September 14, 2012 Print Edition by ORU Oracle

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Garrett Guttman volunteers with ORU Outreach. Photo by Austin St. John

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Web www.oruoracle.com Facebook www.facebook.com/ORUOracle Twitter @ORUOracle 2 • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • THE ORACLE

LIFE

Meet the new General Assembly

Courtesy Photos

On Friday, Sept. 7, the new General Assembly election results were announced in chapel. Students were given 20 votes each. Voting took place on Vision. “The General Assembly creates proposals on behalf of the student body, to promote change on campus, and improve student experience,” said SA Vice President Josh Wagoner. “There are many areas of student experience that need to be improved, and our goal this year is to tackle the most pressing issues facing students.” “I could not be more excited about this year’s General Assembly,” said Wagoner. “In this year’s election, Student Association saw a historic amount of votes cast for the General Assembly candidates. We now have a dynamic team of student leaders newly elected by their peers, ready to be the hands and feet of change on this campus. ” “I have assessed the effectiveness of the previous two years of the GA, and I have come to the conclusion that our potential has not yet been reached,” said Wagoner. “Over the last several months, I have been in contact with student government presidents from Harvard, Columbia and Princeton, and they have given me invaluable tips on how to make this year’s General Assembly the most effective ORU has ever seen. Our mission is to elevate the influence of students, to give them a voice to which they can initiate change on this campus.“ From top row, left to right: Julion Ware, Robert Redmond, Kai Good, Brent McNeely; Bethany Allen, Abel Guzman, Jessica Shoreman, Melquisidec Chan; Bethany White, Brennan Berg, Amber Vanderburg, Luke Paulson; Marissa Medina, Ebimiere Onitsha, Rosina Albanese, Joel Garcia; Joe Crow, Ricky Ortiz, Blake Hamilton and Natalie Spack.

THE ORACLE • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • 3

Crickets plague campus By Ian Harrup the worst of the Forget the geese. pests. Hide your kids. Hide However, the your wife. The crickets dorms are not have invaded campus, the only places and relief is still the crickets have months away. appeared. The In what feels more Graduate Center  A field cricket’s life span is like an Exodus-sized and Learning less than 1 year. plague than a seasonal Resources Center  Its length is approximately insect problem, black showcase dead less than 1 inch. cricket populations crickets in many  A female cricket can lay over 400 eggs have swelled to biblical of the hallways, as in her lifetime. proportions because of a result of either  Crickets do not survive during winter, the drought and heat bug spray or shoes. only their eggs do. of Tulsa this summer. Crickets have even  Only male crickets can chirp. Though some invaded the pool students question  Yes, they can bite, but area in the Aerobics whether the infestation only out of self-defense. Center. is related to insanitary The parking lots Sources: http://www.facts-about.org.uk/facts-about-crickets.htm http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/field_cricket.htm conditions, the crickets are full of crickets as are actually looking well. Some students for cooler places to have reported escape humid weather masses of the dead Illustration by Michelle Karjadi conditions. They are insects underneath only a small part of a their cars when they nationwide explosion of insects. pull out of a parking space. This can possibly be In an interview with the Tulsa World, OSU attributed to the crickets eating antifreeze drippings entomologist Rick Grantham attributed this to record or the condensation from A/C units. high temperatures over the past few months. When the sun comes out, the crickets die on “The mild winter, wet spring and hot, dry summer the hot asphalt because of exposure to the direct allowed the insects to survive, breed and thrive,” sunlight. Grantham said. The opinions of the students vary in feeling, as This has been true for dozens of insect species some are not comfortable with simply killing the all across the nation. The Associated Press reported insects. in March that insects, ranging from bumblebees to “It’s kind of like dodging a squirrel in a car alfalfa weevils, came out much earlier than usual because you feel responsible for their insignificant because of the relative lack of snow and freezing lives. Bless their little hearts, they didn’t mean to be weather in many states. alive or disgusting,” said junior Chris Renick. Although the early honeybees are beneficial Some students don’t mind their presence on for pollination, many of the pest species started campus. For senior Michael Whitlach, the influx of munching on new crops ahead of the conventional crickets equates with a special treat for his two box schedules. turtles. Ironically for the crickets — and those repulsed “The box turtles are in favor of the cricket by them — the warm weather has actually been explosion because they really like to eat them,” detrimental for the cricket’s most common predator, Whitlach said. the horsehair worm. Whatever the response students have to the “Cooler, wetter weather brings more of the crickets’ masses of chirping, hopping crickets, take heart in predators out,” Grantham said. knowing they don’t have a very long lifespan and For the average student living in the dorms, the can’t survive colder temperatures. They will be gone crickets crawl between the walls and chirp for hours from campus by the time winter sets in. on end. Those living in Claudius and EMR have seen

Fun Facts about Crickets!

4 • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • THE ORACLE

NEWS BRIEFS Hobby Lobby files federal suit over birth control The Oklahoma City-based retail chain Hobby Lobby has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, claiming a government-mandated health care policy is forcing the company’s owners “to violate their deeply held religious beliefs under threat of heavy fines, penalties and lawsuits.” The lawsuit is aimed at a U.S. Health and Human Services mandate that forces all companies, regardless of religious conviction, to provide coverage of drugs the lawsuit alleges are abortioninducing, including the morning-after pill and week-after pill. Failure to provide the drugs in the company’s health insurance plan could lead to fines of up to $1.3 million a day, the company said. The lawsuit also was filed on behalf of Mardel Inc., a company owned by ORU Board of Trustees Chairman Mart Green and his family. Hobby Lobby is the largest and only non-Catholic-owned business to file a lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act. “The Green family’s religious beliefs forbid them from participating in, providing access to, paying for, training others to engage in, or otherwise supporting abortion-causing drugs and devices,” the lawsuit states. The morning-after pill works by preventing ovulation or fertilization. Pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. If taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, certain pills can reduce a woman’s chances of pregnancy by as much as 89 percent.

TU president unexpectedly fired The University of Tulsa has fired Geoffrey Orsak as president after 74 days on the job. No reason was given, but a day before his termination, Orsak was given a leave of absence to tend to a health matter involving his father in Dallas. A two-sentence news release Wednesday said that Orsak had been fired effective immediately and that TU Executive Vice President Kevan Buck will manage day-to-day operations.

SCTNow Walk to be held in Jenks The 4th annual Stop Child Trafficking Now Walk, or SCTNow Walk, will take place Saturday, Sept. 22, at 8 a.m. at the Jenks Riverwalk Crossing. The 5K walk/run is being held in 14 different cities across the country. Registration is available online at www.sctnow.org/walk.

