January 18, 2012 by The Rambler

wednesday

January 18, 2012

Vol. 95 • No. 1

www.therambler.org

The Rambler The voice of Texas Wesleyan University students since 1917

Women’s basketball sitting at fourth in conference.

First-class mail now changed to 2-3 business days.

Sports, page 8

News, page 3

Presidential inauguration fast approaching Tristian Evans

tkevans1098@txwes.edu

Although Frederick Slabach has been serving as president for the past year, the time has finally come to celebrate his inauguration. The inauguration will take place 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Investiture Structure, Parking Lot A. In the days leading up to it, there are various special events going on in the Texas Wesleyan community to honor the inauguration. “I think it’s a very exciting and positive event,” said Marcel Kerr, inauguration subcommittee chair. Kerr said she is excited

for students who will be in attendance. “It’s a very rare event for students,” she said. From 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Jan 23, there will be a special reception for Slabach at the Texas Wesleyan School of Law. All law school faculty, staff and alumni are welcome to the event. The faculty and staff at the law school, who know Slabach from his time as dean on the campus, wanted to reach out to the rest of the Wesleyan community. “It was very important to recognize him,” said Debra Barnett, event coordinator

for the Texas Wesleyan Law School. Barnett said it will give the law students a chance to meet and interact with the president. “The faculty and staff felt strongly about being bonded with all of the Wesleyan family,” Barnett said. On Jan.24, two events will take place. The first event, set for noon to 1:30 p.m in the Baker Building, is a public interview between Dr. Hector Quintanilla, dean of School of Business Administration, and Global Market CEO Tompe Hall. They will discuss how issues such as religion and culture af-

fect business in the Arabian Gulf. The other event is a concert by the music department set for 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in the Eunice & James L. West Library. At 2 p.m. Jan. 25 in Lou’s Place, a faculty scholar’s reception will be held. It will showcase the creative works of the Wesleyan faculty. A lecture on interdisciplinary research will also be given. At 7 p.m. Jan. 26, an evening concert will be held in the Brown Lupton Campus Center. Musical group, Maiden Texas, will be performing. Maiden Texas is a Texas-born singing trio; two of the members work on the

Texas Wesleyan campus. During the morning of the inauguration on Jan.27, from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in the Polytechnic United Methodist Church, a morning service will be held. At 8:30 a.m in Martin Hall, former U.S. Secretary of State, Madeleine K. Albright, will speak and also sign books prior to the inauguration ceremony. John Veilleux, vice president of marketing and communications, said the inauguration is a very important event. “It is a chance to celebrate the community and make new friends,” he said.

Veilleux said he wants students to know the celebrations will not be at any cost to the students or university. All funds for the celebration were attained through fundraisers. Carla Tennison, senior political science and pre-law major, said she is optimistic about the inauguration and appreciates having Slabach as university president. “He seems to be really involved with the students and it seems like he cares,” Tennison said. For more information about events, please visit www.txwes.edu and click on schedule of events under The 2012 Inuaguration.

Slabach and family ride in Stock Show Parade Students contribute to charity collections Shauna Banks

sbbanks@txwes.edu

Meisa Keiviani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff At 11 a.m. Jan. 14, Frederick Slabach, univerisy president, and his family rode in a Wesleyan horse-drawn wagon at the annual Stock Show Parade in downtown Fort Worth. Willie the Ram, Wesleyan cheerleaders and alumni also attended the All Western Parade. The parade marked the first day of the 116th annual Stock Show and Rodeo. Only horses and other livestock were featured in the parade, no motorized vehicles were used.

bit can make a difference.” With an aim to aid the elderly within the community, the staff in the Eunice and James L. West Library hosted their eighth annual event with the Meals on Wheels Giving Tree. Anyone who wanted to donate could choose stars from a tree in the lobby and purchase wish items ranging from scarves to bags of dry dog food for pets. This past holiday, library staff collected 325 gifts, 63 bags of pet food and $125. Sheri Parker, coordinator of library operations, said the numbers for gifts and pet food lowered slightly from last year, but the cash amount collected doubled. “The economy, along with so many other collections this year, seemed to be the reason the numbers were down,” Parker said. “Having a wider selection of donation options is great for the students, staff and faculty on campus.” Staff and Faculty in the School of Arts and Letters hosted their fifth annual Bear Hunt this past December, and are still receiving various stuffed animals at the start of this spring semester. So far, 278 stuffed animals have been collected, with hopes of exceeding their 300-bear goal. Elizabeth Hennessey, administrative assistant to the dean in the School of Arts and Letters, said these stuffed animals are donated to the Fort

In the midst of a recovering economy, campus-wide efforts to help both the twoand four-legged Polytechnic Heights community members have resulted in success. This past holiday season, organizations across the Texas Wesleyan campus hosted various drives to help those in need, ranging from collecting coats for students at local elementary schools to collecting dry pet food for the Fort Worth Humane Society. The Accounting Society at Texas Wesleyan filled three large boxes with 100 pounds of canned food, boxed food and toiletries. All items were donated to SEARCH Homeless Services, an organization that helps thousands of men, women and children move from the streets into safe jobs and stable homes each year. Junaid Khan, president of the Accounting Society, said the group also worked with Omega Chi, a Christian organization on campus, to donate toys for Omega Chi’s annual Christmas party, where various needed and wanted presents are given to children in the Polytechnic community. “We raised slightly more than last year,” Khan said. “What probably motivated people is knowing that no matter what a person’s financial situation is, there is alChristmas, page 3 ways something that can be  done to help and every little

