September 21, 2018 - First Day of Fall

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Vol. 53, No. 02

Win tickets to the Tulsa Fair Page 22

Behind the Gathering Place Page 13

Tulsa, Oklahoma • September 21, 2018 • www.oruoracle.com

So, about those geese Page 19

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The 9/11 victims’ fund nearly depleted by Nina Lange @ninaforshea

A 9/11 memorial fund could run out of funding before those affected have been treated. In 2011, Congress passed the Zadroga Act and it was signed into law by former President Barack Obama. It authorized the creation of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. The VCF was created to help those financially who were physically harmed or had family members who were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack. Since its creation, $7.3 billion has been appropriated to the VCF, but it is reaching the bottom of the pot. “We do periodic assessments of our data,” said VCF Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya to the Seattle Times. “Looking at the data more recently, I’m starting to get a little concerned.” Advocates are worried those who file for compensation will be awarded less money as the fund dwindles. As of Aug. 31, the VCF assessed 38,502 claims this year, a 28 percent increase from the 30,081 claims last year. Bhattacharyya suspects those numbers will continue to rise. With the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks occurring last week, the federal World Trade Center Health Program has counted 9,795 first

responders, downtown workers, residents, students and others who have been diagnosed or died from cancer caused by 9/11. “9/11 is still killing,” said John Feal, an advocate for WTC responders, to the New York Times. “Sadly, this fragile community of heroes and survivors is shrinking by the day.” Feal says someone dies from an illness caused by 9/11 roughly every three days. There are no official records keeping track of those who have died following the travesty, but Feal guesses it is close to 2,100. He claims by 2021 more people will have died from illnesses caused by 9/11 than the 2,700 who died on that day in the Twin Towers. Seeing cancer rise after a number of years is not unusual due to the latency period after exposure to harmful substances. After the towers fell, a thick coat of dust settled onto the streets of Manhattan. As chemicals saturated the air, first responders breathed in asbestos, benzene, mercury and stepped on fiberglass. “There are diseases with long latency periods,” said Bhattacharyya. “Mesothelioma is one that is talked about often, and you won’t even see it for 15 or 20 years. We won’t see those claims for a while.” Despite concerns, a source in the VCF said they

still have more the $3 billion to offer to victims. “We’re required by statute to periodically reassess our policies and procedures to make sure we are prioritizing the claimants with the most debilitating conditions,” said the VCF source. “Her concerns are part of the periodic reassessment process that was built into the statute. It’s part of what the statute requires VCF to do.” Many people scoured through the debris following the disaster, inhaling the deadly dust as they looked for survivors amongst the ruins leading to health complications. Among those was a retired FDNY captain who lingered non-stop among the devastation for a week after 9/11. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and inoperable pancreatic cancer and has recently received $1.5 million from the VCF. Despite the tragedy, Feal believes added funding can correct some of the damage done. “We call ourselves the greatest nation in the world,” said Feal in an NPR interview. “But yet we have a strange way of repeating history, and letting veterans come home from war, or 9/11 responders, or just responders now across the nation, how they sacrifice themselves and then we don’t take care of them. That’s sad.”

“9/11 is still killing.”

Thousands of people continue to suffer from the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack. Courtesy photo

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Cells, cell phones and consequences by Chae Woon Yoo @chaewoonyoo With increased attachment to phones, experts have become concerned with the consequences of possessing one. Users check their phones when they wake up in the morning and before bed and even sleep with their phones. In December 2017, the California Department of Public Health officially issued a warning regarding the risk of cell phone radiation. They asked the people of California to shorten their time on smartphones and keep them out of reach when not in use. “Although the science is still evolving, there are concerns among some public health professionals and members of the public regarding long-term, high use exposure to the energ y emitted by cell phones,” said CDPH Director Dr. Karen Smith. The CDPH advises to place your smartphone some place other than your pocket and not putting it up to the ear for a long time when talking. They also advise to be aware of phone usage in a fast-moving car, bus or train, as the smartphone will emit more radiofrequency energ y as it tries to maintain the connection. A preliminary report done by the National Toxicology Program raised concerns after a test where rats exposed to radiation by cell phones encountered a small but significant increase of tumors in the heart and brain. Cell phones send out radio waves from their antennas, a form of non-ionizing radiation according to the National Cancer Institute. “Radiofrequency energy is a form of electromagnetic radiation,” according to the Journal of Environmental and Public Health. “Exposure to ionizing radiation, such as from x-rays, is known to increase the risk of cancer.” Not only have the physical concerns of cell phone radiation garnered attention, concerns for the mental state of teenagers has also risen. The Massachusetts Institute of Technolog y’s Sloan Management Review created an experiment conducted by professors in Italy and France where students gave up their smartphones for a day as requirements for courses. The experiment stated most of the students felt some degree of anxiety. One respondent indicated he checked his phone four times ever y 10 mimutes. A study done by the Oxford Academic Journal found young people in the United States performed worse on mental tasks and felt withdrawals as well as physiological symptoms like increased heart rate and blood pressure as a result of the absence of their smartphones. They stated they felt a sense of loss of their “extended self.” Alice Walton of Forbes thinks the trend of being attached to a smartphone could even reverse as people search for relief from constant dependency. “It will be interesting to see how our interactions with our phones change over time—maybe the pendulum will swing back the other way as cell phones, and social media, become less novel,” she said.

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Phone addictions have caused an increase of anxiety and depression. Photo by Josh Crow

MEX W E IN N

ICO!

Summer Program Staff Outdoor Adventure Leader Yo u t h M e n t o r E a r l y C h i l d h o o d Te a c h e r Tw o - Ye a r I n t e r n s h i p s Visit us at ORU’s Career Fair on Wed., Oct. 3. www.appletreeeducation.org


Photo by Brooklyn Houser

Biblical prophecy fulfilled?

