September 7, 2011 by The Rambler

WEDNESDAY

September 7, 2011 Vol. 94 • No. 14

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

Education students faced with Fit To Teach policy.

Couponing offers ways to save more than 50 percent.

News, page 3

Opinion, page 2

Piece of 9/11 travels to Fort Worth Jordan Twine

Jetwine@mail.txwes.edu

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is hosting a 9/11 10th anniversary tribute World Trade Center exhibit The exhibit is free to the public and will open with an initial ceremony from 8:45 a.m. to 9:28 a.m. on Sept. 11 at 1600 Gendy St., ending at the time the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed. The exhibit will house an artifact taken from wreckage of the North Tower to commemorate those lost during the events of 9/11. The artifact is a 6,500-pound beam made of three columns of steel. Properly referred to as N-101 or Impact Steel, it was used to support three floors that were two stories above the impact of flight 11. Colleen Blair, executive vice president of inno-

vation and engagement at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, said the exhibit is to honor the the historical value of 9/11. “That day forever changed history,” Blair said. “We are just so proud to have this beam.”

Blair said that seeing the artifact in person puts the tragedy into perspective. “It was an architectural feat of the 21st century and now it’s mangled,” Blair said. “And to look at it now it is emotional.”

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Never

Seventy other pieces from the World Trade Center have been assigned to Texas, but the artifact entrusted to the science and history museum in Fort Worth is the largest in Texas. Madalyn Russel, junior theatre major at Texas Wesleyan University, said it is commendable that Fort Worth has such a huge piece of history. “Even though it did not happen in Texas, we are still a part of the nation,” Russel said. “It’s good that Fort Worth is trying to be a part of the memory of September 11.” Russel also said it is important for students to go the exhibit. “It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old,” Russel said. “The past is what makes the future.” Deserae Davis, junior exercise major, said she is excited about the exhibit. “I think it will be really cool to see that,” Davis said. “Being that it’s the actual piece, I would enjoy that.”

Forget

Extravaganza brings fashion, entertainment Melissa Bates

mdbates@mail.txwes.edu

The path to landing a job just got easier. Texas Wesleyan Career Services is hosting the Career Extravaganza Sept. 19 to 23. The career services staff has come up with several events to bring to students’ attention the services the office provides. Sherri Mata, director of career services, said the week-long event will be engaging, fun and informative all rolled into one. “I hope students are more apt to come see us after these events because they realize that we can help

them,” Mata said. “I hope students learn professional dress, professional etiquette, how to network, tips they can use when they get out of here.” Mata said she hopes to make these events annual. “I’m hoping that, by word of mouth, students will be excited about these events in future years and get their friends to attend the events, as well,” Mata said. Robyn Bone, associate director of career services, said these are just some of the fun events they have always wanted to incorporate into career services. From noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 19 on

the mall is the Emergency Resume Clinic. Bone said the Emergency Resume Clinic is a revamped form of the clinic they have offered students for years but not gotten much response from. “Whether the student is starting from scratch or has a resume and needs it critiqued, we’ll help them with their individual needs,” Bone said. From noon to 1:15 p.m. Sept. 20 in Martin Hall is the Dress for Success Fashion Show. The fashion show will feature students modeling clothes from Dillard’s with hair and make-up done

by professionals. Bone said there will be a DJ, spotlights and the event will be videotaped. She said there will also be a drawing for a $50 Dillard’s gift card. “The models, we want anybody and everybody,” Bone said. “If we have all one nationality, all one body figure, it’s not going to teach those that have different shapes and sizes and colors that this is what they can wear.” From 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 21 in Lou’s Pavilion is Dinner Etiquette. Bone said the Dinner Etiquette event will teach students the proper way to eat in a professional setting. “Pretty much learning how to eat,

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

which fork to use first, where do you put your drinks versus the bread plate, which one is yours, stuff like that,” Bone said. From noon to 1:15 p.m. Sept. 22 in Lou’s Pavilion is Speed Interviewing. Bone said the Speed Interviewing is like speed dating. Students will have five-minute interviews with 10 employers in person and five employers using Skype. “These employers have all agreed that they want to hire students after that,” Bone said. Bone said the employers on hand will vary from sales, information

 CAREER, page 3

September 7, 2011

Opinion

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Couponing serves as second job

couponing really. The first time I saved more Shauna Banks than $100 on two weeks of Editor-in-chief groceries and personal care sbbanks@mail.txwes.edu products on a routine trip to Wally World, I knew I would never make a trip to shop without coupons again. However, just taking There was a time not so long Walmart into consideration (a ago when I heaved a dramatic sigh place we all hate to admit we at any little old lady in line ahead sometimes visit more than once or of me at Walmart, who always twice a week), there are even more seemed to whip out a stack of savings to be had. coupons so thick, that I thought I Those executives who make the ought to take a seat, because I was decisions for Walmart are defiin for the long haul. nitely in it to make money and These days, I am that lady—only crush the competition. Changing younger, and with more coupons their policy to make it easier at the than she ever imagined existed. beginning of this year, Wal-Mart I would like to say that I had is one of the biggest stewards for some grand epiphany—that one price matching. day I just decided to start saving They will price match any reamoney and clipping coupons on sonably close store on any prodmy own accord. But I most owe uct. Combine a price match with a it to the newest show on the TLC coupon and sometimes you’ve got channel, Extreme Couponing. items for mere pennies, for free or Even though every episode is es- better than free. sentially the same thing happenHowever, couponing is not ing with different people, it still something anyone can go willy has a strange appeal. $3,000 worth nilly into and expect such high of groceries for $9? Yes, please! savings. It’s all about knowing In today’s economy, even if our how to play the game before and wallets are not completely empty, after you get to the store. we like to save money. Now, most The first thing every person of us don’t have 40 hours a week wanting to learn how to coupon to clip coupons like the extreme must do is subscribe to a few of couponers on the show. However, thousands of couponing blogs we’re all capable of an hour or two available online. Not only do these each week to cut coupons, make a blogs tell you where the best price shopping list and get to our near- matches and sales are—they link est store of choice—a sort of mild you to printable manufacturers

