October 12, 2011 by The Rambler

wednesday

October 12, 2011

Vol. 94 • No. 19

www.therambler.org

The Rambler The voice of Texas Wesleyan University students since 1917

Turkish Sufi music brought to life at Wesleyan by Latif Bolat.

Pancho’s Taco serves cheap tacos for on-the-go eaters.

News, page 3

Arts & Entertainment, page 4

Wesleyan moves up 23 spots in ranking Alejandra Garcia

agarcia@mail.txwes.edu

For the second year in a row, Texas Wesleyan has earned a national ranking in the first tier in U.S. News and World Report, moving up 23 spots from 71 to number 48, according to the report released the first week of October. Wesleyan was ranked number 48 out of 140, along with Dallas Baptist University, Humbolt State University, San Francisco State University and the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor.

Universities are ranked every year in September. There are three types of rankings—the No. 1 tier, the No. 2 tier and unranked. Schools are categorized into three classifications and ranked within those classifications— national liberal arts universities, national research universities and regional comprehensive universities. Wesleyan is categorized under regional comprehensive universities. Frederick Slabach, university president, said being nationally ranked

confirms Wesleyan is a great school to attend. “We [staff and faculty] just view that as an external validation of what we’ve known for a long time,” Slabach said. He said there are many factors that contributed to Wesleyan’s ranking, the most important being the student to faculty ratio. “I think what makes us a great university is the personal attention that our faculty and staff give to students,” Slabach said. “We have intentionally small classes so that faculty

and students can have the kind of interaction that leads to a quality education.” Slabach said being recognized in the U.S. News and World Report for the second time will encourage students to consider Wesleyan when applying to colleges. “They [high school students and their parents] often look to U.S. News and World Report as a way to begin their search for a good university,” Slabach said. However, Slabach said the national ranking should not be the only

factor applicants consider. “I don’t think U.S. News and World Report is the basis upon which many students make their final decision,” Slabach said. “That’s based on campus visits, the interaction they have with our faculty and staff, their perceptions of the campus and classroom experience—all those things that you really have to see first-hand.” Pati Alexander, vice president of enrollment and student services, said students should be proud

 RANKING, page 3

Veterans Club President’s Council Kick-off brings in donations honors military Alejandra Garcia

agarcia@mail.txwes.edu

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff The Fort Worth Symphony started off the evening at the President’s Council Kick-off Sept. 30 with the Start-Spangled Banner and then performed a powerful program that included Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and the Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, as well as Alessandro Marcello’s Oboe Concerto, with excerpts from various classical artists. At the kick-of, Nicholas Martin Hall in the Ann Waggoner Fine Arts Building was full of potential donors for the event, which was scheduled to raise money for music department scholarships. Following the free concert, guests were invited to attend a reception at Lou’s Place. At the time this was printed the amount of funds raised was not calculated.

For all students who were a part of the United States Armed Forces, the Texas Wesleyan Veterans Club is reaching out. Veterans Club, an organization implemented last spring, is directed to any student who served in the military through the National Guard, Coast Guard, Navy, Army or Air Force. Dr. Timothy Grammer, assistant professor of history, is the faculty adviser for the Veterans Club. Beginning this fall, student veterans have the opportunity to graduate with red, white and blue veteran cords to decorate their graduation robes. The Veterans Club is still in its recruiting phase. So far it consists of Robert Cowln, senior history with secondary education major, John Frank, senior business major, Juan Rios, senior liberal studies major, Ken (KC) Clontz, sophomore liberal arts major, Carolyn Clontz, senior history with secondary education major, and Robert Tutt, sophomore criminal justice major. Cowln is the president of the Veterans Club. He said veterans on campus should join so they can receive aid and recognition for their efforts. Cowln said the main goal of the club is to establish a place on campus for Veterans. Cowln said sometimes it is difficult for veterans to talk about their past, but it is easier when they talk to someone who went through the same thing. “We can’t relate to other students,” Cowln said. “But we can relate to each other.”

 VETERAnS, page 3

Lazarky awarded United Parcel Service scholarship Jordan Twine

jetwine@txwes.edu

Oscar Lazarky, senior business administration major, was awarded the United Parcel Service scholarship through the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas foundation. Lazarky was awarded the $2,400 scholarship based on academics and financial need. Lazarky said he used to be on the cheerleading and dance team but decided to quit this semester to focus more on his career goals. This however, left a gap in his financial aid since he was on a scholarship for the cheerleading team, leaving some of his college expenses unpaid. Shanna Hollis, director of financial aid, noticed Lazarky

needed financial support and suggested he apply for the UPS scholarship. “I didn’t have to do much work,” Lazarky said. “I guess because of my grades I ended up getting the scholarship.” Lazarky was notified through email of his status as a recipient for the UPS scholarship. Frederick Slabach, president of Texas Wesleyan, awarded him the $2,400 check. Lazarky said he was surprised to receive the scholarship. “It was pretty shocking,” Lazarky said. “It helped me out with school and it’s going to help me out with my loans.” Gabrielle Frolov, senior political science major, works at the Jack and Jo Willa Morton Fitness Center with Lazarky. She

