Aug 22, 2014 Print Edition by ORU Oracle

Oral Roberts University · Aug. 22, 2014 Tulsa, Oklahoma · Vol. 49, No. 1 www.oruoracle.com

#ORUFROSH50

50th Class Arrives Courtesy Photo Oral Roberts University

NEWS Chapel receives tech upgrades PAGE 4

From Alpha to Nu, PAGE 6 SURVIVAL Tips on how to survive your freshman year PAGES 8-9

SPORTS Women’s basketball team goes global PAGE 11

Welcome Frosh 50 Letter from the editor Address 7777 S. Lewis Ave. Tulsa, OK 74171 Web www.oruoracle.com Phone (918) 495-7080 Email oracle@oru.edu

The Oracle is the premier student news media organization of Oral Roberts University. Our mission is to serve the ORU community with accurate and relevant media content, integrity, creativity and a focus on continual improvement.

Faculty Advisers Jonathan Cyprowski Director of Student Media wcyprowski@oru.edu Cristi Eschler-Freudenrich Business Services cfreudenrich@oru.edu

Editorial Dominique Johnson Editor-in-Chief Kristy Sturgill Managing Editor oracle@oru.edu oraclechief@oru.edu

Section Editors Meghan Drake Online Editor Cassie Scott Copy Editor Mary Foley Copy Editor David Sauer Sports Brooke Thomas Features Victoria Atterberry Scene Greg Brown Muse

Reporters Madison McDaniel Staff Writer Solomon Williams Staff Writer Ann Chinworth Staff Writer Parrish Purnell Jr. Staff Writer Russel Dorsey Staff Writer Ryan Woods Staff Writer Valeria Hernandez Staff Writer

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Web www.oruoracle.com Facebook www.facebook.com/ORUOracle Twitter @ORUOracle @OruOracleSports 2 • Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 • THE ORACLE

Dear member of the 50th freshman class, I remember arriving at campus for the first time last year. Excitement bubbled in my chest as I unpacked, met friends and walked around the campus. However, that excitement turned into terror as I waved goodbye to my parents for the last time. I watched their rental truck pull out of upper lot, and the only people I knew in the entire state drove away. Ah, the Big College Transition. About 800 of you guys are going through it right now. Some of you are rejoicing at the freedom of unlimited meals all day long. Some of you are staying up until 3 a.m. every night, and hating yourself during your 8:50 classes. A lot of you glorious freshmen are facing the fact that you actually miss your

SPORTS PAGE 12 National athlete joins track team

family, your dog and your best friends. If you are handling it like I did, you cannot shake the image of your family ditching you for nine months, but it is okay. The Oracle is here for you. We’ve made it our mission to serve the student body with excellence. Our staff chooses to deliver content that will make you feel like you’ve gained something after you’ve spent some time with us. Unfortunately, we cannot make chocolate chip cookies like your mother, but we can—and will— tell you where to get free slices of pie. We cannot call your professors and complain about your grades, but we can connect you to valuable resources on how to pass HPE with pride. Most importantly, we will deliver you the truth. You deserve to know what’s happening on this fine campus. If you care to know,

the pages of the Oracle will strive to present you clear, concise and timely information. Now, as you adjust to community bathrooms and living with 30 other people, find comfort in the Oracle. Know that we would cook all of you chicken pot pie, if we could. Instead, we will deliver you delicious news. In addition, we want to take a semester to honor you guys with a series dedicated to telling your story. Your victories, your triumphs and everything in between...we want to utilize the power of sharing the details of our lives. Check back for our 50th class coverage. On behalf of the Oracle, welcome to the most golden campus in the world. Sincerely, Dominique Johnson

News

Haircuts, pancakes give you more bang for your Eagle Bucks

COO hopeful for revival of Eagle Bucks program with new partnerships By Madison McDaniel Due to a decline in business from Off-Campus Solutions, Chief Operations Officer Tim Philley began the process of finding a solution to continue the Eagle Bucks program. “We can still continue Eagle Bucks on campus, but we really felt that we needed to have off-campus merchants to make Eagle Bucks worthwhile,” said Philley. “So we already had a partnership with Blackboard.” The Eagle Bucks program allows students to use their student ID to purchase from particular retailpartners like McAlister’s Deli. Since 2010, Off-Campus Solutions (OCS) has acted as the bridge between Eagle Bucks and the merchants until their recent decline in business. In reaction to the loss of this middleman, Philley turned to Blackboard as a booster for the program. Blackboard is a database that regulates the meal card system. They work with merchants off-campus, who filter ORU’s funds. The funds go through Blackboard, which acts as the technological component of the Eagle Bucks program, and then to the merchants. “With OCS going defunked basically, all those agreements with those merchants now ending, we had

to start the whole process back up again and work from Blackboard,” Philley said. “So we had to go back out and re-engage with the merchants again, have them go through Blackboard, and have them sign Blackboard’s contract.” Lisa Bowman, the Director for Auxiliary Services, is working quickly to get more merchants. The Eagle Bucks program is hitting the ground running in assuring that the line of merchants has rounded out, giving students a greater variety of options. McAlister’s is one of the few vendors from OCS that has already signed their contract for Eagle Bucks. Dan Huber, assistant manager at McAlister’s, said they are glad to sign back on. “The students are great to have in our atmosphere and bring a positive energy to our restaurant,” said Huber. “We’re glad to be in the neighborhood; it’s a great community over here.” While McAlister’s and IHOP have both signed on to renew their business, other organizations are pending to the list of merchants. Kaffe Bona, Mooyah Burgers and Great Clips are all in the works. As the changes in vendors finalize, students realize the effect this change will have on them. Junior Hannah White said she is a student who is Monroe Cunningham uses his Eagle Card at Moe’s Southwestern Grill in ORU’s Hammer Alumni Student Center. The Eagle Bucks program made major changes this summer.

personally affected by this program. “I now have a class on Monday and Wednesday that ends at 7 p.m. so I can no longer eat dinner at Saga on those days. So for me, having the ability to use Eagle Bucks to go off-campus is a huge life-saver. I don’t have to spend the whole semester eating Moe’s or Chick-fil-A twice a week,” White said. Students like White recognize the Eagle Bucks program as an opportunity to go off-campus without having to spend their personal money. “I can spend this money that has already been designated for food,” White said. “I really think that the vendors should be willing—and want —to sign on because it gives them more business.”