International students cope with new culture By Aba Hammond Every year, students from all over the world flock to the United States. Studying in the U.S. offers the prospect not only to study at prominent academic institutions, but also to benefit from travel and be exposed to a new culture. Nonetheless, studying abroad can raise some challenges for new arrivals. The first semester of college is an exciting time for international students, but there are some barriers that naturally arise in a new country and academic environment. For many foreign students, coming to the U.S. to study is their first trip away from home. In

addition to the stress of what may be their first year of college, they have to deal with differences in climate, food and customs. The constant unfamiliarity of a new society can be very stressful. Students may experience feelings of isolation or disorientation. Although

community for months, or even years, at a time. No matter how well the international students offices prepare incoming students, they’re bound to experience some kind of culture shock. Even for international students who have studied English since kindergarten, they may still find

students—whether that is in academic clubs, social organizations, outreach teams or even part-time jobs. The U.S. is often called a melting pot, a mixture of people from cultures all around the world. Still, the American culture is distinctive, and

Sometimes simple American greetings like “what’s up?” or “what’s cooking?” and a high-five gesture can go a long way with fitting in. university communities are usually diverse, some students may also feel they don’t fit in. Living and studying in the U.S. means separation from the familiar culture of home and from the support mechanisms of family and

difficulties in listening and understanding American English in a cultural context. Here are some survival tips that could ease up the process of adjusting. Get involved on campus to meet other

might be different from your own. Talk to someone when you feel overwhelmed. If you live on campus, don’t be afraid to talk to the leaders on your floor. The RAs, APAs and chaplains are there to serve you. Connect with the

students on your floor and your brother or sister wing. Be patient and openminded. It takes time to utilize a new language, its slang, and get used to the food and customs. Do not hesitate to ask questions. There are people who are always friendly and willing to offer help. Try to initiate a conversation at appropriate times. Sometimes simple American greetings like “what’s up?” or “what’s cooking?” and a high-five gesture can go a long way with fitting in. It shows your effort of learning the culture. Although you may feel comfortable speaking your language, when hanging out with friends from your own country

or participating in the international student organization, try to include Americans in your activities or discussions. Lastly, remember why you came to study in the States - not only for grades and degrees, but also for a social life, community and culture. Allow yourself to be integrated into an onand off-campus community; participate in departmental and student activities, registered student clubs, outreach or other volunteer organizations. Also, if the resources are available, take advantage of the time you are in America to go travel and see different parts of the country. This will help you to enjoy your experience!

Quick Stats:

International undergraduate students total 291,439 overall and come from regions all over the world.

172,133 ASIA

34,573

LATIN AMERICA

31,318 EUROPE

19,496 AFRICA

17,800 MIDDLE EAST

13,456 NORTH AMERICA

2,743 Source: export.gov

OCEANIA

THE ORACLE • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • 5

Government professor weighs in on DREAM Act By Greg Brown A new push for legislation could affect attendance at Oral Roberts University. If passed, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act may cause an influx of students. The proposed DREAM Act would provide permanent residency to a number of undocumented residents, as well as allow undocumented qualifiers to apply for student loans and work-study. As a result, many of these undocumented residents will have opportunities in education not otherwise available to them. ORU government Professor Sonny Branham is teaching im-

migration policy at the American Studies Program in Washington, D.C., this semester. “The DREAM Act is a legislative proposal first introduced in Congress in 2001 by Democrats,” Branham said. “Republican President George W. Bush supported the bill. It would provide conditional permanent residency — not citizenship — to certain undocumented residents of good moral character.” Prior to the bill taking effect, a student is required to have lived in the country for 5 years minimum, come to the U.S. as a minor and have graduated from a U.S. high school. “While most use the term ‘illegal’, I prefer ‘undocument-

ed’,” said Branham. “No one is illegal, but preferrably should be labeled as undocumented.” Many debate whether to support this new legislation. Those who support the DREAM Act argue it would not create an “amnesty program.” “The act could produce a variety of social and economic benefits like opportunities for people who want to work,” Branham said. “Those who criticize it contend that it would reward illegal immigration and encourage further illegal immigration. That might also invite fraud and shielding gang members from deportation. It is also seen

Fall break already? By Danielle Coy Fall break is just around the corner, and as temperatures begin to drop and green leaves fade away, it’s a good time for students to gradually focus more attention on how to spend their break. What is there to do? From living it up on campus, to traveling 1,000 miles away on a missions trip, there are some great fall break experiences to be had. If you do not want to travel far, nearby towns can make for an exciting day trip. Oklahoma City is just a 2-hour drive away. Sophomore Nicole Hopkins, a marketing major, spent the day in OKC with the girls on Zoe wing last fall. “Instead of complaining that there’s nothing to do in Oklahoma, drive up to OKC, it’s the capital, and there’s stuff to

FALL BREA STAR K TS...

do there,” said Hopkins. They spent the day at “Pops,” ate at Toby Keith’s Restaurant and of course did what girls do best: shopped in the new outlet mall. If Oklahoma gets too boring, however, other states wait to be visited during the break. Junior Budd Arnold, a finance major, enjoyed his fall break in his hometown of Orange County, Calif. He explained that it’s the place to hit the beach and party. He said the great thing about going to California is having his roommate, who just happens to be his neighbor, travel back with him. For those interested in government and politics, a group of ORU students are leaving for Washington, D.C., for four nights of fall break. Sophomore Heather Grubbs, a government major, went on last year’s trip

RE WHEY U O E R A DED? HEA

6 • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • THE ORACLE

as a significant risk to national security.” First proposed 11 years ago, the DREAM Act has recently found its way back into the minds of Americans. President Barack Obama announced in June that his administration would stop deporting young, undocumented immigrants who meet the qualifications set by this proposed legislation. As a result, thousands of individuals have applied for the new program’s benefits. Some view this as the first step of many that would eventually allow for the DREAM Act to take effect. Branham noted this would affect students everywhere, even

at ORU. “In addition to the temporary residency, illegal immigrant students who qualified would also be entitled to apply for student loans and work study. They would not be eligible for Pell grants. ORU could possibly see an enrollment bump with the legislation,” he said. “ORU, being a private institution, could offer tuition discounts, but that cannot be mandated.” The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Dream Act on Dec. 8, 2010, but it did not pass in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reintroduced the Dream Act on May 11, 2011, but it did not advance.

R E B O OCT 2 2 2 1

and plans on going again this year. “This trip really confirmed my decision to be a government major,” said Grubbs. She and the rest of the group toured the Capitol building, visited the Fox News station, met politicians, including Sen. Jim Inhofe and Congressman John Sullivan, and even sat in and watched the vote for the Jobs Bill. Fall break is usually the perfect weather for outdoor activities, as well. Sophomore Matt Scott, a business major, spends most of his free time camping. He enjoyed his fall break at Greenleaf Lake in Muskogee. “I mountain biked and fished, great place to spend time,” said Scott.

Family visits are always an option, too. Junior John Bradford, an advertising major, not only visited his family, but was part of his brother’s wedding on a lake near the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina. “The mountain was covered in trees and settling mist. Driving up it was phenomenal,” said Bradford. He described the waterfalls and pools as if it was a shampoo commercial. Traveling with campus friends only added to the experience. Students still have three weeks to make plans for break, which takes place Oct. 12-22.

Sept. 18 marks one-year anniversary of student’s murder One year after her death, ORU friends and family look back on the life of freshman Carissa Horton.