said Lazarky deserves the scholarship and that she’s proud of him. “I was extremely happy for him because I know he wasn’t getting the scholarship from cheerleading anymore,” Frolov said. “When he got it, I congratulated him like five times. I was very happy for him.” Felicia Nunez, senior business management major, and friend of Lazarky’s, used to cheer with him. She said the scholarship was awarded to the right person. “I think Oscar is a very very genuine guy. He always has a smile on his face and whenever you see him he never really has anything negative to Name | Rambler Staff say,” Nunez said. “I think he deserves the UPS scholarship Oscar Lazarky, senior business major, was awarded the United Parcel Service scholarship this semester. Lazarky currently works in the Morton Fitness Center. in every way.”

Stop in at the Morton Fitness Center to sign up for group fitness classes! For more information, call 817-531-7589.

October 12, 2011

Opinion

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

Chris Christie criticized for appearance suggested throughout his campaign, but said apEliana Mijangos pearance can be too hard Sports editor to overcome. emmijangos@txwes.edu Taking his political views and ideals out of the picture, I would simply like to say the appearance of a person should not Chris Christie, Governor of make him more or less viable for New Jersey, has been labeled “not a position in politics. This is the president material” for his obe- federal government we are talksity issues. ing about, not how skinny Paris According to abcnews.go, colum- Hillton can get off of cocaine or nist Mike Kinsley of ABC news is how many weaves Beyonce can calling Christie’s weight a charac- wear. ter flaw that completely disqualifies With the 2008 election being him from the race for presidency. the first time I could vote, I took All this said to a man who actually it upon myself to educate myself chose not to run in the 2012 presi- rather than vote for Obama bedential election. cause of his ethnicity or fine phyAccording to washingtonpost. sique. It is truly disappointing to com, Ari Fleischer, a former see my generation and ones bespokesman for the Bush White fore me influenced to even enterHouse, said appearance, whether tain such publicity. we want to admit it or not is a According to tnr.com, in 2006 huge factor in voting outcomes. two political scientists did a Fleischer said he agreed with study on the impact outer apsome policy ideas Christie had pearance in the media has on

voters who are less than informed on politics. The results showed that voters who watch a multitude of television and lack political knowledge will vote for the better looking candidate. To me, this simply says that as viewers, we need to have a veracity thermometer that goes off every time we are misinformed by the media. I, too, currently work in media and plan to have a career in the field because I am interested in finding and reporting the truth. However, as voters and as the future for America, we have to understand the power of knowledge and stray away from

the power of reality television. Politics should be about the underlying changes and implemen-

tations that a candidate can use to improve our nation for the better, not his daily exercise regimen.

Email system creates more hurdles for students Shauna Banks Editor-in-chief

sbbanks@txwes.edu

Facebook and the new Texas Wesleyan website now have something in common—neither is user friendly. Toss into the mix a new emailing system for the Texas Wesleyan community and you’ve got a never-ending headache for current students and faculty.

Sure, the new website is professional looking. It wows prospective students with lively pictures of current and past Wesleyanites. But it falls short in the usability department for current students. As a part of The Rambler staff, I found the most useful tool on the old website to be “people finder,” which allowed us to find out email addresses and contact information for faculty and some students in the blink of an eye. For the first few days after the new website debuted, I searched far and low for this feature, which seemed to be

nonexistent. It was only by chance that I found it nestled in the main page for RamLink—a page I don’t often visit unless I’m racing to see if my financial aid has posted or to register for classes. Overall, I have mixed feelings about the website. There are no longer those familiar links under the same tabs, which can be discouraging when trying to find out more information on things from using databases for research to forms for human resources. After exploring the new website, I think the upgrade wasn’t completely necessary. The old website was plenty

attractive for me, with links and tabs most of us were already familiar with. The only problem was, it wasn’t made to fit anything larger than a five-inch screen. As for the new email system, I’m wondering if many students have found it to be more than a huge nuisance. Yes, it has pulled Texas Wesleyan’s email system out of the stone ages—but it’s only provided a new task for us, as we all scramble to figure out how to have the emails forwarded to the personal email address we actually check more than once a month. Those who are student work-

ers have double the task, having to change settings on their student worker and student email accounts both. So, I’m forced to resort back to the old (and cliché) adage—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. In this case, neither the website nor email system were broken. They were in need of a touch of makeup, but not the complete makeovers they received in September. Visit www.therambler.org to find out how to log into the new email sysstem and how to forward emails to a personal email account.

