August 31, 2011 Issue

WEDNESDAY August 31, 2011

Vol. 94 • No. 13

www.therambler.org

Wesleyan community pays visit to ballpark in Arlington.

Community, page 7

T�� R������ The voice of Texas Wesleyan University students since 1917

Students rally Ram pride at Welcome Weekend.

Campus Feature, page 5

Athletic management appointed Shauna Banks

sbbanks@mail.txwes.edu

The athletic department at Texas Wesleyan is under new management.

President Frederick Slabach appointed Steven Trachier as the new athletic director, effective Aug. 22.

“He is really known within the community as a person who has great expertise in terms of policy development and implementation and management,” Slabach said. “We’re very fortunate to be able to have him come here and help us at a particular time when we also need that expertise.”

Kevin Millikan, previous athletic director for seven years, will now

serve as the co-head golf coach and director of new sports program development.

Slabach said Wesleyan’s mission has always been focused on individualized attention for students and helping them develop to their fullest potential.

“When you apply that to the athletic programs, we’re talking about helping them develop to their fullest potential both in the athletic program that they happen to be in, and also in their performance as students and academics,” Slabach said.

As a part of this new direction, the athletic department will also now be required to report directly to the president’s office, as opposed to the vice president of student

services and enrollment office.

Slabach said he thinks reporting to the president will benefit everyone involved.

“It helps me understand what the needs are of the athletic programs better,” Slabach said. “The athletic director comes to me on an on-going basis to let me know what’s going on and what the needs are and where the program is headed.”

Slabach also said he thinks this will give student athletes more direct access to the president’s office, to make sure their needs and interests are represented.

John Veilleux, vice president for marketing and communication at Wesleyan, said it is not uncommon for athletics departments at other

universities to report to the president.

“People want access to the president, so certainly one of the greater models that you’ll see throughout higher education in terms of athletic directors and their reporting structures are going to be that they report to the president,” Veilleux said.

“That’s a good thing.”

Veilleux said the goal is to always be getting better.

“I wouldn’t say we’re not doing that,” Veilleux said. “I would say I suspect we can be doing a better job just like we can with anything we do, so that’s the goal.”

Less than two weeks into his new position, Trachier already has goals in sight for the athletic department.

Alumna dies in accident Jordan Twine

jetwine@mail.txwes.edu

Wesleyan alumna, Sarah Young, died in a car accident Saturday, Aug. 13 in Fort Worth.

The 25-year-old Wesleyan graduate received her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Wesleyan and worked as a marketing manager for Mouser Electronics.

A memorial reception for family and friends took place Aug. 20 in the Brown Lupton Student Center in remembrance of Young.

Jessica Oliver, friend of Young and Wesleyan graduate, said Young was a positive and upbeat person who taught her to be happy.

“A smile can go a long way and hers did,” Oliver said.

“She was liked, and I didn’t know of any person that didn’t like her.”

Young was a part of the Delta Mu Delta business honor society at Wesleyan as well as the Mortar Board and a president’s ambassador.

“She always wanted to exceed past where she was,” Oliver said. “She always

knew she could do more or be better.”

The Rev. Dr. Robert Kenji Flowers, chaplain at Wesleyan and friend of Young’s Father. Kenji said Young was outgoing and smart.

“She loved life,” Flowers said. “She was instant friends with anybody she met.”

Brian Young, Sarah’s father, said almost every summer the family would travel together to places such as England and New Zealand.

“She loved to travel,” Brian said. “I think that was part of why she was so good with people.”

Brian said the faculty and the business school was like family to Young.

“She loved Wesleyan. Wesleyan is where she found her direction,” Brian said. “It was a real special time for her.”

Young was also on the board of directors of Hugworks, a nonprofit organization that uses music therapy to help children with special needs.

Any donations in her honor can be sent to Hugworks, 752 Mary Dr., Hurst, Texas. For more details visit www.hugworks.org.

“I want everything about the athletic program to be something the university is proud of,” Trachier said.

“I want to make sure that in athletics we have a commitment to our students, so that when students come in and participate in our programs, we are equally committed to them in terms of helping them be successful in all of their endeavors, academically and beyond.”

Trachier came to Wesleyan with more than 30 years of experience in education and athletics, with his most recent tenure in the GrapevineColleyville Independent School District. There he served as the executive director of administration and pre-

Interim coach chosen after Francis’ release Shauna Banks

sbbanks@mail.txwes.edu

Brian Young | Courtesy Sarah Young, Texas Wesleyan alumna, with her beagle Hank. Young died in a car accident Saturday, Aug. 13. Her father Brian said she was a beloved daughter, and friend Jessica Oliver said she is missed by the many friends she impacted on a daily basis at Wesleyan and her job at Mouser Electronics.

 DIRECTOR, page 3

After the release of previous Lady Rams basketball coach, Stacy Francis, the team is now under new leadership.

President Frederick Slabach appointed Bill Franey, former assistant head coach, the new interim head coach Aug. 16.

John Veilleux, vice president for marketing and communications, said details about Francis’ release are not being made public at this time.

“In terms of the basketball coach and why she was released and what happened with those details— that’s a personnel matter, an on-going personnel matter, and the school is not going to be in a position to talk about those details,” Veilleux said.

Veilleux said he is confident in Franey’s coaching skills for the team.

“Bill has done some great things over the past couple years in his assistant role,” Veilleux said. “All you have to do is go back and look at the record before he got involved with the team.”

Steven Trachier, recently appointed athletic director at Texas Wesleyan, said a search for the new head coach should begin this fall.

“That’s one of the first things I’d like to get done, to get started in that process and let the players know whoever they have, it’s a permanent deal,” Trachier said.

Franey said he would like to continue as head coach in the future if the opportunity arises.

“I would like to be the coach,” Franey said. “I don’t know much about the selection process or the timing, but I know I want to continue to work with this team and in this program.”