The start of fall means football, fairs and . . . 15 minutes of slow streaming speeds? Photo by Rachel Leitzell

What is autumnal equinox? by Miqueas Barreiro @ORUOracle Pumpkin spice has already made a reappearance and flannels are starting to retake Instagram stories, but the official start of fall will not begin until summer ends at 8:54 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22. The autumnal (or fall) equinox occurs when the sun intersects with the celestial equator, which runs around the circumference of the earth halfway between the celestial poles. During this time “we get exactly 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night, and for us in the Northern Hemisphere, those hours of day will slip away to hours of night as the year progresses,” said Wade Roemer, a senior astrophysics major at the University of Louisville. However, the opposite is true for people in the Southern Hemisphere, and “this process will reverse itself once we reach the point in our orbit known as the vernal equinox,” said Roemer. The vernal (or spring) equinox is the official start of spring and will occur on March 20, 2019. During fall equinox, the sun’s position can cause damage to certain technology and slow

Netflix streams. Many satellites stationed in geostationary orbits around the Equator will have the sun’s full radiation directly on them. This can damage the satellites and overwhelm their signal outputs according to National Geographic. This can lead to an interruption in data flow. These events are called sun outages. Since many communication satellites orbit at the equator, sun outages can cause slow streaming speeds and interference on television. This event lasts as long as the sun and satellites are in alignment, which can be up to 15 minutes a day over the span of a few days according to CenturyLink Prism TV website. Once the sun moves out of alignment with the satellites, the interference ends and the data transmissions continue as normal. And so, after a proper mourning period for summer, the internet will return and be ready to receive all of autumn’s plaid pics and pumpkin posts as soon as fall officially starts.

On Sept. 4, the Temple Institute announced a pure red heifer has been born, stoking the fears of apocalyptic events. The Temple Institue is an Israeli based organization dedicated to completing the third temple in Jerusalem. The red heifer will “reinstate purity to the world and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple,” according to the Temple’s YouTube announcement. After “extensive examination by rabbinical experts,” according to the Temple, the cow was determined to be free of imperfections. Previous red heifers have been born, but each of them was determined to have miniscule white hairs. The requirement for Judaic prophecy is an entirely red calf without imperfection, which this cow allegedly fulfills, although, the Temple still thinks the calf could be disqualified due to “natural causes.” In Judaism, the birth of a red heifer indicates a sign of the coming Jewish messiah. Once the cow has been slaughtered, the rebuilding of the third temple will commence. The site of the third temple is where the famous Dome of the Rock mosque is located and where Solomon’s Temple was likely located. Christian theologians contend the red heifer is symbolic of the blood of Christ, and the antichrist will desecrate the temple once it is rebuilt. The calf “will be examined again in three months’ time to determine whether it continues to possess the necessary qualifications for the red heifer, a necessary prerequisite for the renewal of the Divine service in the Holy Temple,” said the Temple Institute.

September 21, 2018 • Oracle • 5


Coaching students toward success Peer success program continues to grow

Photo by Faith Wilson

by Chisom Favour Uche-Onyilofor @chysom_u

“Work as if the outcome depends entirely on you. Pray as if the outcome depends entirely on God.” This was the life motto drilled into the members of the Eagle Team during their training. Peer Success coaches, a new program at ORU, was implemented a year ago but has already received numerous accolades from administration, as well as a strong response from the student body. Peer Success coaches are under the umbrella of the Eagle Teams program. “It was great to gain the ‘we see you’ attention from everyone at the top,” said Cherelle Demps, the director of social media and marketing for the coaches. This all began one year ago when the Assistant Director of Career Services Sharla

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Roche was given the opportunity to create a program intended to support students to succeed in their academics. Although the program is made up of on-campus leadership, it caters to both on-campus students and commuters. “The reasoning behind this was for students to succeed academically, also for them to connect with resources including upperclassmen,” said Roche. Although the success of Eagle Teams can be acknowledged by most of the school’s faculty, many of the upperclassmen have noticed the uproar but are not entirely sure of the coaches’ roles. The purpose is to create an independent student body passionate about community, especially academically. “Our job is to connect the new students to resources and incoming students,” said Roche. “If we have done our job well, the students would be able to stand on their own.”

The coaches initiated helping students by navigating the hallways and showing them to their classes. The 2018 fall orientation placed the peer success coach program in the limelight. During orientation chapel, ORU President Dr. William Wilson urged the current freshmen to take advantage of their peer success coaches. The coaches took many steps to achieve the recognition they have today. They were misinterpreted as replacing a group of student leaders called Academic Peer Advisors, but the program is a different endeavor to encourage academic success. “We do not consider ourselves a replacement. Instead we believe seasons come and go. This is ours,” said Roche.


Book review: “Letters to the Church” by Faith Wilson @faithnwilson

Francis Chan takes on the persona of a New Testament writer in his new book “Letters to the Church.” Through a series of letters, Chan argues that there are several contradictions from the modern church to the Biblical church, including a loss of sacredness, doubt in God-given abilities and a movement away from God’s vision for the church. Chan derives his perspective from years of serving in church leadership; he and his wife founded Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California. They subsequently resigned from leadership to pursue missionary work in 2010. Chan continued to publish best-selling books, his most famous being “Crazy Love.” Throughout this new book, Chan explores Scripture, varying from explicit church doctrine to Old Testament teachings, strengthening his stance. He structures his book in a series of letters addressed to the modern church. In the second chapter, a letter called “Sacred,” Chan argues

that the church no longer upholds sacredness in the same way as the early church. While the modern church often struggles to please its congregations, they fail to teach much needed mercy and grace. Churchgoers as a whole do not respect the sacredness of the church, Chan argues, writing, “We point out the flaws in our pastor’s sermon with the same conviction we critique a movie star’s acting or our favorite team’s recent loss.” Chapter seven, the “Crucified” letter, confronts the issue that many people claim they are Christians yet do not answer the call. Many people act Christ-like when it is convenient rather than daily uplifting the Kingdom of God. Chan argues that we are to remain in Christ through every stage of life. Because suffering is acknowledged throughout the entire Bible as part of the Christian life, Chan challenges the modern notion that suffering has no place in a life of faith. While Chan offers good points,

the overall flow of the book feels unbalanced. Some of the letters do not offer concrete solutions for the problems stated. His bias toward church administration arises throughout the letters, casting much of the blame onto the congregation. The book could be shortened into more concise sections. Perhaps, the content would be more effective when addressed to specific church leaders rather than

in a best-selling book. “Letters to the Church” holds wisdom in regards to today’s church and how to properly steer it.