Apps serve as solutions to everyday life obstacles When I purchased my android phone, several apps Rachel Peel were already on the phone, Community Editor but other ridiculous apps rpeel@txwes.edu such as the Pocket Express or the Think Free Office app just seem to take up valuable memory space. I downloaded the weathDo you have an app for that? Aper app, email app and of parently we have come to a point course my music box app as items where laziness has officially taken I thought would be useful to me. over our smart phones. Before These have a significant purpose in long, looking up items on the Inter- my smart phone. net will become a thing of the past. I use my email app to check my Many of us are guilty of purchas- email on the go on a regular basis ing apps to make our life easier, but and the weather bug app keeps me do apps really make things easier updated with temperature, emeror do they just take up memory on gency alert systems and radar our phones? to tell me when to expect rain to

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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

come in. These apps, I could argue help me in my daily life, but others are just ridiculous and a burden to society. Some of the top rated ridiculous apps include the following: GottaGo, Drink Buddy, iFart and Cry Translator. The GottaGo app is for all men and women out there who get set up by their friends with a really bad date and if you download this app on your phone you can call yourself and tell your date you need to go. According to new.cnet.com, the DrinkBuddy app uses the ancient art of math to give you generally precise indications of how inebriated you are based on what you’ve had to drink. To make things more

Thumbs up to whoever decided having a pancake eating contest in Dora’s at 11 p.m. this Thursday was a good idea. All we have to say to that is ... pass the butter and syrup please. Thumbs up to the resident advisers who grilled the burgers at the latest residence life cookout last Thursday. Free food is awesome, but tasty free food is even better. Topping that off with free soda and chips was just the icing on the cake. Thumbs up to the Social Rams and its involvement in breast cancer awareness this month. The campus is looking pretty fly donning the pink ribbons in rememberance of those we have lost and those who have won their battles with breast cancer. We commend you for being one of the only organizations to go pink.

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

Address all correspondence to: Texas Wesleyan University

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

interesting it also allows you to link up with your friends to see what they’ve had to drink and record your last drinks. This app I think could be used as long as it is correct, but never rely solely on a phone instead of a breathalyzer. For all you jokesters out there, this next app is catered to you—the iFart app. I will sadly admit that my husband, who is quite the joker himself, has downloaded this app to his phone to use on people as they walk by. This is hilarious for the first few times, but it eventually becomes an annoyance I would prefer not to hear in the middle of a nice dinner. Lastly, the most ridiculous of them all is the Cry Translator. This

app was made for first - time parents who do not understand anything about parenting. According to www.ranker.com , when a baby is crying, parents can hold their phone up to the baby and according to “clinical trials” it accurately tells the parent if the baby is hungry, needs a diaper, wants a toy or wants a pacifier. If parents need this app to know what their baby wants then they don’t need to be parents. I have mixed feelings about all this splurge of applications for smart phones, but most of the time the apps I download are on my phone for one of two purposes: one, I actually use them on a daily basis or two, they are strictly for entertainment purposes only.

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Thumbs down to whoever on campus is responsible for refilling the hand sanitizer despensers mounted in most buildings. While the dispensrs say they are supposed to deliver sanitizer, we often find that to be a fib. While we like to live on the edge as much as anyone, we prefer to keep the bacteria to a minimum, so we would appreciate the occasional refill.

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Thumbs down to the West library and the overflow of chalkboards in the study rooms. This is 2011, and no one likes a dusty shirt or hand. It’s time to upgrade to dry erase boards and ditch the 1950s boards.

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Thumbs down to everyone on campus who uses the restrooms and forget to flush. Since this is a college and not an elementary school, the “flush sounds scare me” excuse does not apply--so we are stumped as to why a simple flush is so exhausting.

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.

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News

October 12, 2011

CEO inducted into business hall of fame Kelsi Holland

knholland@mail.txwes.edu

Faculty and staff in the School of Business at Texas Wesleyan will play a role in inducting Paul Andrews, CEO of Tex-Tronic Industries (now known as TTI), into the Hall of Fame as the Business Executive of the Year. Judi Pardue, executive assistant in the office of the president at Wesleyan, has been a part of the planning process for the Business Hall of Fame where Andrews will speak to students on campus. Pardue said the event will take place at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 3 in Martin Hall and Andrews will speak to students about his business and becoming an entrepreneur. Judi Pardue | Courtesy This event is hosted by the Fort Paul Andrews, CEO of TTI will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Worth Chamber of Commerce, Fort

RANKING

continued from page 1

Wesleyan ranked in the No. 1 tier. “It’s a pretty prestigious ranking,” Alexander said. “A lot of universities strive to be ranked in the U.S. News and World Report.” Alexander also said the student to faculty ratio is an important part of Wesleyan’s ranking. “We value that one-on-one

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firm every single year that one of the things they love about Wesleyan is the student faculty ratio,” Alexander said. Diana James, freshman biology major, said being nationally ranked makes a difference to the students. “People want to go to the best colleges,” James said. “Wesleyan is one of the best