By Hannah Covington Friends say they remember her smile and peaceful demeanor. She was never flustered. Never angry. Memories of her from her floor, Anointed, always include the 18-year-old singing. Always. Her resident advisor, Jessica Fitzgerald, remembers she had “amazing shoes.” A group of girls from her old floor may get together for a dinner on Tuesday night. They plan on sending her family a card. In the days ahead, students across campus will join the girls in remembering Carissa Horton, the 18-year-old freshman with the contagious smile and peaceful spirit who was murdered alongside her boyfriend, Ethan Nichols, 21, on Sept. 18, 2011, in Hicks Park. Both Horton and Nichols moved to Tulsa from the small town of Keokuk, Iowa. When the freshman began her studies at ORU, the two started dating. On the night of Sept. 18, the couple was taking a walk in Hicks Park when two males confronted them. According to police reports, the men intended to rob the pair. That’s when the unthinkable happened. Police reports said that Horton and Nichols were then forced on their knees and shot in the head execution style. Their bodies were found the next morning by a man and woman walking their dogs in the park near East 31st Street and South Mingo Road. Police soon arrested Jerard Davis, 22, and Darren Price, 20, and charged them with two counts of first-degree murder. In the March arraignment hearings, Tulsa District Attorney Tim Harris announced that he will seek the death penalty.

Harris, a 12 months to 1983 graduate of get to trial. ORU’s former “I wish the law school, time frame was has served as shorter,” he Tulsa’s district said. attorney for 14 Though years. During Harris is seekthat time, he ing the death has sought the penalty, he said death penalty that the 12 in 10 cases and Tulsa citizens convinced a who sit on the jury all 10 times jury for the to impose that case ultimately sentence. decide the punIn a Sept. 10 ishment for the phone interview, crime. Harris said he Harris said decided to take he doesn’t “pray the case last to win cases” year because the just to “reveal thought of such truth.” a young couple “I have a being killed duty to bring execution style this community “was just so horand these famirendous to me.” lies justice, and “This was I will do that to a case that we the best of my believed had ability.” aggravation and For these allowed us to families, the go for the death promise of juspenalty,” he said. tice and meetIn Oklaing the young Courtesy Photo ORU student Carissa Horton was murdered one year ago. The two men homa, prosecucouple again charged with her murder are to be tried separately in March 2013. tors must find at someday serve least one or more as touchstones of seven “aggravatto keep moving the two will get separate trials, the first ing circumstances” to seek the death forward. scheduled by District Judge Bill Mussesentence for first-degree murder. Fitzgerald still keeps in contact with man for March 4, 2013. Harris found three in the case of Horton’s family. Harris said the order of the trials for Davis and four for Price. She said her mom is noticing that each man will be “determined strategiAt this point, court documents from cally.” things are finally settling into a new a Jan. 10 preliminary hearing reveal routine. Life has started to become “We will look at all our strengths that both men admit to being in Hicks bearable again. and weaknesses in each case and decide Park the night of the double-homicide On Sept. 18, families, students and from there who to try first,” Harris said. shooting, but Harris said neither one faculty remember Carissa Horton and A pretrial exchange of evidence and has admitted to pulling the trigger. the legacy she left behind. police reports between the prosecution “Both defenses are pointing the “There’s not a day that goes by that and defense is set for Oct. 25. finger at each other,” Harris said. I don’t think about her and the impact On average, Harris said it usually Based on this conflicting evidence, she had on our floor,” Fitzgerald said. takes every murder case in Tulsa about

THE ORACLE • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • 7

MEET YOUR RESIDENCE HALL DIRECTORS 1. What were you doing before you joined ORU’s staff? I’ve been working as a youth pastor as well as doing graduate work.

2. Where are you from and where

did you attend college? I’m from the Tulsa area, and I graduated from ORU.

3. Tell me a little about your family status. I have an extremely tight-knit family and extended family.

4. What’s one

key concerns of college students? Defining self and laying down a sound foundation for life.

7. How do you endeavor to enrich

student life on campus? I look forward to being a resource and a support system for students.

8. Is there a particular motto you

live by that will help guide you with your new job? His grace is sufficient.

Allison Yandell

item you have in your room that makes your living space your own? I read quite a bit and have collected a lot of books, so I’d have to say my library makes my space my own.

9. Based on your

experiences, what would your general advice be for students who are dealing with a difficult person on their floor? Colossians 3:12-15... Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

SUSIE

5. What was your dormitory experi-

ence like as a student (and in which dorms did you live)? I had a great residence life. It allowed me to make a lot of long lasting, close friendships and have a lot of fun adventures. I lived my first year in Claudius on Quest, I then was an RA on Frances 6, and then returned to Claudius as the HRA of Middle.

6. What do you think are current

Ashley Winn, above, is the Claudius hall director.

1. What were you doing before you joined ORU’s staff? I was taking grad classes at ORU and working as a Missions Coordinator with ORU Missions and Outreach.

2. Where are you from and where did you attend college? I am from Otsego, Michigan (a town north of Kalamazoo). I have only ever been to ORU after high school.

3. Tell me a little

about your family status. No spouse or children…yet! Just my mom, 2 sisters, and my dad!

5. What was your dormitory experi-

ence like as a student (and in which dorms did you live)? Well, I completed 5 years of undergrad and loved my experiences living in the residence halls! I have lived in Claudius, Susie and Gabrielle. Although, at first, I did not want to live in Gabrielle my last year, I found that I really enjoyed it!

6. What do you think are current

8 • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • THE ORACLE

7. How do you endeavor to enrich

student life on campus? I love missions and outreach! I firmly believe that ORU is a mission field. I am empowering the leadership in my residence hall to be missions-minded and be intentional with every female on campus.

8. Is there a

particular motto you live by that will help guide you with your new job? Yes. I mentioned it in #7. Be missions-minded. We should not just love unconditionally and be flexible and intentional only when we are overseas. We should display that love of Christ even at the Wal-Mart across the street. Even with the very people we live and work with on campus. Be missions-minded.

CLAUDIUS

room that makes your living space your own? I would say my keyboard. I give private voice and piano lessons so I feel like my keyboard makes it my own.

Photo by Stephen Salmon

I think that key concerns of college students can be the same for anyone… and that is to be loved and accepted.

Ashley Winn

4. What’s one item you have in your

Allison Yandell, above, is the Susie hall director.

Photo by Stephen Salmon

key concerns of college students?

9. Based on your experiences, what

would your general advice be for students who are dealing with a difficult person on their floor? I would say seek help. First, from the Lord. Praying for the situation and asking the Lord for help is key. Then ask for help/ advice from leadership that you trust.

FAITH

Students lend hand in wildfire recovery Seventy students dedicate early Saturday morning to help families recover items lost in recent wildfires

By Sarah Dinwiddie It’s the little things—like the memory of your grandmother from a turtle jewelry box (pictured below)—that make a house a “home.” For many Oklahomans, “home” sat on one of the 58,000 acres of the

drought-dried plains ravaged by wildfires in Oklahoma last month. Olive, Okla., was only one of the towns affected by the flames. This is where ORU students went to assist relief workers on Saturday, Aug. 25. Kenzie Jackson, a junior pastoral care major, was one of these students to make the three-hour drive from Tulsa to Olive to participate in the Wildfire Relief Outreach.