coupons, which can be used in any grocery store accepting coupons. Second, write all price matches and items you would like to purchase down before you make it to the store, and know what your store’s couponing policies are. Cashiers often do not know their own store’s policy, so you may have to speak up at times when cooperation seems unlikely and knowledge is lacking on their Photo Illustration by Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff part. Third, don’t For those interested in couponing, the Sunday edition of any major newspaper, including the rush while you Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Dallas Morning News. Some online blogs also offer printable are in the store. manufacturers coupons that are not offered in newspapers. Yes, it can take a couple of hours to get in and out compile your list, and a couple of make the venture through checkof the store, but it definitely low- hours for the trip; if you save just out, treat your cashier like he or ers the stress level if you go down $100, it’s like you have a job mak- she has been your best friend for your list, and file each coupon you ing near $34 an hour. Seems like a 10 years. In this situation, a little use in a single baggy after you’ve great bargain to me. sugar always goes further than found the item and put it in your But if there’s one thing that vinegar. cart. someone takes away from this A happy cashier equals a faster Plus, if you think about it, with information I hope it’s this bit checkout, and in result, a happier it only really taking about an hour of advice: when you’re in the fi- you and less money having esof prep time to cut coupons and nal stretch and getting ready to caped your bank account.

Residence hall improvements impress These types of renovations show the Texas Wesleyan administrators Eliana Mijangos are concerned with the livelihood Sports editor of their on-campus residents and emmijangos@mail.txwes.edu that they are more than willing to accommodate the needs and complaints that discerned in past semesters. Last semester, I did have some With residence halls dating back to objections to the price of Elizabeth’s the 1930s, it could be a challenge to single bedrooms being raised $1,000 create a comfortable and welcoming more than Stella Hall, but with more dorm life for 21st century residents. privacy, cleaner bathrooms and wood Texas Wesleyan’s Residence Life staff floors, the money was well worth it. conquered this challenge with the Elizabeth’s lounge was also renonew renovations that have taken over vated summer 2010 and adds to the Elizabeth Hall. perks of living in the residence life. As a two-and-a-half year Elizabeth These renovations included a paint Hall resident, I feel more than worthy job, new furniture, a new flat screen of saying that the new laminate floors television and two additional comand showers have made the rooms puters for resident use. feel sufficiently cleaner. The comfort Although these too were nice changand home atmosphere that the Lizzy es, it is our rooms where we spend the lounge chairs add is great. majority of our time and this year, it is

our rooms that have become more like our homes. To add to the clean sweep, all oncampus housing received new wireless, energy efficient washing machines and dryers. As if having a clean room wasn’t enough, Wesleyan students will be breaking college tradition by walking around campus with clean clothes as well. All of these washers and dryers are free to residents and have a feature that allows the students to receive a text message every time they are available. Through all these changes, staff working in Residence Life have not only created a more comfortable and clean environment for their Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff students to live in, but also supported the Blue Plus Gold Equals Green Lizzy Lounge chairs were one of the new additions to all resiCommittee as well as the gymnastic dence hall rooms, which were given several improvements over the summer before students returned in August. team’s “go green” efforts.

Facebook offers tool for employers to screen applicants

cants, is whether or not it is ethical for employers to Alejandra Garcia use Facebook as a means to Campus feature editor approve or disapprove their agarcia@mail.txwes.edu applicants. Employers should continue to check their applicants’ Facebook profiles. What applicants do not understand is that employers With the rise of social networks, want to hire the very best. They will more companies are looking at use every outlet they can to distinFacebook as another tool for the guish between the good and bad hiring process. applicants. Some employers check the proI have heard people complain of files of their applicants and use several things related to this debate that information along with back- such as employers being too nosy, ground checks, resumes and in- it’s an invasion of privacy and emterviews to make their decision ployers need to keep professional on whether or not the applicant and personal lives separate. should be hired. Applicants need to understand The debate going on right now, that when they are hired to work for between employers and appli- a certain company, they are a part

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

of that company. They represent that company. No company wants to hire someone who will later embarrass them with inappropriate photos and comments. Applicants also need to understand that a Facebook check is not an invasion of privacy. Anything posted online is available to everyone. If applicants don’t want employers to look at their profile, then they should simply delete it during the time they are job hunting. A Facebook check serves to help inform the employer just how mature the applicant really is. If they see pictures of the applicant in which he or she seems to not

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be using his or her best judgment, or if they read lewd and inappropriate comments posted by that applicant, can the employer really be blamed for choosing not to hire them? Let us say for example an employer sees one of their applicants tagged in a photo where he or she is passed out on the couch with sharpie written all over their face and beer bottles scattered across the floor. Who in their right mind would hire a person after seeing such a photo? Here is another example: an employer searches one of their applicants and find that a candidate is badmouthing his or her last employer. What does that say about that person’s work ethic? I’ll tell

Member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, Student Press Law Center, College Media Advisers and College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers. 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.

you what it says: that the applicant is unprofessional online and unprofessional in the workplace. By searching their applicants, employers are given information they would not have otherwise discovered before hiring them. Knowing that they have this type of information at their disposal, why would employers choose to not use it? It is unrealistic to believe employers will not search their applicants. They know Facebook is a powerful tool and they are going to use it. Employers are looking for the candidates that demonstrate good judgment at all times, Facebook included. If an applicant is mature enough to work in a professional setting, he or she should be mature enough to show good judgment on Facebook.

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ation is made to publish letters, publication is limited by time and space. The editors reserve the right to edit all submissions for space, grammar, clarity and style. Letters to the editor may be subject to response from editors and students on the opinion page.

