1
Finding the ‘gift’ in dyslexia Special education students receive an inside look into the world of dyslexia from a former student Ashley Nesbitt For the Wichitan A 13-year-old boy fidgeted in class while his teacher called out each student’s name to read one paragraph aloud. Glenn Harrington could feel his heart race, his palms begin to sweat. Two students away and it would be his turn. His thoughts were frantic. How could he get out of this situation? One student away. What am I going to do? Suddenly, it was his turn. By then, Harrington had counted the paragraphs and knew which one would be his. He’d also managed to enlist the help of a nearby classmate who whispered the words to him. Somehow, he got through the reading. It wasn’t the first time Harrington would be confronted with his embarrassment of being unable to read. It wouldn’t be the last. In fact, it wasn’t until Harrington reached age 70 that he would learn he is dyslexic. By then he would have served a stint in the U.S. Air Force and graduated from MSU with a degree in geology. He would go on to get his master’s and teach students at Lee Junior College in Baytown, Texas. He also taught inmates at the prison in Huntsville. Later, he’d become a naturalist for the National Park Service. He did it all without reading a book. “I never read a book in my life,” Harrington said. Harrington is making this public confession in hopes of helping others. Recently, he returned to MSU to speak to spe-
cial education students about his life. At age 77, he is working to help others who find themselves in a similar situation. Harrington now calls his battle with dyslexia a “gift” that forced him to learn to think more efficiently than others. Harrington has his own take on the expression “thinking outside the box.” “You have to take that box, crumple it, and throw it away,” he said. “That box has the greatest limitation. Think the unthinkable. It is really so weird that it is practical.” Thinking differently, he believes, is what got him ahead in life. Since he couldn’t read well he adopted a listening-questioning approach to all his science classes at MSU. The English classes, though, that gave him fits. It took all four years of college to pass his two semesters of English. It got to the point where one English teacher referred to Harrington as “one of our mascots.” Throughout life, Harrington learned to compensate for his weakness. In elementary and high school he played the role of the class clown. “That was my cover.” When forced to teach a class in the military, he bought a pack of colored chalk and drew pictures on the blackboard rather than write. No one ever knew. Not even Melva, his wife of 59 years. “One time he even asked me to read a book for him for a book report,” she said. Harrington recalls growing up with dyslexia. “At that time there was no such thing as dyslexia,” he said. “If you couldn’t read it just meant you were dumb or lazy.” Harrington left high school
six weeks short of graduation to join the Air Force. His diploma was mailed to him. Out of a class of 72, he was second from the bottom in class rank. Harrington finally discovered his problem in 2003. It was at his home at Grand Lake, Colo. Brokerage founder Charles Schwab was on television in talking about his bout with dyslexia. Every symptom sounded familiar to Harrington. He and his wife traveled to Denver so he could take an $800 test that would diagnose him. On a scale of 0 to 10 with 10 being the most severe, he was a 10. A 70-year-old with a reading level of a fourth grader. The results provided him with a sobering explanation for everything he’d been dealing with his whole life. He got another surprise in 2009 from another test. He was accepted into Mensa International, meaning he scored in the top percentile of the general public on a standard IQ test. “It took my breath away, kind of set me back. I’m so humbled,” Harrington said. Being dyslexic doesn’t mean you’re dumb, he discovered. Harrington and his wife have started a program in their community to collect books and send them to young children. They also arrange and teach literacy courses. Harrington has a few words to say to anybody who knows they are battling with dyslexia. “I understand what you are going through. Try not to get frustrated. You need to redirect your thinking and get over the pity party. If others are trying to help you, let them. It is not a handicap. Allow yourself to succeed and you, too, will be blessed with the gift of dyslexia.”
on the shoulders of the 850 education students. MSU paid $143,000 over the past three years to provide students with the service. Students for whom the university has already waived the cost shouldn’t worry – since it’s just a one-time fee, those students will be grandfathered in. “This is the only university in the country that did that,” Capps said. “That was a commitment set up by Dr. Rogers set up because he wanted to help the students with that.” “We’re trying to figure out how to make this as smooth a transition as possible,” he said. Now MSU has no contract with TK20. Their relationship will work as a pay-as-you-go system.