Franey has already established new goals for the team. He said the first thing he would like the team to accomplish is winning the Red River Athletic Conference for the first time.

“This is a veteran team that won 28 games last year,” Franey said. “So there are lots of strengths that come from veteran leadership. The challenge is to assimilate the newcomers into a cohesive unit that can continue that success.”

Freshman makes out ‘good’ with 70s dorm makeover Rachel Peel

rlpeel@mail.txwes.edu

On August 18, Micah Young, freshman criminal justice major and Wesleyan cheerleader received a newly furnished room thanks to Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth.

The dorm remodel recipient was chosen from a pool of students who wrote essays about their lives and why they thought they needed a dorm makeover.

“I am just honored to deserve this, I’m real excited,” Young said.

Young said he did not plan on writing an essay for the contest, but after several of his classmates heard his story they insisted he enter.

“I was approached, just sitHis pale green sheets and ting in the club house at West brown leather chair were reVillage just watching TV,” placed with a black, blue and Young said. “So I decided to gray comforter and a shiny do some research about it [the disco ball to hang from the contest].” ceiling.

The designers for the re“We just want to show peomodel, Shay Johnson, regional ple how you can transform retail director and Kristen Bo- any space, even a dorm room stick, marketing communica- space for pennies on the doltions coordinator, both work lar,” Johnson said. for Goodwill Industries and Johnson said that the comdecided to design his room as mittee at Goodwill Industries a 70s flashback. decided to contact the univer“The whole basis of the sity to ask them to participate room came from the click- in the remodel because she is clack couch that we found at an alumna of Wesleyan, and our Alta Mesa store,” Johnson David Cox, senior vice presisaid. dent of retail sales and marketAlong with the click-clack ing, is also an alum. couch, the design incorpoJohnson said she asked rates famous records of the era Wesleyan staff to put togethincluding The Doobie Broth GOODWILL, page 3 ers, Chic and Heart.

Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Micah Young, freshman criminal justice major was this year’s recipient of a residence hall room makeover, courtesy of Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth. Young was chosen from a pool of essays submitted by other residents. Designers for the makeover selected a 70s flashback theme, incorporating retro records and posters into the design.

Join your Wesleyan family at 8 a.m. September 10 in the Fort Worth Stockyards for the annual Heart Walk!

Opinion Governor proves lesser of five evils 2

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The Rambler | www.therambler.org

August 31, 2011

would think Perry wouldn’t need to pay businesses in orShauna Banks der to entice them into the Editor-in-chief state. One would assume that sbbanks@mail.txwes.edu the pro-business laws and policies of the state would entice business alone.

Perry’s educational policies are neither daring nor innoRick Perry is a combination of vative. He has pretty much done disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod what every populist and electionBlagojevich’s fancy hair and former result minded politician has always President George W. Bush’s cen- done, which is to simply campaign trism disguised as compassionate for increased funding of public educonservatism. cation without the inclusion of inPerry frequently makes state- creased accountability over results. ments that excite the very founda- His education policy is about as tion of conservative voters of every daring as a high wire walk with no political stripe. safety net in place that is three feet However, Perry’s actions are con- off the ground, and as thrilling to trary to his spoken extremism, as watch as a single ball juggler. called out by his detractors. He is a Needless to say, Perry will most free market guy who helped establish likely be the Republican nominee the Texas Enterprise Fund, which for the presidency. He has what the awards money from state funds to other candidates lack. attract business into the state.

Mitt Romney will be running If done by you and me, such be- away from his record as governor havior would be called a bribe. This and his unpopular sect of Christiisn’t his only corporate welfare tool anity. which seems to contradict his free Michelle Bachman will have to market principles. overcome the bias that attractive Texas also has the Texas Emerg- women are unable to lead due to ing Technology Fund, which has their good looks getting them by been reported by The New York and her inability to read Elvis’ WikiTimes as being a political slush fund pedia article prior to wishing him a for political contributors of Perry’s happy birthday on the anniversary re-election campaign. of his death.

This is the equivalent to being Herman Cain has as good of a hired by the cafeteria and giving chance as Ron Paul has of winning extra unpaid for portions of food to the nomination but will have to your friends who bought your suit learn how to handle softball toss-up for the interview or drove you to questions from John Stossel. the interview without asking you to Ron Paul has fervent supporters cover the cost of gasoline. but constantly fails to distance himFor a so-called free marketer, you self from his most kooky of sup-

porters or policies that the general public has yet to care about.

In the end, Perry will probably continue to do what other so called free market Republicans have done in the past.

He will pass budgets that add to the deficit and force the Federal Reserve to borrow more money via treasury bills from private investors and foreign governments dumb enough to believe that they will eventually make a return on their investment.

Like most politics, it is more about what you say that you’ll do than what you actually do.

Contradictions in stance are not too uncommon in politics, and Perry will definitely not be that different if elected president.

Part of the problem that makes

almost every politician susceptible to this scrutiny is the effects of our wonderful constitutional limits on power and who holds it and the general public’s lack of knowledge concerning such limits.

Election campaigns for almost any elected position will almost always leave the impression that such positions give the holder absolute power over policy.

The impression left on the politically ignorant is that whoever wins the presidency has almost dictatorial power and the ability to instantaneously change law and policy with no compromise. People who don’t understand the limitations of power on the president will almost always blame him on why a law or policy didn’t go 100 percent their way.

The assumption is made that if

the candidate they favor wins the election, then the policies that they favor will also become possible. Inevitably the opposite almost always happens.

This is why President Obama’s healthcare bill went from being a single payer system to the complicated assortment of compromises and regulations that made it politically unpopular even to liberal supporters. This is what we need to remember November 2012 during elections.

We must also remember that elected officials’ power is limited and the policies they promise to pursue will ultimately end up mangled and unrecognizable from the original intent due to compromise and its ability to pass a vote in the house and the senate.