Eco-friendly light bulbs may brighten Wesleyan campus Alejandra Garcia

agarcia@txwes.edu

An array of bright, eco-friendly light bulbs called Light Emitting Diode (LED), illuminated rooms on campus from Nov. 30 to Dec. 16. The LED lights were installed in Classroom.Next, room B26 in in the Eunice and James L. West Library, and the Human Resources office, room 101 in the Administrative Building. The LED lights were an experimental 3-week trial orga-

nized by Kenneth Dunson, facilities operations director, and Dr. Bruce Benz, associate professor of biology and chairman of the Blue Plus Gold Equals Green Committee. Dunson and the committee collaborated beforehand to brainstorm ideas to reduce the amount of energy used at Wesleyan. “Our goal is to do as much green initiative as we can across campus,” Dunson said. “Anything we can do to lower our carbon footprint.” Dunson returned the LED light

bulbs to the distributer, LEDs Unlimited LLC, on Jan. 9. The distributor then returned them to their manufacturer, Seesmart. Manny Lopez, regional sales and recruiting manager for LEDs Unlimited LLC, said LED lighting has many benefits, such as lower maintenance, no mercury, no ultraviolet rays, little heat and a significant amount of energy is saved. “[It is] the easiest way to reduce energy and go green at the same time,” Lopez said.

In the time the LED light bulbs were here, students, staff and faculty were asked through a mass email to check out the lighting and reply with their opinion. However, not many responses were entered. “We didn’t get the quantity of feedback from students, faculty or staff that I was hoping for,” Dunson said in an email. “The feedback we did get was basically neutral, meaning everyone could take them or leave them.” Dunson said he thinks the reason

few people submitted their opinion is because the trial was done too close to the time of Christmas and finals. Christina Martinez, senior paralegal studies major, agrees with Dunson. “They should have done it at the start of the semester instead of during finals,” Martinez said. “Nobody was paying attention to anything but studying.”

classes! For more information, call 817-531-7589.

 Lighting, page 3

Opinion

January 18, 2012

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

New year calls for self discipline Rolandra West Staff Writer

rdwest@txwes.edu

It’s Dec. 31 — students are on their phones updating their Facebook statuses and sharing their New Year’s resolutions. We watch the ball drop and kiss our significant others as the clock strikes midnight. Our new resolutions are in first gear and nothing can stop the excited feeling of a new year. Two weeks later, we are sitting on our couches and repeating to ourselves we can get back on track tomorrow. There are a few of us who do follow through with our resolutions, but, for the most part we tend to fall back into our old habits within the first two weeks. Every year we make resolutions to lose weight, study harder, be nicer to our family or get more involved in

our communities. These resolutions can be accomplished and we should try our best to achieve them. According to www. freeimageslive.com | Courtesy huffingtonp ost.com, People all over the world have made their New Year’s resolutions and are vowing to stick to them. The real question is: can they accomplish them? the reason for our failed resolutions is site also says we tend to blame of actually accomplishing our energy we can apply these When we make it a point because we are lacking en- our failed attempts on lack of resolutions. new resolutions to our daily to change our lives for the ergy. Over and over we say time instead of lack of energy. Another problem people lives. better we will start to see a we are going to eat better, get However, I do believe time have is materialisitic tenThe only way we can have more improved version of healthy and live on the edge, is a factor and the best solu- dancies, especially when it more energy is through dis- ourselves. Whether we have but we never actually take tion is to make a schedule, comes down to our goals. ciplining ourselves. We must improved our health, peraction. Instead, we make ex- hopefully keeping our reso- We rely on cars, houses, elec- make sure we get the recom- sonal life, grades or activicuses. Somehow it is never lutions on track. A schedule tronics and social networks mended amount of sleep, ties, we will feel more confiour fault. can increase productivity to fulfill our happiness and keeping stress to a minimum, dent in the goals we plan to The Huffington Post’s web- and gives us a better chance satisfaction. If we have more eat healthy and exercise. accomplish in the future.

...and you can take that to the Bank (s)! Shauna Banks Opinion Editor/Columnist sbbanks@txwes.edu

Rambler

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Thumbs up to Dora’s new Asian bar. We often opt for the pizza when nothing else strikes our fancy, but this new found Asian cuisine is right up our alley!

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Thumbs up to a whole week of the Spring semester already being over. We weren’t eager to jump back on the bandwagon of endless classes and papers no one really wants to write, but the time is flashing by, and that’s how we like it!

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Thumbs up to Bradden Van Noy (SGA president) and Melissa Murnane on their engagement. We know you’ll make a stunning bride and groom at your wedding. Keep him in line Melissa!

