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Year in Review, 2008/2009

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VOL. 94, NO. 151

2A

Year in Review, 2008/2009

DARWIN 2009 DEBATES STIR CONTROVERSY ON CAMPUS In 2009, OU hosted the world’s largest series of events celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his book, “On the Origin of Species.”

The Darwin 2009 festivities featured a series of debates and lectures focusing on the importance of Darwin and his theory of natural selection.

“It was very popular and very controversial,” Piers Hale, history of science professor, said of Darwin’s seminal work. “It changed perspective on what it meant to be a human.”

150 years after its original publication, “On the Origin of the Species” is still stirring up controversy.

At OU, hundreds of students turned out for a debate on intelligent design, the idea often offered up as an alternative to evolution.

Michael Ruse, a philosopher and historian of science, and William Dembski, an intelligent design proponent and professor of philosophy, debated the question of whether intelligent design is a scientific theory on Feb. 27.

The following month, thousands of students packed the McCasland Field House to hear renowned evolutionary biologist and atheist author Richard Dawkins speak on “The purpose of purpose.”

Prior to the speech, members of the Oklahoma state legislature filed a resolution expressing disapproval of the lecture, but the resolution wasn’t taken up in committee. Dawkins referenced the legislature’s attempt to stop his visit during his speech, which was greeted with widespread laughter and applause from students and faculty members.

After the lecture, other members of the legislature attempted to launch an investigation into the circumstances under which Dawkins was invited to campus. The investigation drew the attention and ire of Dawkins fans both inside and outside the state.

Even though many of the speakers have already come to OU, there are still more events on the Darwin 2009 calendar.

Brian Langerhans of the OU Department of Zoology and biological station delivered a lecture titled, “Predicting Evolution in a Genus of Livebearing Fish” in George Lynn Cross Hall on Wednesday.

More fall events for Darwin 2009 will be announced later on the event’s Web site, ou.edu/darwin.

—Jamie Birdwell/The Daily

CAMPUS CONTROVERSY

‘Unprecedented’ CAC chairman election The only major UOSA position that saw a contested race in 2009 was that of CAC chairman.

Kely Van Eaton and Tyler Nunley campaigned for the position for weeks before the spring election.

Controversy over the race’s rightful winner began even before the polls closed.

An International Advisory Committee adviser sent an e-mail to more than 1,000 international students encouraging them to vote for Nunley, international and area studies junior.

Nunley went on to win by 181 votes, but Van Eaton immediately filed a complaint, arguing that the adviser’s e-mail violated UOSA election rules.

Before a formal hearing could address the complaint, the UOSA Election Board disqualified Nunley from the race for surpassing spending limits on his campaign. Nunley appealed the board’s decision. The UOSA Student Superior Court eventually heard both Nunley’s appeal and Van Eaton’s complaint at the same hearing.

Nunley and Van Eaton both won their cases.

The court overturned the Election Board’s decision to disqualify Nunley and reinstated him as a candidate. But the court also agreed with Van Eaton that the adviser’s e-mail had unfairly influenced the election. The court invalidated the election and ruled that a second one, with both candidates still on the ballot, would be necessary. UOSA

ZACH BUTLER/THE DAILY

New CAC Chair Tyler Nunley celebrates with University College freshman Melissa Mock while still on the phone receiving the news. leaders found themselves scrambling the race, making Eaton the next CAC to organize a special election.

Chairman.

But before a special election could be officially held, Nunley withdrew from —Ashleigh Woodall/The Daily

Katie and Dewey, Uncontested, Next Year Agenda MICHELLE GRAY/THE DAILY

UOSA President, Katie Fox, an international and area studies junior, and UOSA VicePresident Dewey Bartlett, a petroleum engineering senior, stand in the Conoco Room at the Oklahoma Memorial Union on after discovering they were automatically given the positions.

For the first time in recent memory, the UOSA presidential campaign was more about soliciting input than seeking votes.

Katie Fox, international area studies junior, and Dewey Bartlett, petroleum engineering senior, ran unopposed for the UOSA presidential and vice-presidential seats and won by default.

There has not been a UOSA election where the president has run unopposed since at least 2000. In 2004, there were seven tickets on the ballot.

Fox said the lack of competition

this year does not shake her enthusiasm. She is looking forward to next year with high hopes and is working hard to make sure she accomplishes her campaign goals, she said. One of the top things on her agenda is “strengthening the OU community.”

One way she and Bartlett plan on bringing the community closer together is by hosting UOSA Tailgates where all students can congregate before and during home football games in the fall.

—Ashleigh Woodall/The Daily

Year in Review, 2008/2009

FAMILIAR FACES

3A

OU HSC patient’s condition improves despite illness Billy Anderson still hasn’t been diagnosed, but is walking after more than a year of living with mystery illness Billy Anderson’s story seems to be straight from an episode of “House.”

After living with an unidentified illness that baffled doctors at three Missouri hospitals, Anderson was moved to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City in August. Doctors still have not found a definitive diagnosis for the husband and father.

However, Anderson’s wife, Nikki Peterson, said the past two months have been marked by great progress.

Peterson said Anderson is able to eat on his own for the first time in months, which has helped him gain 11 pounds. His physical therapy treatments have allowed him to start walking after 14 months of being bedridden,

and his immune system is strengthening.

Though Anderson still suffers from frequent vomiting, diarrhea, ulcers and general malaise, Peterson said her husband’s improvements have given their family a renewed sense of hope.

“We’ve always believed that he would get better in time and that it was just taking a while, and that Billy would get better,” Peterson said.

“But it’s absolutely encouraging to everybody who knows him and who’s been praying for him to see him walking.”

Peterson said doctors are treating Anderson for Crohn’s disease, though this is not his official diagnosis. She said some days are still hard, but his improvement has reassured his family.

“Everything that I can tell you is a good report,” Peterson said. “He’s by no means out of the woods. We’re just thrilled he’s making progress.”

PHOTO PROVIDED.

Reneé Selanders/The Daily

Billy Anderson in the hospital in November. Anderson is improving but still has not been diagnosed.

Freshman mother shares experience Discovery Channel show to air recreation of dorm birth, interview RENEÉ SELANDERS The Oklahoma Daily

Nearly three months after giving birth in her Walker Tower dorm bathroom, the University College freshman who didn’t know she was pregnant until she gave birth said she and her baby boy, Lane, are doing well.

Elizabeth Hess, who agreed to shed her anonymity, said motherhood is an ongoing learning experience.

“It’s interesting, but I’m learning and I have a lot of people helping me,” Hess said.

Her family, friends and Lane’s father, Tyler, are all part of Hess’ support network, she said.

Hess said she and Tyler plan to marry in August.

Lane is growing and is up to 10 pounds now, she said.

As he gets older, he also has become much more animated, Hess said.

“He looks a lot like his dad, but he’s got my eyes,” she said.

H e s s’ f o r m e r ro o m mate, Morgan Foreman, who helped deliver Lane, still is involved in their lives.

Foreman, who will be Lane’s godmother, said she most recently visited Hess and Lane last weekend for a baptism meeting.

“It’s been such a wonderful experience just being a part of such a neat story and

it turned out so positively,” Foreman said. “He’s such a wonderful addition to their family, and I’m glad I can be a part of it.”

After The Daily’s February publication of two articles about Hess’ delivery, producers of the Discovery Channel’s program, “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant,” contacted and interviewed Hess.

She said the show will use actors to recreate the scene of her giving birth and will feature an interview questioning her about events leading up to Lane’s birth. The date and time of show’s airing have not been announced.

Hess said she and Lane have been living with her parents in Enid since February.

She said she is returning to OU for summer school and enrolling in fall 2009 classes.

DEBATE TEAM WINS NATIONAL UNIVERSITY DEBATE CHAMPIONSHIP OU’s debate team won the largest collegiate debate tournament in the United States this spring.

A team of roommates won the title at the Cross Examination Debate Association Tournament, competing against 140 teams from different colleges around the country.

This is the second time in three years the debate team has won the National University Debate Championship.

Nick Watts, history junior, and RJ Giglio, petroleum engineer sophomore, clinched the title by using a nontraditional style.

Instead of focusing on the political aspects of an argument, as most teams do, Watts and Giglio focused on the philosophical aspects. This threw their opponents off-guard and scored high marks with the judges.

This year, OU’s team defeated a Harvard team twice, once with a unanimous decision.