Career Services

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relationship,” Alexander said. “You just don’t find that in other universities.” Alexander said students have given their opinion before through focus groups and surveys and most of the time they say they appreciated the close relationship among faculty and students. “We have students recon-

Employer’s Database

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Located in Brown Lupton North Wing Monday-Friday 8:00am-7:00pm 817.531.6512 smata@txwes.edu rfisk@txwes.edu

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attended, I was able to take a guest of honor with me, my mother,” Douglas said. “I was also able to network with trustees and other important business figures in the Fort Worth area.” Douglas said other students interested in a business career should take their classes seriously, ask questions and attend events to take care of every opportunity available. Marcia Hendrix, assistant to Paul Andrews, has been a part of TTI for more than three years and said Andrews is worthy of being inducted into the hall of fame. “This is a great way to honor a man that is well deserving of such an award,” Hendrix said. “He has worked really hard to achieve what he has done and it also promotes the success of TTI.”

Sufi mystic music hits Wesleyan

Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff

Worth Business Press and with the School of Business at Wesleyan as an active participant. Later that evening Andrews will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at 6 p.m. at the Fort Worth Club. This part of the day is by invitation only. The recipient of the Thomas H. Law Scholarship will also be announced at the evening event when Andrews is inducted. Dujuanna Douglas, master of business administration and auditor for the United States Department of Defense, received the scholarship last fall. Douglas said each fall Dr. Hector Quintinilla, dean of School of Business, selects nominees for this scholarship. “It was a very nice evening when I

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Turkish Sufi musician, Latif Bolat, performed Oct. 6 in Nicholas Martin Hall. He presented all attendees with an array of poetry, Sufi music, stories and images from the ancient land of Turkey. During the songs he played, Bolat played a saz. The event was free to all, and was the first time this type of cultural musical event was scheduled and hosted at Wesleyan’s Ann Waggoner Fine Arts Building.

VETERANS

continued from page 1

Cowln said once students join they can begin learning about all services offered, such as a seminar about the GI Bill, a Veterans Day luncheon and outings to Horses for Heroes, an institution that allows veterans to ride horses as a calming way to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Carolyn Clontz is the Veterans Club vice president. Her

duties consist of assisting the members with their GI benefits and directing them to the people who can best help them on campus. “I help everybody with the paperwork,” Carolyn Clontz said. At noon on Oct. 13 in Classroom.NEXT, Carolyn Clontz will conduct a seminar to explain how to navigate through

www.gibill.va.com. Frank said veterans club is a great opportunity for students and the school will really benefit from it. “We want it to be a part of the school,” Frank said. “We want it to last for a long time.” The next Veterans Club meeting will be held at noon Oct. 14 in PUMC room 125.

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October 12, 2011

THE RAMBLER | www.therambler.org

Theatre students view life through art lense Jordan Twine

jetwine@txwes.edu

Intertwining art into their everyday lives, senior theater majors Jovan Rodriguez and Gloria Mendoza strive to be innovative. The duo dares to be bold by using creativity as a form of liberation. Their eccentric style and eagerness to show the world who they are through theatre, performance art, photography, design and fashion, gives them the courage to be individuals. Rodriguez said he likes to express himself creatively in everything he does. One way he expresses himself is through fashion. “I like to say that I am a walking performance art,” Rodriguez said. “In the way I dress, I try to convey something to the people around me.” Rodriguez said he holds true to who he is regardless of others’ opinions. “People don’t always get how I dress,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a performance art in itself. I am projecting an emotion through clothes.” Mendoza also embraces her own sense of style but said the two of them have not always been brave. “In high school I was shy,” Mendoza said. “I think coming out of my shell and really knowing myself once I got to college helped me be out there and not really care.” Rodriguez and Mendoza are both involved in the theatre arts program. Mendoza said it gives them a place to grow as artists. “My freshman year we lived, ate [and] breathed theatre,” Mendoza said. “I would go home at 6 in the morning from the theatre and then go home, shower and come back at 8 in the morning.” Mendoza said even though theatre helped them get started, it pointed them to a broader direction. “Something happened where we realized we weren’t just interested in

Olivia Blanco | Rambler Staff Senior theatre majors Gloria Mendoza and Jovan Rodriguez are heavily involved in the theatre department at Texas Wesleyan. Rodriguez was assistant director for the play. Mendoza and Rodriguez like to express themselves by using art and fashion as a medium.

theatre,” Mendoza said. “We were interested in art.” Rodriguez assisted in directing two theatre Wesleyan productions, The Pillow Man last spring and Lycanthrope this past September. Rodriguez said directing is something he is exploring to expand his creative abilities. “I kind of see myself doing ev-

erything,” Rodriguez said. “Do you need an actor? I’m here. Do you need someone to design something? I’m here. Do you need a director? I’m willing to learn.” Mendoza and Rodriguez both agree it’s important for an artist to be open-minded. “You should grab inspiration from everywhere,” Mendoza said. “Even

the things that make me mad or upset can be processed into something I like or some type of art.” Rodriguez said he wants to revolutionize theatre and hopes to inspire others like him. “My main dream in life is to open up my own theatre and do whatever I want,” Rodriguez said. “I want a lot of performance art and during inter-

mission have a live band playing.” Jeanne Everton, associate professor of theatre arts, said Mendoza and Rodriguez make a great team. “I think the thing that is so remarkable about them is that they complement each other so well,” Everton said. “Their strengths are different, but they trust and respect each other, so they collaborate beautifully.