3 N�� New policy implemented for education THE RAMBLER | www.therambler.org

Jordan Twine

jetwine@maik.txwes.edu

Faculty at Texas Wesleyan have implented a Fitness to Teach policy to help education majors in the classroom. The Wesleyan School of Education decided to incorporate a policy at the beginning of the fall semester that screens teacher certification program candidates in order to identify problems that could hinder students later on professionally. This allows faculty at the School of Education to target these issues and decide whether the student is capable of completing the program. Bill Newton, assistant professor of education, said the policy’s intent is to assist students. “It’s really not intended to be a punitive thing,” Newton said. “It’s kind of an early intervention opportunity for students that some of the professors may identify as having some difficulties.” Newton said the Fitness to Teach policy has been in place for several years informally at Wesleyan, but the faculty requested it be formalized and be used more consistently. “All the undergraduate professors should have it [fitness to teach policy] in their syllabi,” Newton said. “We will be posting it on the School of Education website.”

CAREER

September 7, 2011

Joe Dryden, assistant professor of education, said there are many people that know many things but are not effective teachers. He said Fitness to Teach is designed to isolate students that need to develop certain skills that will help them in the classroom. “There are a set of soft skills so to speak that a teacher has to possess,” Dryden said. “Emotional intelligence, social intelligence [and] the capacity to interact with children.” Dryden also said this program could help students make a life changing decision. “Teaching is not for Photo Illustration by Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff everybody,” Dryden said. “There’s a lot The Texas Wesleyan School of Education has put into place a “Fit to Teach” policy, which could affect all education students. people out there that have been students for a long time tance are given an improvement the issues in their remediation policy is a move in the positive diwho think teaching is easy and it’s plan. Students that do not show plan they may not be allowed to rection. really a rather demanding, difficult improvement upon review may student teach,” Dryden said. “I think it’s going to be helpjob.” end up in a consequential situaJulie McLaughlin, sophomore ful,” McLaughlin said. “That way According to the policy, stu- tion. education major, said she thinks when you become a teacher you dents that show they need assis“If a student does not address implementing the fitness to teach won’t be afraid.”

continued from page 1

technology, marketing, finance and computer science. She said Target and Boy Scouts of America will attend the event. “Obviously, 15 employers don’t accommodate all of our majors but some are looking for all positions,” Bone said. “Some might be looking for finance and IT, at the same time.” From noon to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 23 on the mall is the culmination of the week with free food from res-

taurants in the area. Bone said the Dine Around Wesleyan event is to let students know about other dining options in the area. Senior counseling intern Eronia Melesse said she and Bone spent more than a year hashing out the details for each of these events after the original ideas were conceived. “I think these events will definitely help after they graduate,” Melesse said. “When they’re try-

ing to get a job and have interviews and dinners with bosses and things like that. They’re going to learn tips they can keep for the rest of their lives.” Timothy Reese, senior Spanish and comparative religion major, said he is looking forward to all of the events, especially the fashion show, speed interviews and etiquette dinner. Reese said he believes the etiquette dinner will be most helpful. “Absolutely it will be beneficial,” Reese said. “If for no other reason

than they won’t embarrass themselves in front of important people.” Kimberly Shamshoian-Sakamoto, freshman undecided major, said she is looking forward to the fashion show. “I would enjoy the opportunity to see the different outfits and to really be able to see a put-together outfit that would be appropriate for going to an interview,” Shamshoian-Sakamoto said. Shamshoian-Sakamoto said she is also looking forward to the resume clinic.

“Personally, I need to work on a resume because I’m not sure which key aspects I need to work on and what really needs to be on there,” Shamshoian-Sakamoto said. Bone said the Fashion Show, Dinner Etiquette and Speed Interviewing events require preregistration. For more information about the Career Extravaganza, contact the Career Services office at careerservices@txwes.edu. Students can register on Career Link or walk into the Career Services office.

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Arts & Entertainment

September 7, 2011

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Downtown Fort Worth hot spot 8.0’s lives up to expectations RESTAURANT REVIEW

Eliana Mijangos

emmijangos@mail.txwes.edu

Flashy costumes and funky drinks make 8.0 bar and restaurant the perfect hot spot for a college bar hopper. 8.0 is located in downtown Fort Worth off Commerce and 3rd Street. This restaurant by day turns into a bar by night with live entertainment and drink specials Monday through Friday. I happened to step into 8.0 on a night of two-stepping, where 99.5 The Wolf, a local country music station, brought out Charlie Shafter to perform for “Ranch Wednesday.” 8.0 has live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday, each with a different theme. You can check out the website at http://www.eightobar.comto see the full schedule of performers.

Being a broke college student, I was excited to be able to enjoy live entertainment while sipping on a $3 Blue Thing, 8.0’s famous frozen margarita. This isn’t the only drink they have on special. From 3-7 p.m. you can partake in half-price appetizers like the chicken nachos or cheese fries that I tried, or just enjoy a cold beer, wine or mixed drink. Their specials include $2 wells, $3 Blue Things, $2.50 domestic beers, $5 margaritas and $3 house wines. I tried vodka and sprite as well as a Blue Thing – both tasty and full of body. The appetizers, on the other hand, were not as enticing. You really cannot go wrong with cheese fries topped with jalapenos and served with a side of ranch, but the chicken nachos were dry and rather flavorless. They were made with black beans that seemed to overwhelm the flavor and the cheese was not completely melted.