Erica Estrada | Rambler Staff

Gift giving gets complicated Stuffed lions, and tigers, and bears — oh my! Like your mom always told you when you got clothes for gifts as child, it really is the thought that counts when giving and receiving gifts for any holiday. With Valentine’s Day really not so far off, the question of what to get my other half looms over me like an unpredictable cloud. He’s not as easy to impress with gifts as I am. Even as an adult, I adore the stuffed bears that say “I love you thissss much” and a nice box of chocolates, or those silly candy hearts that urge the recipient to “be mine.” Even though I’ve yet to come up with anything to give a 28-year-old man for a holiday that he would rather forget existed, I have come to a different realization: gifts are not always all they’re cracked up to be. In many instances where I’m expected to buy gifts, it often ends up being more stressful than enjoyable. Christmas has to be the biggest culprit. What the heck do you really buy for Nana, who already has 25 frames that say “World’s Greatest Grandma,” candles decorating every nook and cranny of her house and enough kitchen gadgets to fill two kitchens? (A Tony

Romo T-shirt and Cowboys drawstring bag it turns out. Who knew?) This past Christmas, my boyfriend and I decided we would limit the amount of money spent on gifts. However, I actually do enjoy getting gifts for people I care about — and with my new found love for couponing, a free or nearly free gift is just that! The Black Friday bug bit me in the hiney and did not let go for most of that day. Nothing made me more proud than the deal I scored from Best Buy — a $600 laptop for $299! Low and behold, my boo actually needed a laptop, so it was just perfect. Well, so I thought. It was of course all smiles and crazy levels of excitement upon him opening the laptop on Christmas Day. After all, he was running on a laptop so old, it still worked best when used with a dial up connection. Yikes. That’s where it all went wrong. Less than a week after it had been pulled from the box, we were struck one morning with the realization that it had a cracked LED screen. Of course I sped like a bat out of hell back to Best Buy, demanding an exchange. But no sirree. No returns accepted on what they deem to be “ac-

The Rambler Alejandra Garcia, editor-in-chief Shauna Banks, opinion editor Stephanie Randall, sports editor Jordan Twine arts & entertainment editor Meisa Keivani Najafabadi, photo editor Brandon Loredo, multimedia editor Erica Estrada, cartoonist/photographer Wendy Moore, faculty adviser Dr. Kay Colley, faculty liaison Frederick Slabach, publisher

cidents.” So now, that “Heck yes! Score!” moment, has turned into a $300 ouch. After shaking my fists and moaning and groaning, I realized it really wasn’t something worth getting that upset over; it was just a simple item. I really hadn’t lost anything in the grand scheme of things. I still had the love of my life home and safe, my silly dogs yip-yapping around me with their new 97 cent tennis balls and most of my sanity. So the moral of the story is this: if a gift has you wishing you could pull your hair out, maybe a gift isn’t the best idea. But on the other hand, some of the simplest gifts that call for the least amount of money and zero stress can bring the biggest smiles and enjoyment (just ask all four of my dogs). Christmas came and went, and my favorite gift was without a doubt the fancy looking ink pen I got, with silly beagles pictured on the casing. Remembering that I adore our dogs was the true gift in that. So in the end, even though most people may not truly ever believe it—it really is the thought that counts. And you can take that, to the the bank!

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

Address all correspondence to: Texas Wesleyan University

The Rambler

1201 Wesleyan St. Fort Worth, TX 76105 twurambler@yahoo.com (817) 531-7552 Advertising Inquiries: (817) 531-6525

Ratings

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Thumbs down to the circus the race for the presidential republican nominee has turned out to be. Perry bombs his debates, Cain can’t seem to keep his hands to himself (so all those women say) and Bachmann drops out of the race before the primaries even begin. Thumbs down to the people who decided not to walk the extra few yards to the dumpster to deposit their trash over the holidays in West Village. The patio bares no resemblance to a dumpster, and we know you’re all smart enough to realize that. Besides, we all need to work off those holiday calories, right?

Campus comment:

What do you think of Wesleyan’s new website?

“I don’t like the email. I like the design but I don’t really pay attention to it. I just get on and off.” - Garrison Hawley, sophomore, English major

“It looks a lot better. It’s more updated.” - Phillip Chavez, freshman, exercise science major

“It’s easier to navigate. It was hard to find how to pre-register at first but now they have everything set up.” - Madalyn Russell, junior, theatre major

“I like it, but what I found confusing was there was no tutorial on how to work it. Many people were confused about it.” -Amanda Moten, senior, history major

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.

R ambler Contribution

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-

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.

News

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

January 18, 2012

Student’s agree, next-day delivery no longer needed Shauna Banks

sbbanks@txwes.edu

Speedy mail through the United States Postal Service will soon be a thing of the past. According to their website, the USPS will be implementing changes to delivery services later this spring. Those changes include firstclass mail having guaranteed delivery in three days instead of one. The changes first began to circulate last September and are part of a broad reconstructing of the USPS, which could include the closing of more than 250 processing facilities and the elimination of approximately 28,000 jobs. Sandra Orta, junior criminal justice major at Texas Wesleyan said she does not think the change is going to have good long-term effects. “It is just going to push people more to go paperless and use other forms of communication,” Orta said. According to their website, the USPS will save an estimated $2.1 billion annually thanks to the changes planned. “I think that USPS is doing what they can to survive in this tough economy and it is completely understandable why they are trying to