Capps sympathizes. “I know it’s hard for some people. Every dollar counts anymore,” he said. About 150 universities use the database software in their education departments. All of those schools require students to pay the $100 fee. “Because of the budget crunch, the responsibility of paying that has shifted to the students,” Capps said. “It’s a onetime fee and they have access to it for the rest of the time they’re in school.” TK20 is essentially a software system that collects and stores assessment information about education students. “The College of Education is going through accreditation right now,” Capps said. The department is seeking this designation
only possibilities. I control what I think and I control how I feel. I know I’m great! And that’s for real. Every day I will be the best me that I can possibly be!” “When he first got on stage, my friends and I were a little surprised,” freshmen Pheobe Johnson said. “Usually when you come to one of these they have a boring speaker who can’t really relate to an younger audience, but Jonathan totally went against that stereotype. He was actually funny.” To even be chosen as a keynote speaker Convocation, a person must to be recommended by students, SGA executives and other student leaders and faculty. Park says that Sprinkles came highly recommended from some previous SGA officers and staff members. “His message was simple and he was both entertaining and motivating.” Park said. With his animated voice and lighthearted humor, Disney/Eastman Kodak acclaimed Mentor of the Year, Sprinkles finds a way to bring in the laughs while also focusing on educating the audience. “Well I love to have fun, so I always think of different ways we can incorporate humor when your funny the message actually sticks a little bit longer,” Sprinkles said. “So I’m always finding little jokes from popular culture or modern technology, anything that
I can use to relate and make a point from.” Sprinkles led the students into three exercises to get them loosed up. In the process he is constantly making the audience laugh, and poking fun at some of the students, different situations and even himself. All he does on stage is deliberate and is all a part of his everchanging style, which he says has evolved so that he can be effective and still give the audience something that they can use to benefit their lives. “College students often times love to be entertained versus educated,” Sprinkles said. “So sometimes it can get a little too playful and people don’t want to get as much from it as I would like to. But that’s also the opportunity as well because now I have to figure out a way to do almost what they call edutainment, where to educate and to entertain at the same time.” Sprinkles led the new MSU students in a lecture about choices. He described this elaborate story of learning about a hermit crab and how when it leaves their old shell to look for a new one, it is left in a vulnerable state. Sprinkles translated this effortlessly into a beginning freshmen’s college experience. Proclaiming to the crowd that there isn’t much difference between having a choice and not making one, than not having a choice in the first place. “Essentially [to make the
right choices] is in your hands.” Sprinkles said. “At this school you can be, do or have whatever you choose to have. And really it’s not about where you start, it’s about where you choose to finish.” The auditorium erupted in applause as Sprinkles took his final bow. Proceeding convocation the students had more than a lot to say about his interactive public speaking. “Even as a junior I was surprised by what he had to say, even though it was kind of geared toward entering freshmen,” Brenda Castillo said. “I would definitely love to have Jonathan at our school again for another event. I feel like the whole campus could benefit from his lectures.” New Student Convocation was followed by a Block Party at Sunwatcher Plaza, where Sprinkles mingled and signed autographs of his two books You Were Born an Original, Don’t Live Like a Copy! And Take Your Leadership to the Next Level! “[New students] should feel excitement to begin their education at Midwestern State University as a new Mustang and the motivation to work hard and succeed both academically and personally,” Park said. “Also, a foundation to start building positive and lasting memories of their time at MSU.”