Currently Accepting Eagle Bucks

Will Accept in the next several weeks

Photo by Kristy Sturgill

Internet Photos

THE ORACLE • Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 • 3

Chapel introduces new look Have you taken the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? As of yesterday, more than $40 million has been raised to fund ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) research. According to The ALS Association, the money raised beats last year’s same-time $2.1 million and has generated 739,275 new donors. Photos by Austin St. John

Daniel Tsubota helps play electric guitar during a Thursday night worship service. He stands in front of the new LED screen. By Dominique Johnson Students can expect brighter chapel services because of the installation of a new LED screen. “The previous screen in Christ Chapel needed to be updated for quite some time, because the chapel is composed, more or less, completely of windows,” Daniel Tsubota, assistant director of ORU Worship Center, said. “There were problems with visibility as things tended to look washed out. Even an extremely powerful (and loud) projector could barely keep up with the sunlight.” The smaller size was a problem for the audience especially when the speaker utilized visual content.

“Using the old projector, there were many times that videos could hardly be seen because of the sun or sermon presentations with barely visible text due to the size—all even worse if you were way in the back,” Tsubota said. The new LED screen is larger than the television screen in the Armand-Hammer Student Center, which is often called the largest television in Oklahoma. In addition to the new screen, the chapel creative team also blacked out the stage and opened the curtains, revealing the massive organ. “Students see the new screen and the changing stage looks, but there is a whole side of things they

See who has joined the cause at ORU. Log on to oruoracle.com to watch. never see,” Tsubota said. “In order to run the screen and new stage lights, the electrical infrastructure had to be revisited.” The installation process included efforts of electrician Stan Boyes, director of Audio Services Casey Phariss, Chief Operations Officer Tom Philley, Production Manager Roy Baker and several other departments and individuals. “We want Christ Chapel to be a 21st century, creative platform that can effectively reach current and prospective students,” Tsubota said. “The screen and lighting do not affect the service, so much as the services we are planning utilize these new tools.”

Students reflect on racial tension in Ferguson By Solomon Williams Racial tensions in Ferguson, Missouri have sparked national discussion on race in the United States. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was gunned down by Officer Darren Wilson on August 9 in the St. Louis suburb. Wilson, a Caucasian officer, shot Brown, an unarmed, AfricanAmerican male six times in broad daylight. Due to several different witness accounts, the certainty of facts surrounding the shooting has ignited public discourse in topics like racial profiling, segregation and equality. As a multinational and multicultural

university, ORU is not lost in the race debate, a debate that includes history, education and culture. “There are a lot of barriers, it’s not just St. Louis. It’s not just black and white. It’s Hispanics and Jewish. It’s Bosnian and Caucasian,” said ORU student Emmanuel Logan. A St. Louis native, Logan noted the stereotypes he commonly deals with as a black male. “A lot of the people in St. Louis are against the North County area and there is a lot of segregation towards the African-American community to begin with,” he said. Logan recalled moments with

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personal experience with this segregation. “Right before I came here, I went to the mall and the white security guard followed me all throughout Macy’s,” Logan said. “I don’t even go to the mall anymore.” Students agreed that there are still barriers and disconnects between those of different races. Jaci Pringle, who lives 25 minutes away from Ferguson, said there were issues in that area prior to the shooting. “This event just blew things out of the water and built on things that had already been happening previously,” Pringle said. As a Caucasian female, Pringle said

seeing a situation like this happen in the area she resides makes her feel like she is stuck back in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Bethany Allen believes educating police officers to connect on a more personal level with the people they are protecting will help fix the disconnect. Allen suggested police officers should be put in caregiver situations and not only trained for enforcement of law. “Don’t just have classes to learn to run and shoot, but learn how to connect with people and be put in situations that are not about breaking crime but helping people,” Allen said.

From around the world By Kristy Sturgill Ebola: “Public health emergency” The worst Ebola outbreak in history plagued the west coast of Africa this summer and is continuing to spread. World Health Organization (WHO)

declared the outbreak “a public health emergency for international concern.” Some airlines have suspended flights to and from the areas most affected including Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leona. According to WHO, the death toll has reached 1,145. Conflict in the Middle East A battle that began in 2006 over the Gaza Strip has increased in intensity over the summer as tension grew between Israel and Hamas. Egypt encouraged negotiation talks between the two and helped facilitate a 72-hour ceasefire that Egypt hoped would result in a longer truce. According to the Gaza Health Organization 1,900 Palestinians have died and 10,000 have been wounded. Israel military reported that 67 have been killed in Israel including three civilians. Protesters speak out against conflict between Gaza and Israel. The death toll rises daily.

Photo by Religious News Service

Hobby Lobby wins By Kristy Sturgill In a 5-4 decision Hobby Lobby won the Supreme Court Case that challenged the Affordable Care Act, which required them to cover certain contraceptives, which according to the ruling violated their religious freedom. The ruling restricted the decision to cover only corporations that are closely held and family-owned. According to the Wall Street Journal, a “closely held” company consists of any company that five or fewer people own 50 percent of the company. Sept. 12, 2012 Hobby Lobby Sues stating that the closely owned family business would be compromising religious beliefs if required to cover contraceptives that they deem an abortificiant.

Aug 1, 2011 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issues new mandate. The mandate requires all FDA-approved contraceptive medications.

Currently, nine out of 10 companies in the U.S. can be classified as “closely held.” Major news networks are continuing to report opinions on this ruling and the possible implications. A statement from Hobby Lobby said, “The Supreme Court granted a landmark victory for religious liberty on June 30 in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. ruling that individuals do not lose their religious freedom when they open a family business.”

June 27, 2013 10th Circuit overturns federal governments decision.

March 29, 2013 Hobby Lobby is granted a full court hearing for the case.

June 30, 2014 The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Christian-owned company.

Sept. 19, 2013 Federal court appeals the decision to the Supreme Court.