Continued on page 12

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Perihelion Yearbook Writing Contest Everyone has a story. What’s yours? Submit your 100- to 300-word story to yearbook@oru.edu, and it could be published in the 2012-2013 Perihelion Yearbook! Next Deadline Day is: Friday, September 28

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Students recovered this turtle jewelry box during their time helping clean and sort through the rubble of homes destroyed by wildfires.

THE ORACLE • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • 9

Wall of Sacrifice New memorial to commemorate lives of six students, alumni

Alexis Brownlee

Senior missions major. Died June 10 while on a foreign missions internship in Romania.

Jaman Iseminger 2005 graduate. Shot May 19 while serving in the Indiana church he pastored.

Garrett Coble

Former ORU assistant professor. Died May 11 in plane crash.

By Hannah Covington Debra Sheets’ first glimpse of the Praying Hands stands as an evocative moment in her memory. It lingers. Her oldest son, Luke Sheets, was still in high school. She brought him to Tulsa as a prospective student for College Weekend. When the 60-foot high, 30-ton structure first came into view, the sun cast a warm glow on its bronze surface. She remembers feeling in awe of its size and symbolism. Then, the memory shifts. It is nighttime. Sheets and her husband, Craig, have just dropped off Luke at school for his freshman year in January 2009. As they pull out of the circle drive and prepare for the 16-hour trip back to Ephraim, Wis., she sees the hands again, illuminated and striking in the dark. “Luke’s in God’s hands now,” she remembers thinking. Then, a question: “Wouldn’t you rather him be far away but in the right place?” She would. And it remains true even now, three years after he first started school, three months after he was killed in a tragic plane crash. Sheets said she knows Luke is still in the right place, in the right hands. Those bronze hands remind her of it. Since last May, this mammoth monument to prayer has taken on a whole new significance for Sheets’ family and the families of five other members of the ORU community. Luke is among one of six students to be commemorated by the new memorial wall located on the campus side of the Praying Hands. They also will be honored in a memorial chapel Sept. 19. The “Wall of Sacrifice” commemorates the lives of Sheets and five individuals who died for their faith over the past academic year. Those honored include: Luke Sheets, 23; Stephen Luth, 22; Austin Anderson, 27; Garrett Coble, 29; Jaman Iseminger, 29; and Alexis Brownlee, 20. This list represents the victims of the May 11 plane crash, a pastor and alumnus from Indiana who was killed in his church in late May and an ORU senior who died while on a summer mission internship in June. Individuals from all walks of life, they are bound together by their common acts of sacrifice. When deciding on the location for the wall, President Mark Rutland said he remembers someone mentioning that the monument should pertain to prayer. “I was thinking about that, and I said, ‘Wait a minute. What are we doing? We’ve already got one, and it’s the biggest monument in the world dedicated to prayer,’” Rutland said. The names will be placed on a bronze plaque and affixed to the Praying Hands’ base structure. Rutland explained that each of the six individuals meet the criteria “of taking the healing message of Jesus Christ to the world” at the times of their deaths. On May 11, recent graduates Sheets, Luth and Anderson as well as former ORU professor Coble were killed in a plane crash in rural Kansas while flying to an Acquire the Fire

Photo by Austin St. John

The Wall of Sacrifice is being completed and is located on the campus side of the Praying Hands sculpture. The I Cor. 15:54 scripture “...Death is swallowed up in victory” will be engraved on the wall.

Christian youth event in Iowa. Hannah Luce, a 2011 alumna, was the lone survivor of the crash. Just over a week later on May 19, pastor and ORU graduate Iseminger was shot and killed in his church in Southport, Ind., by a homeless woman while Iseminger was preparing for an annual cleanup in a cemetery nearby. Lori Ann Barcroft, 46, has been charged with his murder. The motive remains unknown. Rutland said he sees Iseminger as the “prime example” of someone who meets the criteria for the wall. “He’s preaching the gospel, serving the poor and is gunned down in the process of ministry,” he said. Three weeks later and more than 5,000 miles away from Iseminger’s Indiana church, Brownlee, a senior missions major, was serving on a mission internship in Romania. On June 10, Brownlee died in the Eastern European nation following a seizure. Rutland said that each of the six victims represent the start of a list that will include individuals from the ORU community’s past, present and future. “We chose these six as a place to start, but we will be accepting nominations of individuals moving forward or backward in time,” Rutland said. The Alumni Association will serve as the standing committee to select future names. All six honorees will be represented by family or loved ones in a memorial chapel scheduled Sept. 19. The service will also memorialize other students who died during the past academic year, including murder victim Carissa Horton, 18, and Dillon Coggeshall, 21, who died in a longboarding accident in September. Their names, however, won’t be on the wall. Rutland said honoring these individuals and their families will serve as the focal point of the upcoming chapel. “ORU remembers its own. We bear each other’s burdens and share in the experience of loss as we share in the experience of gain,” he said. This process of grieving, remembering and recovering has colored the last few months for the individuals’ families to be memorialized in chapel. For David and Cyndi Luth, parents of plane crash victim Stephen Luth, next week’s trip from Muscatine, Iowa, to Tulsa promises a number of joys that have followed tragedy, including seeing the other families involved in the crash whom they have grown so close to over the summer. Luth’s father said they are still letting their sons’ forthcoming honor sink in. “It’s overwhelming to us right now, seeing his name on the wall next to these other men and women,” he said. For the families, the Praying Hands and the names it will bear serve as a source of comfort and reassurance in the months following tragedy. Debra Sheets still often thinks about that quiet question first heard three years ago: “Wouldn’t you rather him be far away but in the right place?” “Luke is still in good hands,” Sheets said. “That hasn’t changed, just the location has changed. He’s in God’s hands, and even though he’s far away, I know he is in the right place.”

Austin Anderson 2012 graduate. Died May 11 in plane crash.

Luke Sheets 2012 graduate. Died May 11 in plane crash.

Stephen Luth 2012 graduate. Died May 11 in plane crash.

Wall of Sacrifice New memorial to commemorate lives of six students, alumni

Alexis Brownlee

Senior missions major. Died June 10 while on a foreign missions internship in Romania.

Jaman Iseminger 2005 graduate. Shot May 19 while serving in the Indiana church he pastored.

Garrett Coble

Former ORU assistant professor. Died May 11 in plane crash.

Photo by Austin St. John

Austin Anderson 2012 graduate. Died May 11 in plane crash.

Luke Sheets 2012 graduate. Died May 11 in plane crash.

Stephen Luth 2012 graduate. Died May 11 in plane crash.