Five “Sprinkle-isms” for a great school year 1. You were born an original. Don’t live like a copy. 2. Have a clear vision. When your vision’s clear, resources will appear. 3. Show me your friends and I will show you your future. 4. Choose a champion. Find somebody who has what you want and model your school career after theirs. 5. Quit complaining! It’s not about what you don’t have. Look at what you can do. What can you do with what you have left? At every point in the semester, whether you have 30 days or you only have three days, what can you do with what you have left?
- Jonathon Sprinkles
New software forces additional fees for MSU students Chris Collins Managing Editor
For many MSU students, paying for their college education is already expensive. But this semester will see education students paying an additional expense to earn their degrees. Students will have to pay for TK20 software, which provides a database to store and analyze assessment information for the college’s accreditation, said Dr. Matthew Capps, dean of education. For the last three years, MSU has paid the cost of the software for its students, but the contract the university set up with the software company, also named TK20, is expired. Starting Sept. 1, the responsibility rests firmly
from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Accreditation hinges on the assessment scores education students earn while in the program. Since TK20 is the database that houses these assessment scores, the program is pivotal in the accreditation of the college. “I think accreditation helps us keep track of how well we’re training our teachers, counselors and principals,” Capps said. “It guides us in evaluating what we’re doing and how we’re doing with our students. It gives us definitive evidence of the job we do. If you’re going to do something, you’ve got to have evidence to back you up.” Currently the College of Education has no official accreditation designation. Capps said he
thinks getting the thumbs up from the NCATE could potentially persuade prospective professors to teach at MSU instead of elsewhere. “In order to become accredited you have to keep up with information about how students do on the assessments we have in the college,” Capps said. “We have
to be able to dissect the data.” The program will help students keep track not only of the scores they’re given on in-class assessments, but also how they’re graded during student teaching. Even graduate students in the department must keep track of their own assessment scores using TK20.
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The Wichitan
September 1, 2010
Frozen yogurt frenzy scoops up students Lauren Wood Entertainment Editor
Instead of reaching for that gallon of ice cream this summer, students were heading to their local frozen yogurt joint where they could mix different flavors and add their favorite toppings. But what some don’t know is that frozen yogurt is better for the body than ice cream. By no means is it as good as an apple or carrot, but it does have its benefits. According to the Yogurt Journey Web site, frozen yogurts contain high levels of beneficial live and active yogurt cultures. These cultures are probiotic and are considered beneficial to be present in the intestinal tract of the human body to insure proper balance needed for digestion and good health.
In recent research, other effects have been observed and are currently being studied. They include the potential that yogurt can help boost the immune system, may be useful in lowering serum cholesterol and help overcome lactose intolerance. In addition, yogurt is a source of protein, calcium and potassium. In Wichita Falls, there are two frozen yogurt establishments: Yogurt Journey “YoJo” and Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt. “YoJo” is located off of Kemp Avenue in between Golden Corral and Big 5 Sporting Goods and Orange Leaf is in the shopping strip by James Avery and Cotton Patch off of Lawrence Road. They both have an abundant and diverse selection of flavors and toppings, but it depends on what your preference is. Based on my random one time experience at each of the establishments, I have compared them based on different categories.
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt Convenience: A little further from campus than YoJo, but
still close
Customer Service: The cashier said one thing, “Did you
want your receipt?” Cost: $.39 per ounce Atmosphere: More adults and college students were at this location, not so family oriented though Options: You can have a mixed flavor of the frozen yogurt, or you can choose individually. They were out of my favorite flavor as well, but had another one I really enjoyed. Taste: It was tasty as well, but lacked some of my favorite toppings because they were out of them. Overall, it was still a good cup of “fro yo.”
VS Convenience: It is close to campus and an easy self-serve
system
Customer Service: The cashier was very friendly and polite and even made small talk as I loaded up on napkins. Cost: $.39 per ounce Atmosphere: Definitely on the kid-friendly side with their small tables and interactive wall art. Options: They rotate their flavors, so it depends on what you prefer. They were out of both of my favorites, so I had to settle for the basic vanilla. Taste: It was delicious because I piled it high with my favorite toppings, but was a little disappointed because it wasn’t my favorite frozen yogurt flavor.