The Whistleblower: Free Palestine? By Ian Bush

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Israel remains under fire from terrorist-controlled missile attacks in Gaza. Coincidentally, they have also come under fire from the New York Times, MSNBC, numerous celebrities and some government officials. Social media has been flooded with the hashtag “FreePalestine,” but it seems like many people don’t have the slightest idea what the facts are. So, in an effort to clear things up, let’s talk about Palestine. Palestine is the name given in 1988 to the territories of Gaza and the West Bank. To date, the United States considers Palestine to be territories under Israeli occupation, as they have been since their creation. Before 1988, a Palestinian state had never existed in those areas or in any of the area that Israel claimed within its borders. So why did Israel occupy these zones? Why doesn’t Israel just ‘free Palestine?’ Because – plot twist – it’s a little more complicated than that. You didn’t see that one coming, did you? You did? Oh… Until the 60’s, Gaza was controlled by Egypt and the West Bank by Jordan. In 1967, Egypt’s dictator announced his plan to destroy Israel. Egypt placed troops in Gaza, and the surrounding nations mobilized their forces to join in attacking the little country. Before they could attack, Israel preemptively attacked Egypt and Syria. They then begged Jordan not to join the war, but they did, so Israel occupied the Jordanian West Bank as well as Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula. The opinions of this columnist do not reflect the Oracle in its entirety. We encourage you to join the discussion at oruoracle.com or by contacting us through Facebook or Twitter.

Go to oruoracle.com to read the rest of the story. THE ORACLE • Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 • 5

FEATURES

Graff releases EP “Magic” By Morgan Reeves Despite a budding freelance writing career, ORU alumna Andrea Graff set her focus on her first love: music. Along with her two brothers, Graff recently released “Magic,” a four-track EP available on iTunes. “We did it all in our spare time. It was a process, but it was a fun one,” said Graff. Graff, who graduated from ORU in May 2012, is the niece of alumnus Joel Osteen. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Media, Print and Broadcast Journalism. After working on the ORU worship team and interning at Country Music Television in Nashville, Tennessee, Graff spared no time on diving into her music career. Released May 20, “Magic” touches on both the reality of life and hope, themes that Graff wanted present in her music. In “Here with Me,” Graff sings, “The cold nights seem much colder/And the long walks so much further/You’re not here with me, here with me.” “I wanted to write things about my life and things that are real. I wanted there to be a positive message throughout it,” said Graff. “That is what I want to do in everything I do, whether it is in music or writing.” Originally, Graff planned on attending Belmont University and getting a degree in Music Business. At

17, her plans changed. “I visited ORU with one of my friends and I just felt like that was where I was suppose to be. I changed my plans and ended up going to ORU,” said Graff. She was involved with the university’s worship team for a year but discovered her love for writing and began to focus on that. Graff wrote for the Oracle and helped with the campus radio station, KORU. “At ORU, that is where I learned that I love to write. I didn’t know that before, which has proven to be good because that is what I do to make money,” said Graff. Mark Labash, a media professor at ORU, said Graff always had a positive attitude and worked hard. “You know when you miss a student after they leave that the student was a valuable contributor to your staff, and that was true of Andrea,” said Labash. During her junior year, Graff was able to land an internship at Country Music Television in Nashville. Her internship gave her a chance to mix her two passions—music and writing. The ORU alumna currently resides in her hometown of Victoria, Texas, and is working on her freelance writing career. “Music is what I love, but I am really into writing books right now. That is kind of my thing. I’m finishing up one right now, and I am about to start another one,” said Graff.

From alpha to nu By J.J. Johnson The first freshman class at ORU found their way to campus 50 years ago. The “alpha class” as they have come to be known, started the legacy of stories that told of God working miracles to bring them to ORU. The 50th freshman class at ORU comes to campus bearing its own set of remarkable tales full of miracles, faith and the answer of many prayers in their journey to becoming a part of the golden class soon to be known as the #OracleFrosh50. Dr. George Gillen is the only faculty member at ORU that taught the alpha class 50 years ago. The business professor stays in touch with many of his original students and sees the similarities in his new ones.

“The alpha class was one dedicated to pursuing God,” said Gillen. “I am pleased to see the incoming class carrying that torch.” Freshman Yuber Monsalve picked up the torch in 2009 during a trip to visit the campus with his classmates. Monsalve and his friends traveled from from their home country of Colombia to compete, and he felt God’s direction when he landed. “God told me, you’re going to study here,” Monsalve said. Monsalve was a junior in high school, and before he could attend ORU he was going to have to overcome several obstacles. He moved to El Paso, Texas to further his education and prepare for the rigors of a college education in America.

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Courtesy photo

ORU alumna Andrea Graff released an EP with her brothers during her spare time.

50thfreshman class

He had to grapple with the issues presented by living thousands of miles away from home, learning to speak and learn in a new language, and often times his peers did not share his faith. “If there is a thing I can say about God in that moment it’s faithfulness,” said Monsalve. God did it all, and He brought me here.” Monsalve’s principal in El Paso was very connected with ORU. Because of his hard work and dedication she was able to help him apply and be accepted. Monsalve is just one member of the 50th freshman class, but he is not the only incoming student with an inspir-

ing story. For Provost Kathleen ReidMartinez, who leads all things academic at ORU, students like Monsalve inspire great excitement. “They are keeping the ORU traditions of being very personable and very engaged,” said Reid-Martinez. She hopes that this new crop will “carry the legacy of the first group.”

Go to oruoracle.com to read another feature on a member of the 50th freshman class.

ARISE 2014

New students flooded the campus from around the world. Student Association, student leaders and other volunteers greeted them with cheers, dancing, and plenty of smiles. The otherwise hectic and stressful day was turned into a fun move-in experience. Returning students led the newcomers beginning the moment they arrived on campus. Volunteers guided new students through registration and had a much lighter load to carry thanks to the dozens of student movers. Each volunteer was reminded to remember what they felt like on their first day. That reminder provided the exact motivation to carry them from dawn to dusk. The following week was filled with activities for new students and the rest of the student body, including Partiestival. Top right: Students enjoy the slip-in-slide at Partiestival. Right: Arise workers Lizzie Basden and Sara White take a break with some snow cones. Joshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sno Shack brought a truck offering free snow cones to everyone on campus.

Photos by Dominique Johnson and Audrey Gray

Bottom left: Sophomore Sarah Young greets new students driving through the parking lot. Bottom middle: Hannah White and the American Chemistry Society make ice cream with dry ice. Bottom right: Senior Sterling Ray drums with band Duke and the Heartbeats at Partiestival.

Check out these food deals near the ORU campus. Yokozuna Happy Hour Sushi from 3-6 p.m. daily at both locations 309 E. 2nd St. 9146 S. Yale McNellie’s Half-priced burgers from 5-11 p.m. every Wednesday at both locations 1st and Elgin 71st and S. Yale

Village Inn Get a free slice of pie with any dine-in purchase every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at: 5230 S. Yale Ave. 2745 S. Harvard Ave. 8320 E. 71st St. S. Buffalo Wild Wings Wing Tuesdays and Boneless Thursdays, wings are 60 cents each at all Tulsa locations. 6222 E. 41st St. 7568 S. Olympia Ave.

