The Rambler Vol.100 No.10

WEDNESDAY Oct. 12, 2016 Vol. 100 • No. 10

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OPINION

Internationals tell their stories Hannah Onder

hlonder@txwes.edu

How to juggle planning a wedding and being a student Shaydi Paramore offers tips for fellow brides-to-be also working on their degrees.

NEWS

From around the world to Wesleyan International students share some of their educational and cultural adaptions to Texas.

CAMPUS

A look at education in foreign countries Education looks different depending on where you are.

While preparing for midterms, junior business major Karl Willis thinks back to how school back home would just be beginning.

“The semesters are a lot shorter,” Willis said. “They’re only twelve weeks, so if I was back home, I would have been starting Sept. 26.”

Willis, who is from Northern Ireland, has had to learn to adjust to living in America as well as being at Texas Wesleyan. And there are many adjustments to make: the workload in his classes, the length of time it takes to get an undergraduate degree (three years, as compared to four in many cases in America) and the pride Wesleyan students have – back home, he says, college is just a place to learn.

Willis is not alone in adjusting to college life in America. Twelve percent of all Wesleyan students are international, including 16 percent of all undergrads.

American students at Wesleyan might not know how different the college experience is for their international classmates. But it is – in a variety of ways. “[In Ireland] there’s a lot less assignments, but our assignments are bigger,” Willis said. “Every assignment you get is probably three or four thousand words, but you probably get a couple of weeks in between.

Whereas, here, you constantly have small assignments every week.”

But while Willis finds the workload here a little more tedious than back home, freshman mass commu-

Dana Schultes is named exective producer at Stage West, a highly respected local theatre.

SPORTS

Off-season is critical to athletes’ success.

nications major Tina Huynh, from Vietnam, finds Wesleyan to be a relief.

“It’s crazy there,” Huynh said. “I feel super relieved here. Although I have homework, I still have free time. In the gifted high schools, we go to school at 7 a.m. We get home at about 9 p.m. and do homework until midnight. Then we sleep, and it’s the next day.”

In addition to the lighter workload, Hyunh is enjoying the cowboy culture of Fort Worth.

“I like the accents,” she said. “Everyone’s ‘ya’ll.’ I like Fort Worth at night. It’s kind of pretty, and all the structures of the houses and build-

ings are kind of unique.”

She said she likes the Fort Worth Stockyards “a lot.”

“They seem more modern, Western, nice and organized,” she said.

“Back there (in Vietnam) it’s really crazy. There, it can be super pretty building right here, and then next to it a really ugly house. It’s messy.

I really like it at night in Sundance Square.”

While Wesleyan students are gearing up for summer break in early May, Mongolian international student Aminaa Munkhbayer, a junior psychology major, said that a school year back home can extend into early July depending on a student’s major.

fellow students, respected professors and administrators who supported my time as a student and now who support my efforts as a trustee.”

University President Frederick Slabach wrote in an email that Powell’s “dynamic leadership and keen decision-making skills” have had a positive impact on Wesleyan.

“She is most-deserving of the Alumna of the Year Award, and I’m very pleased to see her recognized in this regard,” Slabach wrote.

Powell has been named as a 2014 Great Women of Texas honoree by the Fort Worth Business Press and honored for her accomplishments in business, civic and social contributions by the Great Women of Texas program, according to txwes.edu.

“She is a wonderful advocate for the University and supports her alma mater through her time, talents and treasure,” DeAwna Wood, director of Alumni Relations, wrote in an

email.

This isn’t Powell’s first time to be awarded a medal for her achievement in alumni services. In October 2009 she was awarded the Wesleyan Service Award, according to burlesonisd.net “The nomination wasn’t really one person, but sort of a collective effort from all sorts of people,” Wood said.

Powell has had a deep-rooted love for Wesleyan, and has shown that love by growing Wesleyan in several ways, from planning the $6.5 million Rosedale Renaissance project to enhancing the student life experience, Slabach wrote.

Powell wrote that she has worked in several areas of enhancing the university.

“One of my favorite initiatives during my tenure as Chairman has been the Rosedale Renaissance,” Powell wrote. “During the balance of my service, I am focused on the

Shaydi Paramore

ssparamore@txwes.edu

Beverly Volkman Powell, Texas Wesleyan’s 2016 Alumna of the Year, said she hopes to continue to have a strong impact in the growth of the university community.

Powell, who received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Texas Wesleyan in 1992 and her MBA in 1999, has served the Texas Wesleyan Board of Trustees for 14 years. She has also served as the Board of Chairman and Vice Chairman and has chaired the academic affairs, personnel, and buildings and grounds committees.