Continued from page 9 She said that her highlight from the day was “finding a small cast iron turtle jewelry box” in the midst of a home’s charred remains. “The owner of the home had told us that it was her most prized possession, a gift from her Grandma,” Jackson said. “We were all digging and praying desperately to find it, so it was a huge relief when it was finally uncovered.” She was one of about 70 students and staff working with Samaritan’s Purse to aid victims of the wildfires. Samaritan’s Purse is an international Christian relief organization, which also heads up the Operation Christmas Child project. “I was blown away by their selfless commitment,” Jackson said. Fending against the soot-swept winds, volunteers in face masks and goggles aided homeowners by sifting through ash to see if anything was salvageable from the rubble that was once a part of someone’s home. “Other than the search for valuables, we were clearing the land and sorting out the scrap metal,” said Kate Jennings, sophomore psychology major and ORU Outreach staff member. Jennings was most inspired by the mindset of the owners of the property that they were helping clean. “[Their] house was burned completely to the ground. If they hadn’t told me it used to be a house, I wouldn’t have recognized it,” she said. “They had so much faith that God would bring them through this tragedy. Above all, they were grateful that they were still alive. It was evident that their value was not in material possessions.” Jackson believed that the volunteer work was necessary after all of the houses destroyed by the fires. “A cleanup job of this magnitude is far too much for just a few churches or communities to take on.” She volunteered because she “could only imagine how terrible it would be if everything I knew and called home was destroyed overnight,” Jackson said. “If I had experienced that kind of tragedy, I would need the help of many friends and strangers to try and piece life back together.”

Ashley Holderness, above, and Kenzie Jackson, right, volunteer with ORU Outreach and Samaritan’s Purse to help Oklahoma victims of this summer’s wildfires in Olive, Okla.

Photos by Austin St. John

T.J. Altekruse, above, helps clean up the remains of homes with ORU Outreach and Samaritan’s Purse.

12 • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • THE ORACLE

Social work majors gain real-life experience Students start by reaching out to Tulsa agencies By Madison McDaniel and Sarah Dinwiddie Whether through aiding the homeless, broken households or neglected children, social work majors bring what they have learned in the classroom out into the community through their practicums. “The social work program is not for the faint of heart,” said Kelly Doom, a 2012 ORU graduate and social work major from Michigan. The social work major at ORU allows students to reach out, not just by going overseas, but through giving back to the local community. Students focus their practicums on everything from anti-gang violence campaigns to helping Tulsa Police Force identify victims of sex trafficking. ORU is one of six schools in Oklahoma that has an accredited social work degree program. “Social workers are just in all avenues of society,” junior Nathanael Robertson said. “There’s even a growing need now, especially as the world turns south. A lot more things are going on. There are a lot more broken families. “I would like to start a program that incorporates sports and social work like an afterschool program. They can come and play sports but also there’s a time when they can get help on their homework where there’s kind of a mentoring aspect to it.”

Tulsa provides several agencies that are not necessarily geared toward just social work majors. They are also geared for homelessness, foster care, abuse and neglect. This allows these juniors to work alongside them while they are striving to finish their practicum. “If you have a social work degree, there are a lot of things you can do,” Robertson said. “You could be a counselor within a school, or you could also go get your master’s. They try and implement programs to just help people.” Through an extensive process, agencies in Tulsa that are paired with ORU will reach out to social work majors, and provide them with a branch to host students as they work on their practicum. Kara Woodward is doing her junior practicum this semester at Margaret Hudson, a program with Tulsa Public Schools that provides schooling, child care, health services and social services for pregnant and parenting teen mothers. After only one day of work, Woodward was amazed with the girls’ daily routines. They wake up early to “catch the city bus to school with babies, backpacks, and diaper bags in tow, while also handling intense family conflicts and, of course, schoolwork.” “I work under a counselor and will be contributing to life skills classes, team building activities, and counseling services for the

Internet Photo

Junior Kara Woodward is doing her social work practicum at Margaret Hudson, a facility that provides services for pregnant and teen mothers in Tulsa Public Schools. girls.” Woodward said. Students are placed in two different practicum settings each semester of their junior year, and it’s not necessarily based on preference.

what social work is, is that you’re helping people,” junior Brianna Powers said. “It’s more like empowering people to help themselves and being that mediator to give them resources to move beyond their current circumstances, and it’s very much about educating people.” Rather than just being confined to on-campus aspects, the practicum gives the junior social work program a chance to have hands-on experience. “The social workers’ perspective is to not just tear you down and be like ‘this is your problem, good luck figuring it out,’” Powers said. “We want to empower you to analyze what’s going on and then give you the resources to continue to move on. It is not wrong to ask for help.” With so many aspects involved in the area of social work, the profession offers various avenues for its majors to explore and find the right fit that ignites their passion. “I was actually hired at Laura Dester Children’s Center and continued to

are being equipped ‘‘toYou go into a world of broken and hopeless people. ’’ Professor Chené Tucker said many students get hired through these agencies, because the practicum serves as a real job experience. The students interview with agencies and have to earn their approval. If the student is accepted, he or she goes through a background check, orientation and interview. “Social workers need to be a jack-of-all-trades,” Tucker said. Social work gives students the tools to go into a country and not only minister, but allow them to work with the government and work within the system to do a lot of preventive work, rather than just intervention. “The whole context of

work there after graduation,” Kelly Doom said about her senior practicum experience. “I worked with the social workers and spent a lot of time with the kids.” Those children suffered from neglect or abuse. “It takes a toll on your spirit to see hundreds and hundreds of children being shuffled around the system, who are wounded by no fault of their own,” Doom said. “I found myself questioning a lot of things. Where is God in this?” It was a hard transition for Doom to go from her work environment back to the everyday dorm life. Doom said it was “important to cope with the things you might see in the practicum setting.” “You are being equipped to go into a world of broken and hopeless people,” Doom said about her degree. “The truth is that God is right there. He sees every tear and hears every cry.” Doom said. “He gives us the strength we need to move mountains even in the most broken system.”

THE ORACLE • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • 13

SPORTS

Photo by Sami Prichard

Young Blood and Full Armor, above, play each other in intramural softball during the first game of the fall season Sept. 12. Softball is one of two intermediate sports offered in fall, while flag football (see story below) is the major sport in intramurals fall competition.

Down, set, hike: Flag football season gears up By David Sauer All around the United States, football is back in full swing. College players hit the field two weeks ago. NFL fans have enjoyed the first week of pro games. And on the ORU campus, football has also returned. Intramural flag football is underway, the sound of whistles and touch down celebrations heard from the grass fields behind the Towers dorms and behind Howard Auditorium. The two league format has returned, giving all players the ability to participate. However, there are some rule changes to keep in mind. Each half will now consist of a 20-minute running clock. There will no longer be the seven plays in the last two minutes. Defenses had better be ready because offenses are no longer required to huddle between

plays. The biggest rule change is that there is no blocking on the offensive and defensive lines. Players are only allowed to shadow block. This means the quarterback will have less time to make a throw, making short completions and run after the catch very important. According to James Bond, director of intramurals, the rule was changed in order to improve safety. In years past, many players have experienced major injuries while playing on the lines. These injuries have ranged from broken bones to bloody noses. All the rule changes may take time to adjust to, but they are meant to improve the game. Last year’s champion wing, G-Rock, is not fielding a team this season, making the runners-up, Young