Excursion:
An Entertainment Column
Josh Hoggard For the Wichitan
Summer flicks heat up theaters and box offices Office” and steps into the 3-D animated world once again. An evil villain who is losing his Summer after summer, it’s touch, Gru adopts three girls in the same story - bad movie after an attempt to unfold his master plans to steal the moon. Even bad movie. Nothing on the marquee is though it was made for children, of any interest. Going to the it kept adults laughing as well. movies becomes nothing more Not to mention a box office gross of $300 million. than drudgery. 5. “The Twilight Saga – This summer, that was not Eclipse” – While this movie the case. A big summer was promised doesn’t appeal to everyone and by film companies around the seems to have a hate following, nation, and a big summer is the box office numbers and lines of people dressed as vampires exactly what they delivered. Here is a list of the seven cannot be ignored. “Eclipse” biggest and best movies of this grossed nearly $700 million. 4. “Iron Man 2” – Following summer. 7. “Shrek Forever” – Just a box-office hit like “Iron Man” when you thought the “Shrek” seemed like an impossible task. series was over, the fourth and However, director Jon Favreau final installment of the series and star Robert Downey Jr did hit the big screen this summer. just that. “Iron Man 2” picks Although its gross was high up after Tony Stark admits to across the world, it was the the public that he, in fact, is worst performing of the series. Iron Man. From there, villains While sequels usually don’t hold begin to take an interest in his a candle to the original, as is the arc reactor technology. Setting case with “Shrek Forever,” it was the series up to be absorbed in the Avengers series and grossing a great way to end the series. 6. “Despicable Me” – Steve millions more than the first Carrell leaves the world of “The “Iron Man,” the sequels’ special
nMusic
Explore music genres with unbiased mind
Yogurt Journey
Josh Hoggard For the Wichitan
Above: Both “fro yo” joints offer two sizes of cups. (Photo Courtesy) Left: Yogurt Journey offers a rewards card that gets hole-punched each time you purchase a bowl. (Photo by: Lauren Wood) Below: Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt allows customers to select a mixed version of two different flavors. (Photo by: Lauren Wood)
effects and action left audiences nationwide very satisfied. 3. “Dinner for Schmucks” – With big names like Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, and Zach Galafinakis, one can expect big laughs. “Dinner for Schmucks” delivered exactly that in it’s remake of the 1998 French film “The Dinner Game.” In an effort to impress his boss, Tim Conrad (Paul Rudd) must invite an idiot to dinner to insult him the entire night. After hitting him with his car, Tim chooses Barry Speck (Steve Carrell) to be his guest at this dinner. This movie is comparable to being this generation’s “Dumb and Dumber” and left audiences rolling nearly the entire 114 minutes. 2. “Inception” – Director and writer Christopher Nolan spent nearly ten years writing the story and script for this movie. Not based on any movie or book, Warner Brothers took a huge risk with this movie. That risk paid off. Dom Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is a professional dream stealer. After being exiled from the U.S., Dom
has the chance to return to his family if he performs the difficult task of performing inception, a process of planting an idea in a persons’ subconscious while they dream. With a complex story and more twists and turns than a “Saw” movie, “Inception” swept the box offices, grossing $650 million. 1. “Toy Story 3” – An end to a trilogy ten years in the making, the “Toy Story” audience ranged from adults who took their kids to the first two, to college students who were children when the first two came out, to kids who became new fans of the series. “Toy Story 3” is the final adventure of Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Bullseye, and the rest of the toys we came to know and love after Andy goes off to college. The movie grossed over a billion dollars, making it the most successful film of the summer. With so many successful releases this summer, the box offices were full of cash and theaters became the place to spend a Friday night again.