charity

cut back,” Orta said. “But I do feel that it will impact the people that order things online or that send out packages via USPS.” Other students at Wesleyan do not use their local post office often enough to be too upset over the changes to come. “Personally, I hardly use the post office,” Melondy Doddy, senior comparative religion major, said. “All of my bills are online. The post office is useful [for] receiving credit cards [and] government documents, such as passports and sentimental holiday cards.” Bryan Michler, senior elementary education major, agrees with Doddy. “I don’t think this will impact anyone too much,” Michler said. “I do not use USPS for fast deliveries because I do not have faith in the USPS. I don’t know anyone who uses USPS for fast deliveries. If I need something shipped fast I use UPS or Fed Ex.” Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Although the change has not been slated officially, The United States Postal Service is discontinuing next-day delivery due to revenue loss. First-class mail will be moved to a the USPS is also considering 2-3 day standard. getting rid of Saturday mail delivery. sales flyers from stores, but should not be eliminated. This potential Saturday not having that many vehicles “I don’t think that Satur- the deals are now received “They will lose money if mail delivery change has in service for a day,” Michler day mail will affect the mail through email and websites.” they do close on Saturday,” also raised some concern said. “But I bet the amount system,” Doddy said. “The Senior elementary educa- Moore said. “There will also for postal carrier health. of mail that the person delivonly thing I look forward to tion major Neni Moore said be more mail to deliver on “I wonder what the impact ers increases and their bags in Saturday mail is potential she thinks Saturday delivery Monday too.” will be on the environment might be heavier.”

continued from page 1

Worth Police Department to give to children in crisis situations when the officers are on call. “The animals provide a little comfort for the children and give them something to hold onto and hug until the situation is resolved,” Hennessey said. Other efforts included The Rambler’s Pet Food and Supplies Drive, which collected

eight bags of dry dog food and various toys and supplies for cats and dogs at the Fort Worth Humane Society. Kappa Delta Pi, a School of Education honor society, also collected several coats and jackets for children in local elementary schools, helping to contribute to the biggest giving season the Wesleyan community has ever seen on campus.

Lighting

continued from page 1

Dunson said they are currently looking at prices from several different companies and the next step in the process is for the Building and Grounds Committee, a subcommittee for the Board of Trustees, to approve or disapprove. If approved, the Board of Trustees will make the final decision. Dunson said if the Board of Trustees approves, the LED light bulbs will probably

only be placed in the parking lots for outside use. Jazmine Moore, sophomore accounting major, said more efforts need to be done to help the environment and switching to LED lighting is a good way to start reducing energy. “It’s good for the environment,” Moore said. “The less energy we use, the better.”

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January 18, 2012

THE RAMBLER | www.therambler.org

Van Noy prepares for political career, family

Rolandra West

“On New Year’s Eve,

rdwest@txwes.edu

With only four months left until the end of the school year, Bradden Van Noy, Student Government Association president, is pumped up and ready to go. Van Noy has served as SGA since last August, but with all his responsibilities he still finds time to volunteer at Daggott Middle School and make time for his studies. Van Noy said he is ready to get out there in the real world by taking his education to a higher level. He plans to continue his education and get a degree in law. He said the schools he is considering are Texas Wesleyan Law School and Southern Methodist University. “I don’t want to travel too far from this area,” Van Noy said. “Texas Wesleyan is a very big possibility.” Van Noy said he wants to work and become financially stable and in five years he plans to establish a career in politics. “It all depends on where God is going to lead me,” Van Noy said. “That is the deciding factor.”

Bradden proposed right at midnight ...”

Melissa Murnane

Junior education major Van Noy said he not only loves his job, but he also loves his school. “I spent a semester at University of Texas at Arlington, it doesn’t compare to Wesleyan,” Van Noy said. “I love it here [and] I wouldn’t have chosen any other school.” Brenton Flowers, senior criminal justice major and SGA vice president, described Van Noy as an all-around good guy. “Bradden realizes that being president of Student Government Association is an honor and that the student body trusts him to represent us and he is doing that,” Flowers said. “Anything he feels may be beneficial to the students, he is working on getting it accomplished and so far he has.”

Besides furthering his life with career goals, Van Noy also made changes in his personal life. He proposed to his now fiancée, Melissa Murnane, junior education major. “On New Year’s Eve, Bradden proposed right at midnight while the song ‘New York, New York’ by Frank Sinatra was playing,” Murnane said. “My family is from NY, and we love visiting, so it made it that much more special.” Murnane said she and Van Noy are not only best friends, they are soul mates. “Bradden is such an inspiring guy, he has been through a lot in his life and that has just made him stonger as a person,” Murnane said. “He can make anyone smile no matter what the situation.”