“Letters to the Church,” published on Sept. 1, is available in both Christian and secular bookstores and also on multiple audiobook platforms. Photo by Alejandro Contreras

September 21, 2018 • Oracle • 7


Food review: Good lookin’ 50s cookin’ by Kayley Forshey @mybestfriendjo Old-fashioned diners with colorful walls, neon lights, huge portion sizes, decent prices and retro leather booths are some of my favorite places to eat. I’d never call myself an “old soul” because it’s terribly cliché, but I can’t deny the appeal of the Riverdaleesque, 50s-style diner with burgers and milkshakes. Tally’s Good Food Café is one such restaurant, complete with a statue of Elvis Presley to greet you at the door. I once again piled my car with pals for brunch. Upon arrival, I threw up finger guns in salute to “The King” and slid into a table under a large, black and white photo of Marilyn Monroe. Our waitress, one of the many staff members dressed in a bright, pastel t-shirt with Tally’s logo, greeted us with a smile and took our order. Their menu is extensive. It ranges from all-day breakfast foods to fried chicken with pineapple teriyaki sauce and rice to fancy, homemade burgers to steak and shrimp combinations. With so many options, it’s hard to pick one.

In true brunch fashion, we all ordered breakfast food, and we learned that the Tally’s website speaks truthfully about their portion sizes: they are big. I ordered chocolate milk and the Farmer’s omelette, which was stuffed with hash browns, diced sausage (I substituted for bacon because bacon), green peppers, onions and, of course, cheese. I also ordered a side of pancakes because it’s not brunch without pancakes. I couldn’t even finish half of my order. Luckily, my friends aren’t keen on wasting food and helped me clean my plate. The omelette was fluffy, cheesy and large, and the pancakes were surprisingly light— a decent pancake if there ever was one. Overall, Tally’s is great for large groups who are up for cheap food, big portions and a groovy time. It’s totally boss. The next time an unbearable craving for soul food and Andy Warhol artwork hits you, Tally’s Good Food Café has two Tulsa locations ready to bring you the satisfaction.

Fall in place, a poem by Racheal Kitabire @rachealkitabire

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Tally’s has two locations in Tulsa: one on S. Yale Ave. and 11th Street and another on Sheridan and 61st Street. Photo by Hannah Turner


Uttermost bounds to ORU by Zoe Rubottom @sterlinzo It’s 2 a.m. and 21-year-old Joanirie Font is walking toward a local subway in Rome, Italy, after finishing a street show with her missions team. Her phone vibrates in her pocket, and as she pulls it out, the glow from the phone lights up the tears in her eyes. “I didn’t get in,” she remembered, as she stared at the flowers on her white bedsheets. “I’m still pretty shocked about it “But I thank the Lord I didn’t get into that school, because then I wouldn’t be at ORU.” Little did she know. At eight years old, Joanirie and her family uprooted from Orlando, Florida, and planted themselves in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Joanirie’s father, a second-generation pastor, assumed leadership of Iglesia Fuente de Agua Viva (The Fountain of Living Waters) after his father passed away. A church with over 50,000 Facebook followers, Joanirie’s father gained popularity through writing several books, appearing on broadcast TV and preaching at conferences around the world. Joanirie was involved in the church running social media, serving in the youth ministry and helping her dad around the church wherever she was needed. After graduating high school, Joanirie began applying to schools. Her father had never been to Tulsa but had heard of ORU through friends in ministry. However, Joanirie wanted to study closer to home in order to stay with her family and young siblings for as long as she could. “I’ve never been fixed on a school. I just want a good education,” said Joanirie. She studied general biology at the University of Puerto Rico for a year, which happened to be the most practical choice being only 15 minutes away from her home. But after a new Puerto Rican governor was elected in 2016, economic changes to the public university resulted in protests and violence throughout the campus, which prevented Joanirie from attending school for a trimester. Looking for an escape from the chaos, she and her parents decided it would be best for her to continue her studies elsewhere. “[My dad] was like, ‘Just pick ORU already!’” recalled Joanirie. She remained stubborn in wanting to stay close to home, despite her father’s input. Joanirie applied to Universidad Iberoamericana, or UNIBE, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which