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Overall, I had a great experience at 8.0 and servers were more than willing to help out with any questions I had. For two people, we paid a total of $20 and got four alcoholic beverages and two full-portioned appetizers. I would definitely go back to enjoy another Blue Thing and check out a new band. Wednesday, Sept. 7, 8.0 will host country western singer Aaron Watson, who will be followed on Sept. 9 by the extravagant Le Freak, a ‘70s remake band. Bands hit the stage Wednesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. and finish about 10 p.m., but weekend bands get a later start around 10 p.m. and do not stop until closing time at 2 a.m. I would highly recommend this bar to any college student. It is a place for a diverse group of people to come together Jordan Twine | Rambler Staff and enjoy good music and af- 8.0 bar and restaurant is located in downtown Fort worth off Commerce and 3rd Street. 8.0 fordable drinks. has live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday evenings.

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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RAMBLER TV GET LIVE

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Arts & Entertainment

September 7, 2011

Fast food chain has Fort Worth residents ‘In-N-Out’ RESTAURANT REVIEW

Rachel Peel

rlpeel@mail.txwes.edu

In-N-Out Burger transports customers back through time to the 1950s, when burgers, fries and shakes were the staples of fast food. The chain’s newest location opened on Aug. 8 at 2900 W. 7th St. in Fort Worth. When I turned off of W. 7th, the line for the drive-thru was wrapped around the entire building. John Petrov, manager of InN-Out Burger on W. 7th said business has been very busy since it opened. “We try to be more on quality than the speedy element of our name,” Petrov said. “We are more on quality and freshness here.” As I walked through the door, I was greeted by smiling faces wearing vintage diner hats. All of the workers are required to wear the classic white button-up dress shirt and white slacks covered by a red apron. Once I got through the line, ordering food was as easy as one, two, three. In-N-Out only offers three value meals, the Double-Double, the cheeseburger and the hamburger. Petrov said they have incorporated an animal style burger, which is burger of your choice with hand-leafed lettuce, tomato, a mustard cooked beef patty, pickle, extra spread and grilled onions. For the customers who want to limit their carbohydrates they also have a protein style which is a lettuce wrapped burger instead of a bun. “I personally eat that a lot,” Petrov said. “It keeps all the Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff juices inside the patty, and I California-born food chain, In-N-Out Burger, opened it’s newest location on Aug. 8 at 2900 W. 7th St. in Fort Worth. The personally like it a lot better.” 1950s-themed resturaunt only serves three value meals, the Double-Double, the cheeseburger and the hamburger. In-N-Out has I ordered the number two no intentions of franchising any units yet continues to expand. without onions and toma-

toes. The burger size itself was an average size burger, but it was enough for me and Christopher Young, a Haltom City resident. Young said the lines were really long, but it did not take long to get his food. “You are in and out,” Young said. “It only took me 10 minutes to get my food.” Young said the service was good and the food was good. “The burger is actually juicy,” Young said. “The fries are not like regular fries, they are not greasy.” Young said that In-N-Out is filling, so you don’t have to get a lot of food. “I’m a big man, I eat a lot of food,” Young said. “I got the Double-Double with fries and a large drink for less than $7 and I couldn’t finish it all.” Mackenzie Ashton of Fort Worth agreed with Young about the burger, but disagreed with him about the french fries. “It was good, the food was good,” Ashton said. “The fries I’m not so crazy about.” Ashton also said she liked the uniforms the staff wore. “It seems kind of ridiculous how busy it is,” Ashton said. “But I guess people really want to try it.” Prices for a hamburger start out at $3.40 and go up to $7.85 for the Double-Double meal. The fast food chain also offers chocolate, vanilla and strawberry shakes for dessert. In-N-Out Burger was founded in 1948, in California by Harry and Esther Snyder. Harry’s idea of having a drive-thru hamburger stand with a two-way speaker system was quite different from the usual carhop drive-thru that his counterparts in the industry were doing. The Snyder family has no intention of taking the company public or franchising any units. In-N-Out is open 10:30 a.m.-1a.m., Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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September 7, 2011

Ten years past, but never forgotten

“I was dropping off my daughter at school, and as usual, I had the radio on, and I kept hearing bits and pieces and about an accident involving a plane crashing into a building in NY. However, I did not realize the scope of the day’s occurrences until I arrived to my university campus for work, and I noticed that almost everyone (I mean everyone) ... students and all ... were on the phone. It seemed unusual, but I parked and started toward my office because I had a class to teach in about one hour. When I got to my office, another professor informed me about what was happening and I was shocked and numb. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know how to proceed with my day. “ - Dr. Patsy Robles-Goodwin, Associate Professor and Director of ESL Bilingual Programs

“My husband Thomas was traveling to Boston for a seminar. He works for the American Airlines Federal Credit Union. When a co-worker at the company I was with at the time came in and told us about the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, I thought he was joking at first. Then reality sank in as I heard that all domestic air traffic was grounded until further notice. I thought, ‘If all domestic air traffic is grounded, that means American Airlines is pretty much shut down. And if American’s shut down, that means my husband is stranded.’ Thomas came home that Saturday after a 40-hour bus ride to an apartment door I had decorated with yellow crepe paper in the shape of a heart and a quote from the Queen song ‘You’re My Best Friend.’ ”

“I remember how worried I was because my brother often flew in and out of Boston (as a United Airlines pilot) and even more worried when he was not answering his cell phone (turned out he was on vacation, in the mountains, and did not have a signal). I later realized that I was not concerned about anyone else; this bothered me. But I also was not pleased with the collective response--even from Christians--that ensued. As egregious as that event was, it should not have led to a mass sentiment of all-out vengeance. From a Christian viewpoint, this is not acceptable. And since 9/11, our nation has been in a downwardly-spiraling black hole of war that is not a justifiable position according to the Christian traditions of “just war” (an openended, perpetual war cannot be justified).”