OU lost to its biggest rival, Kansas, at the National Debate Tournamment in Austin in March, but was comforted by several victories over Red River rival Texas.

—Ashleigh Woodall/The Daily LILLY CHAPA/THE DAILY

History junior Nick Watts and petroleum engineering sophomore RJ Giglio display their first-place debate trophy.

Watts and Giglio received first place in a national debate tournament held in Austin, Texas.

FORMER STUDENT ALLEGEDLY ATTACKS INSTRUCTOR ON CAMPUS On Feb. 13, a calm Friday afternoon, a man dressed in all black allegedly attacked a Japanese instructor in Kaufman Hall. Eyewitnesses said the man held Mano Yasuda at gunpoint and forced her toward an exit but fled when Yasuda began screaming.

He ran from campus on foot, and officials soon received word that he had left Norman in a car. A statewide search ensued. During the hours after the incident, the man was identified as Michael Joseph Childers, a former student of Yasuda’s.

Throughout Friday afternoon and evening, Childers updated his Facebook profile and made phone calls to friends telling them the situation was a “big misunderstanding.”

Law enforcement traced Childers to Broken Arrow, where his mother lives. Childers was arrested at 8:40 p.m.

The next morning, he was transferred to the Cleveland County Detention Center, where he awaited charges without bail.

The next week, Childers was charged with one count of attempt to kidnap and one count of possessing a firearm. His bail was set at $100,000.

Yasuda filed a restraining order against

Childers.

Daily reporters searched the Internet for information on Childers and found poems he had written that referred to “Mano,” the police and law enforcement.

In 2007, Childers illegally JOSEPH hacked into one of Yasuda’s CHILDERS computer accounts in an attempt to intimidate her.

The following year, he was charged with violating the Computer Crimes Act in connection to the misdemeanor.

Childers is currently taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication and is under mental health evaluation, according to his attorney, Tim Kuykendall. Childers has yet to decide whether to take the case to trial or take a plea agreement, Kuykendall said.

Kuykendall said he, Childers and prosecutors will meet again May 19. At that time, Childers announce his decision to the prosecution.

—Reneé Selanders/The Daily

Commencement Shuttle!

—LeighAnne Manwarren/The Daily

Couple adjusts after whirlwind wedding in Wagner Hall Three months and a few days after his whirlwind wedding at Wagner Hall, zoology senior Juan Fonseca said he and his wife, Sarah, are doing well and adjusting to the responsibilities that come with marriage.

The biggest step for the couple has been moving in together, Fonseca said. Because they put together their wedding in seven hours January 29, other arrangements like moving into an apartment big enough for two people weren’t thought of until after the ceremony.

“It was kind of a hassle, because if I wanted to go change I’d have to go to my house.

It was kind of difficult,” Fonseca said.

They moved into their first apartment together about three weeks ago, Fonseca said.

He said their parents, though surprised to find out their children had married in a spur-of-the-moment ceremony, were supportive of the couple.

Now, Fonseca said he and Sarah are adjusting married life, Getting used to little changes, like paying bills together, can be challenging, but it pays off to have each other, Fonseca said.

“Coming home from work or school, and having someone there, it’s nice having to keep up with your own spouse,” Fonseca said.

Take the

It’s FREE and open to friends, family and graduates!

Avoid traffic and parking challenges at your graduation on Friday, May 15.

Park your car at the Lloyd Noble Center and take the shuttle directly to The Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Graduates and guests will be dropped off on Jenkins directly east of the stadium guest entrances.

The shuttle will run between the Lloyd Noble Center and the stadium continuously from 5 to 11 p.m.

Gates open at the stadium at 5:30 p.m.

Guests are asked to be in their seats by 7 p.m. for the processional.

Please allow extra time for security checks at the stadium.

ZACH BUTLER/THE DAILY

Rev. Joane Fogel (center) officiates the wedding of Juan Fonseca, zoology and biomedical sciences senior, and Sarah Snyder Jan. 29 in Wagner Hall. The morning of Jan. 29, the couple decided to tie the knot and found an officiant for later that evening in Wagner Hall.

For additional information about Commencement and Convocations visit ou.edu/commencement For disability accommodations involving the shuttle, please call the CART/Metro Transit office at 325-CART (2278).

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

4A

Year in Review, 2008/2009

Ray Martin, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

Check out The Daily twice a week this summer for more opinion columns and cartoons.

OUR VIEW

Be thankful for year full of controversy This year was full of controversy. And that’s a good thing.

Students on this campus have been privileged, to say the least, to witness such diverse opinions and a myriad of scientific theories, political convictions and campus activism in a single year.

Student groups, OU faculty members and administrators made this university live up to its “marketplace of ideas” label in 20082009.

For starters, it’s continuing to host one of the most revered Darwin celebrations in America and, indeed, the world. Scholars from top-notch programs in America and abroad were flown in to give talks on a wide array of subjects that dealt with the history of Darwinian evolution and its impact on the wider culture. Furthermore, the OU administration approved a Dream Course, the Darwinian Revolution, which made the core of the celebration possible.

To top it off, perhaps the world’s most wellknown and controversial evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins, visited on March 6.

The College Republicans hosted its own anti-excessive spending Tea Party on campus last month, and encouraged many to do

BEST CARTOON Joshua Wadlin - entrepreneurship senior

the same in Norman and at the Oklahoma Capitol.

In the fall, a graphic pro-life display was hoisted on the South Oval. The participants encouraged much debate and conversation with passers-by.

Students protested the display with their own counter displays, comments filled the free-speech boards and many conversations ensued.

Numerous presidential watch parties took place on campus, many of which produced intellectual conversations about the role of government and how one should vote.

After the election, faculty participated in numerous panels to discuss how the new president should handle both domestic and international affairs.

Students petitioned for action against the injustices in Darfur, gaining support from students and raising awareness in the process.

Don’t take the clashing of ideas for granted. The university is a truly unique place, where diversity is heralded and differing opinions are, or should be, welcomed.

Those of you who aren’t graduating should do all you can to make next year equally as enthralling.

APPLY NOW

Apply now to be an opnion columnist or cartoonist. Contact Luke Atkinson for the summer at ljatkinson88@gmail.com and Will Holland for the Fall at will.j.holland-1@ou.edu

THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN

BEST COLUMN

Internet culture an ‘unrefined cacophony’ At some point between Matt Drudge breaking the news about the White House sex scandal more than 10 years ago and 175 million people playing on Facebook today, something important happened.

The plurality of voices that make up our culture increased drastically.

Since Drudge showed us that “with a modem, anyone can follow the world and report on the world,” popular culture followed suit and everything has changed.

From the news media and entertainment media KYLE to commerce and WILLIAMS education and even to religion — have you seen your local megachurch’s “online campus” yet?

— our culture has been revolutionized. To be online is to be relevant, declares the mantra. The more voices the merrier, our laissez-faire hearts cry.

The media revolution not only changed the way in which we receive culture, but also the very content that makes up our culture.

In other words, it’s not just that a network like NBC offers episodes of “The Office” online now, but that television programs with multi-million-dollar budgets are competing with OU’s own crying sorority girl on YouTube.

Or to put it in less trivial terms, the reason newspapers are dying is because more people now find their news and opinion on blogs and other online outlets.

There are more voices clamoring for the attention of the market but the market isn’t much bigger. Thus, newspapers that have budgets compete with bloggers who pontificate in their boxers and it’s the established institution that has more to lose.

“Hooray!” respond the heralds of

Meredith Simons Nijim Dabbour Jamie Hughes Mack Burke Ray Martin Zach Butler

contact us

the New Media.

“I envision a future where there’ll be 300 million reporters, where anyone from anywhere can report for any reason. It’s freedom of participation absolutely realized,” Drudge, the New Media king, once said.

March the media gatekeepers down to the guillotine and viva la revolution!

The free market ideology that propelled the New Media to the fore is the driving force behind the usergenerated content model of Web 2.0 itself. The more competitors, the better, they say.

With more and more people generating content, so the theory goes, the superior voices will rise to the top, guided by the invisible hand of the market.

But this ongoing deracination of the hierarchy of American culture is resulting in perhaps less than desirable consequences. That’s the argument of Andrew Keen in his recent book, “The Cult of the Amateur: How Today’s Internet is Killing Our Culture.”