Perry leaves bad taste in voters’ mouths The Texas Education Agency unfortunately couldn’t meet Eliana Mijangos the governor’s $11.6 billion Sports editor public education cuts even if emmijangos@mail.txwes.edu they fired up to 329,574 nonteachers according to chron. com.

With clear evidence of Perry’s work to add to this reTexas’ longest serving governor cession, I could not vote for a future since 2000, Rick Perry, has decided president who would deal solely with to run for president on a campaign big money. based on the private sectors generatI personally saw Perry speak in Daling revenue and jobs to stimulate the las regarding our economic status as American economy. a state. His attitude and speech ridiThe question I must ask is how this culed the federal government, as well campaign is driven from the idea of as California for its economic status stimulating jobs when he has cut an and decisions. He implied the idea estimated 100,000 jobs in Texas’ edu- that Texas is a more noble or worthy cation department alone within the state than any other. However, what next two years, according to chron. is the United States of America if not com. united?

According to chron.com Perry According to chron.com, President failed to take responsibility for these Barack Obama attempted to implejob losses saying jobs lost should be ment the “Race to the top Grant” in those of non-teachers such as librar- 2010 that allowed a state to win $900 ians, nurses and custodians. million toward both early childhood

and higher level education programs.

Perry’s fear for this program is that it would interrupt the education programs already implemented in Texas.

In my opinion, Perry has a problem receiving federal government funding for ideas that are not his own.

Houston Independent School District recently cut $58.4 million by cutting per-student spending. Last year, HISD applied and was denied because the program was originally a per state decision. In 2012, schools will be able to apply as individual entities according to chron.com.

Education cuts are not my only concern for Perry as president.

According to chron.com, Perry removed health education from public school requirements.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Texas falls into a 15.1-20 percent child obesity rate when compared to the United States as a whole. California, a state ridiculed by Perry, falls into a 10.1-15 percent ratio in the same

comparison.

In other words, Texas’ obesity rate is higher than the United States’. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, out of the U.S. population, 17 percent are obese children and adolescents between 2 and 9 years of age. My question to America is how we can elect a president who will have to take on one of the world’s largest standing nations for child obesity when he cannot even fix our states’ high percentage?

Teen pregnancy is also running rampant throughout Texas. According to thenationalcampaign.org, at an all-time high of 35 percent, Texas tax payers cough up an estimated $1 billion out of the United States’ $9.1 toward child bearing teens per year, this decision seems dangerous seeing how according to the Guttmacher Institute, Texas is right behind New Mexico as the fourth highest state for teen pregnancy and is currently holding the title of highest teen birth rate.

Finally, according to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Texas’ sexually transmitted disease rates are on a steady rise. This is according to a graph representative of Perry’s time in office, 1997-2009.The Center for Disease Prevention said STDs are still a prevalent issue in the U.S. public health system. As of 2009, the United States has seen an estimated 19 million new STD cases a year. According to avert.org, Texas ranks sixth among the top 10 states with reported STD cases, rolling in with 6.8 percent of syphilis cases alone.

It takes more than a charismatic personality to win my vote and I would hope that as a piece of America’s future work force, our new generation, including the Wesleyan community, would realize the importance of choosing the right president and the impact of what they stand for.

at Texas Wesleyan has never been higher. More than 300 student athletes compete in 15 varsity sports, with over one third of those student athletes earning cumulative GPA’s of 3.0 or higher.

Operational funding for travel, scholarships and assistant coaching has also increased with our growth in participation, enhancing the experiences of all our student-athletes.

In addition to academic achievement, our student-athletes are competing with unprecedented success both at the regional and national level. In addition to numerous conference and national championships, Texas Wesleyan earned the 2010-11 Red River Athletic Conference All Sports Award, given annually to the RRAC member institution that per-

forms best in the conference’s sponsored sports in a given academic year.

The physical improvements that have been made to our athletic facilities in the past several years, from the complete renovation of the Sid Richardson Gym to the addition of lighting and parking at Martin Field, will continue to benefit the University, its student-athletes and its fans for many years to come.

In addition to the opportunities extended to our student athletes, Athletics serves many vital roles for the University. These include, but are not limited to, instilling a sense of pride and school spirit within the campus community, garnering regional and national recognition, and increasing enrollment and on-cam-

pus residency. These roles have been greatly enhanced in recent years due to the incredible investment of time and effort by our student athletes and the coaching staff, as well as the support of the faculty, staff and administration that assist and mentor our student-athletes on a daily basis.

My seven years as athletic director at Texas Wesleyan have been some of the most rewarding and challenging of my career, and I want to thank all of the people who have assisted me in the advancement of our department and institution. That said, I am excited about the opportunity to return to coaching while continuing to focus on the future expansion and improvement of the department.

Texas Wesleyan Athletics has never been in a stronger position than it

is today, and I look forward to being instrumental in continuing that positive trend.

Letter to the editor Having served as the athletic director at Texas Wesleyan since 2004, I am extremely proud of the success we have had improving the experiences of our student athletes and the reputation of our University.

In the past seven years our department has achieved record growth and athletic achievement, and as I transition to a new role within the department, I want to recognize a few of those achievements and honor those who have been so instrumental in our success.

With the addition of several athletic programs and the incredible efforts of our coaching staff, participation in intercollegiate athletics

The Rambler Shauna Banks, editor-in-chief Eliana Mijangos, sports editor Rachel Peel, community editor Jordan Twine arts & entertainment editor Alejandra Garcia campus feature editor Jonathan Resendez, multimedia editor Meisa Keivani Najafabadi, photo editor Erica Estrada, cartoonist Wendy Moore, faculty adviser Dr. Kay Colley, faculty liaison Frederick Slabach, publisher

“We are not afraid to follow the truth ... wherever it may lead.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Address all correspondence to: Texas Wesleyan University

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Opinions expressed in The Rambler are those of the individual authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole.