Chapel doesn’t count as your church service. Need prayer? Free drip-style coffee? If you’re looking for a Tulsa-based church, check these out: Victory Church Two minutes from campus 7700 S. Lewis Ave. Pastored by Paul Daughtery The church, just across the street from campus, allows quick access to worship services in a quick 10-minute walk. Victory has young adult services Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Check victory.com for service times. Guts Church 12 minutes from campus 9120 E. Broken Arrow Expressway Pastored by Bill Scheer Widely known for outreaches like The Nightmare and the Tougher than Hell Motorcycle Rally, Guts pushes boundaries. Services are held in a warehouse-style building. City Church 9 minutes from campus 1212 E 45th Pl. Pastored by Matt Nelson Looking to see a church jam-packed with ORU students? City Church is for you. ORU alumnus Matt Nelson serves as the lead pastor of the church meeting at the Tulsa Ballet every Sunday.

International Relations Development Organization The IRO with the “globalize me” series is here to help you prepare for the global arena.

International Student Organization We are a community that celebrates cultures and diversity from around the world. George Kudrov: George.kudrov@gmail.com

Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature OIC is a mock government comp. with a successful history. #We are America. #winning Follow us @Oruoil Chris Craighead: Chriscraighead@oru.edu

Student Ambassador StuAmbs-helping prospective students see themselves at ORU! Giving campus tours, hosting students in the dorms, making an impact! #stuAMB #Alphahearts #changinglives #onetouratatime Azariah Hadarah: campusvisits@oru.edu

The Voice of the Martyrs: Campus Voice Club will host monthly prayer meetings to intercede for specific persecuted Christians around the world and write them support letters! #VOMUSA # ORU #Prayer #Persecution Tara Traxler: traxkert@oru.edu

“Get in a place of prayer. The best place to grow spiritually is in the secret place with just you and Jesus. Go the prayer room and seek the heart of Jesus. Don’t waste your time in college! There are great opportunities, so jump in and take advantage of what God is doing at ORU. Especially as a freshman, you don’t have to wait for leadership to get involved! Start now. As a freshmen, I wish I had known to listen more than I spoke. Listen to those leaders on your floor and President Wilson. They have so much wisdom to offer, and they truly care about you and the dreams that God has put in your heart.” -Augustine Mendoza, Head Chaplain of Lower EMR

“When I first came in, I definitely became friends with the leadership. But I had a feeling that if I told them what was really going on, I’d get in trouble. Now that I’ve been in leadership for two years, I realize that (floor leadership and university leadership) really want what’s best for us. They are here to help us and have our best interest in mind. Even when we mess up, they’re not like “Oh, you failed. We’re going to kick you out.” That’s not the heart at all. It’s a heart to build us up. I would have grown in a lot of areas a lot sooner if I would have trusted my leadership more. The friends I made freshman year are the friends I have now. When you come back, you spend half your time investing in the friends you already (made freshman year). I was told, the friends you make freshman year are the friends you will keep. It’s definitely true.” -Ben Norrell, Head R.A. of Lower EMR

American Chemical Society (ACS) ACS is a fun and exciting club here to promote a love for chemistry through outreach and tutoring. Ashley Rand: ashleyrand12@oru.edu

“Behind Towers”: Take the tour to the lawn and hill behind Towers’ dorms and you’ll find a favorite place to unwind. From pick-up soccer, sand volleyball and frisbee, there’s something for everyone. If it snows, don’t worry. Towers’ hill offers the best sledding on campus.

The Accounting Society TAS is interested in growing students professionally, serving ORU and interacting socially. #aslongastheOUTcomeisIncome Terry Unruh: tunruh@oru.edu

The AC: Already struggling to get your aerobics points? Tired of running around the baseball field? Suffer on the track with fellow students. Body, mind and spirit.

College Republicans We strive to connect conservative-minded students on campus with political campaigns and internships locally, statewide, and nationally. We desire to further the purpose of the Republican Party. Grant Reynolds: greynolds3@oru.edu

Chapel: A staple of ORU culture, ORU Chapel hosts biweekly services. Plus, some students find the Chapel a great place to study. Grab your textbooks and make yourself at home in the empty balcony. Your grades will thank you.

Graphics By Rebecca Glenn and Matthew Dean

“The gift of extra time was the coolest part about my freshman year. Let’s be honest. We have two options with time: invest it or waste it. Instead of watching endless hours of Youtube videos I had endless opportunities to connect and wisely invest in stellar relationships, professors, and causes. What advice would you give your freshman self? Hey little self, there are numerous opportunities and people that you could choose to invest in... choose a few and invest well. Seriously. Don’t be the person trying to do the most. You honor God, your leaders, your environment and yourself when you are a good steward of little before signing up for every volunteer or leadership position open. Invest in the small and your hands will be entrusted with more. What advice would you give to the 50th freshman class? Hey you 50th Freshmen class, those medallions look good on you. You should know that you are attending ORU at its prime! This campus is alive and well. Receive the hands extended to you this year. It is a year to simply receive with joy and open arms. This ORU family and faculty has much to offer you. Enjoy our welcome! And in turn, begin welcoming others as you settle into the family. When you welcome others, you feel most at home.” -Sarah Haag, Head RA of Lower Claudius

Towers

Johnson Stadium Hammer Center

SAGA EMR

Prayer Tower Claudius

Timko Gabrielle

Howard Auditorium

Chapel

International Relations Development Organization The IRO with the “globalize me” series is here to help you prepare for the global arena. International Student Organization We are a community that celebrates cultures and diversity from around the world. George Kudrov: George.kudrov@gmail.com Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature OIC is a mock government comp. with a successful history. #We are America. #winning Follow us @Oruoil Chris Craighead: Chriscraighead@oru.edu Student Ambassador StuAmbs-helping prospective students see themselves at ORU! Giving campus tours, hosting students in the dorms, making an impact! #stuAMB #Alphahearts #changinglives #onetouratatime Azariah Hadarah: campusvisits@oru.edu The Voice of the Martyrs: Campus Voice Club will host monthly prayer meetings to intercede for specific persecuted Christians around the world and write them support letters! #VOMUSA # ORU #Prayer #Persecution Tara Traxler: traxkert@oru.edu

American Chemical Society (ACS) ACS is a fun and exciting club here to promote a love for chemistry through outreach and tutoring. Ashley Rand: ashleyrand12@oru.edu

The Accounting Society TAS is interested in growing students professionally, serving ORU and interacting socially. #aslongastheOUTcomeisIncome Terry Unruh: tunruh@oru.edu

The AC: Already struggling to get your aerobics points? Tired of running around the baseball field? Suffer on the track with fellow students. Body, mind and spirit.