- Jan Pettigrew Wilde, Alumna, Class of 1994

- Dr. Robert Flowers, University Chaplain

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September 7, 2011

Birthday shared with life-changing event Alejandra Garcia

agarcia@mail.txwes.edu

Christine Tham, catering manager at Wesleyan, shares her birthday with a monumental date, Sept. 11. The day Tham turned 18 was the day the U.S. was attacked and forever changed. Not only was Tham’s birthday on Sept. 11, but she also was raised in New York. Tham was born in Monrovia, Liberia but moved to New York when she was 5 years old. She continued to live there until she moved to Texas at age 15. Her mother and brother also live in Texas, but her father still lives in New York. She said it was a shock to her when she heard the news of the attack.

“[It is] not something you want to happen on your birthday,” Tham said. “It made me feel too depressed to actually celebrate.” She said she and her family acknowledge her birthday but still keep in mind the significance of the date. “It’s hard to be happy when you know what happened on that day,” Tham said. She said she prefers to do some sort of volunteer work on her birthday. “Now I don’t really celebrate. I try to do things for others on my birthday,” Tham said. She said New York is an important part of her life and she tries to visit once a year, either in the summer or during Christmas. Tham said she does not feel

like she lost her birthday, but gained insight on how caring people can be when dealing with loss. Her brother, John Tham, 19, is a student at St. Mary’s University and a native-born New Yorker. He is also in the National Guard. “I’m proud of him. He’s doing a great thing for his country,” Tham said. John said he enlisted last October. He said watching the second tower fall on television was a surreal experience. “We would go to the World Trade Center all the time,” John said. He said now that he is older and more experienced, he has more American pride. “It’s things like that, that show

us we’re capable of uniting and we’ll be there for each other when the time calls for it,” John said. John said they still tell Tham happy birthday but are more preoccupied with the fact that it has been one more year since the tragedy. “It makes you realize how time flies,” John said. John said he saw the remains of the World Trade Center the second and third year after the attack. “It made me think of why someone would want to do that,” John said. He said their mother, Anna Tham, will visit New York for the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. John said he does not think his sister lost her birthday ei-

ther; it only has more significance. Tomika Steward, office manager of dining services and coworker of Tham, said she has known Tham for almost four years. Steward said when she first found out about Tham’s birthday, her initial reaction was thinking her birthday did not have the same meaning. “She’ll always remember that,” Steward said. “It’s sad because you remember all the lives that were lost unnecessarily.” However, Steward said she does not think it is a negative thing to have a birthday on Sept. 11. “A very big thing in history happened on her birthday,” Steward said.

Erica Estrada “I was giving a logic exam when one student in the class returned and told me about the attacks. I was in the Business building and went into their office after I had finished giving the test. At that stage the south tower was still standing, and it didn’t look too bad. I went onto a joint session in Humanities, and Charles Martin came in and told us that both towers had collapsed. I was totaly aghast, since I have slides that I made from the top of the World Trade Center in 1987. The horrific loss of life, plus the destruction of the buildings (which were beautiful) devastated me. It was the worst day of my life. For the next three weeks I could not even see pictures of the Twin Towers without weeping copiously. It was one horrific day.”

“I was working in Human Resources at Six Flags at the time & my husband (then boyfriend) was traveling a lot for his job. When I heard the news on my way to work that day – I was in a state of panic because my husband was literally on a plane in the air when all this was happening! Thank God he reached his destination unharmed. He was with a few co-workers and they had to rent a car & drove all the way back to Texas from Chicago. The events of that day are still hard to believe. Although the events did not directly affect my life, it obviously had a great affect on our nation. I only wish the patriotism that was shown in the months following 9/11 was still alive today.”

“I was on the toll way in Addison headed to work when I was listening to WBAP news radio. You could see other driver’s faces reacting to the news since we were in bumper-to-bumper early morning traffic. When the second plane hit the second tower, you could then see just about everyone had tears in their eyes and some people were openly crying and sobbing. It was unreal in the sense you could see people crying, but you were separated by a few feet of concrete, yet you could see the raw emotions on people’s faces. You just couldn’t do anything to console perfect strangers who were just feet away, but somehow you knew this affected all of America. Since I was an working as an aerial photographer at the time, I didn’t realize it at the time this would change my career path forever.”

-Dr. Bruce McDonald, Associate Professor of Religion

-DeAwna Wood, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations

-Cary Poole, Dean of Students

September 7, 2011

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McRae Elementary raise standards Jonathan Resendez

jlresendez@mail.txwes.edu

Editor’s Note: This is the second story in a series that takes a look at Polytechnic Heights schools and their efforts to meet state acceptability requirements. More than a year will pass before every elementary, middle and high school in the state will receive an academic accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency based on their students’ standardized test scores. The time lapse, caused by members of the TEA’s decision to create a new rating system based on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test being introduced during the 20112012 school year for the first time, means two things for schools in the Polytechnic area. They have to rebuild on the weaknesses from their previous scores while preparing for the challenges that will come from the next. Administrators and faculty at D. McRae Elementary, which was deemed academically unacceptable earlier this year, have already begun planning their efforts to improve student performance, yet they remain uncertain about the level of difficulty they should expect from the new test. In addition to after-school tutoring, McRae principal, Kendall Miller said faculty will continue to focus on the quality of instruction throughout the day. “The bigger question is the new STAAR test,” Miller said. STAAR will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, or TAKS test, which was given to 3rd-12th

grade students beginning in 2003 to measure their academic performance. The African-American sub-group at McRae scored an average 63 percent out of the required 70 percent of the reading portion of the TAKS and just missed the math portion, with only 63 percent of African American students meeting the required 65 percent. The STAAR test will be more rigorous than the TAKS, according to a TEA press release. In addition, students will have a limited amount of time on the STAAR instead of having all day like they did on the TAKS. To improve reading skills, Miller said 60 of the neediest students were selected to participate in an afterschool tutoring program beginning the week after Labor Day. Teachers, teaching assistants and tutors consisting of college students and degree-holders both will man the program. At the time this was written, students were still taking a skill assessment test to see if they needed to join the program. The large number of economically disadvantaged children enrolled at the 840-student school qualify McRae for large amounts of Title I federal funding, which the school uses to hire analysts to help them best use their resources. “We see what kids need help and how we’re going to help them,” Miller said. Miller said his faculty, which contains only one new teacher and was serving under him when the school was recognized by the TEA two years ago, fo-