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Please send all news briefs to twurambler@yahoo.com. Submissions due by noon Friday to see brief in the following week’s issue.

Letters to the editor: The Rambler, a weekly publication, welcomes all letters. All submissions must have a full printed name, phone number and signature. While every consider-

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Mission continues to help those in need poverty and homelessness have become a reality to her.

“It’s made people in poverty, homeless people real to me. They now have a name, a face,” Tutt said. “I know them, and I know some of their stories. It just changes your perspective.”

Tutt said that some of the reasons the lives of the homeless have been derailed are the loss of a job, loss of a spouse, major health problems, drug or alcohol addiction or mental illnesses.

Nicole Cervantez, sophomore liberal studies major said that her sorority Lambda Theta Alpha donated clothes to local homeless shelters along Lancaster all last year.

“Personally I did it growing up, and during Thanksgiving we would take the homeless food,” Cervantez said. “It was nothing scary.”

Cervantez said to consider the homeless as another human being and not to see them as danger zone.

“They don’t want to cause violence, they just want clothing, food and shelter,” Cervantez said. “It’s just seeing them as another person.”

John Davis, 64, has been a client at the FSMM on and off for about 10 years and said some of the services they offer to their clients are shortlived but that it gets him by.

“They treat you pretty good in here,” Davis said. “They go far and beyond what you ex-

Rachel Peel

rlpeel@mail.txwes.edu

Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Steven Trachier, newly appointed athletic director, took over the position Aug. 22, the first day of classes. Trachier came to Wesleyan from Grapevine-Colleyville ISD.

DIRECTOR

sided over the athletics programs at four middle schools, two alternative schools and two 5A high schools.

Trachier also initiated an idea that could potentially result in student athletes at Wesleyan being regularly drug tested.

Plans for future drug testing at Wesleyan are in the beginning stages, with details concerning providers, funding and the policies surrounding testing not yet established.

“It was successful there [Grapevine-Colleyville ISD],”

continued from page 1 Trachier said.“I think it would be a great opportunity for the student athletes here to also have a reason to say ‘no’ when they are presented with those circumstances.”

Trachier earned his bachelors in education and master’s in health education at East Texas State University (now Texas A&M UniversityCommerce) and has coached an array of sports, including football, basketball, track and field, swimming and tennis.

In his spare time, Trachier said he enjoys traveling with

his wife Machele and family, including his daughters Stephanie (27) and Brittany (24) and son Lance (21).

Trachier said as athletic director, he will maintain an open-door policy for all students, so they feel they can come to him if they have any problems or concerns.

“I’m just a guy. I like to come in and do my job. I like people and enjoy people a lot,” Trachier said. “I like having those relationships with athletes and students and trying to help them get to where they want to be in life and what they want to do.”

A local organization has been lending a helping hand to those in need by offering services for the homeless.

First Street Methodist Mission, located in the heart of downtown Fort Worth at 801 W. First Street, has been assisting the Fort Worth community through various programs by collecting hats, clothing, hygiene items and school supplies for those in need since the early 1950s.

“I think that sometimes when you start doing something like this, you think of it as giving to other people,” Judy Tutt, volunteer and member of First Street United Methodist Church said.

“It changes you and probably brings blessing to you much more than it does to the other people [clients].”

Tutt has been a volunteer at FSMM since 1998. She said that when she helps people with some of their immediate needs such as jeans or towels, it has allowed her to become more generous.

According to the First Street Methodist Mission website FSMM began when the congregation of First Street United Methodist Church in downtown Fort Worth recognized the needs of the community.

Tutt said that since she began volunteering at FSMM,

GOODWILL er an essay contest for the makeover. From the essays received, the candidate was chosen by staff members at Goodwill based on need.

Kristen Bostick has been with Goodwill Industries for three years and assisted in

continued from page 1

last fall’s dorm makeover.

“I think it’s a blast. I think it’s a neat way to show a different group of people, college students, who may not normally shop at Goodwill that you can find great things,” Bostick said.

pect them to do.”

Some of the programs available to families that have a home are the following: infant formula services, grocery services and a monthly clothing bank visit.

The programs for the homeless include sack lunches, a monthly clothing bank visit where they receive a hygiene kit and a basic startup kit program for homeless clients who are transitioning from the streets into a housing program.

“We’ve got lots of things going on here,” the Reverend Page Hines, director of FSMM said. “There are lots of volunteer opportunities here as well.”

Hines said when the clients come into the facility they are put into a database and issued an ID and then services are available.

The First Street Methodist Mission feeds about 200 families a week with grocery services, and for the homeless, they provide more than 400 sack lunches a week.

“We go through the food and the clothing,” Hines said.

“Anybody who is cleaning out their closets, we need them to bring it here.”

Clients at the FSMM are now in need of men’s jeans, baseball caps, towels and insect repellent. For more information about the organization, please visit firststreetmission.org.

Bostick also said Goodwill is a great place for people who are just starting out, and need to furnish their apartment.

“I think it’s exciting and fun and we get to help out a deserving student,” Bostick said. “It’s a great project all around.”

Career Services presents...  Emergency Resume Clinic

Sept. 19 | 12-2 p.m. | Mall area

 Dress for Success Fashion Show

Sept. 20 | 12-1:15 p.m. | Martin Hall

 Dinner Etiquette

Sept. 21 | 6-8 p.m. | Lou’s Pavilion

 Speed Interviewing

Sept. 22 | 12-1:15 p.m. | Lou’s Pavilion

 Wesleyan Community Food Tour Sept. 23 | 12-1:15 | Mall Area

Texas Wesleyan University and

The Department of Music present

Guitar Fort Worth: Classical Series at Wesleyan The Kithara Guitar Duo

September 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Martin Hall

Guest Recital Lab Speaker: Scott Cantrell

September 12 at 3 p.m.

Martin Hall

Faculty Showcase Concert Recital Lab Time September 19 at 3 p.m.