The Web 2.0 movement is succeeding not just in disrupting the gatekeepers of culture — which arguably can be a good thing. According to Keen, the New Media doesn’t replace the old gatekeepers with a hierarchy of its own that is more reflective of what people want, but with the elimination of hierarchy altogether. And the result of our egalitarian notions is increased atomization.

This all seems fairly innocent and commonplace when indie-hipsters judge the value of bands based on their obscurity.

Successful bands are just sell-outs, haven’t you heard?

This atomization takes a more sinister turn when you see that its fruit is more than just obscure musical groups on MySpace.

Keen quotes the head of the world’s largest privately owned public relations firm who said, “In this era of

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Dane Beavers Whitney Bryen Steven Jones Luke Atkinson Judy Gibbs Robinson R.T. Conwell

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exploding media technologies there is no truth except the truth you create for yourself.”

The exaggerations of salesmen notwithstanding, Keen suggests that the leveling of culture brought about by today’s media technologies is resulting in the loss of the very idea of the expert — and the loss of cultural authority altogether.

Because there is no discrimination of content except what the individual user prefers at the moment, all the voices clamoring for attention have equal authority.

Indeed, the very idea behind a Web site like Wikipedia is egalitarianism.

All contributors are equal.

The credentialed academic with tenure at an Ivy League school has no more authority than the college dropout who works at McDonald’s.

As Keen argues in his book, Web 2.0 directs more attention to mediocre Wikipedia articles, mediocre reporting on blogs and mediocre music on MySpace.

The result is less attention and revenue given to academic scholars, professional reporters and higher quality artists.

The fruit is the general degradation of culture. Drudge’s dream of 300 million reporters publishing without oversight is the same kind of dream behind many of the increasingly popular Web sites.

How about 300 million people editing encyclopedia articles simultaneously? Or 300 million people recording and publishing songs? Wouldn’t that be great? It all sounds so democratic, so egalitarian, so American.

But perhaps we’re starting to see that discrimination is a necessary filter in every society.

The culture of Web 2.0 is a nonculture precisely because there is no discrimination. It is unrefined. It’s a cacophony.

Kyle Williams is a classics and letters sophomore.

Senior Online Editor Multimedia Editor Sports Editor Life & Arts Editor Editorial Adviser Advertising Manager

e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu

Editor’s note: The following are the editorial board’s opinions on the best and worst of 2008-2009.

THUMBS UP • To Willie Warren, Jermaine Gresham and Trent Williams for returning and not opting to turn pro. And kudos to Blake Griffin for deciding to turn pro – there wasn’t much more he could do here.

• To OU votes 2008. The number of people registered in the fall surpassed the group’s original goal. College students should understand the importance of voting more than anyone.

• To OU for hosting one of the best Darwin 2009 celebrations in the country, and for funding a Darwinian Revolution Dream Course. Students who missed out on the course and the evening lectures should be kicking themselves.

• To the administration for choosing David McCullough, a speaker on our list of suggestions, to give the commencement address. Students can learn much from McCullough.

• To campus-wide green efforts and commitments to utilize alternative energy sources.

• To Norman and its citizens for making the Norman Music Festival a smashing success, and for shutting down parts of Norman in order to host the event.

THUMBS DOWN • To attempts to censor information from The Daily, including those who were hesitant to release information and who would not communicate directly with Daily reporters.

• To Student Congress and its new members, or lack thereof. Make noticeable efforts and changes, and students might have more incentive to get involved.

• To the CAC chair debacle, and all of those who helped make it happen.

• To Tim Tebow, for many things, most noticeably failing to cure swine flu.

• To the Texas football team for claiming a Big 12 Championship. Hey, Longhorns, who did you beat in the title game?

• To the Oklahoma legislature for wasting its time on trivial topics like black bear hunting, the state’s rock song and the funding of Richard Dawkins’ public lecture.

The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum and OU’s independent student voice.

The opinion page is produced by a staff of columnists and cartoonists who are independent of The Daily’s news staff.

Letters to the editor are welcomed.

Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and should be fewer than 250 words, typed and signed. Letters may be cut to fit. Students must list their major and classification. OU staff and faculty must list their title. All letters must include a daytime phone number. Submit letters to dailyopinion@ou.edu or in person Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall.

Guest columns are encouraged. They can be submitted to the opinion editor via e-mail at dailyopinion@ou.edu.

Comments left on OUDaily.com may be reprinted on the opinion page. ’Our View’ is the opinion of majority of the members of The Oklahoma Daily’s editorial board.

Editorial Board members are The Daily’s editorial staff. The board meets Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall.

Columnists’ and cartoonists’ work is representative of their own opinions, not those of the members of The Daily’s Editorial Board.

CHANGING LANDSCAPES

Year in Review, 2008/2009

5A

WIND TO POWER OU CAMPUS BY 2013 OU and Oklahoma Gas and Electric formed an historic alternative energy partnership on Sept. 10. According to the agreement, by 2013, OU will be powered entirely by wind energy.

“This is a day in which history is being made,” OU President David Boren said at the time. “We intend to be a role model and a leader in energy independence for this country.

We’re ready to do it.”

As it stands, Oklahoma ranks 12th in the nation in wind power. Though wind power only contributes to 3 percent of Oklahoma’s energy needs, OG&E hopes wind power will account for 20% of the state’s energy by 2030.

Proponents of wind power cite the potential for job creation and the expansion of renewable energy resources in the state. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce estimates the wind

industry could produce $500 million in tax revenue and create 18,000 jobs in Oklahoma over the next 10 years.

However, critics say there are environmental concerns that could dampen enthusiasm for wind energy.

Sue Selman, owner of Selman Guest Ranch outside Woodward, where OU’s wind farm will be built, wind farms disrupt birds’ migrating patterns and damage the habitats of ground nesting birds native to Oklahoma’s prairie lands.

“They want us to ruin our wildlife and our scenery so they can have their energy,” Selman said. “As far as I am concerned, the negatives ELI HULL / THE DAILY outweigh the positives when it comes to wind Karl Bergey, CEO of Bergey Windpower Co., explains how an inverter works during a tour of the comenergy.” pany Thursday morning. Bergey, along with his brother, Mike Burgey, founded the company, which

—Jared Rader/The Daily

produces small wind turbines, in 1977.

OU GOES GREEN

I-35 construction in Norman ties up traffic Last year, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation committed $100 million to widening Interstate 35 through Norman, making it difficult for many OU students to make their way to and from school.

Construction began Feb. 15 on the area of I-35 from Indian Hill Road to State Highway 9 to widen the interstate from four lanes to six.

The widening comes in anticipation of massive increases in traffic. The part of I-35 undergoing construction was designed in the 1950s for 25-30,000 vehicles per day, but now it carries about 75,000 vehicles per day, ODOT public information officer David Meuser said. It is predicted that 100,600 vehicles per day could drive through the area by 2030.

In September, many Norman citizens became outraged when they heard the state was considering plans to close the 1-35 interchanges at Lindsey Street and

at Main Street. Eliminating those exchanges would save about $30 million, an ODOT representative said in September.

No r m a n Ma y o r C i n d y Rosenthal said closing the exits was “not acceptable for the City of Norman.” She said it would have a “catastrophic” affect on businesses, Ed Noble Parkway and a negative affect on traffic.

Current plans do not include closing the interchanges, The Daily reported in February.

Many students, especially commuters, have concerns about construction delays making them late for class or work.

Traffic delays in this zone are few compared to other sites, Meuser said. However, delays in Norman are in unexpected areas.

“We’re having tie-ups just before vehicles enter the construction zone rather than within the zone … where the road bottlenecks,” Meuser said.

Oklahoma City-based

MERRILL JONES/THE DAILY

Cars pass the Lindsey Street exit on I-35 on May 7. The exit will be preserved under current construction plans.

Haskell Lemon Construction Company is contracted to carry out the construction.

Haskell Lemon President Jay Lemon said his employees are taking measures to minimize delays.

Lemon said two northbound and two southbound lanes will always be open between the daytime hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

“During the daytime, those lanes will always be open,”

Lemon said. “Any time there is work to do in those lanes, we will do that at night, hopefully minimizing people’s disruption.”

Meuser and Lemon said that both ODOT and Haskell Lemon are working toward early completion of the project, hopefully finishing as early as spring 2010.

Lemon said that the only thing that might prevent an early finish would be weather conditions.

—Kate Cunningham/The Daily

OU recently set aside $21 million of the university’s budget to make the school’s infrastructure more environmentally friendly.

OU is switching to low-water-flow toilets and indoor and outdoor lights that use less energy.