“I never imagined that one day I might be honored in such a humbling way,” Powell, who will officially receive the award at this week’s Alumni Medal Dinner, wrote in an email last week. “As a student here, I gained life-long relationships with

 INTERNATIONAL. page 3

Photo by Chuck Greeson Portrait of Beverly Volkman Powell.

continued redevelopment of our Rosedale corridor projects and the enhancement of the storefronts, as well as the continued improvement

 ALUMNA. page 3

Daniell takes on new challenges Akeel Johnson

Students and coaches tell about the benefits of training during breaks in their season.

aajohnson@txwes.edu

ONLINE

Students will attend Dallas Comic-con event.

Thanks to SGA and Student Life, 100 students can attend Dallas Fan Days at a discounted rate.

“It varies, I guess,” Munkhbayer said. “I think it depends on your major and your program. Even though they’re all different, they’re going to finish before the Naadam Festival.

It’s a big holiday for us, so probably before July 10.”

For Munkhbayer, universities and colleges are two different things. She said college is for people looking to go into fields like engineering, while a university is more American and focuses on subjects like English and the arts. She came to America looking to follow her own path, rather than the one her mother was trying

Powell named Alumna of Year

A&E

Theatre Wesleyan alumna earns key postion.

Photo by Hannah Onder Freshmen mass communication major Tina Hyunh and other international students eat at Dora Roberts Dinning Hall.

Photo by Akeel Johnson Dr. Steven Daniell works in his new office as Wesleyan’s associate provost.

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Dr. Steven Daniell is no longer Texas Wesleyan’s dean of School of Arts and Letters, but he isn’t leaving Wesleyan any time soon.

Daniell became the associate provost in early August. He has been a dean at Wesleyan for seven years, and before that he was a dean for two years at Harvard University. Before that he was head of foreign languages at Harvard for seven years.

He said he is still keeping his administrative role going, but using his skills on different types of projects in Office of the Provost.

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“It’s pretty similar in being administrative,” Daniell said. “It’s just doing different parts of it. It’s basically applying similar skills of management to different projects.”

Allen Henderson, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president, is glad that Daniell came in ready for the new position.

“He really rose to the top in the sense that people knew him, he was good at management, and he knew the processes,” Henderson said. “He hit the ground running.”

Henderson said he is now able to focus more on strategic planning and the future of the school. He is

 DANIELL. page 3

WEBSITE

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2 | Wednesday | October 12, 2016

Opinion

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Should you change your major?

EDITORIAL

When we graduate, we throw our caps up in the air in hopes that we are going to go on to bigger and brighter things.

But before that day, we often ask ourselves what we want to do with our lives. And will my chosen major lead me to a career?

There are students who choose their major very early, perhaps in high school or their freshman year of college. But for many college students, switching majors is always a consideration.

It’s great we have the freedom to change majors, but is changing your major always the best choice?

Changing majors late in the game can cost students valuable opportunities to gain experience and make connections. It also costs both time and money that can never be regained.

Employers are not going to look to see if you majored in the field and just hand you a job based on that alone.

That giant company you dreamed of working for may require five years of experience to even intern there. How can a student who changes their major expect to gain that experience without taking a decade to complete their undergrad?

On the other hand, if you go into a major just because you think it will guarantee you a job, you may be disappointed with the end result.

Flipping burgers and waiting tables can both be accomplished with a business degree. And federal grants are only available on your first undergraduate degree – having to go back to school to pursue your true passion will come out of your wallet.

Cartoon by Alan Ramirez

As of 2010, the Department of Education had 1,500 academic programs reported to them; 355 were added in the past 10 years.

With so many options, many students fall into the “grass is greener” mentality and change majors without doing the research.

According to Avoid these 3 pitfalls when considering switching majors, an article published

by USA Today, not doing the research is one of the biggest mistakes students make before they switch majors. The article advises students to

take the time to understand exactly what types of courses the new major requires to make sure they’re not setting themselves up for trouble. It also advises students to connect with students in the major they’re considering, and ask them to share their experiences with that major. This is important to remember because if you decide to switch to something you think better fits you, the transition may not be as smooth as you thought.

About 80 percent of college students in the

United States change their major at least once, and on average they change their major at least three times before graduation, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Don’t be part of the statistics of students changing majors so flippantly. Hold off on picking a major until you are certain. Become certain by doing the research. And once you pick a major, stick with it. Make connections, get involved, and gain experience in your field.

Balancing bouquets and books Shaydi Paramore Content Producer ssparamore@txwes.edu

Being a full-time student can take a lot of time and energy out of a person. But add the stressful task of planning a wedding to it?