Graphics By Rebecca Glenn and Matthew Dean

Towers

EMR

Johnson Stadium Hammer Center

SAGA

Prayer Tower Claudius

Timko Gabrielle

Howard Auditorium

Chapel

SPORTS

@oruoraclesports

Men’s soccer kicks season off with win By Russell Dorsey The Golden Eagles started their season in stride with a 1-0 exhibition win over Oklahoma Wesleyan. After several scoring opportunities the Golden Eagles were able to put the ball in the back of the net in the 48 minute. Midfielder Edgardo Mira broke down the defense and scored from 18 yards out on the right side of the box after fellow midfielder Gerardo “Lalo” Salas snuck a pass by two defenders to set him up. The Golden Eagles can feel good about their offensive chances after their first game of the season. They had four shots on goal, two by Mira and one each by Johnny Chavez and Matthew Rogers.

Chavez had a few one-on-one scoring chances but was turned away each time. He led the team with three shots. Goalkeeper Ben LaCourse earned the win with three saves and no goals allowed. Mira said the team has gelled really well despite not being with each other long. “We just showed up a week ago, and we have a different mentality from last year,” Mira said. “We just knew that we needed to work really hard. It is just amazing to have this many players who are willing to give it 100 percent (during) every game.” Head coach Ryan Bush is pleased with his team’s makeup this season.

“The first thing is they showed up for pre-season camp a lot more fit, and fitness is huge in the Division I game,” Bush said. “So I think we’re a lot more capable physically.” After a second place finish in conference last year, the team looks to dethrone the University of Denver as Summit League Champion this season, and improve on their 6-8-4 record. Bush said expectations this year are very high. The team brings back 10 seniors and expects their maturity to give them an advantage.Bush added they are working together in their goal to win the Summit League Championship. “The team’s really unified and they’ve come together, and they proved that in the way they worked

this summer,” said Bush. The team overall is more mature, and as they grow, so does their coach. Bush is now in his second year as head coach. He acknowledges that coaching is a learning process, and there is always room to improve, even as a coach. “Every year as a leader you evolve, and you change and you transform,” Bush said. “I’ve learned a lot from their perseverance and their attitude and their buy-in to us and commitment to the program.” The team will have a chance to fine-tune their game before the regular season with an exhibition match against USAO tonight at 5:45 p.m. at Case Soccer Complex. The season starts on Aug. 29 against Central Arkansas, on the road.

Photos by Audrey Gray

(From left to right): Matthew Rodgers, Edgardo Mira and Gerardo Salas work with the ball during ORU’s 1-0 win over Oklahoma Wesleyan last Friday. Mira scored the game winning goal in the 48th minute on the assist from Salas.

10 • Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 • THE ORACLE

Women’s basketball gives back in Costa Rica

By David Sauer The ORU women’s basketball team went to Costa Rica for a trip that included mission work and basketball earlier this month. The team spent 10 days in Costa Rica, where they played against the Costa Rican National Team and volunteered at a foster home and daycare run by the Roblealto organization. Head Coach Misti Cussen said the trip was a special experience for the entire team. “Seeing our girls and staff have the opportunity to interact with the children and seeing how excited the children were to spend time with them was rewarding and special for everyone involved,” Cussen said. “Mark 10:45 says that ‘even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.’ So to be able to serve and follow His example was important and rewarding for our entire program.” Players and coaches spent time at the foster home with children ages 6-12, playing basketball, soccer and singing songs. They also played water games and gave ORU gear to the children and their families. At the daycare, they played with children ages 4-6 during recess. The team shared the story of Jesus with the children, something that forward Detti Balla described as a “privilege and honor.”

Cussen said the opportunity to share Jesus with the children was a new experience for the players. “For many of our student-athletes, this was the first opportunity for them to share their faith with children that needed to hear the message of the Lord,” Cussen said. Cussen was humbled to see how the the team interacted with the children. “What really stood out to all of us was how much each of these kids needed the love of Jesus in their daily lives and how open they were to the message of His grace.” Balla said the trip not only impacted the children, but the players were able to learn something from the children. “By ministering to kids, we also learned a lot about ourselves,” Balla said. “As hungry as they were for God, that’s how hungry we want to be as well. There were many, many children that had a big impact on me, because they all taught me the importance of having a thirst for God and His love.” Both Cussen and Balla said the trip helped the team get closer and spend time bonding into one unit. “As a team, we bonded over service and basketball, and they will only help us be a more cohesive unit when the season begins,” Balla said. “We learned more about trusting God and submitting to His will and

that faith will help us through any trial this season.” “More than any one moment or activity, my favorite part of the trip was seeing how our athletes came together as family,” Cussen said. “We were able to bond together to accomplish our common goals.” After finishing service work, the team hit the court for basketball games. The team played twice against the Costa Rican National Team and won both. They had to adjust to international basketball rules which differ from the normal college rules the team plays by. Cussen compared playing the national team to playing against a high level college team in the U.S. She said the team was a good challenge for ORU’s first game action since the end of the season. “More than anything, I think we learned a lot about our own team,” Cussen said. “[We learned] how we can best utilize our newcomers and how the improvements our returners have made in the offseason can have the greatest impact on our team.” Balla said the trip was something she would never forget. “I will always remember ministering to the kids at Roblealto and sharing the love of Jesus with them. We truly bonded as a team and as a family while we were there.”

Courtsey Photos

(From top left): The ORU women’s basketball team with the children from the foster home. Atoe’ Jackson, Dorka Balla, and Tysia Manuel with children from the foster home and daycare. Vicky McIntyre takes a selfie with children and coaches.