OU Physical Plant spokesperson Amanda Hearn said the changes OU is making will allow the university to use less energy. Annually, the reduction in energy use will be equivalent to the energy 1800 cars would use.

OU also participated in Recycle Mania, a program to encourage recycling. During the contest, which ran from January 18 to March 26, OU students, faculty and staff recycled more than 200,000 pounds of trash.

But OU is not the only one going green; the Oklahoma legislature is too. Led by House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, the state Senate and House have both heard several bills dealing with environmental issues and alternative energy sources.

Benge proposed a cluster of bills that provide incentives for Oklahomans to use alternative energy sources, including natural gas, wind, geothermal energy and nuclear power. Other legislators have joined the “green” party; Rep. Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa, proposed the Green Jobs Pilot Program Act to promote the training of Oklahomans in jobs dealing with alternative energy sources.

—Will Holland/The Daily

Overweight students needed for exercise & meal test study Qualifications to participate include: Men and women ages 20-30 years Not currently an active exerciser Able to perform moderate intensity activity Non-smoker

4 morning visits and 1 afternoon visit to the OU Health Sciences Center in OKC. We measure blood sugar and blood pressure in response to a milkshake meal on 3 occasions.

There is no cost to participate in the study. Compensation is provided.

For more information: please call (405) 271-8001 ext. 43238 or email: Lauren-Pratt@ouhsc.edu The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

6A

Spring, 2009

POLITICAL EXPRESSION

SOONERS WITNESS HISTORIC INAUGURATION OU students and alumni joined millions of others in a trek to Washington, D.C. in November to witness the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

“It was evident the inauguration of President Barack Obama Tuesday moved and inspired many in this country in ways that can’t be numbered or even fully understand,” Hailey Branson, journalism junior and Daily reporter, said of the historic Inauguration Day. Obama struck a temperate but hopeful tone during his inaugural address.

“Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and

with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations,” Obama said.

Witnesses to the speech said they were moved by Obama’s words.

“For me, it compounded the significance of what the election meant today,” said Ryan Bowling, OU political science alumnus 2007. “It was truly a global and international event. It signified the importance of minorities and their place in American fabric.”

It was a cold day in Washington but Branson said her chills weren’t from the weather.

—Ricky Maranon/The Daily

AP PHOTO/J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE, POOL

RIGHT: President Barack Obama walks with former President George W. Bush after Obama was sworn-in as the 44th President of the United States and the first African-American to lead the nation Jan. 20. at the Capitol in Washington.

OU COMES UNDER FIRE FOR E-MAIL POLICY The civil liberties group Foundation for Individual Rights in Education and alumnus Jason Fager threatened legal action against OU in October after a mass e-mail instructed students not to use their OU accounts to exchange political information and endorse candidates.

The e-mail stated that OU could lose its designation as a non-profit organization if its system was used for political purposes.

The Sept. 12 e-mail, authored by Nick Hathaway, vice president for executive and administrative affairs, said “students may not use their accounts to endorse or oppose a candidate including political humor and commentary.”

But free speech experts said the university was misguided.

“The idea that the university could lose tax exempt status if students are forwarding political humor and commentary is entirely false,” Adam Kissel, member of FIRE, said.

After FIRE members complained about the e-mail, OU President David Boren revoked the political e-mail policy and released a statement.

“I applaud those who asked the questions about this policy which was worded to make it appear overly restrictive,” Boren said in the e-mail. “I am encouraged by the vigilance of members of the OU family in defense of free expression.”

Both FIRE and Fagen said they were satisfied with the clarification and revocation of the policy.

—Ricky Maranon/The Daily

Young people make political mark In the days leading up to the 2008 presidential election, political commentators said the youth vote would play a vital role in the decision.

As a way to register and educate other students, 20 student organizations came together to form OU Votes, the largest nonpartisan voter registration and education drive in OU history, with the goal of registering 2,008 students by the state’s voter registration deadline.

Throughout the fall semester, OU Votes leaders hosted events like a political discussion with OU President David Boren, a Rock the Vote concert and watch parties for each presidential and vice-presidential debate.

The first presidential debate watch party was hosted at Gaylord Hall and

Republicans dominate state legislature This legislative session marked the first time in state history that Republicans controlled both houses of the Oklahoma Legislature, and the party has used its newly found power to successfully push its conservative agenda.

Before the session began, Republican leaders announced plans to tackle several priority issues, including tort reform energy indepen-

dence.

To aid in this effort, House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, put a major emphasis on the promotion of alternative energy sources as a way to reduce dependence on foreign oil. He personally proposed several bills, which have received bipartisan support, to incentivize alternative energy use.

In a March 10 story in The Daily, political

saw a turnout of more than 400 people. OU Votes coordinator and political science senior Kurt Davidson said he was shocked by the turnout.

“I honestly can not believe that we had this kind of turnout; we thought we would be lucky to have 50 students show up,” Davidson said. “It really does show that we not only are interested in the election but that we are willing to educate ourselves on the issues, which is an amazing thing to see.”

OU Votes reached its registration goal more than two weeks before the state deadline and continued to register and educate even after they had more than 2,000 people on board.

On the Election Day, OU Votes volunteers drove students to an on-campus polling station. In the evening, OU

science professor Keith Gaddie said state Republicans were having success in moving their agenda, but they may face political opposition in the form of vetoes from Gov. Brad Henry, a Democrat. But the legislature has managed to override some vetoes in spite of opposition from Henry.

The Republicans ran in to other problems this session. Sen. President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, dealt with legal and financial troubles that were reminiscent of the problems former House Speaker

Votes held a results watch party. Most of the audience roared with applause when Democratic candidate Barack Obama won a state and booed when Republican candidate John McCain won a state.

When Obama was declared the president-elect, the audience erupted in applause and began to chant, “Yes we did!”

While Oklahoma was the only state to be completely red, commentators credit Obama’s win to the overwhelming young voter turnout. According to a report, the youth vote rose to 51.1 percent, the third-highest rate ever and 2 million more young people voted in the 2008 election than the four years before.

—LeighAnne Manwarren/The Daily

Lance Cargill had last year, and Rep. Todd Thomsen, R-Ada, took flack nationally for authoring a resolution criticizing OU’s decision to host evolutionary author Richard Dawkins.

But despite these obstacles, Oklahoma Republicans made progress this session.

Gaddie said the new majority allows the party to have a better chance of passing legislation, or at the very least getting it heard on the Senate or House floor.

—Will Holland/The Daily

7A

Year in Review, 2008/2009

8

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Difficulty Schedule: Monday - Very Easy Tuesday - Easy Wednesday - Easy Thursday - Medium Friday - Hard

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Difficulty Schedule: Monday - Very Easy Tuesday - Easy Wednesday - Easy Thursday - Medium Friday - Hard

7

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Difficulty Schedule: Monday - Very Easy Tuesday - Easy Wednesday - Easy Thursday - Medium Friday - Hard

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Difficulty Schedule: Monday - Very Easy Tuesday - Easy Wednesday - Easy Thursday - Medium Friday - Hard

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Difficulty Schedule: Monday - Very Easy Tuesday - Easy Wednesday - Easy Thursday - Medium Friday - Hard

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

2 6 4 1 7 3 5 9 8

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Difficulty Schedule: Monday - Very Easy Tuesday - Easy Wednesday - Easy Thursday - Medium Friday - Hard

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

4

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Difficulty Schedule: Monday - Very Easy Tuesday - Easy Wednesday - Easy Thursday - Medium Friday - Hard

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Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

Difficulty Schedule: Monday - Very Easy Tuesday - Easy Wednesday - Easy Thursday - Medium Friday - Hard

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

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Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

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Difficulty Schedule: Monday - Very Easy Tuesday - Easy Wednesday - Easy Thursday - Medium Friday - Hard

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

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8A

OUDAILY.COM

Year in Review, 2008/2009

1B

Steven Jones, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

AMY FROST/THE DAILY

MEN’S GYMNASTICS » Read much more Year in Review content online including gymnastics, baseball and softball.

SOONER SUPERLATIVES 2008-2009 The 2008-2009 sports season brought OU some of its greatest highs and lows. The year has not featured any team national championships (yet), but nonetheless it brought one of the best overall athletic years any school has seen.

So, here are the best of the best from an unforgettable year in Sooner sports.

Nov. 22 at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, helped propel OU past the Longhorns in the BCS standings and allowed it to make the BCS National Championship.