Martin Hall

For more information, visit http://www.txwes.edu/music/music/index.htm or call 817-531-4992

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THE RAMBLER | www.therambler.org

Futuristic society deems love deadly disease BOOK REVIEW

Shauna Banks

sbbanks@mail.txwes.edu

Love is a disease. Literally. At least that’s what most of society has been convinced of in the United States Lena Holloway lives in.

The first in a series by Lauren Oliver, Delirium dives into a futuristic version of U.S. society, in which the federal government controls all aspects of American lives, and has come up with a “cure” for love (also known as amor deliria nervosa). Oliver does a great job depicting such an extreme society, where the characters are just how the reader would expect them to be.

Told in first person point-ofview by 18-year-old Lena, the protagonist, her hometown of Portland, Oregon is a startling environment. Graduating from high school within the first couple of chapters, Lena is faced with choosing from four government-approved matches for her future marriage, with no guarantee that she’ll even

Delirium, by Lauren Oliver, is set in the future where society seeks to “cure“ love. The story follows 18-year-old Lena.

land her top pick.

But who she’ll be paired with and married to in the future seems the least of anyone’s worries with her scheduled “cure” procedure looming

around the corner.

In the first half of the novel, Lena is naïve to the truth of the things going on around her. She, like most of society, seems to have accepted the

museum before, but when she received an email about the event she and her family decided to attend.

“I don’t know if they do this every year or not, but it’s awesome,” Gabaldon said. “My favorite part about the event was the free dinner.”

Andrew Walker, director of the Amon Carter, came to Fort Worth in April 2011 and said when he came to the museum the plans for the 50 Fest had already been made. The

50th anniversary is a yearlong celebration. A more formal event took place earlier in April. It was a black tie event.

Walker said 50 Fest was a huge success since the rain came through earlier that morning.

“It’s tremendous. We’ve been very lucky with the break in the weather,” Walker said. “It encouraged a greater attendance.”

Masterworks of American Photography: Landscape opened to the public on the

way every aspect of life has been regulated.

Delirium soon takes a sharp turn from science fiction to a Romeo and Juliet-esque type love story.

Lena meets Alex, the typical male romantic interest, with tussled dark hair, mysterious blue eyes and an even more inexplicable past.

While the love story aspect gets somewhat predictable from the time Lena first encounters Alex, it’s the actual plot and events throughout the book that keep the reader captivated.

Although Oliver is trying to convey a sense of science fiction, it’s impossible not to consider what the United States would actually be like if it adopted some of the practices Lena sees on a daily basis in Portland.

For instance, music and movies are regulated completely. Rated R doesn’t exist in Lena’s world, and watching a chick flick could have a person thrown in jail and labeled a “sympathizer,” or worse.

Now it seems impossible in today’s society that anyone would ever be hauled off to the

big house for spending a rainy night at home watching Dirty Dancing (although some men might think they should be).

However, governmental music and movie regulation doesn’t seem so far-fetched.

While the police force surrounding Lena is downright vicious, creating scenes of human brutality and animal cruelty in Delirium that are not for the faint of heart, these situations also don’t seem so far from something that could happen or that may have already happened somewhere in the United States today.

Also in Delirium is Lena’s complete opposite in personality, best friend Hana. Society definitely deals Hana a better hand in life than Lena has been burdened with.

Hana’s parents are rich, her home has an air-conditioner, she doesn’t have to eat left over beanie weenies for dinner three nights in a row and no one in her family has contracted the deliria and decided to end their life because of it.

While it’s expected that the story will end up having a rebel-type character in it, Hana falls flat in most

areas. While Oliver is trying to convince readers that Lena should be like Hana— taking risks and rebelling against normal society, situations and events often leave them wondering why Lena is friends with Hana at all.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this novel is the book that has replaced the Bible in Lena’s society. Any form of true religion seems to have disappeared from the face of the planet, to be replaced with The Book of Shh. Lena often cites The Book of Shh when she’s trying to talk Hana out of antics or trying to reason with herself concerning her new found feelings for Alex.

Oliver also exposes the reader to actual excerpts from this governing book at the beginning of each chapter.

Overall, Delirium was a riveting read and arguably one of the best books so far this year.

It appeals to not only chick-lit loving readers, but also those who enjoy a little science fiction, adventure and thriller.

Oliver will release the second book in the series, Pandemonium in early March 2012.

night of the celebration with a large number of viewers. This exhibition offered a brief history in photography.

Senior curator of photographs John Rohrbach said the photos in the exhibit arrived at the museum within months of the museum’s opening in January 1961.

“It’s a different kind of language with photography,” Rohrbach said. “Every process has its own peculiarities.”

Rohrbach said what the museum staff tries to do is put pieces of photography up from different eras.

The exhibit begins with an array of photos dating from the 1800s to the present. As spectators move around the room

clockwise, the photographs transport through time.

Rohrbach said when he is setting up for an exhibition he positions the photographs a certain way. He tries to arrange the collection and give people who are interested in photography a chance to look at early prints and later prints.

Terri Cummings, associate professor of communication at Wesleyan, said the Amon Carter is one of the premier photography collections in the southwest and is one of the only free museums left in Fort Worth.

“We’ve got the World’s art by design in our [Fort Worth] museums,” Cummings said.

“It’s a great place to go. They

make people feel welcome.”

Cummings said in this time in our culture normal viewers and professional viewers are going to have a similar eye. They might not be able to meet in terms of vocabulary and technique, but since we live in such a visual culture a person who is not necessarily a photographer can recognize a brilliant photograph when he sees one, she said.

“We used to believe that a photograph was capturing the truth, the real thing,” Cummings said. “And now we know that a photograph does not always necessarily show us reality.”

During 50 Fest, the museum had volunteers among the crowd available to answer questions about each exhibit.

An interactive exhibit is the printmaking exhibit.

This exhibit allowed spectators to get a tangible hands-on experience of how printmaking is shaped into art. Viewers were allowed to use the tools needed to create printmaking.