The music world is changing. Ten years ago, getting signed was the only way to make it big. Now, all one would need is Garage Band and a MySpace account. Ten years ago, no more than six or seven artists ruled the airwaves. Now, every song seems to be by a different artist. They all may sound the same on the radio, but that’s neither here nor there. With the horizons of the music industry expanding to once think an unreachable potential, the number of artists out there seems to be increasing at exponential rates. With so much to choose from, sorting out the good from the bad can become somewhat of an arduous task. Herein lies the purpose of this column; to make that task a little bit easier. Each week, a different artist or artists that you may or may not have heard of will be highlighted and discussed. Strengths of the music, closely related bands, bands that sound the same, genre (if one can be assigned to said artist) and more. If you want to hear any of the artists mentioned, give them a good look up on one of your favorite social networking sites or search engine. MySpace, Purevolume, and YouTube are bound to have most of them. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. So take all suggestions given with a grain of salt. Run them through your own wild array of personal preferences and see if it suits your style. Many of the bands mentioned may not be on any radio station other than Pandora. In an effort to expose new music, several bands that appear on the radio may not appear in this column. This is for no other reason than to expose new or less known music, rather than highlight famous bands. That, and you can simply turn on 92.9 or 103.9 if you want to discover new radio bands. Having established a preface for this column series, each few weeks, a different genre will be highlighted. From indie to punk to pop to metal to folk, there will be few genres not covered. While each week, a new artist or few artists will be discovered, each genre will get a significant amount of artists revealed. I hope you enjoy reading this column as much as I’m going to enjoy writing it and discovering new bands to cover in the process. Music is a very important thing, and with so much dross polluting the music industry now, a breath of fresh air is almost necessary. So take a deep breath, and next week, get ready to look up a few bands.
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September 1, 2010
The Wichitan n 7
Top left: Charla Corn performed at Shrinefest as the lone, female artist. Top right: Casey Donahew swept the crowd away with his performance. Below: Mickey and the Motorcars rocked out the new stage on Saturday, August 28. (Photos by: Brittany Norman)
Getting’ rowdy for a good cause
Shrinefest delivers a good roundup of country artists and Red Dirt fans Brittany Norman Editor in Chief
Granger Smith is one of the Red Dirt artists who could make it in Nashville. His Texas country roots haven’t faded, but his songs about heartbreak (Don’t Listen to the Radio and Colorblind) could fit Thousands of Texas music fans came out Saturday to “do it in the just as comfortably on the Top 20 country stations as they do on 94.9 The Outlaw. The former Aggie has a packed touring schedule and a Red Dirt” at the fifth annual Shrinefest. For the first time, Shrinefest promoters paired the festival with broad fan base. The crowd gathered in front of the stage during his Hotter’N Hell Hundred, the largest single-day bike race in the world. set, were singing the words of his songs back to him, and while his If the crowd gathered in the field in front of the Shrinefest stage was sound is a little less edgy than the rest of the bands on the stage any indication, many cyclists shed their spandex and ditched their for Shrinefest, the Red Dirt music scene has enough room for the softer side of the genre as well as the rocking beats. bikes to come out and enjoy a little Red Dirt music. Things were starting to get a little bit rowdy after dark when The first band on the newly-built stage was Chris Clerihew