Erica Estrada | Rambler Staff Braden Van Noy, Student Government Association president, discusses 2012 plans. This will be Van Noy’s last semester serving SGA.

upstairs loft area could be put to better use. “The loft wasn’t really being used,” Flowers said. “The only time we saw students up here was with their laptop or sleeping.” Flowers assisted in the game selection and said he aimed to please a diverse group of gamers. “We tried to get games that appeal to every student,” Flowers said. “Hopefully we did that.” Bradden Van Noy, SGA president, helped turn the idea into a bill. “Everyone in SGA was real supportive of it,” Van Noy said. “As far as student government goes it went through really fast.” Van Noy said they are planning

gaming events such as a Call of Duty tournament, for students to enjoy in the near future. “We would like to have organization tournaments,” Van Noy said. “I’m really excited about it, especially the Call of Duty tournament.” Lanysia Harrison, freshmen mass communications major, said she thinks it will be a great place for students. “You can sleep in your room or the library so it’s good to know we have a place where there is something to do and it’s fun,” Harrison said. Students can check out gaming equipment in the Student Project Center located upstairs next to the Game Loft, a school ID is required.

Erica Estrada | Rambler Staff Lucas Hoss, senior criminal justice major, selects which video game he is going to play during the Game Loft’s grand opening Jan. 12.

SGA turns unused loft into gaming entertainment Jordan Twine

jetwine@txwes.edu

Students now have the opportunity to play video games while on campus thanks to the Student Government Association. The grand opening of the Game Loft, located upstairs in the Student Union Building, took place at 12:15 p.m. on Jan. 12. New additions include two game systems, an Xbox 360 with Xbox Live and a Kinect and a PlayStation 3. A ribbon cutting preceded the festivities. Brenton Flowers, senior criminal justice major and SGA vice president, proposed the idea of making a game loft to SGA. Flowers said he felt the

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

Campus

January 18, 2012

Academic center readies students for success Tristian Evans

tkevans1098@txwes.edu

The Academic Success Center, located on the first floor of the Eunice and James L West Library, provides tools, such as tutoring and workshops to help students succeed. Everyone in the center, from student tutors to professional staff, have dedicated their time to helping students reach success in their classes. Michael Anne Greer, learning specialist, said it is important for students to have academic help and encouragement outside the classroom. “I think to get the full college experience it has to extend beyond what you get in the classroom,” Greer said. “When students come

in here to work with the tutors or to work in groups, it expands what they’ve been doing in the classroom.” Greer said she hopes the Academic Success Center helps to encourage things like analytical reasoning and critical thinking because she believes they will serve the students well in their classes. One of the services offered at the Center is tutoring in all levels of math, writing, logic and history. “We survey the students and we ask them what subjects they would like to see tutored,” Fowler said. “And then, based off those results, we try to add or do what we need to do to find people to tutor [that subject].” Fowler said they are very selective

about their tutors. She and Greer ask each department to suggest their best students, and if those students are interested in the positions, they are brought in for a mock tutoring session. Lisa Puente, senior English major, tutors students in writing. “I love when I can help a student understand basic grammatical errors and how to correct them in order to make their future writing pieces more effective.” Puente said in an email. She also said she thinks the Center is fun and laid back place. Beginning last semester, some tutors began helping students over Skype. “This way they can phone a tutor and Skype in and they can actually

watch the tutor work through the problem,” Fowler said. There are currently two tutors who do Skype tutoring. Fowler said the Center will continue to use Skype because students have benefited from its inclusion. Staff in the Academic Success Center also hosts, Lunch Box Workshops. These workshops usually take place around noon. Professors and faculty from around the campus are brought in to help give students tips on everything from note taking and studying, to how to navigate Ramlink. They also offer the Transformation Workshops, which are aimed primarily at transfer students trying to learn the ins and outs of the university. “Students have come in and [be-

cause] it’s a new environment, sometimes they don’t fully understand how their credits transfer so we do a working shop on “Understanding My Degree Plan,” Greer said. Fowler said the center would not exist without the students and they do their best to accommodate the student’s different learning styles and support their needs. The Center is also looking into hiring tutors for students who attend weekend classes. “We’re constantly changing our schedule. We’re constantly changing our tutors, to meet the students needs,” Fowler said. “We really do listen to what they tell us in person or through email or through our surveys so that we are making the changes they ask for.”

Wesleyan Community shows appreciation to departing staff

Jeremy Hunt | Rambler Staff Dr. Amy Collier, director of Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, socializes with Wesleyan faculty and staff, during a farewell party for she and Bill Watson Jan. 10.

Jeremy Hunt | Rambler Staff Bill Watson, faculty development specialist, takes time to visit with Wesleyan faculty and staff during a Jan. 10 farewell party.

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A�� E�� MADE producers come to Wesleyan

THE RAMBLER | www.therambler.org

January 18, 2012

Jordan Twine

jetwine@txwes.edu

Looking for your dream to come true? MTV producers will be present for a casting call Thursday, Jan 19. MTV producers search for college students who are looking for a chance to make their dreams come true. The casting call will take place at noon in the Student Union Building. Nathan Johnson, one of the producers from the

show, reached out to Michael Chaney, coordinator of student activities, volunteerism, and Greek adviser, about hosting interviews at Wesleyan. Chaney said this was an opportunity for the students he could not turn down. “When I was contacted by him, I was like, ‘yes, what can I do to set this up?’” Chaney said. “‘What day? The 19th? OK that’s quick but, yeah!’” The show is a spin-off from the series Made but