Pancho’s Tacos offers authentic Mexican food Jordan Twine

jetwine@mail.txwes.edu

I think it’s safe to say there’s nothing like a home cooked meal. That is exactly what I got when I visited Pancho’s Tacos, located at 4063 E. Lancaster Ave. next to Whataburger. The restaurant offers au-

thentic Mexican selections but they specialize in tacos, hence the name. It is festive looking on the outside and inside it is very reminiscent of Mexican culture. Holding true to that motif, everything on the menu is completely in Spanish so it is best to have at least a little knowledge of the language, or at least

someone who can translate for you. During my visit, I decided to try the beef tacos with corn tortillas and double rice. I scarfed it down so fast by the time I looked up I was finished. It was very tasty I must say, but dining in is something I would not recommend. The restaurant has no

booths and they don’t have a beverage machine. The waitress hands you a cup of ice and you go to a cooler and get a can of soda you like, pop it open and pour it yourself. I must say it was a unique dining experience but I wouldn’t say it’s worth trying. The prices are affordable so it’s good for college students

that want to watch their wallets. The menu doesn’t have much variety, but the tacos are worth picking up TOGO. The restaurant is a ghost town during the day so it’s easy to get in and out but business does pick up at night. The service is mediocre and you can tell the eatery

targets a specific clientele, mainly Hispanics. If it means the tacos stay the same, then by all means keep everything about the restaurant completely the same. I did say get your tacos to-go, right? Pancho’s Tacos is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. MondayThursday and is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the weekends.

D A R

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Texas Wesleyan University and

The Department of Music present

Guitar Fort Worth: Classical Series at Wesleyan Matt Palmer, guitar

TED DA

October 14, 2011 Martin Hall

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

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Campus Feature

October 12, 2011

New faculty member brings in diverse culture Stephanie Randall slrandell@txwes.edu

Shanxi Province of China native Dr. Lili Zhang joined the School of Arts and Letters this fall as the new associate professor of religion. Dr. Mark Hanshaw, assistant professor of comparative religious studies and chair of religion, said he commends Zhang for her tremendous knowledge and interest in the well being of students. “What sets Dr. Zhang apart from the other impressive candidates was her wonderful scholarly work,” Hanshaw said. “She brings a background in Chinese religion that Wesleyan did not have prior to her arrival.” Hanshaw said the addition of Zhang to Wesleyan will provide new areas of expertise for students to experience. “Wesleyan is now one of the very few institutions to have expertise on Chinese culture, which makes her a tremendous asset to our university,” Hanshaw said. Aside from teaching students about Chinese cul-

ture, Zhang also enjoys Chinese traditional practices like herbal medicine, Chinese meditation, reading and traveling. Zhang’s family includes her husband Adam Zhang, who happens to be her middle school sweetheart, and two children Charles (8) and Lillian (6). Before she was hired at Wesleyan, Zhang received her bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Beijing University. She continued her education to obtain a master’s degree in Chinese philosophy with a focus on Buddhism. “In America you come to choice with your study,” Zhang said. “But in China you really cannot choose freely what you want to learn, it is assigned.” Zhang said she plans on creating a new experience for students interested in Asian religions, while also updating methods and theories of Chinese culture in particular. She said one of her main goals is for students to have the chance to study abroad in China and Tibet.

Zhang said her role in the new comparative religious studies program is to get acquainted with students and faculty. Zhang said she wants to make sure her students who have interest in Chinese culture receive the best education in this field. Dr. Bruce McDonald, assistant professor of philosophy and religion and head of the tenure committee, agreed that Zhang is an asset to the department. “She is terrific; she will bring a lot of knowledge and plenty of personal attention,” McDonald said. McDonald said Zhang is an impressive addition to the Wesleyan faculty. “She is intelligent, gracious and very kind hearted with hopes of taking her students to higher levels of education, presenting Chinese cultures that Wesleyan hasn’t had before,” McDonald said. “She will make demands on students but she Stephanie Randall | Rambler Staff will also be there to help them; she is going to be a Dr. Lili Zhang, associate professor of religion, is a new addition to faculty at Texas Wesleyan. very popular teacher for all Zhang brings Chinese culturural practices to Wesleyan, such as herbal medicine and meditation. She said she plans on introducing Asian religions to students who are interested. the right reasons.”