and the West Coast Turnarounds. The Vernon-based band won the Casey Donahew stepped out on the stage. They were by far the Shotout for Shrinfest contest earlier in the summer, a battle of the most popular of the night’s bands, even if they weren’t the headbands competition where the winner got to open up the music fes- lining act. From the first drumbeat to the moment the last note faded, the audience was screaming the words to his songs, spraytival. Those looking for a Roger Creager or Randy Rogers sound ing beer all over their neighbors, and generally having a great wouldn’t have gotten what they were looking for with Chris Cleri- time. His most popular song was “12 Gauge,” a story about a hew and the WCT, but fans of James McMurtry and Rodney Parker woman who decides she’s had enough of her boyfriend’s abuse and the 50 Peso Reward got a taste of something familiar. It’s not and grabs a gun to level the playing field. When it came time quite country and not quite rock, but a combination of the two with for the chorus, Donahew’s lyric “He’s never gonna hit her again” some rocking blues sound thrown in for spice. The crowd was still was followed by an enthusiastic “Hell no!” from the audience. If Granger Smith and those before him had warmed up the small when 50 Peso Reward took the stage at 3:00 in the afternoon, audience for Casey Donahew, the notorious party band might but they played like it was a full house. After Clerihew and the band tore down, Micky and the Motor- have pushed them over the edge. Much of the crowd started cars set up. The band is musically solid with a sound that’s more rock to drift toward the parking lot before the headlining act, Kevthan country, but the lyrics sung by Micky Braun send out emotion- in Fowler, even had a chance to take the stage. There was still al shockwaves through the audience. The songs MMC plays aren’t a healthy (mostly drunken) audience around the stage when derived from any groundbreaking life experiences. They’re written he kicked off his act, though. His newest radio hit “Pound about the same things everyone goes through in their lives. MMC Sign” had people two-stepping and singing along with the put on one of the best performances of the afternoon, and could have creative take on the text-message generation. The song’s chorus includes the line “I feel like pound sign, question gone much later in the lineup and still been a crowd pleaser. Charla Corn, the only female on the stage Saturday, came on after mark, star, exclamation point.” With well over 5,000 people in attendance, the ShriMMC. She didn’t have the emotive vocals or lyrical talent of MMC, but her attitude and energy kept the show rocking. Her songs like ners were able to raise a lot of money for the local Maskat “She Ain’t Always Been an Angel” and “Break My Heart Tonight” Shrine, which works to help fund the Shriners Hospitals aren’t in the same league as some of the lyrical gems Micky Braun for Children, which provide free orthopedic and burn care sang before her, but the audience was singing along and enjoying her to children under 18. A lot of the audience was probably act. She’s like a cross between Miranda Lambert and the sweet girl feeling a lot like #?*! the morning after Shrinefest, but you met at church last Sunday – able to get rough and rowdy without overall the show was a lot of good music taken in by a good (but rowdy) crowd, with all proceeds going to a good cause. losing her sweet, girly side.
Night of remembrance, laughter and winners: Emmys 2010 Lauren Wood Entertainment Editor
The 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards aired Sunday, August 29 at 7 p.m. For the first time, the Emmy’s were shown live from Los Angeles. Jimmy Fallon hosted the award ceremony and artists such as Jewel and the cast of “Glee” performed during the evening. It was a night of surprises and laughter, but also one of remembrance of those who had left the television industry too soon. To much surprise, “Modern Family” took home the most Emmys this year, totaling at six.