was about an hour flight from her home. When in Rome for a mission trip in July 2016, she received the news that she was not accepted into UNIBE. “I had all the requirements. That just meant that someone higher than me kicked me off the list, and it’s that simple,” said Joanirie. Joanirie didn’t know where to go next. The day after receiving news of her rejection, she received a call from her dad urging her to apply to ORU once again, and she finally gave in. ORU admissions told Joanirie that once they received her transcript and paperwork, they would decide within three days if she was accepted. Still on her mission trip in Italy, Joanirie, with the help of friends, had just a few short days to get all her paperwork from Puerto Rico to Tulsa. “I was like, ‘God, if you want me to go to ORU, I just want a physical confirmation,’” she said. After her mission trip, she met her family in Guatamala for a conference called “Ensancha,” where her father was a guest speaker. She was riding the elevator with her dad when a tall, American man walked in and opened a conversation. “He’s like ‘Hi, how are you? Where do you study?’ [I told him] I applied to ORU,” said Joanirie. “I don’t know who this man is.” As they stepped out of the elevator, the man asked her to spell out her name, and he typed it into his phone. “He [said], ‘I just texted the head of admissions. I’m the president of that school. I’ll see you there next week,’” Joanirie remembered, with a stillfrivolous excitement in her eyes. “I was like, I guess this is my physical confirmation!” ORU President Dr. William Wilson was also a guest speaker at Ensancha, but they hadn’t recognized him. Less than a week later, with three black bags in hand, Joanirie was ready for her 2,000 mile journey overseas. The fall of 2018 marked the beginning of the 22-year-old’s second and final year at ORU. Joanirie hopes to graduate in the spring with a degree in medical molecular biology and a minor in psychology. She has planned her wedding for May 2019, whereafter she and her husband will move to Mexico. “I like to plan ahead, but my life has changed a lot this year,” said Joanirie. “I always told God, ‘Whatever you want me to do, I’ll drop anything and just do it.’”

Joanirie Font found herself enrolled at ORU following a surprising encounter with Dr. William Wilson. Photo by Jonathan Rodriguez

September 21, 2018 • Oracle • 9

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Professor by day, portraitist by night by Racheal Kitabire @rachealkitabire As Dr. Sergio Matviuk considered a birthday present fit for ORU President Dr. William Wilson, he recalled his mother’s advice to “make an original.” Matviuk, the associate vice president of student success at ORU, grabbed oil painting supplies to create a worthwhile gift for his friend. After a total of 200 hours, the final artwork depicts a lifelike portrait of Wilson. The idea to “make an original” came from Matviuk’s mother who raised him in a little frontier town called Roque Sáenz Peña, in the province of Chaco located in the northern part of Argentina. What began as a gesture of appreciation turned into a rebirth of an old passion that he had cultivated as a teenager. “It had been 35 years since I had painted. When you do a portrait, you take a lot of chances. It has to be precise. There has to be likeness,” he explained. Art is interpreted differently by every individual.

To his surprise, Matviuk’s portrait of Wilson was well received with compliments from his colleagues and those around him. Throughout this time, Matviuk realized that he was not using the gift he possessed. “It was exciting to go back,” he said. “I asked myself, ‘How can I use this to glorify God?’” While growing up, Matviuk studied art every weekend for eight years. At the age of 17, he taught an art class of 50 students for three hours a week, which was rare in his hometown that lacked art schools at the time. After a year of teaching, Matviuk embarked on a college career at Universidad National de Cordoba and soon married and began full-time work. Since his passion resurfaced, Matviuk has sought to pair his faith and artwork. A passion to tell stories through painting came back at the right time, according to Matviuk. “I want to do this,” said Matviuk. “I want to make Christian art that isn’t predictable. I want to tell

Dr. Sergio Matviuk recently began painting again after 35 years.

Photos by Jonathan Rodriguez

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stories about what it means to be a Christian.” He has recently started a series entitled, “The Emotions and Feelings of Spiritual Life.” The first painting of the series is a portrait named, “A Life without Faith.” It’s a story of a young lady. “She is young. She is beautiful,” he said, describing the art piece. “She is without faith. Something is missing.” It is still a draft, but Matviuk hopes to finish it soon. A lot of emphasis is being placed on the girl’s eyes to see her emotion, according to the painter. He has spent about 100 hours on the piece, while thinking of future additions to the series. Other paintings in the series will be called “Waiting for God’s Answer” and “I Know My Redeemer Lives.” “If you feel like doing it, do it,” advised Matviuk. “We have skills and abilities that have been given to us to see how God will bless others.”


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Photos by Jo

sh Crow

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A giant, very expensive thank you to Tulsa by Kayley Forshey & Josh Crow @mybestfriendjo & @jawsh_crow

Laughter and shouting flood your senses. You glance up from your Instagram story, expecting to see a hundred children frolicking on the playset, carefree and wild. Strangely, the children are wearing business suits. They are taller than you expected. Their laughs are deeper, they’re shouting louder. Wait, those are adults. The grownups have taken over the playground. Over a decade in the making, Tulsa’s newest “play at your own risk” park is now open to the public. Executive Director and Trustee for Gathering Place Jeff Stava has been working on the project since the beginning. He’s watched the project transform from a heartfelt idea to a fullfledged public park, open for people of all ages, status, ethnicity and cultures. The heart behind the Gathering Place influenced its construction and subsequent unveiling to be a place for everyone. This inclusivity of community was modeled in the opening-day parade, as groups from various cultures celebrated their traditions and cultural pride while Tulsa citizens cheered on from the sidelines. “I think that our city has, over time, developed silos by geography, by class and race, culture and ethnicity, and by putting it in the middle of Tulsa, right on the banks of the Arkansas River, it really provides an opportunity for it to be a hub,” said Stava. It’s kind of in the middle for everyone from all over to come and be here at the Gathering Place. We have high aspirations that this is for all of Tulsa. That was the mission starting out.” Gathering Place is a $465 million project, and only $65 million of that came from public funds, which were used to create the public infrastructure around the park. The other $400

million came from private donors, making it the largest private donation to a city in U.S. history. The project is a giant, very expensive “thank you” to Tulsa. People from all over the city are welcomed and encouraged to take part in the park, no matter their age. “Of course, we are a very family and kidfocused community, so that’s why a huge amount of time and effort and money was spent on the five-acre Chapman Foundation Adventure Playground, because it’s really kind of the heart,” said Stava. “It all works together, and I think there’s something for everyone here.” Each aspect of construction is deliberate and community oriented, with its unique Gathering Place flair. “We wanted it to be architecturally significant. We wanted the landscape to be significant. We didn’t want it to be ordinary,” Stava said. “It really took finding a landscape architect and a master planner who could think out of the box and not do things that looked ‘corporate office park’ or looked like it was all brand new.” After an intense competition of over 96 different architecture firms, Gathering Place hired Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and was not disappointed. “Michael, the way he and his team work, they really create mini spaces within a larger space. There’s tons of little rooms, and you don’t realize it, but they are landscaped rooms,” Stava said. “So you can have a relaxing, calming experience, and you can come back to the park another day and be in a new place and have a completely different experience. There’s hundreds of experiences here in this 67 acre park. It’s pretty neat.” Even most of the Adventure Playground equipment is suitable for adults as well as children.