Now that’s just cruel.

When I said yes to my fiance Robert, the stress of juggling wedding planning, studying, and group projects definitely didn’t cross my mind. I was excited to embark on this new journey of my life. I was getting to plan my dream wedding, but moreover, I was getting to become Mrs. Robert Clary. Everything was absolutely perfect . . . until the stress slipped in.

I was transferring to a private university two hours away from my partner-in-crime, and having to plan this huge wedding with no help.

Oh crap, how am I going to do this?, I thought.

Well, I’m doing it, and here’s what I’ve learned along the way.

First, you have to prioritize everything, from spending time with your significant other to visiting wedding venues to studying for midterms. In my case, my fiance lives in Malakoff, Texas, a two-hour drive from my new home in Fort Worth. We have to plan in advance which weekends we will visit each other, and communicate constantly through phone calls and texts.

You also have to prioritize your wedding date and graduation date. Do you want to graduate first or get married first? If you’re

okay with having a lengthy engagement, I suggest the former. It gives you more time to plan your school schedule and wedding ahead of time. Either way, be sure to give yourself enough time to educate yourself and to explore wedding ideas you may be interested in.

Find sources to help you with ideas and planning. Whether it be Pinterest, wedding bloggers, Youtubers, wedding fairs or wedding magazines, just search for anything that has to do with ideas you’re considering.

Talk to people who are also planning a wedding or who have planned a wedding for ideas.

People that work in the wedding industry can also be great sources. Wedding planners, past brides and wedding venue owners love to assist young brides with ideas or resources.

Have fun and make memorable moments.

It’s not your parents’ or your partner’s best friend’s wedding, it’s yours - so make your dreams happen. In my case, mine and my fiance’s dogs are super important - so important that they’ll be joining the flower girl and ring bearer in the walk down the aisle. Don’t be afraid to have your wedding be a bit quirky that’s what makes it your wedding. Don’t want cake at your wedding? Cut it out of your plans.

I am. I’m serving cupcakes instead. Want to make your wedding into a huge carnival?

Photo by Traci Fugitt Don’t clown around, just do it!

Content producer Shaydi Paramore poses with her fiance, Robert Clary, for a Christmas photo.

Take any critical comment with a grain of salt. If you’re a younger bride-to-be, you’ll Don’t feel like postponing isn’t an op- Lord you dodged that bullet! likely be the talk of the town. Remember why tion. If the process of wedding planning and No matter how much you stress about your you’re doing what you’re doing, whether it be studying for college gets overwhelming, don’t education or wedding planning, remember wait to wed after graduation, postpone college be afraid to postpone. Sometimes, it’s just the this is both your wedding day and your degree. until after the wedding or just elope. Don’t let most practical choice for you and your partner. Do what you need to make sure you’re happy other people’s comments upset you or discour- The love you share won’t diminish before you with whatever plan you choose to follow. age you in your decisions. receive your diploma. And if it does, thank the

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Thumbs up to midterms being over.

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INTERNATIONAL continued from page 1

to plan for her.

“My mom wanted me to go to school to work in government because government has the money,” Munkhbayer said. “If I’m going to work in the Mongolian government, I have to study in Mongolia, but I didn’t really want to.

I said ‘I’ll make your dream come true and go to America, but I’m going to pick my major, what I like.’”

Munkhbayer and Willis both say that back home a college student’s major is decided at the age of 17. Huynh said that in Vietnam, however, students choose their major as early as middle school.

“Sometimes parents already set a plan for their kids. Probably since they get into middle school, they already have a plan,” Huynh

ALUMNA

said. “I think most of them have to figure it out in the last year of high school, but a lot of kids who are smarter and do better at school make their own plans before they get into high school because we have different types of high school, too.”

As with high school, Vietnamese colleges are also specialized by majors, Huynh said. This also makes it hard to change majors.

“If I want to change my major I have to give up a year,” Huynh said. “The next year I’d have to take another entrance exam for the school that had the major I wanted. It’s not fun because after a year everything is gone and you have to study again for that test because it’s super demanding.”

Just like Huynh, Munkhbayer and Willis

also would have a hard time changing majors in their home country. But, although it may be easier to change majors in America, it’s easier to pay for college in the home countries of all three students.

“It’s a lot cheaper because our taxes are higher so it goes to education,” Willis said. “Once you start earning a certain wage amount you pay back student loans.”

Huynh didn’t know if she would able to fulfill her dream of coming to America because of the higher cost of education.