14 • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • THE ORACLE

Blood, the favorites in the A-league. Young Blood fields two teams in the A-league, and they are very confident in their chances this year. Rick Fenimore, who plays for Young Blood, said he believes that the two teams are “beyond last year’s squads” in talent and also that he expects “both A-teams to compete and come out on top.” In B-league, Flint is the favorite to take the championship. The reason, according to quarterback Nick Bogdanoff, is because of the team’s chemistry. Bogdanoff said the team is “a band of brothers,” and he expects the team “to do very well this year.” He also believes this team can win the championship because of their speed and previous football experience. However, Shekinah, last year’s

B-league champion, is not ready to give up. Despite having a lot of freshmen on their squad, they have talent. If they can get organized, they could give Flint a run for their money. According to Josh Continas, Shekinah’s athletic chair, “Shekinah is going to make a comeback and win it all.” Flag football is not just a men’s sport. The women will also be competing in their own league. The rules are the same as on the men’s side, and, according to Virtue quarterback Alex McDonald, the league is almost as intense and spirited. It’s also just as competitive. McDonald said her floor is the team to watch out for. She said the team is pretty good, has “good arms and good strength, and is going to “dominate the intramural sports.”

Golden Hurricane creates perfect storm in Tulsa

By Billy Burke Around this time of year you’ve either become tired of or acquainted with the joke of our “miraculous” football team. Students of classes long ago who longed for the Golden Eagles to don the gridiron, but knew it was just a dream, would say that we have been “undefeated since 1963.” Yes, the irony gets funnier every tailgate-stricken year. For those who are craving to watch college football without driving to Norman or Stillwater, Tulsa still has a venue that can satiate your hunger: the Golden Hurricane. Before I’m jousted by diehard ORU fans for even daring to mention the despised “Mayor’s Cup” rivalry in any sort of positive light, allow me to explain my logic. Since our own football team is so good they’re undefeated, (writing that hurt more than you could ever know) we should feel no threat in supporting the team that calls Tulsa home. Despite not getting the national attention that other Okie teams receive, the Golden Hurricane are a solid team, despite being the smallest athletically affiliated D-1 school in the nation. But one would never assume this when walking through the grand H.A. Chapman Stadium. Originally Skelly Stadium, it received a new name

in 2008 and a facelift that gave it a state-of-the-art field and facilities to accommodate 30,000 fans. However, as the Dallas Cowboys have proven for the past several years, a spiffy stadium does not promise W’s on the schedule. Here are a few facts to give a glimpse of the Univeristy of Tulsa on the field: • In the last 9+ seasons, Tulsa has posted 73 victories for a 73-45 (.619) overall record. • The Hurricane has appeared in seven bowl games in the past nine seasons and has posted a 4-3 record. • Led by junior Trey Watts, TU currently ranks within the top 20 (#17) in rushing yards in the NCAA. Watts has run for 217 yards and is averaging 9.9 yards per carry. • TU plays in Conference USA alongside competitive teams such as Marshall, Houston, SMU and UTEP. So to those who want to experience college football up close, TU has you covered. It makes for a fun night out with some bros or a nice change of pace date, (If she goes, she’s a keeper.). Tulsa will surprise you if you give it a chance, and Golden Hurricane football is another one of those surprises. Just keep in mind what I like to think when I’m at a game, “I’ll root for the home team now, but come

Women’s soccer beats OU 1-0

On Sept. 9, the Lady Golden Eagles represented ORU against the University of Oklahoma in Norman and earned a 1-0 victory. The last time ORU’s women’s soccer team beat a Big 12 team was in 2005. In the 67th minute of the match, Megan Giles scored the lone goal, sealing the game away with a victory. This match marked the first win since Lady Eagles keeper Helen Erb was named Southland Conference goalkeeper of the week. She is one of two keepers in the conference with multiple shutouts.

basketball season, we’re going to blow the Hurricane off the map.” However this past week, TU made the news when it played Tulane, but not because of its victory; but for a reminder of how brutal this sport can be. On a fluke play, two Tulane players collided causing Devon Walker to suffer a spine fracture. The game was delayed for an hour while paramedics rushed to the scene, having to perform CPR and chest compressions. “You absolutely hate to see this on any day, no matter which team,” Tulsa General Manager Joe Druten said while paramedics were on the field. “It goes to show that this is a contact sport that must be taken seriously.” Walker was stabilized, but still no word as of Wednesday on whether he will be paralyzed. Star senior wide receiver Bryan Burnham, who was lost to an ACL injury in the season opener, was firmly grounded by the injury. “It goes to show how blessed everyone here is to play this game. I came out lucky with just a blown out knee. This guy is fighting for his life.” Though Tulsa would go on to route Tulane 45-10, the victory was tarnished.

Golden Eagle volleyball star

Photo by Austin St. John

Bruna Silva, a junior at ORU, was honored with the esteemed title of Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week. As the first ORU student-athlete to earn this award since ORU switched athletic conferences this season, Silva has averaged 5.14 digs per set so far this season. This ranks as the second-best in the Southland Conference, and she topped the 20-dig mark in three of four matches at the University Plaza Invitational. She is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the Lady Golden Eagles.

Women’s volleyball schedule:

Women’s soccer schedule:

•Thursday, Sept. 13 vs. Sam Houston State @ Huntsville, Texas, 7 p.m. •Saturday, Sept. 15 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi @ Corpus Christi, Texas, 2 p.m. •Thursday, Sept. 20 vs. Southeastern Louisiana @ ORU’s Aerobic Center, 7 p.m.

•Friday, Sept. 14 vs. Tulsa @ Tulsa, 7:30 p.m. •Sunday, Sept. 16 vs. Mississippi Valley St. @ Itta Bena, Miss., 1 p.m. •Friday, Sept. 21 vs. Nebraska-Omaha @ Omaha, 7 p.m. •Sunday, Sept. 23 vs. Creighton @ Omaha, 1 p.m.

Courtesy Photo

Men’s soccer schedule: •Friday, Sept. 14 vs. Air Force @Air Force, 5:30 p.m. •Sunday, Sept. 16 vs. Denver @ Denver, 2 p.m. •Saturday, Sept. 22 vs. Oakland @ Case Soccer Complex, 7 p.m. •Fri, Sept. 28 vs. IPFW @ Fort Wayne, Ind. 6 pm

THE ORACLE • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • 15

SCENE

Try a taste of India Want to spice up your day and taste change?