“I really like Adventure Playground because it’s fun. You can be like a little kid again,” said senior medical molecular biology major Essence Collins. And for those who don’t wish to play but still love the beauty of the outdoors, Gathering Place contains various gardens and walkways, the Lodge for hanging out or studying and the Great Lawn for outdoor concerts and events, and so much more. This long awaited opening is full of experiences that should not be missed, especially for ORU students. “It looks good, everything about it. You can have some fun; you can come and study; it can be something you could do with a floor. There’s a lot to do, and it’s just down the road. It’s not like it’s going to be far away,” said ORU alumnus Cherokee Hill. Every area of Gathering Place is unique and provides a different adventure for every visit. “There’s a giant table in a building with all glass and all wood and it’s a giant table you can play cards on,” said freshman communication major Blake Sprouse about the Lodge. “There’s something to do for everyone.” To celebrate the park’s opening, Gathering Place is hosting events, concerts and more for the following 100 days after the park’s opening date. Today, Sept. 21, marks day thirteen and tonight starting at 6 p.m., Gathering Place is hosting NOLA Night, featuring Dumbstahunk, a jazz band. NOLA stands for New Orleans, Louisiana and is a night of bayou beats. Be sure to gather with friends and enjoy the funky live tunes, entertainment and food. Check out gatheringplace.org for future events.

“We didn’t want it to be ordinary.”

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Persistency pays off

by Alejandro Arroyo @dro3686

ORU volleyball’s Katarina Mikulic has found herself a major contributor. The junior out of Zagreb, Croatia, has recently come off her first career doubledouble, notching 18 digs and 16 kills helping secure the win against Abilene Christian. But her presence is more than just a stat line. Her energy can be felt surging throughout the court. This year, Mikulic is one of the oldest on the team, making her beneficial to a young squad. “I try to encourage them while we are playing,” said Mikulic. “Sometimes I give speeches before the game [and if they are losing] speeches to try and get them back into the game.” Motivation is welcomed on any team, especially when they are searching for leaders to rise. “We lost a lot of good players from last year, but I think that our hard work will show up, and we will

be good,” she said. Mikulic’s leadership not only influences the girls on the court, but it transcends into their everyday lives. “I try to help them in and out of court because right now, for the next three months, we are together all the time and now this is my family,” she said. Her drive is part of her influence on the team. “If you want to be good, you need to be persistent and never quit.” Mikulic adds. “I sacrifice a lot of stuff because of volleyball, but that is normal in sports. With work, everything is possible. I am still getting up early to do stuff. It’s hard, but this is what I want and what I love.” Her eagerness and ambition stems from the desire to follow in the footsteps of her older sibling. “I started to play volleyball when I was nine” she said. “My older sister was playing before me, and when I went to watch her, I started to like it and that is why I am here now.” Her journey to ORU took a few

steps of faith. “I didn’t have an opportunity to come to visit ORU because the trip from Croatia to here is really expensive,” she said. Despite never visiting, her connections helped find her way to Tulsa. It also helps that her coach is Croatia, and not mention the scholarship. “That was one reason why I chose ORU,” she said. She has had to overcome obstacles before, and stepping into a new role on the team won’t be much of a challenge. Her father taught her the importance of working hard. “I want to be like my dad because I admire him for everything, for what he did in his life,” she said. “He was in the war for his country and from nothing, we now have everything that we need. He never quit in his life, and I want to be just like that.” Mikulic has embraced her

father’s perseverance. She has adapted to the new schemes and played well considering that volleyball in the U.S. is different from volleyball in Europe. For Mikulic, volleyball is a major accomplishment, but family is everything. “My family is my biggest support, and it was hard to come here to another continent,” she said. “Sometimes it’s still hard after two years but like I said this is the best thing that I could do in my life. And I know that my family is so proud of me because of this. They know it’s hard to be away from home, alone without them but they are really proud and happy.” Not only is she valued by her family, but her teammates as well. So, the next time number 14 digs a ball or gets a kill, remember her value eclipses more than what is seen on the court, because Mikulic is ORU volleyball.

“Be the game-changer.”

ORU Volleyball kicks off season with away games. Photos provided by ORU Athletics

September 21, 2018 • Oracle • 15


Baseball season in full swing by Alejandro Arroyo and Grant Holcomb

@dro3686 @GrantHolcombORU

Excitement is in the air as the smell of fresh hot dogs drifts through stadiums of the 12 potential host cities, but only eight locations will make it. With October approaching, the National League script couldn’t have been written any better, as the NL West could come down to the wire. This will only add to the enticement as the American League could see its two most famous teams play each other a total of 10 times within three weeks. Last week, the Cleveland Indians clinched their third straight AL Central title. Jose Ramirez, who has eclipsed 30 homeruns, 30 steals, 100

RBIs and 100 runs scored is considered a favorite for the AL MVP. For the rest of the Indians, Andrew Miller is off the DL and the trade deadline acquisitions of Adam Cimber and Brad Hand have bolstered the Tribe bullpen. In the rest of the AL, the Boston Red Sox are the favorites, and the first team in all of baseball to surpass 100 wins. One of the surprises of the season has been the surge of the Oakland A’s, who are giving the Houston Astros a run for their money and still can win the West. Meanwhile, most of the NL is still up for grabs. The only clear

frontrunner is the Atlanta Braves in the East. The Dodgers and Rockies are vying for the NL West, and the Cubs hold a slight lead over the Brewers. Buckle up, because the ride is only just beginning as the NL West title winner could be any one of three teams. After months of baseball, the season comes down to only a few games. Each is ever important, and one slip up could cost an entire season.