THE ORACLE • Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 • 11

Jaguars’ Kayla Jackson Joins ORU Track Team

Courtesy Photo

Kayla Jackson (center) runs for Victory Christian during a high school meet. Jackson, a two-time, high school state champion, will be competing for ORU during the upcoming track season. By Solomon Williams ORU’s track and field team will welcome a hometown sprinter to the club this year. Tulsa’s own Kayla Jackson is a part of ORU’s 50th freshman class and is coming off a scorching hot summer full of competition and success. Jackson graduated from Victory Christian School and ran for the Oklahoma Jaguars prior to joining the ORU team. “I chose ORU because I wanted to be close to home and I love having my family around,” Jackson said. She won a state championship for Victory in the 4x100 relay as well as the 100-meter race. She competed nationally for the Jaguars during the summer following her local success. It was a competitive summer for Jackson when her season with the Jaguars was in full swing. As the temperature rose, so did Jackson’s level of competition. Jackson was on the national scene for the Jaguars and competed within the United States Track and Field (USTF) circuit. “There are fast girls from all over: St. Louis, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and I mean it was hot,” Jackson said. Jackson placed fourth in the 100-meter race at the Regional Championship in Conway, Arkansas in July. Her finish advanced her to the

Nationals in Humble, Texas. There, she placed fourth within her heat in the 100-meter Nationals race. Jackson is hoping to carry her success over to the NCAA level as she joins the ORU track and field team. “My main goal is to make nationals here,” Jackson said. “I want to make nationals.” She anticipates competing in the 100-meter and 200-meter races while at ORU but is more than willing to experiment and have some fun. “I always wanted to try pole vaulting. It looks fun. They probably won’t let me try that though,” she said. “My friends love being around me because I am a really fun person. I like to have fun.” Jackson credits the man that recruited her, Shawn Venable, for making her feel a part of the ORU community. “Coach Shawn makes you feel like you are already a part of the team when you are really just trying to make the team,” Jackson said. “It is a sense of community, like a family.” As Jackson prepares for the first season of her college career, she will take advantage of being in her own backyard. This time it won’t only be in front of those who have watched her compete her whole life but in front of the ORU community.

12 • Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 • THE ORACLE

For more Oracle Sports and Ryan Woods’ NBA column, log on to www.oruoracle.com. Twitter: @ORUOracleSports

FALL SPORTS

SCHEDULES GOLF Men’s Golf

Monday Sep. 8- Tuesday, Sep. 9 Monday, Sep. 15- Tuesday, Sep. 16 Monday, Oct. 13- Tuesday, Oct. 14 Monday, Oct. 20- Tuesday, Oct 21

Women’s Golf

Monday Sep. 8- Tuesday, Sep. 9 Monday, Sep. 29- Tuesday, Sep. 30 Monday, Oct. 6- Tuesday, Oct. 7 Monday, Oct. 13- Tuesday, Oct 14

BASKETBALL

SIU Edwardsville Omaha UMKC New Mexico State Kansas ORU Fresno State Missouri State

SOCCER

Friday, Aug. 29 Saturday, Aug. 30 Saturday, Aug. 30 Thursday, Sep. 4 Friday, Sep. 5 Saturday, Sep. 6 Saturday, Sep. 6 Tuesday, Sep. 9 Friday, Sep. 12 Friday, Sep. 12 Satuday, Sep. 13 Friday, Sep. 19 Saturday, Sep. 20 Friday, Sep. 26 Sunday, Sep. 28 Monday, Sep. 29 Sunday, Oct. 5 Friday, Oct. 10 Sunday, Oct. 12 Friday, Oct. 17 Sunday, Oct. 19 Friday, Oct. 24 Sunday, Oct. 26 Friday, Oct. 31 Sunday, Nov. 2 Tuesday, Nov. 4 Sunday, Nov. 9 Friday, Nov. 14 Saturday, Nov. 15

Nevada South Alabama Pepperdine Missouri State Milwaukee Western Kentucky Incarnate Word Arkansas Sam Houston Style Houston Louisiana-Lafayette Tulsa McNeese State South Dakota State South Dakota Denver IUPUI IPFW North Dakota State Omaha Western Illinois South Dakota IUPUI Western Illinois IPFW Omaha Denver South Dakota State North Dakota State

6:30 PM 12 PM 9 PM 7 PM 12 PM 2:30 PM 5 PM 7 PM 1 PM 6 PM 10 AM 7 PM 11 AM 7 PM 1 PM 7 PM 1 PM 7 PM 12:30 PM 7 PM 2 PM 7 PM 12 PM 7 PM 12 PM 7 PM 2 PM 5 PM 5 PM

Women’s Soccer

Men’s Soccer Friday, Aug. 29 Monday, Sep. 1 Friday, Sep. 1 Sunday, Sep. 7 Tuesday, Sep. 16 Friday, Sep. 19 Monday, Sep. 22 Saturday, Sep. 27 Tuesday, Sep. 30 Saturday, Oct. 4 Tuesday, Oct. 7 Saturday, Oct. 11 Wednesday, Oct. 15 Saturday, Oct. 18 Saturday, Nov. 1 Tuesday, Nov. 4 Saturday, Nov. 8

VOLLEYBALL

Central Arkansas Missouri State Houston Baptist Incarnate Word Tulsa SMU Houston Baptist Denver Incarnate Word Omaha Missouri State Fort Wayne Memphis IUPUI Western Illinois Central Arkansas Eastern Illinois

7 PM 7 PM 5 PM 1 PM 7 PM 5 PM 7 PM 7 PM 6 PM 7 PM 7 PM 7 PM 7 PM 7 PM 2 PM 7 PM 7 PM

Friday, Aug. 22 Sunday, Aug. 24 Friday, Aug. 29 Sunday, Aug. 31 Tuesday, Sep. 2 Friday, Sep. 5 Sunday, Sep. 7 Sunday, Sep. 14 Sunday, Sep. 21 Friday, Sep. 26 Friday, Oct. 3 Friday, Oct. 10 Sunday, Oct. 12 Wednesday, Oct. 15 Sunday, Oct. 19 Friday, Oct. 24 Sunday, Oct. 26 Friday, Oct. 31 Sunday, Nov. 2

Utah Texas Tech Kansas City Missouri State Northeastern State SMU Houston Baptist Cal Poly Baylor Oklahoma Denver South Dakota South Dakota State Tulsa IUPUI Western Illinois Omaha North Dakota State IPFW