The fact that the Sooners overcame a loss in the Red River Shootout to make the championship game is nothing short of remarkable.

TEAM OF THE YEAR: FOOTBALL, (12-2), BIG 12 CHAMPS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: SOPHOMORE QUARTERBACK SAM BRADFORD

The football team had one of the greatest offensive runs in college football history. After losing to Texas on Oct. 10, the Sooners went on a seven-game winning streak.

During that stretch, the team scored 419 points, and more than 60 points in five consecutive games. Those numbers, along with the monster 65-21 victory over then-No. 2 Texas Tech on

This was a tough one as there were many to choose from. You can’t go wrong with men’s basketball’s Blake Griffin or women’s basketball’s Courtney Paris, but in the end the Heisman Trophy made the decision for me.

Bradford completed 328 of 483 passes for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns and led the Sooners to a 12-2 season.

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: GUARD WILLIE WARREN During his Big 12 Freshman of the Year campaign, Warren averaged 14.6 points and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 47.3 percent from the field.

Warren stepped up as a dependable No. 2 guy for the Sooners and proved himself as a force to be reckoned with during his performances when forward Blake Griffin was out with a concussion against Texas and Kansas.

GAME OF THE YEAR: FOOTBALL V. NO. 2 TEXAS TECH, NOV. 22 Stoops called out the fans, the nation called out the Sooners and everyone responded. The then-No. 5 football team put up 42 points during the first half and wound up winning a 65-21 rout that was the team’s defining moment.

The game propelled the Sooners past the Longhorns in the BCS standings and put them in the Big 12 Championship Game and eventual BCS Championship Game.

Any fan who was at Gaylord Memorial Stadium that cold autumn evening may never forget his or her experience, and the House of Pain song “Jump Around” may have become a part of the OU tradition.

THE ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT AWARD: MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS AMY FROST/THE DAILY

Senior Chris Brooks competes on the pommel horse during a meet against Texas held in McCasland Field House Jan. 31. The men’s gymnastics team finished third at nationals.

Like the show, these three squads were of some of the highest quality on campus, but received very little recognition. The

JAMES CORNWELL/THE DAILY

Freshman guard Willie Warren looks to drive to the basket while Kansas guard Sherron Collins looks on Feb. 2 at Lloyd Noble Center. Warren averaged 14.6 points and 3.1 assists per game this season. men’s team finished the regular season with a perfect 12-0 record, was the top-ranked team in the nation for several weeks, and finished the year as Mountain Pacific Sports Federation runner-up and came in third at the National Championship.

The women’s squad finished sixth at nationals and captured its second straight Big 12 championship. It’s sad that more people knew about the girl who gave birth in the dorms than the success of either of these teams.

Jono Greco is a journalism sophomore.

2B

Year in Review, 2008/2009

FOOTBALL

OU wins Big 12, loses BCS title

Bradford sets records, wins Heisman Trophy

NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Win over Tennessee-Chattanooga, 57-2.

Win over Cincinnati, 52-26.

Win over Washington, 55-14.

Win over TCU, 35-10.

BAYLOR

The Sooners traveled to Waco, Texas and beat the Bears 49-17.

TEXAS

In Dallas, the Sooners got ahead early and had a 1-point lead at halftime with the score at 21-20, but were outscored in the third quarter, 10-7.

In the fourth, Texas’ Colt McCoy led the Longhorns on 74-and 80-yard drives to give the Longhorns the lead.

Bradford, who threw for five touchdowns, was unable to mount a gamewinning drive, and OU lost its first game of the season 45-35.

Middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds was injured in the loss.

KANSAS

The Sooners returned to Norman and easily disposed of Kansas 45-31.

KANSAS STATE

The Sooners made quick work of Kansas State, winning 58-35. OU scored 55 points in the first half.

NEBRASKA

With a 62-28 win over Nebraska, the Sooners began a streak of five games with 60 or more points.

TEXAS A&M

The Sooners rolled over Texas A&M 66-28 in College Station.

TEXAS TECH

with a 7-0 OU lead, the Sooners caught fire, outscoring the Red Raiders 35-7 in the second en route to a 65-21 win.

Bradford improved his Heisman stock, throwing for four scores, while tailbacks Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray ran for five touchdowns.

OU, Texas and Tech now all had claims to the Big 12 South title.

OKLAHOMA STATE

In the final regular-season game, OU beat No. 12 OSU 61-41. In the third quarter Bradford sprinted toward the end zone and was flipped in the air while diving for the goal line. The flip was deemed his “Heisman moment”.

Dominating wins over two top-15 teams late in the year and a strong non-conference schedule gave OU the edge in the BCS poll over Texas, giving the OU a shot at the Big 12 title.

MISSOURI

Despite a slow start from the offense,

Y AIL ED

FLORIDA

TH

The S o oners dominated the Tigers in the conference title game, winning their third-straight Big 12 Championship 62-21.

In the game, the Sooners set the record for most points scored in a single season.

the OU defense forced Florida’s Tim Tebow into two early interceptions.

The Sooners were unable to capitalize, however, and the NCAA’s most prolific offense was held scoreless in the first quarter.

In the second, the Gators scored first on a 20-yard pass to Louis Murphy to make the score 7-0. The Sooners answered quickly with a touchdown pass to junior tight end Jermaine Gresham.

After a few missed opportunities for the Sooners and a touchdown from Florida’s Percy Harvin, the Sooners entered the fourth quarter trailing 14-7.

OU tied the game early in the fourth when Gresham caught another touchdown pass. The Sooners then held the Gators to a field goal but were never able to regain the lead.

The Gators scored a final touchdown and won their second national championship in three years, 24-14.

It was the fifth consecutive BCS bowl game loss for the Sooners.

In the Sooner offseason Bradford, Gresham, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and offensive tackle Trent Williams, all who could have left for the NFL, decided to return to OU. The decisions positions the Sooners for a high pre-season ranking in 2009.

R/

The Red Raiders were two weeks removed from their upset of No.1 Texas when they came to Norman.

The Sooners knew if they could beat then- No. 2 Tech, it would put them in a three-way tie for the Big 12 South.

After a slow first quarter that ended

ZACH BUTLER/THE DAILY

Senior safety Nic Harris, and senior lineman Brandon Braxton raise the Big 12 Championship trophy during the post game celebration Dec. 6 in Arrowhead Stadium.

TLE

Sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford solidified his spot as OU’s starter after going 11-3 and winning a Big 12 title his redshirt freshman season.

During the 2008 regular season and Big 12 title game, Bradford led the Sooners to a 12-1 record and a blowout win over Missouri in the Big 12 Championship, with the lone loss coming in a shootout against Texas.

Although Bradford had one of his best games in the Red River Rivalry, his Heisman stock dropped as most credit was given to Texas’ signal caller Colt McCoy. Following the loss, Texas had the inside track to the Heisman and national title.

Some notable games for Bradford included five touchdowns, no interceptions, 85.7 percent complecentage at tion percentage gton.

Washington.

He also threw for uchfour touchdowns, no interceptions and ds 411 yards against T C U .

Against Kansas, he threw for 468 yards, three wns and no touchdowns ions. interceptions. nt through a He went he four games span in the prior to the national onship where championship he threw 14 touchdowns, or two, and had no rushed for ions. interceptions. ord won the most Bradford

BU

This past year was a memorable one for OU. The Sooner offense set multiple NCAA records behind Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. Here’s how the season shaped up:

prestigious of awards – the Heisman Trophy – becoming the second sophomore to do so. It was a tight race between a former winner in Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, Bradford and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy. Other honors for Bradford included the Davey O’Brien award, the Sammy Baugh trophy, the Associated Press Player of the Year and more.

After losing a defensive battle against Florida in the national championship and leading OU to its highest win total since 2004, Bradford faced the decision of whether or not to forgo his final years of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft.

Bradford was considered a high first-round pick, with a chance to compete for the No. 1 overall pick.

On Jan. 14, Bradford announced his decision to return to OU for his junior season.

ESPN analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay both consider Bradford to have the highest possibility to of being the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft.

Bradford finished the season completing 68 percent of his passes with 4720 yards, 50 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

CH

MJ CASIANO The Oklahoma Daily

ZA

JAMES ROTH The Oklahoma Daily

Sam Bradford

Year in Review, 2008/2009

3B

MEN’S BASKETBALL

OU season in review

MICHELLE GRAY/THE DAILY

Senior guard Austin Johnson (20) drives past Syracuse’s Paul Harris in OU’s 84-71 win over the Orange in the Sweet 16 on March 27.