For more information on upcoming exhibits visit www. cartermuseum.com.

On Sept. 10, another photography exhibit will open titled Feature Photography Exhibition: Work.

For exclusive photos of the Amon Carter of American Art 50th anniversary exhibit visit, www.therambler.org.

Fort Worth museum celebrates 50 years of art Rachel Peel

rlpeel@mail.txwes.edu

Amon Carter Museum of American Art captured an audience of 4,000 people Aug. 13 in Downtown Fort Worth.

The Amon Carter Museum of American Art celebrated its 50th anniversary with free food, live music and an ARTinteractive opportunity for the community.

Amy Gabaldon, Keller resident, said she has been to the

Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Visitors pass by Bust of “The Greek Slave,” statue by Hiram Powers at Amon Carter Museum of American Art Aug.13.

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Students celebrate new semester Alejandra Garcia

agarcia@mail.txwes.edu

On Aug. 19-20, new and returning students arrived at Wesleyan Welcome Weekend to celebrate the start of a new school year and become more acquainted with Wesleyan and each other.

This was an opportunity for students to socialize and get connected. Activities were set up for student’s enjoyment on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday evening, students were treated to the Welcome Back Block Party, which had a raffle, putt putt miniature golf, a mechanical bull, an inflatable dodgeball tournament and an opportunity to meet and greet organizations.

Glen Morrison, sophomore business project management major, handed out Wesleyan T-shirts and raffle tickets. He described the scene as a positive atmosphere. “[By coming] students gain friendship, a welcoming hand into the Texas Wesleyan family and allin-all a good time,” Morrison said.

The prizes for the raffle consisted of a flat screen TV, iPod, computer, Wesleyan gear, gift cards and more.

Nathan Basetto, freshman paralegal studies and finance major, won Wesleyan gear in the raffle. He said he had a lot of fun at the Welcome Back Block Party and was surprised to have won.

He also said his favorite part of the weekend was meeting new people.

Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Left to right: Asia Wilson, sophomore athletic training major, and Tabitha Evens, sophomore athletic training major, rode a mechanical bull together at Wesleyan Welcome Weekend. For more exclusive photos visit therambler.org.

“It’s good to know people before school starts,” Basetto said.

Kriti Sharma, junior criminal justice major and treasurer of Phi Alpha Delta, was handing out pamphlets and applications for students interested in Phi Alpha Delta.

Sharma said this was a good opportunity to get the organization’s name out there.

Michael Chaney, coordinator of student activities and volunteerism, said it is important for students to get to know the organizations.

“If there’s one thing I can say, it’s get involved,” Chaney said.

He said more than 200 students attended, and he was pleased with the turnout.

Saturday’s activities consisted of

three events, Slip-N-To-Ram Life in the morning, Swag Swap in the evening and Casino Night in the student union building to end the day.

The Slip-N-To-Ram Life was an opportunity for students to have fun outside while also staying hydrated.

Giovanni Monsanto, junior psychology and criminal justice ma-

jor, said the event featured a large slip-n-slide and inflatable water slide.

Monsanto was in charge of the sign-in sheet and handing out free giveaways such as razors, toothbrushes, deodorants and other toiletries.

He said it took two hours to set up the slip-n-slide and inflatable waterslide.

They were ready for students at 10 a.m.

Connor Slosek, freshman history major, said her favorite part was the slip-n-slide and that these events helped her meet a lot of people.

“I definitely recommend this to other students,” Slosek said The next event, Swag Swap, was a chance for transfer students to exchange T-shirts from their previous university for a Wesleyan one.

Blair Moore, coordinator of new student programs, Ram Parent Association liaison and transfer liaison, conducted the event.

“My main thing is that I want them [transfer students] to become familiar with other students,” Moore said.

John Veillieux, new vice president for marketing and communications, stopped by the event to introduce himself and welcome students.

After Swag Swap, students walked to the student union building to enjoy the rest of the night playing black jack, Texas hold’em, roulette and other casino games.

New organization looks to accept all students Melissa Bates

mdbates@mail.txwes.edu

Students who think they do not fit in now have a new outlet for socialization at Wesleyan.

Giovanni Monsanto, junior psychology and criminal justice major, said he came up with the idea for the organization, The Social Rams, aimed toward students who have difficulty fitting in.

The group will plan events that these students may feel more comfortable

in attending.

“I have a friend who is a very social and likable guy,” Monsanto said. “But he’s kind of socially awkward as far as not knowing what to say and when to say it and keeping a constant and consistent relationship with friends.”

Monsanto said even though The Social Rams will plan and host events, that is not the purpose of the organization.

“This organization is targeted towards getting students comfortable with

their environment and with the people they will be around for the next few years,” Monsanto said.

Monsanto said he has learned that more students are enthusiastic about having an organization for all students than he originally thought.

He said The Social Rams is all about the students.

Kriti Sharma, junior criminal justice major and Social Rams marketing director, said when she transferred to Wesleyan as a sophomore, she felt Wesleyan, socially, was not there for her, so she went to class, went to work and went home.

Sharma said everyone she has met at Wesleyan since her first days as a sophomore are people worth interacting with, and she beMeisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff lieves The Social Rams will give students that necessary Left to right: Brandon Flowers, junior computer science major, Jasmine Tuya, senior business major, and Trent Sandles, junior business management major, took notes at the Social Rams interaction.

“I think this organization meeting. can provide people with the friends they’re looking for “We’re trying to involve as Rams treasurer said The SoThe next Social Rams acas well as things to do with many students as possible cial Rams organization is a tivity to occur will be a We the friends they are given,” regardless of their affilia- necessity because it is open- Are Wesleyan concert to be Sharma said. tions, classifications, majors ing new possibilities and held from 8 to 10 p.m Sept.

Sharma said The Social or whatever,” Sharma said. will benefit Wesleyan as a 15 on the mall.