8PM 7 PM 7 PM 1 PM 7 PM 5:30 PM 1 PM 12 PM 1 PM 7 PM 7 PM 7 PM 1 PM 7 PM 1 PM 3 PM 12 PM 7 PM 1 PM

Men’s Basketball Monday, Nov. 3 Saturday, Nov. 8 Saturday, Nov. 15 Wednesday, Nov. 19 Friday, Nov. 21 Monday, Nov. 24 Wednesday, Nov. 26 Monday, Dec. 1 Sunday, Dec. 7 Saturday, Dec. 13 Tuesday, Dec. 16 Saturday, Dec. 20 Monday, Dec. 22 Sunday, Dec. 28 Tuesday, Dec. 30

East Central Rogers State Tulsa Missouri Oregon Louisiana TBA Weber State Missouri State New Mexico State Oklahoma Memphis Missouri State Haskell Detroit

Women’s Basketball Saturday, Nov. 1 Saturday, Nov. 8 Friday, Nov. 14 Monday, Nov. 17 Friday, Nov. 21 Monday, Nov. 24 Wednesday, Nov. 26 Friday, Nov. 28 Saturday, Nov. 29 Tuesday, Dec. 2 Saturday, Dec. 6 Friday, Dec. 12 Sunday, Dec. 14 Saturday, Dec. 20 Tuesday, Dec. 30

Rockhurst East Central Baylor Tennessee Tulsa Missouri State UALR North Carolina A&T S. Miss/Austin Peay Southwestern Christian Eastern Michigan Grand Canyon Kansas State Wisconson St. Gregory’s

TBA TBA 7 PM TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA 3 PM 7 PM 7 PM TBA 7:05PM TBA TBA 2 PM 2PM TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA 12 PM TBA TBA TBA TBA 3 PM

CROSS COUNTRY Saturday, Aug. 30 Saturday, Sep. 6 Saturday, Sep. 27 Saturday, Oct. 4 Saturday, Nov. 1 Friday, Nov. 14 Saturday, Nov. 22

Bob Timmons Dual Classic JK Gold Classic Cowboy Jamboree Rim Rock Classic Summit League Championship NCAA Regional NCAA Championship

Can’t make the game? Follow @oruoraclesports for live game updates. THE ORACLE • Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 • 13

SCENE family donation funds more campus renovations Green

Big fun, small prices

Five must-reads for any student

most of the steel was in place by the time students left for this summer’s break. “They’re buttoning up the outside of it,” Perkins says of the building, with mechanical things in place, such as plumbing Getting away from hectic class schedules and responsibilities frees up time for Crews are starting to erect and electrical systems. crews and campus operations fun.Construction However playing pool at the Hammer eventually grows old. For break-away, drywall inside. Parking in Lower Lot will continue employees busy summer razing, replacoff-campus stayed ideas, here arethis a few suggestions that won’t break therestricted bank. until the project is completed. to be By Ann Chinworth The Adventurer’s ing and renovating parts of nearly every major Philley says the university hasDon’t raisedforget $11 million the fun, adventure, and Book building on campus, Andy B’s: thanks to another $10 milfor the building, which includes $8.5 million for encouragement that can lie between “A Million Miles in a lion gift fromBowl the Green family Oklahoma City.at laser tag. Get behind the a perfect gameof. Take out friends thefurnishing pages of aitbook Thousand Years” construction and the rest for withadmist the chaos of This marks consecutive year the wheelthe of afourth go-kart. Andy B’s has you covered. Open seven days a week, adjusting to college life. Here are five By Donald Miller high-tech equipment to entertain students. Perkins AB’s a short 10-minute walkhis south on Lewis. Check out free bowling ORU Board ofisTrustees chairman and family’s titles for any book lover’s heart. Anyone in the stage points out that the center will feature “the largestmen on Mondays and $10 for women Wednesdays. charitablefor foundation have given milliononeach of transition is able to screen television in the state of Oklahoma.” The Cinemark Movies 8: summer for capital improvements. This year’s gift relate to the words of Hammer of Los Angeles and the Cardone The Space Findan a date (or a friend), take a trip to Cinemark Movies family 8 and watch also includes additional $10 million for renoDonald Miller as he family of Philadelphia gaveLover’s the largest Bookfinancial entertaining movies one dollar.by “Heaven discovers the beauty of living a story of vating CityPlex Towers, whichforare owned the is For Real,” “The Amazing gifts will bein built debt “A Wrinkle Time” 2”andrevenue “X-Men:through Days ofleasFuture Past” aretoward a few ofthe theproject, movies which importance. Join him as he falls in and university.Spider-Man ORU generates free. By Madeleine playing. out of love, bikes across the vistas of ing officescurrently throughout the 110 floors of combined L’Engle Current stuStovall Administration Building: Philbrook Museum: America, and climbs the peaks of the space in the 60-, 30- and 20-story buildings imPhoto by Mark Moore/ORU Get pulled dents and Explore staff refer to this three-story structure Bring out your inner artist and visit Philbrook Musem. clasIncan Trail all while learning mediately south of campus on 81st Street. The Personnel Building is now the Stovallto live a throughrenovations space and are sical art at the main branch or fall in love with contemporary art atBuilding. the as the Personnel When lifeBuilding of meaning This summer’s combined $20 million in free grants Administration andand hasadventure received alongside modern time alongside downtown branch. Philbrook gives admission to ORUinstudents complete October, the building will officially a meaningful and adventurous God. improvements and a new interior. from the Green family will cover work that already siblings Meg and who with a valid student ID. bear the name of a prominent ORU family has been Tulsa completed this summer as well as conCharles and neighbor entrance to the university on Lewis Avenue, most Hills Shopping Center: made a sizable financial investment in this projCalvin as the three set out to rescue enters and exits the campus via 81st Street, struction projects that will continue through the traffic Tulsa Hills Shopping Center has a little bit for everyone. Visit ect. “It’s going tostores look like a modern-day office the beloved father of Meg and Charles. to Philley. That’s whyThe fall and into the spring. Rehabbing thelovers 30-year-old according a security office for one-stop shoppers, fashion and book worms. worry ifPerkins you adds. For example, it Case Solver’s – 2012Don’t standards,” Learn the power of love and friendCityPlex Towers will take another 18 months to get hungry while shopping. Choose from Tulsa Hills’ variety of eateriesallowing workers to move Book and information center has been installed at the now has an elevator, ship as they battle the darkness that of University and Evelyn“And finish. that fit everyone’s tastes. Thendrives Therein corner Roberts more easily between floors,lurks andaround the building every corner. “A Wrinkle Were None” Jump Around: Tim Philley, ORU’s chief operations officer, and Parking Lot E. Philley says the small center serves features a main entrance oninthe west sidelessons to better Time” holds that are as much Agatha Christie Take some time to Skyzone, an indoor George Perkins, director of visit campus grounds and trampoline park. Enjoy three purposes: (1) Provide mapsByand directions serve customers seeking employment, benefits, rerelevant to adults as to children. When the of activities such as dodge foamto zone, and sky fitness. Jump maintenance, recently satultimate down with theball, Oracle to campus visitors, (2) Better secure the center imbursements andAira host of other financial servichost fails to show around at Skyzone for low as 10 dollars. Similar to Skyzone is The offer an overview of how ORU’s campus is being campus at night, and (3) Increase security for the The Historian’s es. A sidewalk also has been added along Evelyn and a storm leaves updated. port. Come enjoy The Airport’s trampoline activities as well as free WIMabee Center parking lot. A security guard or Book traffic from the Roberts Drive, aiding pedestrian no escape, what was supposed to be a FI, programming on LCD TVs, a charging area for phones and laptops campus worker will be stationed inside the cenConstruction Updates “The Book Thiefof ” the Aerobics Center parking lot (Lot E). Many weekend retreat soon turns ugly when and a café. Markus Zusak ter during thethe day10and at night. Motorists not Armand Hammer Alumni Student Center: employees who work in theByPersonnel Building guests are slowly killed will off. Who In one of the be required to stop except during special events, Construction remains on schedule for a planned will be left standing? Or will there be have been moved temporarily to CityPlex Towers most extraordinary when parking is restricted. He adds that the gates opening in January, Philley says. He estimates none all? and will remain there for the first part of the fall coming- of- age are not directly tied to students’ 1:30 a.m. nightly work is about 70 percent complete. This marks the semester until renovations are completed. stories, a young Gercurfew. A security guard will beThe ableArtist’s to monitor first entirely new building on campus in several Visitor Information Center: thelearn Praying man While girl must any unauthorized motorists trying to access the decades. Ground was broken last January, and Book Hands and Avenue of Flags serve as a marquee to live life in the Graphics By Rebecca Glenn “The Invention of 5 Continued on page time of Hitler. Zusak Hugo Cabret” said, “It’s a small story really, about, By Brian Selznick among other things, a girl, some words, Told with graphan accordionist, some fanatical Gerics and writing, get mans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a Outreach to Mormons Christian Outreach to Mormons ready to truly see lot of thievery.” into Hugo’s world. .• Visit Website where you can find Bible-based Visit my my website where you can find Bible-based my website where you can find Bible-based Run with him tools to witness totoMormon family and friends tools toto witness Mormon family and friends tools witness to Mormon family and friends. through Paris, be .• View online article “MyVisit Visit with TwoMormon View the the article “My Read about healing miracles onwith the Two mission field introduced to Isabelle, and watch what Mormon Missionaries”--Published in 12 languages Missionaries”--Published in 12 languages and in my family. unfolds as his invention is completed.