Students enjoy opportunity to meet with assigned mentors Jordan Twine

jetwine@txwes.edu

Staff in New Student Programs at Texas Wesleyan held a luncheon for mentors and mentees of the mentorship program to meet. The luncheon began at noon Oct. 6 in the Maxine and Edward L. Baker building and was hosted by Melody Fowler, director of student programs.

Everyone in attendance was treated to a Mexican buffet courtesy of Aramark. Mentors and mentees met for the first time at the luncheon. Fowler said students filled out an information sheet and were matched according to their majors and interests. “We try to get the mentors and mentees to make plans on their own to meet on campus,” Fowler said. The mentorship program

has been in effect for five years and Fowler said the goals for it are to connect a mentee with someone they can go to on campus when they need advice. “It’s just for the mentee to have someone they can ask questions, gripe and complain to if they want to or need to,” Fowler said. Fowler said the luncheon had about 65 in attendance which was impressive.

“It was a very good turn out,” Fowler said. “I’m very pleased about that.” Fowler said being in the mentorship program has certain perks. “Sometimes the theatre department will give us free tickets as long as you’re with your mentor or mentee,” Fowler said. “Athletic events do the same thing.” Ashly Spencer, night and weekend coordinator for the

provost office, said she had a mentor her freshmen year who inspired her to be a mentor herself. “DeAwna Wood in advancement was my mentor and she was absolutely amazing,” Spencer said. “I wanted to provide equal assistance to someone the same way she provided it to me.” Wendi Andino, the new coordinator of new student

programs and transfer liaison, was given a formal introduction and a bouquet of flowers by Fowler at the luncheon. “I’m very familiar with new student programs so the transfer from the provost office to new student programs was easy,” Andino said. “I’m really excited. Probably the most exciting thing is I will be working more with students.”

October 12, 2011

Community

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Sorority speaks up towards autism

Rachel Peel

rlpeel@txwes.edu

Texas Wesleyan sorority, Alpha Xi Delta is hosting various events to raise funds for the 2011 Dallas/Fort Worth Walk Now for Autism Speaks at 10 a.m. Nov. 12 at Quik Trip Park in Grand Prairie. The ladies of AXD started the month of October with fundraising events at Buffalo Wild Wings off of Hulen Street on Oct. 3 and a car wash Oct. 5 in between the Jack & Jo Willa Morton Fitness Center and the Sid Richardson Student Center. Sandra Orta, junior criminal justice major and member of AXD said they will not know the amount of funds raised at Buffalo Wild Wings for a couple of weeks. “It was a successful adventure,” Orta said. AXD raised more than $60 at the car wash last week. All of the proceeds will go to Autism Speaks, an organization that raises funds to support autism research. According to www.walknowforautismspeaks.org, autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the U.S. Courtney Harris, senior early childhood through six education major, has a personal connection with autism. Harris said she has a 21-year-old younger brother who is severely autistic and completely non-verbal. She said AXD’s philanthropy is one of the reasons she decided to join Alpha Xi Delta. Harris has been a member of Alpha Xi Delta since fall of 2009 and said she likes to participate in the walk because it is a good for families. Harris said her brother was

diagnosed with autism when he was 2 and a half. Harris said it is very stressful to have a brother with autism, not only for her, but her family as well. Alpha Xi Delta not only participates in the walk, they also help out with the registration table and worked in the accounting room collecting donations. “We like to go and help out, it’s just important to me to walk because I have an autistic brother, but I know it’s important to the other girls too,” Harris said. “They have been a huge support system to me.” Mariah Hill, senior English major, has been a member of Alpha Xi Delta since she was a freshman in 2008. Hill said she enjoys being active on campus. Hill said she joined AXD to become friends with other students and do more than simply attend class on campus. Hill said she enjoyed participating in the walk every year and the best thing about the walk was seeing all the participants. “Just to go and see everything that we have been working so hard to fundraise for was going to real people to benefit from it was amazing,” Hill said. Future events hosted by AXD include a garage sale Oct. 15 at one of the members’ houses, which at the time this was printed was undecided, and a campus wide event at 12:15 p.m. Oct. 20 on the mall in front of the Eunice and James L. West Library. Activities at the Oct. 20 event will include bounce houses, hot dogs, live music and other activities which at the time this was printed

“We like to go and

help out, it’s just important to me to walk because I have an autistic brother, ” Courtney Harris Senior EC-6 major

were undecided as well. 100 percent of the proceeds raised at all the events will go to Autism Speaks. Hill also said students can bring their children to the Oct. 20 event.

Photos by Erica Estrada| Rambler Staff Above: Member of Alpha Xi Delta pose for a picture at Buffalo Wild Wings. Catherine Bryant, senior education major, Brittany Adelstein, sophomore theatre major and Alexa Cardon (4), daughter of Natasha Guillen, senior education major enjoy the food while raising funds for the 2011 Dallas/Fort Worth Walk Now for Autism on Nov. 12 at Quick Trip Park in Grand Prairie.