Outstanding Drama Series: “Mad Men”, AMC
Outstanding Comedy Series: “Modern Family”, ABC Lead Actor, Drama Series: Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”, AMC Lead Actress, Drama Series: Kyra Sedgwich, “The Closer”, TNT Lead Actor, Comedy Series: Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory”, CBS Lead Actress, Comedy Series: Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”, Showtime Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad”, AMC Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Archie Panjabi, “The Good Wife”, CBS Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family”, ABC Jane Lynch from “Glee” took home the award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. (Photo Courtesy)
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Jane Lynch, “Glee”, FOX
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sports
The Wichitan
September 1, 2010
Summer preparation strengthens Mustangs Andre Gonzalez Sports Editor
Punter Gunter Elenburg practices his kickoff as the countdown against the first game draws near. (Photo by Kassie Bruton)
For the last few months the MSU Mustangs football team has practiced in scorching 100degree temperatures for hope of stampeding their way to victory this upcoming season. But before the No. 17 ranked Mustangs (ranked by the American Football Coaches’ Association’s Preseason Division II Poll) step out onto the field, Head Football Coach Bill Maskill said he wants mainly to accomplish getting enough players out onto the gridiron with experience. “We got a lot of new players, so hopefully we can get those guys ready to play a good game and get better every game,” Maskill said. The Mustangs’ offense will return with five starters from last year. Starting off with the backfield, Maskill said he believed it was going to be strong. “We’ve got seven guys, they all can play and they’re very deep,” Maskill said. As far as quarterbacks go, Maskill said he had a lot of confidence in Mustang’s star quarterback senior Zack Eskridge. “He’s played the last two years, twelve games last year and 10 games the year before, so he’s got 22 games underneath him. He’s going to be good,” Maskill said. If Eskridge were to become injured during a game, Maskill said he plans to use backup quarterback Brandon Kelsey, a sophomore from Arlington. For the rest of the offensive line, a good amount of last year’s
An MSU Football player takes a water break. (Photo by Kassie Bruton) backups will make up the starting O-Line. “Those guys that were on the field some last year and have been in the arena have been with us, so they are a little bit further along than some of our defensive guys that are just as talented, “ Maskill said. Switching to the defensive part of the team, a lot of new faces will be shown. “We’ve only got three starters back from last year on defense. Everyone else is relatively new, and that would be new as in a backup from last year, a squad member, or a transfer coming in,”
Maskill said. The linebackers for the team are all somewhat new with the exception of a last year starter and a backup from last year. The secondary for the team has become revamped with only one starter from last year returning. Even with a young and somewhat new team, Maskill said he still held confidence in it. “I think once we get things going we’re going to roll into becoming a good team. We just need to mature and grow up on defense and we have got to do better on offense,” Maskill said.
nIN THE CAGE WITH TOLU
MMA 101
Mixed Martial Artist gives insight on hot, new trend My name’s Tolu Agunbiade. I’m a mass communication major here at MSU. I have a record of two wins and no losses fighting in the cage, and an amateur boxing record of eight wins and four losses. My losses have all been by Tolu Agunbiade d e c i s i o n . For the Wichitan You can view my fights on Youtube on my channel babatolu12. My cage fights can be found under “Tolu vs. Johnathan” and “Tolu vs. Adam.” I borrow
my techniques from a variety of disciplines but my main staples are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and Boxing. I’ll be competing in a grappling competition in Ft. Worth Sept. 18 and will also be in a boxing tournament in McAlester Okla. Oct. 8. I train at a gym in Wichita Falls, “The Falls town fighter’s club.” The owner, Mike Zapata, coaches the boxing side of the gym along with Abel Villalobos. They’ll help you attain the skill and conditioning you’ll need to compete in the boxing ring. Reggie Demps is the MMA instructor. He specializes in Sambo, wrestling and Muay Thai. He will help you acquire all
Rear Naked Choke