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff McRae elementary is in the process of deciding which children need the after school program. When this article was written the students were still taking a skills assessment test to determine who will qualify for the program.

cuses on keeping a positive atmosphere and a neat and clean environment to help improve performance. Without mention of Miller’s remarks, Dr. Carlos Martinez, dean of the Texas Wesleyan School of Education, said quality personnel and positive attitudes are the key to running an exemplary school inside of large, urban cities – which can otherwise prove difficult. Besides the stresses and poverty that come with the majority of students, administrators also have to deal with the overwhelming amount of students that pack the hallways in innercity schools, Martinez said. This, paired with the large amount of faculty required

to teach those students, make it hard for large schools to succeed. “Some of these schools are so big, they’re difficult to manage,” Martinez said, referring to the schools which have 800 to 1,000 students enrolled. “The challenges are significant; the solutions are multivariable.” Those solutions, he said, are resilient teachers who can overcome language barriers and teach a room of 22 students with 22 individual learning styles. “You have to know your stuff,” Martinez said. “Content areas become key. You have to be able to take your box of tricks and modify it for various students.” Martinez refers to a

teacher’s box of tricks as the skill-set or unique style he or she possesses to enhance the curriculum in an effective manner. A teacher does not get a box of tricks by attending class, but by getting realworld experience, something a group of Wesleyan undergraduate education students were able to do during the summer. Dr. Lisa Dryden, director of graduate programs in the school of education and professor of education, took her beginning literacy class to McRae during their Summer I semester this past summer. The class worked with 2nd and 3rd grade students in summer school there. “I don’t think you’re real-

ly prepared [for the teaching experience] until you’re out there,” Dryden said. Although some McRae students were facing difficulties, such as language barriers or having experienced drive-by shootings first hand and had parents in jail, Dryden said the school was making a tremendous effort to help them. “The school is really reaching out to these kids to help them be successful,” Dryden said. Dryden said the lesson that cut the deepest with Wesleyan students, was about “being out in the trenches” is teaching not one student, but an entire class. “What these kids really need is a one-on-one,” Dryden said.

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Poly-Wesleyan Kiwanis hosts magic show Rachel Peel

rlpeel@mail.txwes.edu

The Poly-Wesleyan Kiwanis club is sponsoring a children’s magic festival at 3 p.m. Sept. 11 in Martin Hall, to raise money for programs at D. McRae Elementary and Sagamore Hill Elementary. John Gonzales, community outreach coordinator for Texas Wesleyan and president-elect for PolyWesleyan Kiwanis, said in 2008 the Texas-Oklahoma division of Kiwanis conducted a needs assessment of the area and the eastside was the only part of Fort Worth that did not have a Kiwanis club. Gonzales said it is a good organization to have since it serves the community and focuses on helping children. Dr. Harold Jeffcoat, former president of Texas Wesleyan, was approached in 2008 by the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis division about hosting an interest meeting, which resulted in the organization starting. Gonzales said Kiwanis’ motto is ‘serving one child and one community at a time. Kiwanis serves children by helping improve their grades through the Bringing Up Grades (BUGS) program. Gonzales said the new

Kiwanis chapter specializes in service leadership programs like BUGS and works exclusively with Fort Worth schools, D. McRae and Sagamore Hill. Kiwanis members also work with principals to recognize any student that has brought up a grade from the previous six weeks. “It does not necessarily need to be a certain letter grade, or number,” Gonzales said. “As long as they [students] have brought up a grade, this encourages them to bring up their grades.” Gonzales said there are a lot of children at the schools they work with that may not get that support from home or anywhere. “This type of program really encourages them,” Gonzales said. “There is some good in bringing up your grades, and striving to do better.” Gonzales also said the children get a certificate that says they brought up their grades, in addition to pencils, stickers or some kind of trinket. Sandy Myers, Kiwanis member and grants and communications coordinator at Wesleyan said her favorite thing to do is dress up as Lucy Ladybug, her alter ego for the BUGS program, when she visits elementary schools. “I am a bit of a ham so

www.kiwanis.org | Courtesy Poly-Wesleyan Kiwanis is currently recruiting members at Wesleyan for Circle K which is the college-level of Kiwanis. They are looking for students interested in making a difference in the community and looking for students who like working with children.

playing Lucy is fun,” Myers said. “I have a strong commitment to the Poly area.” Myers said she joined the Poly-Wesleyan Kiwanis because she got to work with children. “It was an opportunity to represent Wesleyan in the community,” Myers said. “I think it is important to be involved in the community to the extent that children should see examples of adults volunteering.”

Les Minear, secretary of Kiwanis said that on Thursday, Sept. 1 the Poly-Wesleyan Kiwanis members organized a Key Club at Poly High School and Dunbar High School. A Circle K club has also been organized at Texas Wesleyan University. Minear said that he originally joined Kiwanis to meet with some retired World War II veterans. “I joined this club [PolyWesleyan Kiwanis chapter]

to have an option to do more things,” Minear said. The C.J. Johnson Magic Festival will last about 7590 minutes and includes seven to 10 major illusions. All proceeds will benefit Fort Worth elementary schools, high schools, local Key Clubs and the Kiwanis B.U.G.S. program. Poly-Wesleyan Kiwanis club will be hosting a basketball game featuring Harlem Ambassadors Pro-

fessional Show Basketball team in the spring. The Kiwanis organization has three different levels: Kiwanis is for adults, Circle K is the college age group and The Key Club is for the high school age level. All three of these organizations work to achieve the same goal to serve the children of the Polytechnic area. Tickets can be purchased for $10 by contacting Sandy Myers at 817-531-4957.