Griffin leads OU to Elite Eight ERIC DAMA The Oklahoma Daily

THE HYPE

With Griffin returning for his sophomore year, and prized recruit Willie Warren arriving on campus, the buzz surrounding the basketball program was up and running as early as May. Seniors Taylor Griffin and Austin Johnson, as well as an influx of junior college transfers gave fans even more reason to believe this season was going to be different than previous years.

Expectations were high, and they increased when the polls came out. The Sooners were ranked as high as No. 3 in some polls, and OU ultimately entered the season ranked No. 12 by the Associated Press. Did they deserve it?

GAME TIME

Absolutely. OU’s performance during the first several weeks of the season not only justified their preseason accolades, but suggested maybe OU wasn’t ranked high enough. By beating teams like USC and Davidson, and winning the NIT Season Tip-Off, the Sooners looked as if they would cruise through their non conference schedule on the way to the real competition of the Big 12.

Jeff Capel’s squad opened the season with a 12-game winning streak, slipped up against Arkansas on the road, and then rattled off another 13 wins seemingly without breaking a sweat.

In mid-February, with a 25-1 record, OU reached as high as No. 2 in the polls.

Talk of running the table in the Big 12 became more than just a topic to pass the time — it became a legitimate possibility.

ROUGH WATERS

The Sooners traveled to Austin Feb. 21 knowing a win over their arch rival would almost certainly give OU a No. 1 ranking come Monday morning when the polls were released.

However, a hard hit to the face showed that, despite some theories, Griffin was in fact human, and the Sooners weren’t invincible.

They surrendered their three-and-a-half-month long stranglehold on the Big 12 regular season title by losing to Kansas the following game.

Griffin returned to the court a week later to help OU beat Texas Tech, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Missouri a game later.

Having lost three of four games, questions about the team’s chances for success in the postseason arose as OU finished a disappointing second in the Big 12 and set its compass for the conference tournament in Oklahoma City.

ERASING THE DOUBT

Widely considered a lock to be an NCAA tournament No.1 seed for the majority of the season, the Sooners squashed what little hope was left by losing to in-

state rival Oklahoma State in the first round of the Big 12 tournament at the Ford Center. Capel’s players, losers of four of their last six games, limped into the tourney as a No. 2 seed.

Nevertheless, they were determined to prove to the country that the Sooners that tore through the first four months of the season were the real Sooners — not the ones that choked away chances at both the Big 12 regular season and conference championships.

EIGHT IS GREAT

The first weekend of the tournament proved to be a cake walk for the team, which won its first two games — against Morgan State and Michigan — by a combined total of 38 points.

Next up: No. 3 seed Syracuse in the Sweet 16. A lot of people had this marked as the end of the road for OU (I know I did), but Capel had his team ready for the Orange’s infamous zone defense, and the Sooners cruised to a 13-point victory, forcing them into a showdown with No. 1 seed UNC in the Elite Eight.

The Tar Heels jumped out to a double-digit lead seemingly only seconds after the opening tip, and they never let up. Turning in one of their worst shooting performances of the season, the Sooners fell to UNC, 72-60.

Although some people had dreams of a national championship or a Final Four, OU’s run to be one of the final eight was nothing short of impressive. As much fun as it was watching the crimson and creme in March, seeing them get there was pretty entertaining in itself.

Sooners’ sophomore sweeps player of the year honors

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said, “If you locked all of the college basketball players in the country in a room and only one could battle his way out, it would be Blake Griffin coming out of that room.”

DANIEL MARTIN The Oklahoma Daily The whole country watched as Griffin battled injuries and took cheap shots from When Blake Griffin started his first game opposing players. He was hit in the groin, as an OU freshman, there were high expec- tripped, elbowed and on February 21, tations. But after living up to his hype and 2009, against the Texas Longhorns, Griffin giving the fans more than they had bar- received a concussion that would sideline gained for two years in a row, Griffin is now him for the rest of the game and result in on his way to the NBA. the Sooners first conference loss.

For the few years that older brother After two games of resting, Griffin led the Taylor Griffin was the Sooners’ only Griffin Sooners to a 78-63 victory over Texas Tech in the OU lineup, Blake was in high school as he dove into the crowd for loose balls waiting to explode on the scene. His poten- and racked up 20 points and 19 rebounds. tial was unquestionable and his athleticism Griffin’s sophomore season solidified a was unfathomable. spot for his jersey to be hung in the rafters Despite high expectations, not many ex- at Lloyd Noble. pected the immediate impact Blake Griffin He carried the Sooners to a 31-6 overall would make his freshman year, and his as- record and a long-awaited 10th Elite Eight tounding sophomore season only added to appearance. A heartbreak loss to the evenhis reputation. tual national champion North Carolina Tar Coming off of a first round NCAA tourna- Heels ended his college career but opened ment loss in the 2007-2008 season, Griffin up the door for a career in the NBA. and the rest of the Sooners went into p 5,, Griffin won the Naismith On April an offseason of hard work and Trophy, given to the best p player in colpreparation. lege basketball. The hon honor made OU Since first OU basketball the first school to ever h have Heisman game in the 2008-2009 2009 season, and Naismith Troph Trophy winners in Griffin has been regarded garded as the same acade academic year. the best player in n colAt 6-10 aand 250 lbs, lege basketball.

Griffin made his During the year, r, w ay f ro m b e i n g a Griffin set the Big 122 M c D o n a l d ’s A l l d Conference record Americ American in high for double-doubles es school tto the NCAA in a season with 30, Player of the year, and vid one shy of David is now at the top of 86Robinson’s 1986every teams’ draft ng 31 1987 record setting board board. double-doubles.

“B “Blake Griffin th 23 He led OU with is a m man,” ESPN ounds points and 15 rebounds anal analyst Stephen d the per game and led A. SSmith said. nding. nation in rebounding.

“Y “You can end He also set the Big 12 wh whatever specds in a record for rebounds u ulation there season with 504. iis right now.

Texas Tech head C Come June, ght coach Pat Knight he will be fin compared Griffin t h e No. 1 or,” to the “Terminator,” overall pick ave after his team gave in the draft d 23 up 40 points and by anyone rebounds to the Allwho gets Sophomore forward American. it.”

Blake Griffin JAMES CORNWELL/THE DAILY

It’s been just over a month since OU’s season ended. For many Sooner fans, the lasting images of March are still fresh on the brain, like Morgan State forward Ameer Ali seemingly auditioning for the WWF by flipping Player of the Year Blake Griffin over his back.

OU didn’t just appear in the postseason, however.

It was a long and entertaining five-month ride. Here’s a look back at the Sooners’ 2008-2009 season:

THE RUN

Griffin leaves his mark at OU

4B

Year in Review, 2008/2009

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Paris’ record-setting career ends JARROD YOST The Oklahoma Daily

AMY FROST/THE DAILY

Freshman guard Whitney Hand (25) drives to the hoop during the Sooners’ Final Four matchup against Louisville in St. Louis. The Sooners fell short in the Final Four, losing 61-59 and ending their season.

Sooners’ tourney run ends in Final Four Courtney Paris guarantees National Championship, but OU falls short of title game ANNELISE RUSSELL The Oklahoma Daily

The Paris era came to a close this year, but the Hand era has only just begun.

The Sooners wrapped up the year in the Final Four and posted the program’s second best finish ever.

Here’s how they got there:

• OU’s first major hump was the Women’s NIT, hosted in Norman. They had to take on some of women’s basketball heavyweights in North Carolina and Arizona State.

The Sooners played well in the win over Arizona State and Courtney Paris finished with another double-double. The only thing standing in the way of the pre-season championship was UNC, but the Sooners lost to the Tarheels on a last-minute shot.

• OU did not get much of a chance to rest before they had to head to Connecticut to take on the eventual national champions. The matchup was a chance for the Sooners to redeem themselves after their loss to UNC, but they were destroyed by the Huskies 106-78.

To make matters worse, it took the Sooners about two days to make it home from Connecticut due to problems with travel arrangements.

• The Sooners rode the wave that was December and finished the month undefeated. It was a nice way to prepare for the Big 12 season stretch.

• OU faced down some tough opponents in the Big 12, but one of the highlights of the spring came in an away game at the Ford Center against women’s basketball legend Pat Summitt and Tennessee.