will have a different focus. “They don’t know what title they’re going to give it yet,” Chaney said. “They’re still coming up with all the concepts and looking at how all this is going to work. A lot of that may be determined by the students they select.” Candidates must appear to be between ages 18-26. Interviews will be approximately 10 minutes long and students interested are advised to pick up a casting call packet

from the Student Life Office in the SUB. Packets contain questions they may be asked in order for students to prepare ahead of time. Social Rams will conduct an activity forum in conjunction with the casting call before the interviewing process begins. The forum is for students to share ideas with Social Rams about events they would like to see implemented. Students must stay for the duration of the forum in order

to sign up for an interview time with MTV. Giovanni Monsanto, junior psychology and criminal justice major, said the activity forum will help students grasp a better idea of what Social Rams are involved in. “The objective is to get people to show up for the forum and cast ideas of events they would like to see,” Monsanto said. “That’s what the Social Rams’ program is for.” Joshua Dunk, freshman theatre major, said this could be a

once in a lifetime opportunity. “There are a lot of talented people at this school,” Dunk said. “This could be the breakthrough that person needs to make it.” After the activity forum, students will sign up for interview times which will take place until 5 p.m. If there is an abundance of students and the producers are not able to see everyone, MTV will set up another day to come back so everyone has the opportunity to be interviewed.

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo sure to excite

Photo by Baldur Bragason. Â© 2011 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Courtesy Rooney Mara stars in Columbia Pictures’ The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, also starring Daniel Craig.

Action, murder and mystery take center stage in David Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Based off the bestselling novel, the movie tells the story of a recently disgraced journalist, played by Daniel Craig, hired by the patriarch of one of Sweden’s wealthiest families to solve a decades-old mystery surrounding the disappearance, and possible murder, of his niece Harriet. As Mikel begins to wade through all the secrets and lies of the Vanger family, he takes on an assistant, Lisbeth Salander, the infamous girl with the dragon tattoo.

Lisbeth is an introverted young woman with a dark past and a violent temper. In her early twenties, she’s still considered a ward of the state because she is viewed as being unable to take care of herself. She is also a brilliant computer hacker and researcher capable of digging up information on anyone. After the two team up they realize that Harriet’s disappearance is connected to a string of murders against women with biblical names. As the investigation heats up, so does the relationship between Mikel and Lisbeth. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is an entertaining film full of action, mystery and danger.

The intricate plot, dealing with generations of secrets from a very powerful and deadly family makes the movie interesting and will keep viewers guessing until the very end. There are many plot twists and none of them can be easily predicted by the viewers. The final fate of Harriet herself is a twist both shocking and well played. The cast of the film are all excellent in their roles, but none of them shine more than Rooney Mara, who plays Lisbeth. The role of Lisbeth could not have been an easy role to play, but Mara does so with ease. She is believable as a calmly psychotic young woman, who you do not

want to cross. Lisbeth Salander is, in a word, badass. Whether she is beating down a street punk in a subway station or enacting revenge on her sexually abusive legal guardian, she does not hold back. These scenes are very graphic and disturbing at times, but serve the purpose of developing the characters personal arc. Overall, the movie is a winner. It is well plotted, well written, and well-acted. It will definitely leave viewers hoping that the next two books in the series make it to the big screen as well. Tristian Evans

Tkevans1098@txwes.edu

Fort Worth hosts annualWestern parade downtown Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff The Fort Worth Stockyard show and All Western Parade took place downtown, Saturday Jan. 14. There were more than 2,000 horses and 100,000 spectators for the event. The parade began at 11 a.m. and was free to attend. The parade is held each year preceding the ﬁrst stock show. This year there were more horses that participated than any other year. (Left) University president Frederick Slabach and his family, along with others, represented Texas Wesleyan at the parade, which started at the Tarrant County Courthouse.

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The Department Of Music Present

Music Department Inauguration Showcase Concert Eunice and James West Library

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January 24, 12:15 p.m. Martin Hall

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January 18, 2012

Ram sports officials add two women’s teams Stephanie Randall

Slrandall@txwes.edu

Two new sports were recently added to the Texas Wesleyan Athletics department; Women’s Golf and Women’s Junior Varsity Basketball. Kevin Millikan, recently appointed director of new sport development, contributed to the addition. Millikan said he is now in the process of creating a budget and also finding recruits for the teams to come play for Wesleyan. Steve Trachier, athletic direc-

tor, said the new programs will be funded by Wesleyan. Only golf is a scholarship sport. J JV basketball will be used to create additional opportunities for Wesleyan student athletes. The addition of these sports will not affect funding for other sports at Wesleyan, Tracheir said. He said the new sports additions provide great opportunities for Wesleyan to compete with other teams in Wesleyan’s conference. “Golf is one of the sports we felt had the resources to

provide a program for,” Trachier said. “It provides a competitive situation to compete in, and that was what we were looking for.” Trachier said he will oversee the preparation for women’s JV basketball and Millikan will run women’s golf. Trachier said both he and Millikan have enough experience with the two sports to provide a stable foundation. Milikan said Wesleyan’s location, facilities and various other resources available in Fort Worth give the women’s golf team a chance to make

a positive impact from the start. He plans to add six to seven players to the roster, and compete in approximately four tournaments per semester. Millikan said he is excited to be a part of bringing this addition to Wesleyan. “I think we can be very successful and represent the university at a very high level,” Millikan said. “The opportunity not only to coach, but, to have this team at Wesleyan has certainly been a long time coming.” Milikan, who is also co-