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7 S�� Rather inducted into USTTA hall of fame THE RAMBLER | www.therambler.org

Emma Fradette

ekfradette@txwes.edu

Jasna Rather, head table tennis coach at Texas Wesleyan, will be inducted into the United States of America Table Tennis Hall of Fame Dec. 15 at the induction banquet at the U.S. National Championships in Virginia Beach, Va. According to ramsports.

net, the United States Table Tennis organization was created in 1933 and run in Colorado Springs, Colo. It has been affiliated with the International Table Tennis Federation as well as the United States Olympic Committee. Rather was born in Yugoslavia and started playing table tennis at age 8. She started playing the sport

October 12, 2011

because her uncle coached and her older sister played table tennis as well. “My parents never put pressure on me to play table tennis,” Rather said. Rather said in Yugoslavia parents like their children to play some kind of sport because they see it as a way to stay healthy and a way to meet other children. “I was happy that my

parents didn’t put that unnecessary pressure on me,” Rather said. “The only reason they got mad at me was if I didn’t take practice as serious as I should have.” The USATT Hall of Fame induction is not just about her coaching career, but mainly focuses on her accomplishments as a table tennis athlete. She has been a member

Jasna Rather | Courtesy Jasna Rather, head table tennis coach, is being inducted into the United States of America Table Tennis Hall of Fame on Dec. 15. Rather played six seasons for the Rams winning three women’s singles national titles and competing in ﬁve NCTTA championships while reviecing her masters in education at Texas Wesleyan.

of the United States National Team since 2000, and has made four trips to the Olympic Games. Rather played for the United States Olympic Team twice and with the Yugoslavia Olympic Team twice. In 1988, she won the bronze medal for Yugoslavia in South Korea. Rather is a seven-time U.S. Champion winning the 2003 and 2005 women’s singles national titles along with women’s doubles titles in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2010. In 2003, Rather won the mixed doubles title in table tennis as well. In Yugoslavia, Rather has won more than 20 national championships. Rather graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oakland University in Michigan. She received a phone call from a friend in 2001 asking if she knew anyone willing to attend Wesleyan and play table tennis. Rather decided to take the opportunity to become a student and a table tennis player for Wesleyan. “I was the first one to go to school and play table tennis when the program started in 2001,” Rather said. She played six seasons for Wesleyan, winning three women’s singles national titles. Rather also competed in five NCTTA National Championships as well. She received her master’s in Education from Wesleyan, too. This is Rather’s sixth season coaching the Texas Wesleyan table tennis team. Since taking over the head coaching position, the team has won 18 titles and as of the 2011 season, the team is

on a winning streak of eight National Collegiate Table Tennis Association National Championships in a row. Senior player Oliviu Vasilca has played for Wesleyan for the past four years. “It’s about time she became inducted. Her accomplishments are astounding.” Vasilca said. “She is a role model not only in sports but in life, she has taught me more about life than most people have my whole life.” Vasilca moved from Romania four years ago and came straight to Wesleyan. “I found Wesleyan through google.com. I searched for table tennis scholarships and Texas Wesleyan showed up,” Vasilca said. Vasilca said he sent an email to Rather who responded within two hours and 450 emails later he ended up at Wesleyan. “She put into my head that going to college in the United States and playing table tennis was possible for me,” Vasilca said. “I have changed so much since I have been at Wesleyan and I’m privileged to know her.” Co-head Golf Coach and Director of New Sports Program Development, Kevin Millikan, said he is very proud of Rather and the job she has done with the table tennis program. “Under her leadership the program has grown in size and reputation and represented Texas Wesleyan at the highest level, both on and off the court,” Millikan said. “The success of their program is directly attributed to her drive and vision, and I am so happy that she is a part of our athletic staff.”

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Sports

October 12, 2011

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

Wesleyan’s winningest coach looks into another competative season

Eliana Mijangos

emmijangos@txwes.edu

From Texas Ranger to Texas Wesleyan head men’s baseball coach Mike Jeffcoat practices the mental approach for this game that has been his life-long passion. “I always felt like I was a student of the game,” Jeffcoat said. “I tried to ask questions from other coaches and I felt like I could teach guys the mental approach of the game.” Jeffcoat attended Louisiana Tech University from 1978 to1980 where he competed in collegiate baseball for three years before being signed to the Clevland Indians. Drafted in the 13th round, Jeffcoat continued his baseball career on the professional level and went back in off seasons to get his degree. In May of 1985, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants and played with them for a year before being traded to the Texas Rangers, where he built his home in Arlington from 1987 to 1992. “All those years I was playing, I always felt like when I was done playing I would want to coach,” Jeffcoat said. Ram baseball players agree that Jeffcoat’s experience and coaching techniques really set him apart from other coaches. “He’s definitely not like any coach I’ve played for,”