The Sooners came out and ran all over

• OU finished the Big 12 season with only one loss and one Sooner short. During a game against Baylor, Hand suffered a hand injury and was sidelined until the Big 12 tournament.

• The Big 12 tournament should have been the Sooner showcase, but OU only made it to their second game before getting knocked out by Texas A&M. Hand was still recovering, but OU just did not have it. The Sooners allowed A&M guards to run the game and were too sloppy with the basketball, with 17 turnovers.

• Despite a poor showing at the Big 12 tournament, the Sooners were given a No. 1 seed for the NCAA tournament and played their way home to the OKC regional.

There, OU defeated Penn State 69-50 and Purdue 74-68 to move on to the Final Four.

These were some of OU’s best games and they highlighted what Hand and Robinson will be able to do next season.

• The Sooners hit the road and headed north to St. Louis to face the nation’s best in this year’s Final Four.

The Sooners were counting their blessings that they did not have to face Connecticut in their first game, but the Sooners drew just as formidable an opponent in Louisville.

OU dominated the first half but fell apart in the second and lost in the final seconds, 61-59.

• The year was over for the Sooners, but many players still made the headlines: — Courtney Paris was drafted in the first round of the WNBA playoffs to the Sacramento Monarchs.

— Ashley Paris is also heading home to California after being selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Sparks.

— Jenny Vining and Rose Hammond announced their intentions to transfer from the university.

— Hand and Robinson were invited to the USA Women’s basketball trials this summer.

ARCHIVE PHOTO

• They started the season in usual fashion by whipping up on a couple of exhibition teams who put up no fight. The two exciting factors to come out of these games was the debut of Whitney Hand and Ashley Paris’s new, mobile game. This foreshadowed assets that would bode well for the OU Sooners.

the Volunteers, who lost their starting five last year. Hand came out blazing, knocking down threes. With the win, the Sooners stalled Summitt’s 1,000th win.

the Sooners did not come away with a championship. The ultimate competitor, Paris issued her now-famous guarantee Make no mistake about it, Courtney during a season in which UConn had soParis transformed the women’s basketball lidified itself as one of the most dominate program into a national force, that consis- teams in recent memory. tently competes for a national championWhen the Sooners fell short of the title, ship. But for Paris, there has to be a feeling following a loss to Louisville, Paris did not of unfinished business at OU. back down on her promise, saying she still Being a highly-recruited athlete, Paris intended to pay back the money, although felt the pressure from day one after choos- it would take some time. OU athletics diing OU over schools like UConn, Texas, rector Joe Castiglione said the school did and UCLA. not want Paris’ money, however.

Individually, Paris was as advertised, Hopefully, Sooner fans who have performing at a remarkably consistent clip, watched Paris over the past four years have as evidenced by her ridiculous 112-game some kind of grasp on the magnitude of the double-double streak. Perhaps the conclu- player they have been watching. sion of the streak occurring this season was Paris has been a dominant force on the appropriate; an indicator that Paris’ sup- court since day one, and a quality teamporting cast was a little more of a factor this mate and individual throughout her tenseason than in previous years. ure in Norman.

Regardless of the strength of Paris’ supDid OU come awayy with a national porting cast, t, one must simply look at some title during her tenure? No. W What OU of her career er numbers in order to under- did gain from Paris’ presence, however, stand the virtuosity rtuosity of her tenure here. i s invaluable.

Paris is the he only player in US college basThe So Sooners are ketball history ory — men’s or women’s — to on the map m like record 2,500 00 points and 2,000 rebounds as a never before be in a college career. She is also the only destin destination for player in NCAA CAA history — men’s some of the top or women’ss — to record 700 pros prospects in points, 500 rebounds, and women’s colwom 100 blocks in n a season. lege hoops.

In 2006,, Paris was Paris’ caeshman to the first freshman reer is far re be named d to the from over, fr Associated d Press h however.

All-American Paris was P team; an honor nor she recently also received ved the selected next three seasons. easons. seventh After beingg named overall in an All-American rican in her tthe 2009 senior season, son, Paris W N B A became thee first player draft and will draf in women’s basketball soon be headhistory to be named west to play ing wes an All-American erican four for the Sacramento Sac times.

Monarchs.

Monarchs In 2009,, Paris fans at ARCO The fan showed herr leaderArena should ship and passion assion exactly what know exa for bringingg a title will be seethey w to Norman an by from their ing fr vowing to repay epay who new star, s her scholararbrings it to the bring ship moneyy gym night in to the uni-and night Senior center Courtney Paris versity if out. o

5B

Year in Review, 2008/2009

Luke Atkinson, L&A editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 325-5189 • fax: 325-6051

Staying in Norman this summer? You can read The Daily every Tuesday and Thursday this summer, starting May 19.

KATIE PARKER/THE DAILY PHOTO PROVIDED

STUDENT OPENS BREWERY In February, The Daily featured advertising senior Chase Healey and his endeavors to launch his own craft brewery, Coop Ale Works.

The brewery, which was anticipating its opening day, planned to produce around 700 barrels of diverse regional beers, including Horny Toad Cerveza, Zeppelin German Wheat, Native Amber, DNR Belgian-Style Golden Ale and Gran Sport Porter.

Healey said his advertising degree helped him effectively design and market his product toward Oklahomans, with the goal of championing the Sooner State as a diverse and exciting region for quality craft beer.

After releasing his product on March 2, Healey reported business to be going strong with 42 taps out across the state, 2 of which are located in Norman – one at Victoria’s and the other at O’Connell’s on Campus Corner.

Healey is will finish up his advertising degree this week, after which he plans to work at Coop Ale full time.

PHOTO PROVIDED

U2 COMING TO NORMAN In March, U2 announced they were making a stop in Norman for their 360 Degrees Tour, sponsored by Blackberry, Oct. 18 at the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

The band originally announced an Oct. 19 performance on their Web site, but removed the date later that day, as details had not been finalized.

As anticipation mounted, tickets went on sale April 17. At least 10,000 tickets priced at around $30 were sold for every venue. Ticket sales have already reached in the millions across North America and Europe.

The tour will be promoting U2’s 12th studio album, “No Line on the Horizon,” which came out February 27.

The University of Oklahoma GRADUATE COLLEGE Is Pleased to Honor the 2008-2009

Advanced Degree Graduates at a Reception held

Friday, May 15, 2009 from

1:00 - 3:00 pm at the Stephenson Research and Technology Center 101 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK 73019

(405) 325-3811

gradinfo@ou.edu

Eric McCauley Lee, former director of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, poses in the Kimbell Art Museum. Lee assumed the directorship of the museum on March 23.

Former director gets dream job Kimbell Art Museum welcomes former Sooner art director ADAM KOHUT The Oklahoma Daily

Eric McCauley Lee, former director of OU’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, assumed directorship of Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum on March 23. Lee has a doctorate in art history from Yale University and served as the director of the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati since January 2007.

During his nearly decade-long tenure at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum, Lee was a key figure in the acquisition of the Weitzenhoffer Bequest, a collection of 33 French Impressionist paintings which included works from Monet, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec and Renoir, in 2000. He also headed the museum’s 2005 expansion.

The 34,000 square foot Lester Wing was designed by Hugh Newell Jacobson, who was

a student of Louis Kahn, the architect who designed the Kimbell. According to Lee, the Jones is a physical “descendent” of the Kimbell.

“The Kimbell has been a dream job of mine since I was in graduate school,” Lee said. “I love the architecture of Louis Kahn. The Kimbell is arguably Kahn’s greatest building – I think it’s certainly his greatest museum building.”

The Kimbell’s permanent collection is small, Lee said, but the quality of its artwork is exemplary. The collection consists of fewer than 350 pieces, but includes works by Picasso, Monet, El Greco and Rembrandt.

“Every work in the collection is of major significance,” he said. “The combination [of the Kimbell’s architecture and exhibitions] … is just magical.”

Lee is the Kimbell’s fourth director.

He will succeed Timothy Potts, who left the museum in 2007 for a directorial position at the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambrige in England.

6B

Year in Review, 2008/2009

Freshman pianist exercises talents Student used YouTube to learn how to play piano LAURA PEDEN The Oklahoma Daily

Flaming Lips singer Wayne Coyne (center) speaks at the podium as Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry looks on for the April 28 dedcation in Oklahoma City.