The Rams had back-to-back wins and then ended up with two losses. They were defeated 88-80 by Alabama State University and 79-58 by University of Saint Thomas. The Rams quickly bounced back going on a four-game winning streak. The Rams headed over to New Orleans to compete in the Big East tournament and defeated Westminster College (79-75) and Dillard University (8172). In the game against Westminster, Frederick led the team with 26 points and 10 rebounds. While Griffin trailed him with 21 points 7 Rebounds. Moss added 14 along with Talley’s 11. The Rams defeated two conference teams to seal their four-game winning streak. They took on Southwestern Assembly of God University Jan. 5 finishing with a triple digit win 102-86. Moss led the team with 34 points, six rebounds and four assists. Adding to Moss, Frederick put up 21 points and 15 rebounds. Talley contributed 12 points. Stephane Mudiay, forward, and Holman gave

the Rams a boost off the bench. Mudiay contributing 11 points along with Holman adding nine points, three rebounds and seven assists. The Rams then took on Texas College Jan. 7 and came out with a victory finishing 83-76. Frederick led the Rams with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Talley added 21 points and seven assists, while Moss contributed 20 points and eight rebounds. Griffin contributed 14 rebounds and scored seven points. Closing out the break the Rams suffered from a loss to Our Lady of the Lake University finishing 120-98. Frederick led the team with 33 points, while Moss added 30. Griffin finished with 14 points. Terry Waldrop, head coach, said the team is making improvements across the board. “I think our chemistry is improving and we have so many new players that it just takes time for them to get to understand how to play together,” Waldrop said. Waldrop said he thinks

the players have to make a bigger commitment on the defensive and rebounding details in order for the Rams to get to where they want to go. “I believe this team will embrace the challenge and you will start to see those things improve,” Waldrop said. Jazz Holman, sophomore guard, said they played well over the break. “We worked hard and got it done,” Holman said. Oscar Griffin, junior guard, said the team demonstrated a lot of progress. “We improved a lot as a team playing defense together,” Griffin said. “Us playing together and being at the right spots, and getting the ball to the right people at the right time has improved.” Griffin said the chemistry is getting better but some improvements can be made to reach their ultimate goals. “We have to continue to work hard and play hard the entire game,” Griffin said. Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff The Rams will host the University of the Southwest Eric Frederick (1), junior foward takes it to the hoop on two at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 in the Sid Houston-Tillotson University defenders. Federick drives to the goal and slam dunks the ball for a easy two. Richardson Center.

Rams Basketball clench 12-3 record

Stephanie Randall

Slrandall@txwes.edu

The Texas Wesleyan Men’s Basketball team competed in nine games over the Christmas holidays. The men are sitting at fourth in conference play, sixth in the nation and 11-4 midway through the season. The break started off with two back-to-back wins. The Rams defeated Louisiana State University Shreveport 79-73 in triple overtime. Eric Frederick, forward, led the team with 30 points and 21 rebounds. Oscar Griffin, guard, contributed 20 points and nine rebounds, and Brian Talley finished with 17 points in the win. Jazz Holman, guard, contributed five points, seven assists and 11 rebounds. The Rams competed against Florida International University Dec. 10, finishing 72-68. Ronnie Moss led the Rams with 25 points, while Griffin added 18 points and eight rebounds. Frederick contributed 11 points and seven rebounds. Talley finished with 10 points as well.

head men’s golf coach, said that team has been successful in the past years and he hopes to create a competitive atmosphere for women’s golf. “The success that the men’s team has created will definitely benefit to the women’s team success,” Millikan said. Katherine Rosenbusch, sophomore Volleyball player, said she is bittersweet about bringing more women’s sports to Wesleyan. “I think it is great we are adding more women’s teams [to the department] so that it is a little more balanced,”

Rosenbusch said. However, she is worried that it will affect funding and recruitment of other women’s athletic teams. “On the opposite side, considering that funding is already low, adding more teams might hurt the ability to recruit better athletes,” Rosenbusch said. Rosenbusch said she has never had the chance to play golf before. “If I played golf, I definitely would be interested in joining the team I think it is a great opportunity,” she said.

University College Day April 11, 2012 IMAGINE. CREATE. CONNECT. For more than 20 years, University College Day has offered a forum for students, faculty members, and staff to share their scholarly and creative endeavors. During a special day of presentations, a shared sense of belonging is fostered within the Texas Wesleyan community. University College Day also serves to connect our campus with the world, supporting active learners as they think critically to engage one another in reaching out to local and global communities.