Dozens of buildings given substantial changes, more energyBy Victoria Atterberry efficient systems put in place

Dean Helland Ministries

www.deanhelland.com

Dr.Dean DeanHelland, Helland, Doctor of Ministry,ORU ORU.•Former FormerBook Bookof ofMormon Mormon Believer Believer Dr. Professor Emeritus, Internet Photos

4 • Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 • THE ORACLE 14 • Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 • THE ORACLE

MUSE

Syndicated Cynic: The emperor still wears no clothes By Gregory Brown

Hello, everyone. I’m glad to be back for what’s hopefully my last go ‘round here at ORU, and I expect that all of my readers, from freshmen to faculty, are as ready as I am to push through another year. I am sure that you all worked a lot this summer, built character, made money, whatever. Personally, I spent roughly 60 hours per week selling footwear and footwear accessories to some of the most difficult human beings at the Woodland Hills Mall. I have at least two new shirts from the GAP to prove my earnings. I sold an absurd amount of white, low-top Converse All-Stars over the last three months, more than last year, and my little Tulsa, Oklahoma store has become the highest seller of said shoes in the entire corporation. And they just keep buying.

Shoe sales have brought me, once again, to laughter concerning the human race. Let’s just think about how ridiculous it’s going to look when we’ve all bought white Converse All-Stars and are walking around in shopping malls sipping Starbucks. Our children are going to make so much fun of us. I may be writing to myself, as I am actually wearing a pair of my white, low-top Converse All-Stars at this very moment, but I think the silliness of mindless conformity is much larger than trendy, less-than-comfortable footwear. There are a lot of things going on in the world right now. As we begin our safe semester at G-d’s own Oral Roberts University, Palestinians are being killed in Gaza and Christians are losing their heads in Iraq and Syria. Police brutality sits in the headlines and unnecessary death stains our validity as an evolved species. Now, in reference to the shoes, there are quite a few different trends that

any individual can feel obligated to follow concerning all of these intense events. I’ve seen multiple articles across my Facebook timeline that call certain groups, like Christians, conservatives, women, and any other cluster that can bear a title, to take a particular stance for each issue. Christians call for the exile of Palestinians, Protestants for presidential impeachment and gun-owners for the siege of Ferguson. A good portion of the individuals that identify themselves with their respective groups, just like the under-25s with white Converse, mindlessly follow the trends. I’ve laid witness to what I had assumed to be perfectly sane people posting certainly insane ideals in reference to this or that political issue, and it has me totally baffled. Did you even read that article? Maybe we are really searching hard to belong, and, in an attempt to do so, we sell our souls to this or that organization or ideology. We start to look a little crazy. I couldn’t help but feel

a little upset when I saw a self-proclaimed Christian argue that the deaths of Palestinian civilians were “standard procedure,” and I wanted to cry when I read that there are people that believe that the murder of Michael Brown is justified by the fact that he may have stolen some cigars from a gas station. I thought we were better than that. As human beings we have reasoning skills that outshine any of the other creatures on our planet, and I feel that we should take more time to use them. Do we really think the deaths of innocent human beings are necessary, or do we feel obligated to say that because some figurehead within an organization told us to? Why conform when we haven’t considered every option? So, maybe we should prayerfully examine all events before immediately jumping to the conclusions of our peers, our social groups, our associated organizations, political and otherwise. The emperor still wears no clothes, and we’re all sold out of white Converse.

THE ORACLE • Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 • 15

16 • Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 • THE ORACLE