Wesleyan teams laces up for heart walk Melissa Bates

mdbates@mail.txwes.edu

The Morton Fitness Center is sponsoring seven walking teams for the Heart Association’s Heart Walk at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10 in the Fort Worth Stockyards. AAron Whaley, Morton Fitness Center director, said Wesleyan has been involved with the Heart Walk since 2007 as individuals, but this year is the first year Wesleyan walkers have been involved in the event as teams. “This year, the reason we got involved in it is because I was trying to make Wesleyan become a Heart Fit campus,” Whaley said. Since 2007, the Wesleyan individuals involved in prior races have raised $6,452 for the Heart Association. “Our goal this year is to try and get $3,000 so, we’ll see,” Whaley said. Whaley said individuals can make donations or team captains can raise money among team members. Whaley said a donation does not have to be made to participate in a team or in the walk. Whaley said he has designed Wesleyan Heart Walk T-shirts which will be free to anyone but

Heart Walk participants get first pick. Elizabeth Henson, library clerk, said she is a team captain and she got involved with the Heart Walk because she believes it helps people get started on an exercise regimen. “I don’t have any personal experience with the Heart Association because of health problems,” Henson said. “My mother and I walk together; we do 5K’s [5K is 3.5 miles long] all the time for lots of different associations, diabetes, heart, MADD, everything.” Henson said there is a lot of energy surrounding these types of walks. “There are so many people there, it’s crazy,” Henson said. “It’s not like anything I’ve experienced before.” Henson’s mother, Michele Martinez, a retired software engineer at Lockheed Martin, said she likes to participate in walks to support the community and promote healthy living. Martinez said she has not had http://www.heartofwisconsin.blogspot.com | Courtesy any direct connection to heart problems but she has experi- The American Heart Associatio Heart Walk start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday Sept. 10 in the Fort Worth Stockyards. enced the hardship with her friends. “One friend had a heart attack the Wesleyan campus every day. bottle,” Martinez said. “For me, very young, she “A young person can get up and it’s a sense of accomplishment was still in her walk a three-mile walk with no that I managed to cross that line.” 40s and then problems at all,” Martinez said. For more information about another friend Martinez also said she agrees joining one of the Wesleyan had a stroke,” with her daughter about the en- teams contact AAron Whaley at Martinez said. ergy and excitement during the 817-531-7589. Martinez said walks. Martinez said the most enTo register for the Heart Walk, the walk will ergizing part is crossing the finish visit www.tarrantcountyheartbe easy for stu- line. walk.org click on register, agree dents to do be“I’m usually pretty happy that to the terms, then click on join a cause students I’ve gotten across that line and team, select Texas Wesleyan from walk all over we go and look for the first water the drop down menu.

September 7, 2011

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Slabach encourages students to continue striving Alejandra Garcia

agarcia@mail.txwes.edu

To set students on a positive path this fall, the Texas Wesleyan community gathered for an annual message. On Aug. 30, students, faculty and staff attended the 19th Annual Academic Convocation in the Polytechnic United Methodist Church. Convocation commemorates the beginning of a new school year. The keynote speaker for the event was Frederick Slabach, president of Texas Wesleyan. Slabach said he wanted to focus his speech on encouraging students to advance their critical reasoning, writing and oral communication because they are skills necessary to succeeding. “I hope that the students are interested, and continue to be interested, in the discussion of the critical thinking and reasoning,” Slabach said. “It directly relates to the economic future of our students.” Slabach discussed the status of Wesleyan in the No. 1 tier of regional universities. It is ranked 71

in the USA Today 2011 edition of best colleges in west regional universities. “This is the same tier as Trinity in San Antonio, Santa Clara in southern California and Gonzaga University in Washington State,” Slabach said. Slabach also described Wesleyan as a proud Methodist institution and stressed the importance of being leaders. “We’re proud to be a Methodist university with a strong tradition of providing students with the ethical and moral foundations they need to be leaders in their communities,” Slabach said. Slabach emphasized the benefits of attending a small university versus a large university, such as a smaller student to faculty ratio. “The student faculty ratio is 16 to one,” Slabach said. “I can tell from my own experience just how important it is that students get personalized attention so they don’t get lost in a large university.” He focused the rest of his speech on the importance of critical reasoning. He said his ideas for the speech originated from the listening ses-

sions he conducted with faculty, staff, students and alumni when he first took over as president at Wesleyan in the spring semester. Patricia Sorrels, freshman bilingual education major, said she appreciated the emphasis on writing and oral communication. “It made me think about what I want to do with my education,” Sorrels said. Sorrels said the overall convocation was good and she will be writing a reflective essay about it for her freshmen success class. Bradden Van Noy, Student Government Association president, also spoke at the convocation, focusing his speech on inspiring students to persevere. Erica Estrada | Rambler Staff “I promise you it will not be easy, but it will all be worth The Academic Convocation took place Aug. 30 in the Polytechnic United Methodist Church. it in the end,” Van Noy said. “I Faculty wore their academic regalia to the event. challenge you now to give everything you have this year to tion and overcome any obstacles. being to bettering our university,” He concluded his speech with better yourself through higher Van Noy then discussed his chal- Van Noy said. “As your new pres- a prayer given by former Presieducation.” lenge as SGA president. ident of the Sudent Government dent George Herbert Walker Van Noy said it is important for “You have my solemn vow that Association, I will lead the charge Bush and reminding students the students to continue their educa- I will dedicate every facet of my to tackle issues.” possibilities are endless.

Faculty attend interactive classroom grand opening

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff Marcus Kerr, chief information ofﬁcer, and Allen Henderson, provost, attended the Classroom.NEXT grand opening. The classroom is an interactive learning space designed by faculty and students.

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff Priscilla Torres, senior history major, played science pictionary using the newly furnished desks with built-in whiteboards and laptops to look up vocabulary terms.