“At first, my mom had always wanted me to go abroad, but it’s very expensive compared to Vietnam,” Huynh said. “Between the dollar and my currency there’s a huge gap. My mom was like, ‘You have to look into reality and see

how much our family has before choosing America.’ Later on, when I found the scholarship at this school, she was really supportive.”

While both Huynh and Munkhbayer came to Wesleyan their freshman year on scholarship, Willis came here on a study abroad program to study business. Now he really enjoys it and doesn’t want to go home.

“Everybody here is your family,” Willis said.

“I know so many people on campus because it’s smaller so you get to know a lot of people.

It’s cool. I like it here.”

Hyunh feels the same way.

“I love this this place,” Huynh said. “I miss home, but this place feels place feels like home now.”

2007.

“It is our great privilege as alumni of TWU to introduce our beloved institution to new students who need and deserve the quality of education offered by our alma mater,” Powell wrote. “I directly attribute a person’s ability to attain an education to their potential quality of life and the enhancement of our culture. There is no measurable value one can place on that, so I always feel it my responsibility to give back in whatever ways might motivate others to obtain a quality education.”

Powell and her husband Charles Powell have been active in multiple fund-raising projects for organizations across Tarrant County, including the American Heart Association, Safe City Commission of Tarrant County, and Make a Wish Foundation, according to burle-

sonisd.net. They are also members of the First United Methodist Church of Burleson, where Powell participates in the music ministry and loves to sing in it all the time.

The Powells have co-chaired the American Heart Association Heart Ball, according to fortworthbusiness.com.

“I’ve had a lifelong real estate career in Burleson,” Powell wrote. “In the last 20 years I have dedicated my professional life to the redevelopment of the historic business district, and my volunteer time to the growth of the Burleson Opportunity Fund. I’ve lived the majority of my life here and it stands to reason, I love my city and I love our people. It is a great day for me when I can be part of creating an environment which improves lives through higher education or the preservation of our history.”

Powell’s family became part of Wesleyan in the 1940s and she hopes her sons, Charles and James, both of whom are Wesleyan graduates, will continue to work to enhance the university as she and her husband have.

“Texas Wesleyan has been an important part of my life always,” she wrote. “My parents met here in 1948 and maintained a lifelong love for the university. They passed that legacy along to me and then later to their grandchildren.

It has been a privilege to serve on this board with so many others who share my affection for Wesleyan.”

The Alumni Medal Dinner will be held 7 p.m. Friday at the Fort Worth Club. Tickets are $60. For more information, call the Office of Alumni Relations at 817-531-7540 or alumni@txwes.edu.

He is working with Michael Greer, director of the Academic Success Center, and Brigitte Mudukuti, director of Business Services within the Information Technology Department, he said.

“It’s an advising platform, but also something for helping student retention,” Daniell said. “Seeing where students are in their careers, so we can intervene before there are any problems. We’re piloting that this fall and rolling it out next year.”

Daniell said when SSC takes off, he will be collaborating with Student Life to review its

progress.

This is only one of many projects he is working on, and he likes the new change of pace he has taken.

“There are so many different pieces that have to come together,” Daniell said. “When I have the opportunity to come up and do something different, it sounds good to me.”

Dr. Mark Hanshaw, previously the associate dean of Arts and Letters, said he is filling in as interim dean until either he or someone else applies.

“At some point a search will be initiated to

identify a permanent dean to provide longterm direction,” he said.

Hanshaw said he will be maintaining the varied programs Daniell worked on until the search is conducted.

Hanshaw also believes that Daniell will further improve the university through his work in the Office of the Provost.

“Steve (Daniell) brings a great deal of experience in a variety of different areas,” Hanshaw said. “In his role as associate provost, I believe that he will apply his skills toward the continuous improvement of our institution.”

continued from page 1 of our campus facilities and the completion of capital fund raising for the Nick and Lou Martin Student Center.”

Powell also plans and hopes to grow her home town of Burleson, according to Wood.

“Powell has also been a key figure in the growth of her hometown, Burleson, as a longtime residential and commercial developer, and was recently recognized with the Pillar of the Community honor by Hill College,” Wood wrote.

Powell, who has enjoyed a 30-year career in real estate development, has renewed and renovated a number of 100-year-old buildings and transformed Burleson into a exciting home for more than 40,000 residents, according to burlesonisd.net. She has also served on the Burleson school board as a trustee since

DANIELL

continued from page 1 thinking of ways to incorporate more technology programs for the campus.

“Things haven’t slowed down,” Henderson said. “We’re thinking about how we can constantly meet the needs of the students we have the best way possible. What programs do we have that would interest students to come to Texas Wesleyan?”