Rams have several events She said The Social Rams’ whole by increasing the inTo suggest events for planned for the coming goal is to unify the entire teraction between students. The Social Rams, students months, which she hopes Wesleyan campus.

“We’re trying to create a can contact Monsanto by will help to improve college Eric Montez, junior ac- social society at Wesleyan,” emailing bxphantom15@ life for a lot of students. counting major and Social Montez said. aol.com.

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August 31, 2011

Jonathan Resendez

jlresendez@mail.txwes.edu

Editor’s Note: This story marks the first in a series that takes a look at Polytechnic Heights schools and their efforts to meet state acceptability requirements.

A first-grader could eventually earn his or her doctorate’s degree without ever having to leave the Polytechnic Heights neighborhood.

D. McRae Elementary School, William James Middle School, Polytechnic High School and Texas Wesleyan University form the path that could give anyone in Poly’s 12,000-member community the chance to receive the highest degree academia offers without having to stray more than five miles.

However, attending college is possible only if the student possesses the financial and intellectual means to pursue a post-high school education.

While finding funds can prove tricky in a low-income community, the state of Texas expects all schools to mold the thousands of children and adolescents into college-ready adults. All three Poly schools did not do that last year according to the state’s standards.

The Texas Education Agency deemed McRae, William James and Poly High academically unacceptable when it released its 2011 accountability ratings in July.

The agency based its ratings on the number of students in a subgroup — white, Hispanic, African-American and economically disadvantaged — who failed to meet the minimum score in mathematics, science and reading on the Texas Academic Knowledge and Skills test.

At McRae, African-Ameri-

can students scored 7 percent lower than the required 70 percent score in both the reading and math portion of the TAKS. The low reading score was something the school had been bracing for since the test was taken in the spring, said McRae principal Kendall Miller.

Administrators at McRae added after-school tutoring programs in reading this fall with hopes of boosting the reading ability of the students who need it most. Reading ability, Miller said, is a top priority for the school since it is necessary to excel in other areas.

“If you can’t read, you can’t do problem solving and math,” Miller said.

The TEA ratings weren’t all bad news for McRae, as math scores went up across the board and fifth graders fared well comparatively in the district.

Miller said capitalizing on the positive statistics remains an important part of boosting students’ morale.

“It helps them out because they can see that they can be successful,” he said.

Miller said McRae students will bounce back, especially under the guidance of his faculty, which was the same faculty employed at McRae when the TEA recognized it academically two years ago.

“I know [the teachers] are capable of getting us back to high-performing status,” he said.

Miller acknowledged the importance of the acceptability ratings because of the universal standard they set, a sentiment shared by TEA spokesperson DeEtta Culbertson.

Culbertson said the accountability ratings, which began in 1994, give the state a centralized way of giving schools and districts report cards

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff D. McRae Elementary School, William James Middle School and Polytechnic High School students all fell short on the math, science and reading portion of the TAKS test last year. All three school were ranked academically unacceptable in the 2010-2011 school year.

while offering the public “a clearer view.”

“It’s a standard and measure across the state,” she said. “It’s given [schools] more focus.”

TEA officials hope to increase that focus as it plans on making the testing more rigorous in the years to come following the TAKS test, which ended this year.

Increased difficulty in testing could make situations more difficult for schools like William James Middle and Poly High, which are already strug-

gling with math and science.

African-American students at Poly High averaged 49 out of the required 65 percent in math and 58 out of the required 60 percent in science.

Likewise, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students at William James Middle failed the science portion of the TAKS by 6 percent Math and science seem to be troubling students not only in Poly and Fort Worth, but across the state. Of the 518 campuses in Texas that were

found unacceptable, almost half were credited with low math or science scores.

“Those were two of the reasons most schools failed to meet performance,” Culbertson said.

Dr. Carlos Martinez, dean of the school of education, said ethnicity and low-income are strong predictors of low academic achievement in the U.S. “Explanations for these phenomena vary from the lack of opportunity often offered to the very poor, the

stress of poverty, the stress and dangers associated with living in large urban centers,” he said.

Martinez added that prejudice and discrimination also play a part in low performance.

Next week, Martinez talks about what can be done to break the statistical chain of low-performing student subgroups, while Miller delves deeper into what McRae plans for improving test scores.

Stop 6 Exxon opening attracts large crowd

Alejandra Garcia | Rambler Staff New Stop 6 Exxon strip holds grand opening from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 26. Efrain Sanchez, MetroPCS representative passes out complementary ice cream to attendees to promote MetroPCS. More than 100 members of the community attended the opening.

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Alejandra Garcia | Rambler Staff Delia Martinez, Golden Chick representative, passes out chicken tender samples to Glen Keller and Ed Thomas, Dr Pepper representatives. The ribbon for the new strip was cut by newly elected Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.

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Alumni take Ram family ‘out to the ballpark’

Photos by Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Top Left: Carter Smith, 2-year-old son of Ruth Smith, registrar at the Texas Wesleyan School of Law. Top Right: President Fred Slabach and his twin sons, Noel and Nicholas Nielson-Slabach (13), watch the game. Bottom Right: Johnny Cook, husband of Adrianne Cook, 2010 graduate, Elizabeth Shields,current law student and Joslyn Neblett, administrative assistant in student life and alumni, fill up their plates with dinner.

Bottom Left: Kelly Gee Cooper, 2009 graduate, and her husband David Walker.

Middle Left: Scott Cannon, 1977 graduate and Manager of Events and Sponsorship, and Gina Phillips, 1997 graduate, Director of Development.

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Ram soccer kicks off season

Rams go 1-1 in openers Eliana Mijangos

emmijangos@mail.txwes.edu

Emma Fradette

ekfradette@mail.txwes.edu

Rams men’s soccer team allowed its season opener to slip away Aug. 26 as the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets took the 2-1 win.