Submissions Due: Feb. 2, 2012 Forms are online at www.txwes.edu/academics/ucd

January18, 2012

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Lady Rams secure 7-2 conference record over break Stephanie Randall

Slrandall@txwes.edu

The Texas Wesleyan Women’s Basketball team competed in eight matches over the Christmas break. Currently sitting at fourth in the conference, the Lady Rams are 10-4 overall midway through the season. The break kicked off with a loss in overtime against Louisiana State University Shreveport on Dec. 3, finishing 83-78. The Lady Rams scored two back to back wins with an 84-77 win in overtime against Southwestern University, and 7662 win against the University of Saint Thomas Celts. Head coach Bill Franey said the team played well in this game and came out strong. “Everyone stepped up and played really good basketball, we were very pleased with the end result,” Franey said. “It was a great team effort, everyone came together made things happen.” Franey said the Rams captivated both halves against the Celts and back-to-back three’s from Emma Fradette started a run for the Rams opening the second half. The leading scorers for the game against the Celts were Brittany White with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Octavia Mullins with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

Their next match was their first chance at a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I school, Prairie View A&M University. The Lady Rams led most of the first half but lost in the final minutes of the game finishing 69-57. Following this game, the Lady Rams dominated against Hardin Simmons, finishing 71-56. Octavia Mullins led the Lady Rams with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Kristi Alexander had 13 points and eight assists, while Nicole Terral added 13 points and six assists. The Lady Rams continued on to play Southwestern Assembly of God University and came out with a win finishing 69-47. Kayla McCray, sophomore forward, said the match against SAGU was a great game, especially since they are our rivals. “Overall this game and the games over the break went really well and our team chemistry has improved,” McCray said. “As a team we should keep working on defense and execute our offence more.” The Lady Rams beat SAGU. Brittany White contributed to the win leading the Rams with 17 points to go with five steals and four assists. Raven Alexander contributed 13 points, and Kristi Alexander added in 11 points in the win.

With back-to-back wins, the Lady Rams added another win to the book against Texas College finishing 78-64. Alexander led the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds. McCray contributed 18 points and seven boards, and Brittany White finished with 12 points. The Lady Rams closed out the break on Jan. 9 with a loss to Our Lady of the Lake University with a score of 82-75. Nicole Terral led all the way with 18 points. Kristi Alexander contributed 15, and Brittany White finished with 11 for the Lady Rams. Bre’Untay Reed, senior guard, said the games overall went well and each game helped the team to improve. “From defense to execution or playing as a team as a whole improved and we trust one another,” Reed said. “The chemistry is definitely starting to develop and we are learning our roles.” Reed said they need to keep working hard and playing good defense. “When it comes down to it execution is what is going to keep us continuing to win.” The Lady Rams next game is against University of the Southwest at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 19 in the Sid Richardson Center.

Meisa Keivani Nafabadi | Rambler Staff Brittany White (1), senior guard, ﬁghts off her defender and drives to the basket aginst Houston-Tillotsin University on Jan 14.

Baseball team members anxious for upcoming 2012 season Emma Fradette

Ekfradette@mail.txwes.edu

The Texas Wesleyan baseball team is gearing up for the beginning of its 2012 season and the players are ready to start. In the 2011 baseball season, the Rams finished with an overall record of 31-23, 20-10 in conference play. The Rams will start the season off with their first game at 2 p.m., Jan. 29 at LaGrave Field in Fort Worth against Southwestern University.

Derek Vaughn, redshirt junior, said the team feels like it can only improve from the 2011 season. “We feel like we could have done better, but this year’s expectations are much higher with the new additions to the team,” Vaughn said. To keep their hard work and focus going, the Rams have been practicing throughout the week and various times at Sycamore Park. “We’ve been practicing, con-

ditioning and working out as a team ever since school has started back up,” Vaughn said. “Our talent level is much higher this year so players not only will be competing against other teams, but our players will be competing against fellow teammates for starting roles and playing time and in turn this will make us much better.” Vaughn said the team is looking better than ever. “We’re looking more consistent this early in the year and

The Inauguration of FREDERICK G. SLABACH as the 20th PRESIDENT of

TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

InvestIture Ceremony F R I D AY, J A N U A RY 2 7 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

mornIng Prayer servICe Polytechnic United Methodist Chapel Former u.s. seCretary oF state madeleIne K. albrIght PresentatIon and booK sIgnIng Martin Hall Free lunCh For all students Sid W. Richardson Center

8 – 8:30 a.m.

8:30 – 10:15 a.m. 1-2 p.m.

All StudentS, FAculty, And StAFF Are InvIted —Don’t Miss This Historic Event at the Covered Pavilion on Wesleyan Street www.txwes.edu/inauguration

our depth throughout the lineup is much stronger,” Vaughn said. “We’ve picked up some key players in certain positions that will benefit the team tremendously.” Dillon Wilson, senior psychology major and left-handed pitcher, said he is confident in all of the players and the Wesleyan baseball team has the opportunity ahead that some teams only dream about. Wilson said not only have the players been preparing

for the 2012 season, but the coaches have been preparing, too. “They have been there for us since day one,” Wilson said. “They help us keep our minds on what we can achieve at the end of this season with the guys we have.” Christian Soberanes, senior business marketing major and shortstop, said he also shares the goals of the senior players. “We all have a common goal to win the World Series,” So-

beranes said. “We understand this could be our last year to play the sport that we’ve been playing since we were 5 years old.” Alex Padilla, junior criminal justice major and catcher, said the 2012 baseball season should be fun. “As long as we all work hard to keep each other accountable and not try to do too much, we have a really good shot at a conference championship and go deep into the playoffs.”