Graphic by Alejandro Contreas

Upcoming Games Men’s Soccer -Tuesday, September 25 vs. Central Arkansas @ Case Soccer Complex -Saturday, September 29 vs. Western Illinois @ Macomb, Illinois -Monday, October 1 vs. Valparaiso @ Valparaiso, Indiana

Women’s Soccer

-Thursday, September 27 vs. Omaha @ Case Soccer Complex -Sunday, September 30 vs. North Dakota @ Case Soccer Complex -Thursday, October 4 vs. South Dakota @ Vermillion, South Dakota -Sunday, October 7 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne

Women’s Volleyball -Friday, September 21 vs . Denver @ Aerobic s Center -Sunday, September 23 vs . South Dakota @ Aerobic s Center -Friday, September 28 vs . Nor th Dakota @ Grand Forks , Nor th Dakota -Friday, Oc tober 5 vs . Purdue For t Wayne @ For t Wayne, Indiana -Sunday, Oc tober 7 vs . Wes tern Illinois @ Macomb, Illinois -Tuesday, Oc tober 9 vs . South Dakota State @ Aerobic s Center

@ Case Soccer Complex Graphic by Hillary Hurst

16 • Oracle • September 21 , 2018


ORU soccer alive and kickin’

Photos by Precious Alexander

by Hillary Hurst @ORUOracle ORU Women’s Soccer Update The non-conference season for the ORU Women’s Soccer team has featured some big victories as well as hard-fought losses. The girls are playing big-name schools and learning more about each other with every game. With wins against Portland State, UT Rio Grande Valley and Sam Houston State, the team is hungry as they are preparing to take on Summit League conference play. The girls are working to discover what works best for their style of play as well as how to combine their talents to become a cohesive unit. Picked third in the Summit League preseason poll, the girls are expecting big things out of the 2018 season. The roster consists of a variety of players, all of which will be making contributions to propel the team toward their goals. A major contribution from ORU goalkeeper Ryliegh

Bohnenstiehl allowed her to claim the season’s first Defensive Player of the Week honor after helping the Golden Eagles to the UTRGV Tournament title. The team has dropped a few recent games to Saint Louis and Southeast Missouri State, but is looking to bounce back. In the midst of the hustle, the girls take time to remember they are playing for a higher purpose. The team has chosen 1 Corinthians 10:3 as their team verse, which references how the Israelites “all ate the same spiritual food.” This promotes unity and oneness among their team, reminding them to be grateful when they step onto the field. An attitude of gratefulness combined with a fierce, tenacious style of play is the foundation they are building their success on this season.

ORU Men’s Soccer Update T he ORU Men’s Soccer tea m is of f to a f ier y sta r t. T he tea m’s energet ic st yle of play ha s f ueled t he moment u m for t he rest of t he sea son. T he men were picked f i f t h i n t he Su m m it L eag ue presea son pol l a nd have had big per for ma nces across t he b o a r d , bot h f rom i ncom i ng players a nd vetera ns. M i les Mota kef, f resh ma n goa l keeper, wa s na med t he f i rst Su m m it L eag ue Defensive Player of t he Week for t he 2018 sea son. Wit h ea rly v ic tor ies aga i nst Dra ke a nd U N LV, sig n i f ic a nt cont r ibut ions have come f rom a l l members of t he squad . In t he Dra ke ga me a lone, f ive G olden E ag les played a l l 10 0 m i nutes i n t he match. The team will continue to face tests throughout the rest of conference play, which will prepare them for Summit League competition.

Ag g ressive on bot h sides of t he ba l l, t he G olden E ag les a re def i ned by t he tea m’s cu lt u re. The boys f ind ways to rela x and enjoy themselves outside of the grind of practices and schoolwork by playing paintball and sharing meals together. Regular devotions have also been a way for the team to continue to build camaraderie. T he G olden E ag les have a cha nce to upset h ig her ra n ked tea ms, l i ke Denver, who leads t he con ference. Wit h t he major it y of t he sea son lef t , a r u n for t he Su m m it L eag ue t it le is wel l w it h i n reach.

Success is earned, not given.

September 21, 2018 • Oracle • 17


18 • Oracle • September 21 , 2018


We’re over-mentored

Cicely Rubottom @cicelypixely “Go out and change the world,” they said. “You can do anything you set your mind to,” they said. So, here we stand, at the edge of a daunting cliff as the rocks fall into an unforeseeable abyss before us. Most of us have only known a world with gravity––the constant reminder that we can’t fly. Yet, everyday, we stand at this cliff as we’re told that

we can fly if we just believe. There are no wings on our backs. And I’m pretty sure none of us are Dot from “A Bug’s Life.” But it doesn’t matter how many mentor groups you attend, how long you spiritually meditate, how many people tell you that you can fly––you won’t leave the ground until you make a decision on your own. Alright, alright, I’m not saying there’s not value in motivation and mentors-–I have my own confidantes just as any good student. But can mentorship programs really give us a better future? In 1935, the Cambridge-Somerville Youth Study was founded to study how support in young males prevented delinquency. For five years, 253 boys were provided treatment through counseling and medical and academic assistance. An additional 253 boys were part of a control group that received no treatment. Many of us strive to be like the experimental group: more counseling, mentoring and support equals a more promising future, right? Maybe not. Despite the benefits the boys received during the five years of mentoring, the criminal rates

Capturing your passions

Gabriel Jaggernauth @gabrielj_777 My passion for videomaking started when I was eight years old. Back then, my work was not the best, but it was something I loved to do. I didn’t do it for popularity or for gain. I did it because I fell in love with the skill, the process of filming, editing and making a piece that was my own.