Christian Soberanes, senior short stop, said, “He knows when to be serious but also when to keep things loose.” Jeffcoat played a total of 15 years of professional baseball in both minor and major leagues as well as three years of collegiate baseball. “[Jeffcoat] being a major league pitcher also helps us with the mental aspect of the game,” Soberanes said. “There’s not much he hasn’t seen in his years as both a player and a coach.” Jeffcoat said after his baseball career ended he worked in sales and customer service managing jobs in the area but was looking for a way to stay a part of the game without having to travel as much. Jeffcoat happened to run into Wesleyan’s head golf coach, Bobby Cornett, at a local golf tournament and it was Cornett who gave him a recommendation for the coaching position that had opened up at Wesleyan. “I just happened to be in the right spot at right time,” Jeffcoat said. Hired in September of 2001, this 2011 season will start Jeffcoat’s 11th season. Ram baseball has won conference two of the last five years, with Jeffcoat being labeled the winningest coach in Wesleyan history in 2010. Blake Walker, assistant men’s baseball coach, is an ex-Ram baseball player and

Eliana Mijangos | Rambler Staff Mike Jeffcoat, head men’s baseball coach, was named the winningest coach in Wesleyan’s history after his 2010 season. As of his 2011 season, he has obtained 320 wins. Ram baseaball has won conference two of the last five years and Jeffcoat said he plans to go all the way this year as well. With a large amount of new recruits, Jeffcoat said he is excited about his over all team morale and said the recruits will mesh well with the players they retained from last year.

graduated to become Jeffcoat’s assistant. “He just teaches the game the right way,” Walker said. “Baseball is such a strategic game and being a student of the game is the main thing. He shows me the ropes.”

Eliana Mijangos | Rambler Staff Ivan Kovacevic, sophomore midfielder, was voted player of the week Sept. 19-25 by the Red River Athletic Conference. He said he wants to go all the way to a conference championship.

Ivan finds home in Ram soccer Eliana Mijangos

emmijangos@txwes.edu

Having traveled the world before age 12, Ivan Kovacevic, sophomore midfielder for the Ram soccer team, wound up at Texas Wesleyan after escaping a war. Kovacevic was born in Bosnia and moved to Germany after the Bosnian war in the ‘90s. According to blankanddevelopment.org, the Bosnian War occurred between April 1992 and December 1995. It was a conflict between the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and entities within that republic that were looking to break away. This war was sparked by the break up of Yugoslavia and multi ethnic societies such as the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Kovacevic said he always had a passion for soccer and started playing organizedsoccer at five years old. With his father still living in Croatia, Kovacevic said he, his mother and siblings moved to Fort Worth when he was 12 after their visa ex-

pired. Opportunities to return home to Croatia were no longer available since his house had burned down in the war, but his father still remains there. Kovacevic attended Brewer High School in Forth Worth in 2005, where he competed on the varsity soccer team. He received All-State honors his junior and senior years and competed on the Olympic Development Team. Kovacevic said he attended Wesleyan for his freshman year as only a student, but was inspired by the players at Wesleyan to get involved in the soccer program. “I don’t want to move anymore,” Kovacevic said, “Wesleyan is close and I had heard a lot of good stuff about it.” Kovacevic’s teammates speak highly of his work ethic and dedication after being named player of the week by the Red River Athletic Conference for Sept. 19-25. “He is an extremely gifted player and a hard worker who expects and demands the best from himself and his teammates,” Clay Lawson, junior defense, said. “Also, he’s a pretty cool dude off the field.”

Christian Sotelo, senior defense, said Kovacevic’s work ethic is always on, whether it is a game or practice. “He is a great player which helps make our team that much stronger,” Sotelo said. Kovacevic said with the new head men’s soccer coach, Tyler Powell, the program has really turned around and he is excited to see where they go this year. “The team chemistry is very high,” Kovacevic said. “We didn’t know each other from the beginning, so getting together the first week was good. It meant a lot to us.” Kovacevic said Powell makes their team work hard as a unit. “There is a lot more discipline this year,” Kovacevic said. “Coach doesn’t let anything slide. It doesn’t matter if you’re the best player or the worst player that never plays, he is going to push you.” With all this potential and hard work, Kovacevic said he only has one goal for the year. “I just want to win it all,” Kovacevic said. “We’ve gotten this far let’s see how much more we can get.”

Jeffcoat has now racked in 320 wins as of 2011. Jeffcoat said he brought in some new players this year to go with the players they retained from last year’s team, and so far they seem to have an improved attitude.

“Last year was a little disappointing, but we weren’t expecting too much because every starting position had been a senior,” Jeffcoat said. Jeffcoat said attitude will take a player farther than

talent at this level so he is excited about team attitude and the new recruits for this coming season. “We have the same goal as we do every year,” Jeffcoat said, “To make it to the college world series.”