By Jessica Sherwood Try Tulsa’s fine Indian dining at India Palace, located conveniently at 6963 S. Lewis Ave. India Palace is Tulsa’s oldest Indian restaurant, which offers excellent service and authentic Indian food. The restaurant is open every day. A lunch buffet is available from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. as well as regular dining hours from 5-10 p.m. The prices range from $10-$15 for entrees. Catering both to the casual and high-class diners, the restaurant is a

Photo by Sami Prichard

India Palace is Tulsa’s oldest Indian restaurant. joined forces and opened calm and serene setting India Palace in Tulsa. for all. Walking in the door, The Singh brothyou’re greeted with the ers came to the U.S. in 1989 from Punjab, India. sound of soft Indian music and the scent of curry One of the Singh brothand other Indian spices. ers, Guldeep, founded The palace is decorated the first India Palace in with colorful, exotic tapSante Fe, N.M. It is still estries and wall hangings. open today. The other Table candles and dim brother, Manjit, cooked lighting create a relaxing, in a restaurant in Dallas. romantic environment. In 1994, the brothers re-

The customer service is great, and a server is at the table within a few minutes of being seated. Throughout the meal, there is never a need to call a server to the table because they consistently check up on their customers. Some may consider the servers behavior overbearing, while others find it accommodating. ORU graduate student Tina Wood said, “India Palace has delicious food, but I hate how I cannot even finish my water before a waiter is there to fill up my glass.” Upon being seated, customers are given Papad to eat, which is similar to a crispy wafer that has a spicy, onion seasoning on top. There are a variety of entrees to decide among, from Tandoori Chicken to Seekh Kabab. The hot

Words to know before you go...

chai tea, which includes free refills, is an excellent option for the upcoming chilly fall days. Chicken Tikka Masala is one of their most popular dishes. It consists of boneless chicken in a creamy tomato-based sauce. Naan bread is another crowd favorite, which comes hot and fresh out of the oven. As delicious as the papad and entree are, the desserts add a sweet finish to the experience. India Palace offers Mango Kulfi (ice cream with mangoes) and Kheer (rice pudding) as well as many other scrumptious options. Junior Amber Vanderburg said, “This summer I went to India, and our mission team spent a great deal of time comparing our food in the real India to the food at India Palace. The authentic taste and friendly atmosphere makes

‘SHER’ BETS Not familiar with Indian cuisine? Scene editor Jessica Sherwood recommends these choices: •Drink: Chai Tea (Hot) •Entrée: Chicken Tikka Masala •Dessert: Mango Kufli or Kheer (rice pudding) for a great night out.” Take a five-minute drive from ORU campus and enjoy authentic Indian food to add a bit of flavor and seasoning to your everyday life.

Curry - the staple dish of the Anglo/Indian

restaurant client. Each chef has his or her own way of mixing spices and preparing this dish, which are united by their rich flavor and abundant sauce!

Tandoor- a traditional clay oven which uses

Naan Bread - leavened, doughy bread cooked in a ‘tandoor’

16 • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • THE ORACLE

charcoal for an authentic flavor. Meats cooked in a tandoor contain less fat and are often first marinated in a spiced yoghurt sauce, and may be served dry or added to a sauce.

Internet Photos

Information retrieved from… http://www.thebombay.co.uk/glossary.html

Tulsa State Fair entertainment spans far and wide By Amy Lecza Ah, state fairs. The air is cool, the lights from the Ferris wheel cast a fluorescent glow on the portly fairgoers, snacking on baskets of deep-fried Oreos while bobbing their heads to the music. Wait, what music? Well, the Tulsa State Fair has dozens of musical acts performing on various stages through the duration of the fair. Some are chart-topping hit makers; some are just getting started. Whether you have a weekend off or just a free weeknight, head over to the fairgrounds and hear a show. Fans of country music will enjoy hearing Shawna Russell, an Okemah native who has already filmed and debuted two CMT-played music videos including her single, “Waitin’ On Sunrise.” Randy Houser, a country singersongwriter credited with writing the lyrical masterpiece that is “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” performed by Trace Adkins, will also be performing. One of his better-known singles, “Anything Goes,” broke the top 30 country charts upon its debut. Also performing is big-name country group Eli Young Band who are fresh off of two awards including Breakthrough Artist for the MusicRow Awards as well as Song of the Year from the American Country Music Awards. They’ve released four studio albums, seven singles and seven music videos including their most recent single, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” Teens and fans of pop music will want to see Hot Chelle Rae, the Nashville-based pop group whose hits include “Tonight, Tonight,” and “I Like It Like That.” The band will also be going on tour with Owl City as the opener for former Disney pop singer Demi Lovato. Also in the pop category is Breathe Carolina, a more electropop group best known for their recent chart-topping hit “Blackout,” a club favorite that’s sure to make you dance no matter how hard you resist the urge.

General gate admission to the Tulsa State Fair costs $6 to $10, and tickets for rides cost extra. Here’s a list of the dates, times and bands playing at the Tulsa State Fair and on which stages they’ll be performing. For more information, visit www.tulsastatefair.com. Thursday, Sept. 27 Homegroan Concert, 8 p.m. Oklahoma Stage Shawna Russell, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. International Beer Garden Rick Jawnsun, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. Bud Light Tailgate Tent Friday, Sept. 28 Randy Houser, 8 p.m. Oklahoma Stage Aaron Newman, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. International Beer Garden We The Ghost, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. Bud Light Tailgate Tent Saturday, Sept. 29 Vertical Horizon, 8 p.m. Oklahoma Stage Dante & the Hawks, 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. International Beer Garden Sean Adair, 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. Bud Light Tailgate Tent Sunday, Sept. 30 Eli Young Band, 8 p.m. Oklahoma Stage

Mickey & Gordon, 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. International Beer Garden Beacon Drive, 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. Bud Light Tailgate Tent Monday, Oct. 1 Jeremy Camp, 8 p.m. Oklahoma Stage Kristen Stehr, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. International Beer Garden Ben Smith, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. Bud Light Tailgate Tent Tuesday, Oct. 2 Easton Corbin, 8 p.m. Oklahoma Stage Full Moon Dueling Piano Show, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. International Beer Garden Morgan Ganem & Sownds, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. Bud Light Tailgate Tent Wednesday, Oct. 3 Hot Chelle Rae, 8 p.m. Oklahoma Stage Full Moon Dueling Piano Show, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. International Beer Garden Drive, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. Bud Light Tailgate Tent

Courtesy Photo

Thursday, Oct. 4 Theory of a Deadman, 8 p.m. Oklahoma Stage Stephen Speaks, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. International Beer Garden Lower 40, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. Bud Light Tailgate Tent Friday, Oct. 5 Keith Sweat, 8 p.m. Oklahoma Stage Mary Cogan, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. International Beer Garden Chase Stites, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. Bud Light Tailgate Tent Saturday, Oct. 6 Breathe Carolina, 8 p.m. Oklahoma Stage Starr Fisher, 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. International Beer Garden The Purple Trader, 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. Bud Light Tailgate Tent Sunday, Oct. 7 Midlife Crisis, 2 p.m., 5 p.m. Oklahoma Stage Something Steel, 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. International Beer Garden Brandon Clark Band, 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. Bud Light Tailgate Tent