I continually worked on developing that skill, and eight years later, I was able to properly start a YouTube channel (named Gabriel Jaggernauth) and my own vlogging series. Through my channel, I am able to freely express myself and show my journey in life. My channel allows me to share my experiences of being part of my local Model United Nations program, to working with youth at local outreaches, to many of my hiking experiences. Now, thanks to ORU, I have new experiences to vlog. I cherish every experience because they are building blocks for my life. Every episode of my vlogs has a special place in my heart because the experiences have made me who I am today, and my love for videomaking lets me remember them forever. One question I constantly get is how I found time to vlog. A lot of students either used to have channels but could not maintain them, or they want to start one but can’t due to time constraints.

were surprisingly no different than the boys who had not been mentored. They committed an equal number of crimes. The study concluded that perhaps “early treatment and intensive contact with the boys may not be an effective means toward crime prevention.” And that was in the age before Google when it was arguably more important to have a mentor-– when the only information available was in physical textbooks and scholars. If there were no real longterm benefits to utilizing programs at that time, then I would dare to say that––if the same study was conducted today––there would likely be a negative effect from the program. So, the next time you’re standing on the rocky edge of a tough decision, consider building your own bridge. Instead of running to your mentor, and to the people who “have been there before,” allow them to simply cheer you on as you make the decision for yourself. You may fall either way. But I argue that it’s better to fall and learn how to build a better bridge than to fall and learn to build trust in your mentor again. Trust yourself enough to learn from yourself.

I would say time management and passion are key. When I started, I made a commitment to myself and to the channel. I work hard and make time for what I love to do. Ever since I started at ORU, if I can’t find the time to edit my material, I make time. Honestly, this could apply to a lot of passions. If you are passionate about something, make time for it. My passion even inspired my major. That’s the whole reason I chose Cinema/Television/Digital Media. It inspired my Youtube channel. It inspired me to chase my dreams of one day working in the media industry, doing what I love and continually developing my ideas. There is no such thing as being perfect, but your passion can endlessly shape you and make you the best possible you. You just have to chase it.

September 21, 2018 • Oracle • 19


Duck, duck, goose

Hillary Hurst @hillary63033596 Being at ORU is all duck, duck, duck…until it’s goose. Have you ever been personally victimized by the campus geese? If so, you’re not alone. The Canadian Goose assault epidemic is sweeping campus, forcing students to live in fear. These strange, foreign, cobra chickens exhibit gang-like behavior through lewd demonstrations of barbarity. Straight outta Lake Evelyn, the geese use tactics of oppression, fear and intimidation to assert their dominance over students. Members of the Goosie Gang are frequently seen hissing, honking and

flapping, interrupting students’ lives and posing a safety threat to all who encounter the creatures. Accompanying such acts of violence is the large amount of feces that the gang manages to leave on sidewalks. Such defecation has ruined countless numbers of white Converses, and is yet another piece of evidence indicating the seriousness of the problem. The geese can also be heard singing their anthem, “Honk, Honk, America.” The Notorious G.O.O.S.E seems to be the ringleader following the release of his new singles “Goose’s Paradise” and “Nothin’ But a Goose Thang.” More telling of their character than all else is the fact that the Canadian Geese can fly up to 1,500 miles a day, yet still choose to walk across traffic single-file and create a stand-still, causing ORU students to be tardy for class. You might be wondering how widespread the damage is—there is no way to know how many people have been impacted by goose assault. To gain a sense of the magnitude of the problem, I went to the streets to hear from ORU students about their experiences. Trigger warning: some accounts may not be suitable for freshmen. “I was walking out of weights one morning after a good workout. As I walked down the ramp, I

looked up and the sun got dark as the shape of a bird emerged. I screamed and crouched down. The shape was a wild, rampant, vicious goose. When it landed, it began flapping its wings at me and hissing. I still carry the scars of that experience with me,” recounted ORU junior and Women’s Basketball player Rachel Skalnik of one harrowing experience with the geese. Unfortunately, Skalnik’s experience is common. Another ORU student, Amber Turner, remembers a time where she and her friends “had to call security as we were unable to leave Gabrielle to get to class.” Such acts of terrorism are undoubtedly affecting students’ minds as many are fearful to walk to class where they will encounter such a vile hazard on the way. If you find yourself in a hostile situation with a goose, do not be afraid to hiss back. Walk away slowly without turning your back and then reevaluate every life decision that brought you to the point of contact. If you are a goose-assault victim, be courageous and speak up. Together, we can empower each other through empathy to promote lasting change and healing for all. #geesetoo

Foods that you eat everyday like ketchup, salad dressing, mayonnaise and even some grilled chicken from fast-food restaurants are sweetened with sugar. Even “healthy” foods can contain sugar. For instance, most dried fruits and protein bars contain added sugars. Although sugar is okay in small quantities, in the U.S., we tend to go big and eat sugar with almost everything. Some effects of overeating sugar can be acne breakouts and fatigue. I personally experienced fatigue. I would get a sugar rush after I ate sugary foods but my energy levels would crash a little later. Obesity is one of the most common effects of excess sugar. Through obesity, sugar can indirectly increase someone’s risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Although everyone’s body reacts to sugar differently, excess sugar will cause physiological damage and unwanted side effects. To start weaning yourself off sugar, I recommend you monitor your sugar intake to see how much sugar you eat in an average day. It is recommended

that you eat a maximum of six to nine teaspoons of sugar per day. To put that into perspective, an average can of soda contains about seven teaspoons of sugar. Another suggestion is to have 95 percent of your diet be healthy fats, proteins and carbohydrates, and the other five percent can consist of treating yourself. If you decide to go sugar free, you should allow yourself “treats” every once in a while to create a balanced diet. This can help prevent giving up and over-indulging. As an avid ice cream lover, I was looking forward to eating ice cream again. After a month of excluding sugar from my diet, I no longer craved sugary foods. I treat myself once a week to something sweet like a small brownie, a little bit of ice cream or a Rice Krispies Treat. I challenge you to keep track of the amount of sugar in your daily diet as well as looking at the ingredient list on products before you buy them. If you are feeling extra adventurous, try to go sugar free for 28 days to see what it feels like. You never know; you might find it a sweet surprise.