AP PHOTO

OKLAHOMA CHOOSES STATE ROCK SONG JOSHUA BOYDSTON The Oklahoma Daily

The Flaming Lips have had quite the year. They wrung in 2009 the right way with their second annual New Year’s Eve Freakout. They took the time to record a psychedelic cover of Madonna’s “Borderline” with Stardeath and White Dwarfs for a limited edition Record Store Day release. Wayne Coyne even decided to initiate a little beef with indie rock darlings Arcade Fire.

What must have been the highlight, however, is the announcement that “Do You Realize??” would be proclaimed the official rock song of Oklahoma.

Well, until the Oklahoma House of Representatives attempted to revoke that honor.

The process began in 2008 when several hundreds of nominees were announced for the title of official Oklahoma rock song. On August 4, 2008, the 10 finalists were revealed, including the AllAmerican Rejects, Leon Russell and the Flaming Lips.

It was then opened up for a public vote, and the Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??” came out on top.

That’s when the trouble began.

The Lips rejoiced the win and merely waited for the proclamation to pass

through Oklahoma Legislature. It went through the Senate without a hitch, but the House of Representatives were not about to let it pass so easily.

Apparently some of the members were a little offended by the Flaming Lips’ past antics. Rep. Corey Holland was offended by bassist Michael Ivin’s choice to don a red communist t-shirt when visiting the capital for the announcement ceremony in March.

Rep. Mike Reynolds had been disgusted with the language of the band heard during a ceremony dedicating Flaming Lips Alley in Bricktown to the band. He even stated “Their lips ought to be on fire.”

The House rejected the proposition.

51 votes were needed to pass the measure, and it only received 48.

Wayne Coyne sounded slightly defeated but hopeful on the matter in a bulletin posted on MySpace: "As many people around the world know, the Flaming Lips are proud to be from Oklahoma. We want everyone to understand that only a minority of the representatives voted against this law.

The facts are that 'Do You Realize??' won over 50 percent of the popular vote in the original poll, passed unanimously in the Senate and won over a majority of the Representatives in the House (48 were for the law passing, 39 against – 14 were

absent from the vote – you need 51 to pass the law.) Regardless of what the minority in the House of Representatives wish, the Flaming Lips remain proud ambassadors of the state. We are honored that the majority of the people who voted, hoped to have 'Do You Realize??' be the Oklahoma State Rock Song.

Perhaps there is still a way it can be."

That is when Gov. Brad Henry rode in like the white knight.

He decided to override the decision of the House of Representatives with an executive decision signed on April 28.

He believed the matter was a public vote and intended on honoring the public’s choice. Henry declared in a press release "For more than 20 years, Oklahoma’s own Flaming Lips have produced creative, fun and provocative rock music. The music of the Flaming Lips has earned Grammy’s, glowing critical acclaim and fans all over the world.

A truly iconic rock 'n' roll band, they are proud ambassadors of their home state.

They were clearly the people’s choice and I intend to honor that vote."

“Do You Realize??” is now in its rightful place as official rock song of Oklahoma, and I could not think of any song that represents the beauty, diversity and quirkiness Oklahoma has to offer.

Good luck on finals! from your student government

We look forward to serving you next year!

For information about UOSA and how to get involved, visit uosa.ou.edu The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

At the beginning of the spring semester, Daniel Preston, microbiology freshman, was seen sitting at the piano playing to an audience of Couch residents.

Preston carefully watched YouTube tutorials on how to play certain songs on the piano, such as "Brick" by Ben Folds and "Apologize" by One Republic, and mastered his piano skills from these videos.

Since then, Preston has learned three new songs: "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton, "Mad"

by Neo and "Just Dance"

by Lady Gaga.

He continues to write some of his own works as well. Preston still is working on a piece that has

voice accompaniment.

"I am writing a really good song. It's the best piece I can play after everything I've learned," Preston stated.

He has been practicing his skills at least an hour a day.

"Since I'm studying for finals, I'm playing a little less, but every time I have a free minute, I still play," he said.

Although Preston still has the goal of one day learning to read sheet music, he has not yet signed up for piano lessons or anything of the sort. When asked if he will focus more on the piano over summer break, he says that he will be more focused on his major, microbiology.

Preston still is on the road to becoming a pharmacist by majoring in microbiology.

"I haven't decided to give up yet. It's difficult, but I'm sticking with it."

Couch residents hope he will stick with playing the piano as well.

AMY FROST/THE DAILY

Daniel Preston, University College freshman, plays piano inside of Couch Center Jan. 26. Preston had only been playing since the beginning of last semester and already was writing his own songs.

Year in Review, 2008/2009

7B

LILLY CHAPA/THE DAILY

The Absolute's lead singer Phil Ross and bassist Winthrop Ellsworth perform on the Main Stage at the Norman Music Festival. This is the first out-of-state show the Los Angeles-based band has performed.

ELI HULL/THE DAILY

Kevin Barnes, lead vocalist for of Montreal, dances during a instrumental interlude during the April 25 concert on the Main Stage of the Norman Music Festival.

NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL ROCKED THE NIGHT AWAY JOSHUA BOYDSTON The Oklahoma Daily

Boosted by an outlandish show by of Montreal and record attendance, the second annual Norman Music Festival grew leaps above the previous year’s and has everyone all wondering where it will go from here.

Last year, Polyphonic Spree and a reunited Chainsaw Kittens blew everyone away in NMF’s debut. So everyone was curious what would happen to the beloved festival in its second year. After deciding to add several more stages to the festival, the number of bands exploded from 22 in 2008, to 94 performers in 2009. Festival organizers also choose to showcase a wider display of genres, introducing hip-hop, country, blues and punk to the festival. The public responded to the success of the previous year and the bolstered number of performers by coming out in record numbers – an estimated 25,000 total.

The largest change was the number of fans that showed up earlier in the day. There was a good crowd out when the festival’s music began around noon, and this crowd grew and grew throughout the day. Main Street was bursting at the seams by the time Starlight Mints took the stage at 9 p.m.

The crowd was wowed early in the day by diverse local acts of every genre imaginable.

The blistering noise of one-man band El Paso Hot Button gave way to the experimental rock of Student Film. Here is There got the blood flowing over at the Sooner Theatre stage while Mayola and Gentle Ghost pulsed through a back-to-back showcase of energetic indie rock.

Stardeath and White Dwarfs warmed things up in the early evening with Sugar and Gold getting the crowd dancing with their sugary dance funk. That’s when things started getting weird, in a good way.

Man Man hopped onto the stage like they came straight from the loony bin.

Sporting white jump suits and face paint, the Philadelphia band rattled, hummed, shook, banged and thumped through a chaotic hourlong set that left the crowd on the brink of insanity. A shower of green balloons accompanied by fast-paced percussion was both disorienting and exhilerating.

Norman’s own Starlight Mints then stepped in to showcase their well-honed jazz rock that was catchy and irresistible. Their set was as sweet as candy and nearly as addicting. They were a nice reminder of how great Oklahoma music can sound.

Of Montreal closed the night on the Main Stage with Tea Leaf Green closing on the opposite end. With Calaveras, velvet suits, feathers, smoke, gas masks, ninjas and a Tiger ringleader, the show was unforgettable and the perfect closer to a awesomely weird night.

And so the anticipation for next year’s festival begins; I can hardly wait to see what the festival will have to offer next year. It is already becoming a yearly highlight for me. The mix of national and local acts, phenomenal downtown setting, and mass numbers of music lovers creates the perfect storm of musical enjoyment.

As the crowd slowly marched away from the festival shortly after midnight, I could not help but feel a little closer to the Norman community, and isn’t that what music is all about?

JAMES CORNWELL/THE DAILY

James Husband, bassist for of Montreal, plays during the band’s featured performance on the Main Stage of the Norman Music Festival April 25. The festival roped in double the attendance of last year.

Check out footage from the Norman Music Festival online.

You can find more photos of the music performances online.

OUDAILY.COM

OUDAILY.COM

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8B

The Ring Ceremony Tradition Memories Opportunities of a lifetime The University of Oklahoma For more information contact:

The ofďŹ cial o OU ring features the campus arches, the interlocking OU, cam the t Seed Sower and the traditional border from the university’s seal.

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The rings rin are available through Jostens att (800) 424-1492 or online at J t ( jostens.com/college/oklahoma/.

The University of Oklahoma Alumni Association 900 Asp Avenue, Suite 427 Norman, OK 73019 (405) 325-1710 alumni@ou.edu ou.edu/alumni