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff Elizabeth Alexander, associate professor of history and coordinator of secondary education program in history, Tiffany Fitzhugh, senior history majoor and Fred Slabach, president of Texas Wesleyan posed together in front of the plaque with the names of Classroom.NEXT’s winners.

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff Bryan Daniel, network operations director, and Christopher Faulkner, faculty development specialist, experimented with the smartboard, virtually dissecting a frog.

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Lady Rams take win, 1-0

Eliana Mijangos

emmijangos@mail.txwes.edu

The Lady Rams soccer team took a hard fought victory against Mid America Nazarene University at 3 p.m. Sept. 3 on Martin Field as they slide away with a 1-0 win in double over-time. “It was another defining moment for the team,” Whitney Chappell, senior forward, said. “We put ourselves in the position of overtime and had to correct it.” The Lady Rams went head to head with the Lady Pioneers the majority of the game. Jessica Watton, junior forward, made several goal attempts early on, but none that stuck.

Going into over-time, Texas Wesleyan led 25-4 in shots, but still couldn’t seem to place the ball in the net. It wasn’t until 4:01 minutes were left in the second over-time play that Watton was able to sink a goal and put the Lady Rams ahead 1-0. “In the second overtime we pulled together as a team knowing the other team was more tired than we were to come out on top,” Karissa Olsen, sophomore midfielder, said. “We believed in each other and made it happen.” Watton scored a header off an assists by Olsen. “We fought until the end and accomplished our goal,” Chappell said. By the finish of the game, the Lady

Rams outshot the Lady Pioneers 29-6 and 9-1 shots on goal. Junior goal keeper, Aubree Gallego, just barely fell short by one save for what would have been her third consecutive shut-out of the season. “We dominated played, start to finish, and just couldn’t find the last pass or the finishing touches until overtime,” Josh Gibbs, head women’s soccer coach, said. “I’m very pleased, and impressed, with this team. They keep finding ways to win. Hopefully we can keep it going”. The Lady Rams as take on Northwestern Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at Martin Field as they race to continue their undefeated record (4-0).

Photos by Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff (Top) Stacei Popejoy, freshman defenser, goes for a steal against MidAmerica Nazarene University in an effort to seal the Lady Rams 1-0 win Sept. 3 at Martin Field. (Left) Allison Walsh, freshman midﬁelder, hustles to stop MidAmerica Nazarene University from advancing the ball in the ﬁrst round of overtime as both teams face off 0-0. (Bottom) Aubrey Gallego, Lady Ram goal keeper, falls short just one save of having a three consecutive game shut out. The Lady Rams held MidAmerica Nazarene University scoreless and took a 1-0 win in double overtime.

September 7, 2011

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Kiwanis soon to face off against FWPD

Eliana Mijangos

emmijangos@mail.txwes.edu

Texas Wesleyan’s Kiwanis club is teaming up with the Fort Worth Police Department to put on a charity basketball game next April. “It’s truly going to be a community event,” John Gonzalez, incoming president of Wesleyan’s Kiwanis club, said. For the past three years, members of Kiwanis have hosted a fundraiser for their organization in which the Harlem Ambassadors, an entertainment basketball team, came to the Sid Richardson Center to perform for youth in the area. Gonzalez said the majority of money made came from ticket sales and sponsorship. However, Gonzalez said, because the Ambassadors are so expensive, he wants to bring a more community aspect to the event and face off the Texas Wesleyan Kiwanis club and the Fort Worth Police Department. Dr. Patsy Robles-Goodwin, director of ESL and bilingual education and assistant professor of bilingual education, has been a member of Kiwanis for three years. She said she hopes this event as well as the magic show, which will be a fundraiser on Sept. 11., are things that will help Texas Wesleyan students to get involved. Sponsors include the Texas Wesleyan School of Education, Dr. Allen Henderson, Texas Wesleyan’s

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provost, and local members of the Fort Worth Kiwanis club, RoblesGoodwin said. “We’ll make a little money and we give it back,” Robles-Goodwin said. Gonzalez said the Kiwanis club is an international service organization that is aimed at serving children. It has been in motion for three years at Wesleyan. He said the programs that Kiwanis offers are educational and leadershipbased. Robles-Goodwin described her passion for the organization and the power it has. “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one community and one child at a time,” Robles-Goodwin said She also said the power behind this organization comes from the international aspect. “There are over 600,000 members all over the world and 15,000 clubs,” Robles-Goodwin said. Gonzalez said the Bringing Up Grades or BUG program is in place at D. McCraw middle school in Fort Worth. Within this program, Kiwanis members and principals work with students to improve their grades. He said by the second six-week period of school, a student who has improved a grade by even one letter earns a prize. Robles-Goodwin said to add some fun to the event, teachers will show up to the middle schools

participating in the BUG program dressed like bugs. “Not every student gets encouragement from home,” Gonzalez said. “But the community does want them to succeed.” Another program Gonzalez said is a big part of Kiwanis is Key Club. This club has found a home at both Polytechnic and Dunbar high schools. Gonzalez said students that are a part of this club participate in leadership and service projects. “Last year the Po l y [ t e c h n i c ] club cleaned the neig hb orho o d around the school and improved a local park,” Gonzalez said. “Everything we do we give back to the community,” Robles-Goodwin said. Currently the majority of Wesleyan Kiwanis members are a part of the Education Department, Gonzalez said.

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“I think the people are great and the projects they’ve done in the past have been really positive,” Dr. Carlos Martinez, dean of the School of Education, said. “But it’d be great to see more involvement from students.” Robles-Goodwin said Texas

Wesleyan does have a student chapter called the Circle-K, which could aide in the efforts of the Kiwanis club and other service projects. Any students who are interested in getting involved should contact her at problesgoodwin@ txwes.edu.

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