It’s time to lose your sweet tooth

Mariana Barreiro @oruoracle I have a challenge for you. Don’t eat any type of sugar or sweetener for one week. On average, Americans eat 19.5 teaspoons of sugar a day––that’s almost half a cup of sugar. You may not even realize that you are eating that much sugar. I personally took the challenge for 28 days. It was difficult. If you go to the store and look at the ingredient list on products, almost everything contains sugar.

20 • Oracle • September 21 , 2018


Unleash your perspective

Miqueas Barreiro @oruoracle What do you think about when you hear the word “leash”? Do you think about restriction or oppression? Most people think about being forcibly held back or tied down. But to my best friend and dog Cooper, the leash means something quite different. Every time he sees me holding it, he races around the backyard and suddenly stops right in front of the fence. He knows that when I’m holding the leash, it can only mean one thing––it’s time to go for a run! And boy does

that dog love to run. The excitement I saw in my four-year-old Brittney Spaniel when I showed him something that others saw as limiting or restrictive got me thinking.What else do we see as bad, that with a perspective shift, can be good? I used to hate doing chores around the house. It always got in the way of my schoolwork and social life. But now that I am commuting after living in the dorms for three years, I have come to appreciate my chores. Washing the car is a great time to enjoy the sun while cooling off. Doing the dishes while my mom cooks dinner and my brother plays Fortnite is the perfect time to relate to my family. Cleaning my room provides the opportunity to organize not only my stuff, but also my plans for the following weeks. Activities I used to loathe have become much more enjoyable now that I have changed my perspective. Another example: the Honor Code. Some people say that it is repressive and annoying. I have heard

people complain that they are adults and should be allowed to do what they want. I challenge us to view the Honor Code the same way Cooper sees the leash. What if we got so excited for the Honor Code chapel that we started living by it before we even signed it just like how Cooper starts running before I leash him and open the gate? What kind of campus would that create? A little perspective shift can be all that is holding us back from something truly amazing. The mind is a powerful tool. Much research has been done to show how a properly trained mind and positive thinking can increase a person’s quality of life and physical health. Perspective plays a huge role in how the mind works. Cooper could see the leash as annoying, repressive and mean. But he doesn’t. To Cooper, “leash” means a long run with his friend, new smells along the route and an affectionate “Good boy!” with a cool drink when he is done. What perspective is holding you back from enjoying your life? Are you too busy fighting the leash to enjoy the run?

“Perspective plays a huge role in how the mind works.”

Is it pronounced meme or meme?

Kayley Forshey @mybestfriendjo A lot can be learned about a person from a quick peek at their camera roll, and I’m proud to say mine is full of memes. Old memes. Dank memes. Classic memes. And my own poor attempts at memes. Some of my favorites are the angry “I guess” guy and pretty much anything with Guy Fieri and Flavortown. Memes are one of my favorite forms of humor and communication.

I send a daily meme (or 12) to my squad group chat everyday. I think I have more memes than photos of my family on my phone. And though I don’t think I deserve it because it requires a very high level of meme-knowledge and usage, I’m still proud of that one time a friend named me the “Meme Queen.” I couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day. For those of you who don’t know (This is so sad. Alexa, play an ORU-appropriate song.), I should probably explain what a meme is. The word “meme” was coined by Richard Dawkins in 1976, in his book “The Selfish Gene.” I’ve never read it. But I did extensive research in the form of googling and learned that Dawkins created the word to explain the duplication of ideas, much like the duplication of genes. In accordance with Dawkins’ definition, the word “meme” means an idea that can be copied or replicated from person to person within a culture, or more simply, a unit of culture. These hilarious little photos (or sometimes videos or gifs) edited with text boxes and misspelled words and terrible grammar and an unnecessary amount

of saturation (what in saturation!) are small units of culture, shaping our humor, our minds, our world. It’s incredible. They continue to evolve as well, gathering layers and taking on new meanings. They are a mode of expression, dank memes for when you’re feeling feisty and wholesome memes for when you need to cheer up a friend and political memes for when the news just isn’t cutting it anymore. Side note, and this may not be the best thing to admit, but I often get a lot of my news from memes. Like, did y’all see the memes about the E.U. trying to ban memes? So funny. What I’m trying to say is, culture is in our hands; well, it’s in the hands of those who take it. With this small but impactful form of communication that I hope never dies, I encourage you to take part. The culture is changing, evolving, growing. And you can be part of it, whether it’s through an ill-timed photo of Nicolas Cage or Kermit sipping tea. But that’s none of my business.

September 21, 2018 • Oracle • 21


Want to win four free tickets to the Tulsa State Fair? Tweet us your funniest #MyRoomateisWeird story and follow us on Instagram. The winner will be voted on and announced next week. @oruoracle

First person to send in a picture of the correct, completed puzzle to oraclechief@oru.edu will recieve four free tickets to the Tulsa State Fair.

22 • Oracle • September 21 , 2018


September 21, 2018 • Oracle • 23



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