THE ORACLE • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • 17

Greeks and Scots and ribs in Tulsa, oh my! By Chelsey Butler September is a time of the year unlike any other. It is the start of the official fall season, and with that comes a plethora of new things to do and see. Most of its weekends feature a variety of festivals that include excellent food, great music and are relatively inexpenisve or free to attend. Here’s your guide to the local festivals throughout the month of September. If you’re looking for a venue that unites appetizing food and foot tapping jams, you might want to check out the Rock N’ Rib festival. Located in downtown Tulsa outside the BOK Center, this event runs from Sept. 13-16, with free admission each day. The food will be prepared by world-champion barbeque “Pitmasters” from across the United States. While indulging in delicious grub, you can enjoy the sounds of selected Tulsa rock bands. A festival dedicated to good cuisine and rockin’ music is sure to be a smash. Are you a fan of blues music? You won’t find any better venue than the Hound Dog Blues Festival. This twoday festival, starting Sept. 21, features a variety of blues singers and ensembles. The advanced ticket prices are set at $10 for Friday, $15 for Saturday and $20 for a two-day pass. The entirety of this jamboree is set in Chandler Park. Though this is solely a music festival, it is the only blues festival that can be found in Tulsa year-round. Be sure to get tickets now because prices will rise at the gate. On the weekend of Sept. 20-22, Tulsa will host its oldest ethnic celebration: the Tulsa Greek Festival. According to the website, you will be able to “build your own Greek dinner, enjoy some Greek desserts, buy a Greek cookbook with an area flavor, and imagine the sights, sounds and smells of Mediterranean life at Greek Holiday.” This event, hosted by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, will also showcase vendors with Greek

ScotFest 2012 will take place across the Arkansas River from Sept. 14-16. jewelry, gifts, imported foods and more. This festival is quite the bargain, as the entrance price is set at $3. For crafty individuals in search of a new project, the Heart of Broken Arrow Arts & Crafts festival is for you. All sorts of vendors will be attending this event, each merchant ready to show you new and interesting art and projects to undertake - some of them on your own. Admission is free to this one-day only event, which will be held at the Central Park Community Center on Sept. 22. For fans of Scottish culture or just those in search of a strapping man in a kilt, head over to Scotfest from Sept. 14-16 on the west side of the Arkansas River at 2100 S. Jackson Ave. There’ll be live music including Celtic legends Celtica as well as Texasinfluenced Celtic rock band Cleghorn. Along with live music, you can expect traditional Scottish dancing, a limerickwriting competition, Scottish food and even Tulsa’s own version of the Highland Games. Fairgoers of Scottish heritage will

18 • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • THE ORACLE

even be able to talk to ancestry specialists about their heritage and find out more information about their native clans. Admission is $7 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the festival or online at www.okscotfest.com. If you’re not into food or crafts but are an art junkie, check out Art on Main. Held just over the river in Jenks, Art on Main is a festival involving art and entertainment as well as a children’s festival. Media include drawing, glass, jewelry, painting and photography, and the talent will span far and wide. Art on Main will feature more than 100 Oklahoma artists and wineries that will display and sell their creations. Mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 13. Art on Main will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Jenks Main Street. Each of these festivals are sure to be entertaining in their own way, and will bring a new form of fun to the Tulsa entertainment scene. These events only come once a year, so try to catch them while you can.

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Upcoming Music Events The Offspring, Sublime, Rome & Garbage Sept. 15 iffy Lube Live, Bristow Heart Sept. 15 The Joint – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Catoosa Down Sept. 19 Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa Boombox Sept. 20 Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa Hillsong Live Sept. 22 BOK Center, Tulsa Pretty Lights Sept. 25 Brady Theater, Tulsa August Burns Red Sept. 27 Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa The Head & the Heart Sept. 30, Cain’s

MUSE

Subjectively Objective: A Monstrous Dream It has been tough for me to watch the first two Penn State football games this year. Indeed, over the last By Nathan Porter 18 months, the nation witnessed firsthand Penn State’s football program slowly burn to the ground as a result of the Jerry Sandusky trial. The scandal not only battered the football program, but also the legacy of its legendary coach, the late Joe Paterno. It was revealed that former Penn State Defensive Coordinator Jerry Sandusky sexually molested dozens of young boys on Penn State grounds during his time as an assistant coach at the university. What’s worse is that Paterno was allegedly informed of Sandusky’s crimes, yet neglected to alert the police, out of fear that Sandusky’s prosecution might hinder him from achieving his dream of breaking the record for most college football wins. Paterno eventually broke the record and died shortly before his dishonesty was exposed. As evil as Jerry Sandusky’s crimes were, ultimately, I don’t think Paterno’s legacy was destroyed by Sandusky’s monster. I think Paterno’s legacy was destroyed by his own dream. Any U.S. citizen knows the doctrine of the dream. Whether wishing over a birthday cake, throwing a coin into a fountain or gazing a shooting star, the idea of fulfilling one’s dreams is embedded in Western culture. It’s as if our dreams are our own little kingdoms that we strive to build throughout the course of our lives. When faced with adversity, society

teaches us that we must defend the kingdom of our dreams from any monster that threatens to destroy it. This concept can certainly inspire us to overcome the many difficulties that stand in the way of our goals. But after years of extreme devotion and subtle idolatry, dreams can take on destructive qualities of their own. Paterno was a regular college student with a dream 65 years ago. I imagine, however, that as he gained success as a coach, his dream began to grow. It formed horns and a tail and became so powerful it demanded the acquisition of its goal by any means. The end of Paterno’s life can reveal to us a tough yet crucial truth. That is, if we’re not careful, as we fight hard to slay every monster that threatens to destroy our dream’s kingdom, eventually our dreams may become monsters that destroy the dreams of others. Throughout history, men have consistently allowed good dreams to become monstrous ones. Paterno wasn’t the first person to fall prey. The day Paterno learned of these crimes, he had to choose between his dreams or the dreams of children hurt by Sandusky. He made his choice, and Penn State must live with it for years to come. I’m just a regular college student, but it’s imperative that I ask myself a similar question. Would I rather kill the monsters that threaten to destroy my kingdom, or fight against my kingdom if it threatens to destroy someone else’s? I’ve wrestled with this question a lot since the Penn State scandal. I’ve concluded that the only hope for society lies in our choosing the latter. It would be difficult to watch my dreams burn to the ground, but I’m confident that if I fight my own kingdom for the sake of another, I’ll be accepted into another kingdom far greater than any one I could have dreamed of.

Research Participants Needed in a Brain Imaging Study of Depression The Laureate Institute for Brain Research in Tulsa, Okla. is currently recruiting participants for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) study of depression. Participants must have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. We are also recruiting healthy individuals and individuals with Anorexia Nervosa. Participant Requirements: • Female • Ages 14 to 25 • No history of an eating disorder • Body Mass Index of 18.5 to 25.0 • No psychiatric medications within 3 weeks of scanning (6 weeks for Prozac); participants will NOT be asked to stop current medications. • Right-handed • Native English speaker

Compensation is provided for time and effort related to participation.

For more information, please call:

(918)502-5100 6655 S. Yale Ave. Tulsa, OK 74136-3329

THE ORACLE • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • 19

BE REFRESHED BY A MESSAGE OF FAITH & HOPE. BE RECHARGED THROUGH LAUGHTER & FRIENDSHIP. BE INSPIRED TO IMPROVE YOUR WORLD!

20 • Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 • THE ORACLE