the tools you’ll need to confidently step in the cage and go to war. The gym’s great! It has a Rocky movies look to it, real hardcore. At the moment we are getting Trey Mendoza, a sophomore at MSU ready for his first cage fight. He’ll be fighting in Altus, Okla. Sept. 4. Fighting has evolved dramatically since the first UFC took place in Denver Nov. 12, 1993. The idea was to match up fighters who practiced different disciplines of martial arts. There were no weight classes and hardly any rules. One style of fighting was dominant in the early years of the sport. This is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The man who dominated with this style is Royce Gracie. He weighed 170 lbs, and was beating 250 pounders. He even defeated a 500-pound sumo wrestler in under three minutes. Jiu Jitsu was the leverage he needed to deal with the size and strength advantage his opponents had over him. There are over 2,000 submissions and chokes one can use to subdue their opponent when practicing Jiu Jitsu. It’s an art that doesn’t depend on striking but the ability of the fighter to get close to his opponent without getting hurt with strikes, clenching with them and submitting them on their feet or taking him to the ground. It’s a different world on the ground for martial artists who
aren’t use to it. For instance, James Toney, a seasoned professional boxer, with a record of 72-6, 44 of his wins by knock-out, fought against Randy Couture, an MMA legend, this Saturday. Couture took him down within the first 15 seconds. Got full mount and started softening him up with a barrage of punches. It didn’t seem as if Toney were prepared for that. Couture finished him off with an arm triangle at 3:19 in the first round. The “ground game” is one of
my favorite aspects of MMA. I love to roll, which is grappling, or wrestling, so to speak. Here is a submission you’ll see in MMA. Pictured is a rear naked choke. The term comes about because of the use of the bare arm to choke the opponent when you’re behind him. It allows you to “get your hooks in.” It keeps me from getting away from the opponent or turning into him. After the first UFC fight in 1993, fighters have realized in order to survive in the cage
they needed a variety of skills that you can’t find practicing one art. This brought about the birth of MMA. These days fighters are armed with the deadly knowledge of several fighting disciplines. They train day in and day out, sparring, rolling, lifting weights, running, etc. Good cardio is a must. Strength is always a factor, but nowadays technique prevails over strength. People have to fight more intelligently as the sport evolves. One wrong move could cost you the fight.
Men’s Soccer season kicks off this Thursday against Texas A&M International at 7 p.m. at the MSU soccer fields. (Photo by Damian Atamenwan)
September 1, 2010
On Deck This Week
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Thursday, september 2 Football
@new mexico highlands Perkins Stadium 7 PM
Soccer
Men vs. texas a&m internatonal @ MSU Soccer Fields 7 PM
cross country
msu mustangs cc stampede @ Memorial Athletic Complex 7 pm
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friday, september 3
soccer
woMen @ BRONCHO INVITATIONAL IN EDMOND, OK - University of central oklahoma 2 pm
volleyball
@ neb-omaha invitaional in omaha, nebraska 10 am n
SUNDAY, september 4
soccer
woMen @ BRONCHO INVITATIONAL IN EDMOND, OK - University of central oklahoma 12 pm
sports
The Wichitan n 9
Despite ‘cool’ weather, cyclists still bring heat Loren Eggenschwiler for the wichitan
Hotter’n Hell hundred kicked of it’s thirtieth year with a record number of racers, 720, and riders, 13,067. The Expo at the MPEC began Thursday, but was truly buzzing Friday. Events started Friday night with the Women’s Pro1/2/3. A large crowd gathered to watch as MSU’s Jen Purcell won first place. The Mens Pro 1/2 began shortly after at 6:30 and MSUs Josh Carter was able to come in third. Saturday was a long day for racers, as races began just before the sun came up. The cool air was a nice change for the start of the race but it quickly warmed up as the sun broke over the horizon. The men raced the 100 miles. For the Men Pro 1/2 race Jason Short took fifth with Josh Carter in sixth. In the category 3 Mens, Tony Baca took ninth and Sean Brown took thirteenth. The Women raced the 100k route and Jen Purcell was able to take first for the second day in a row. Claire Routledge came in eleventh. Sunday was another crit. Temperatures seemed to have increased a bit compared to Friday and Saturdays races.
Jen Purcell was able to take second and came in first for the overall results. Natalie Klemco took seventh and Claire Routlegde took thirteenth. The Mens Pro 1/2 had a longer race in the heat. Josh carter took second and Jason Short took eighth. Carter came in third for the overall results. In the Mens’ 3 category, MSU’s newcomer Tony Baca won first with Sean Brown coming in tenth. Baca also took first overall for the weekend. It was a busy weekend for MSU’s cyclist as road cycling slowly comes to a close for the year. MSU will be sending a group of riders to Indiana in September to compete at the Collegiate Track National Championship. Good luck to the MSU cycling team!
The 30th Annual HHH competition took off last Friday with the Criterium race kicking off the weekend race in downtown Wichita Falls. (Photos by Brittany Norman)
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