With a slow start to the game, the first goal wasn’t scored until a penalty kick in the 38th minute. Adam Pierce, junior defense and midfielder, took his opportunity and scored the first point for the Rams.

“In the first half we had them on their heels,” Clay Lawson, junior defender, said, “But we got a little too complacent with a small lead, and in the second half just had two mental break downs that Howard Payne capitalized on.”

In the second half, the Rams’ defense was tested and failed as the Yellow Jackets got two shots within 10 minutes.

The Rams stepped it up and were in control of the ball for the majority of the second half but couldn’t seem to place a shot and took the 2-1 loss.

“Some things we need to work on I would say are a little more posses-

sion, no more mental break downs and not letting the opponents back up once we have them down,” Lawson said.

To finish the game, the Rams took 13 shots to Howard Payne’s 16, evidence of the close fight for a win.

“Our team is coming together on the field now,” Christian Sotelo, senior defender, said. “Although the outcome wasn’t in our favor, we are working on reducing mistakes and capitalizing on our opportunities.”

The Rams then took on Wayland Baptist University at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27. The Rams started off the game with offense as freshman forward, Liren Halle, scored the first goal of the night with 24 minutes left in the first half, assisted by freshman defender Edward Vega bringing the score to 1-0.

Junior goal keeper, Dejan Milosevic, made a diving save to keep WBU off the score board. With 15 minutes left in the first half, Halle scored his second goal of the game giving the Rams a 2-0 lead. However, WBU came back with less than 10 minutes left in the first half, capitalizing on Ram mistakes and scoring a goal.

As the first half wound down,

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff Edward Vega, freshman defense, aims to hold Wayland Baptist University scoreless for the first half. The Rams finished the game with a 4-1 win putting them 1-1 for their season opening weekend at Martin Field.

sophomore midfielder, Anthony Romaguera, pulled off a header into the net making the score at half time 3-1.

In the second half, senior forward, Ricardo Aguilera, made a throw to Halle who again scored a goal. Halle finished the game with a hat trick.

since last year. Although I am coming off a red shirt season, I feel very comfortable and content with the outcome of yesterday and very positive moving forward this season,” Sotelo said.

The Rams play again at Martin Field Sept. 6 against St. Gregory’s University. Kick off starts at 8 p.m.

Lady Rams soccer sweeps WBU 1-0 Emma Fradette

ekfradette@mail.txwes.edu

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff Kaeley Albus, sophomore midfielder, dribbles down field in an effort to seal the 1-0 win against WBU Aug. 27 at Martin Field.

“It was really impressive to watch the men’s team. It was like watching a magic show with the hat trick,” said Garrett White, sophomore exercise science major.

Wesleyan took the 4-1 win over WBU. “It’s great to be a part of a team which has come such a long way

The Texas Wesleyan Lady Rams faced off against Wayland Baptist University at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at Martin Field.

The Lady Rams got off to a quick start when senior forward, Whitney Chappell, scored a goal within the first 10 minutes of play. The goal was assisted by freshman midfielder Katherine Bynum.

Junior goal keeper, Aubree Gallego, kept WBU scoreless the entire first half bringing the score to 1-0.

With two minutes left in the game,

WBU got close to scoring, but Wesleyan remained strong with another defensive stop by senior defender Kayla Mason.

The Lady Rams pulled out the win with a score of 1-0.

“It was definitely a defining moment for the team,” Chappell said. “We had to work together more than ever to fight through the exhaustion of the previous game and even more the heat.”

The Lady Rams are not the only ones recognizing their potential.

“The girls played really well and played together,” Trent Sandles, junior business major, said. “They are already

2-0 and are really looking good for this season.”

The Lady Rams soccer team plays again at 3 p.m. Sept. 2 on Martin Field as they take on John Brown University.

Check out the athletic web site at www.ramsports.net for more details and game play-by-play.

Volleyball takes 3-1 record Taylor Gill

tagill@mail.txwes.edu

Fitness Center Hours Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sat. . . . .9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sun. . . . .12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

The Lady Ram volleyball team is starting its season with a new team. They may be young, but they are ready to chase down a conference championship Christy Clawson, head women’s volleyball coach, said.

Clawson said the Lady Rams four freshmen will see playing time this year.

“The older girls have taught me to be mentally tough when it comes to playing at the next level,” Meghan Finley, freshman middle blocker, said.

Clawson said she is taking time and breaking down every system and technique in hopes of helping the new players to better understand what is expected.

“Regardless of age, they have high expectations for the freshman coming in,” Clawson said.

The six sophomores just went through what the freshmen now are going through.

“I’ve learned a lot about how our program works,” Haelee Horne, sophomore outside hitter, said. “We’re big on discipline and dedication, and that’s something that the freshmen will also learn.”

Clawson said she is excited about the leadership her returners are bringing with the majority of them being only a year into their collegiate careers.

“They don’t want to let each other down or the coaching staff down,” Clawson said. “It’s an amazing thing to have players that want to be that good and please each other.”

The Lady Rams started their season Aug. 26 as they

Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Haelee Horne, sophomore outside hitter, catches air as she gets a kill in practice at the Sid Richardson Center. The Lady Rams are now preparing for their game on Sept. 1 where they will face the St. Mary’s University Rattlers in San Antonio.

traveled to Plainview, Texas to participate in the Wayland Baptist Coke Classic.

The Lady Rams started their season by sweeping the University of the Southwest in a 2-0 series win.

They then continued by smashing Wayland Baptist University 3-0.

The tournament continued Aug. 27 where the Lady Rams had a slow start in game one against Lubbock Christian and took a 3-0

loss, but bounced back to finish off the tournament with a 3-0 win against Our Lady of the Lake University.

Katherine Rosenbusch, sophomore middle blocker, led the Lady Rams Friday with 29 kills adding up to a .369 hitting percentage for the weekend.

“The focus is to keep our set on the short term goals, to take it one game at time, one set at a time,” Clawson said.