Daniell is currently one of the main leaders working on a project called Student Success Collaborative, or SSC. He said SSC will see how students are doing in key courses to determine if they will be successful in their major.

4 |Wednesday | October 12, 2016

Campus

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Twelve percent of Texas Wesleyan students are international, according to the Fall 2016 Quick Facts Report, making for a culturally diverse campus experience.

In Mexico, the main language of instruction is Spanish. The academic year runs from September to May. Institutions of higher education are categorized into six subsystems: Public University, Technological Education, Technological University, Teacher Training, Other Public Institutions, or Private Institution. Not all institutions use a course credit system to measure the amount of study completed in a program, and not all institutions define credits equally. Both the liceciatura and titulo professional (used interchangeably) are first-degree programs that take four to six years to complete. They usually include both coursework and the submission of a thesis. Five-year programs include accounting, dentistry and law; medicine is a six-year program. Students who have completed all their coursework for a particular program, but have not completed other graduation requirements, may receive a carta de pasante (leaving certificate) and attain the status of an egresado pasante. They are often still able to find employment in their field of study.

In France, 80 percent of students attend one of 83 public institutions, as they are very accessible, affordable and offer many programs of study. The licence degree is issued after three years of study. Following the licence, students may continue studies at the graduate level. In addition to universities, France is home to more than 200 grandes écoles.

These schools are specialized institutions, and about 30 of them are considered to be very prestigious.

They offer programs in areas such as engineering, education, architecture and business administration. Admission to the grandes écoles requires the completion of two years of preparatory study and passing a competitive examination (concours). The main language of instruction is French. The academic year begins in September and ends in June.

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In Nigeria, the main language of instruction is English. The academic year begins in September and ends in June.

Since 2005, the number of universities has increased from 51 to 128, while capacity at existing universities has been stretched to capacity. These expansion efforts have created problems in instructional quality. Nigeria’s institutions and lecture halls are extremely overcrowded, student to teacher ratios have soared and faculty shortages have become a major issue. High unemployment among university graduates is also a major problem, but does not appear to deter those looking for admission into institutions of higher learning. Currently, only one in three applicants finds a place at an institution of higher education.

Wednesday | October 12, 2016

|5

Campus

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Many countries are represented in Wesleyan’s student body, but the majority of international students come from Afghanistan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, India, Serbia, Brazil, Jordan, Sri Lanka, China, Mexico, Thailand, Ethiopia, Nepal, the United Kingdom, France, Nigeria and Vietnam.

In Saudi Arabia, the main language of instruction is Arabic, but some private institutions, including most medical schools, use English. The academic year runs on a two-semester basis from September to June, with an optional summer session. Public universities are typically larger than private institutions.

Co-educational universities operate with segregated classes, while some are single sex altogether. Private universities tend to be much smaller and focused on specific disciplines at the undergraduate level. Girls’ colleges tend to offer limited fields of study, many specializing in education. Industrial and vocational institutes and colleges of technology admit males only. Higher technical institutes for girls exist, but they are often very competitive to get into.

In China, higher education is divided into two sectors: regular higher education, which accounts for more than 70 percent of undergraduate students, and adult higher education, which follows the same curriculum offered by regular institutions, but with a more flexible and diverse teaching format. Not all instutions offer degrees; many offer only graduation certificates. These nondegree programs focus on practical and occupational skills. Some bachelor’s degrees, like those in architecture and medicine, require five years of study. The main language of instruction is Mandarin Chinese, and the academic year lasts from September to June or July.

For many of these students, education at Wesleyan looks different from education back home. The above infographic provides information about higher education in some of these countries according to the World Education News and Reviews’ website, wenr.wes.org.

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Arts&Entertainment

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Schultes: From Wesleyan to Stage West Shaydi Paramore

ssparamore@txwes.edu

Texas Wesleyan University alumna Dana Schultes hopes to capture and broaden the theater experience for all Stage West Theatre patrons.

In late January, Schultes was named executive producer and given the opportunity to uphold West’s reputation as a highly respected theater in the Fort Worth area.

“It was never really a goal of mine to become executive producer at Stage West, but I am incredibly honored to receive this position,” Schultes said.

Schultes has been a member of Stage West since 1997, when she was a Wesleyan student, and has worked in various capacities for more than 15 years, including directing, stage management and performing, according to stagewest.org.

Last May, Schultes was the keynote speaker at Wesleyan’s spring graduation ceremony. She graduated in 1998 with a bachelor of fine arts in theatre. She was recently named a 2016 class member of the Fort Worth Business Press’ 40 Under 40, and has been featured in national commercials, done voice-overs for many anime productions and performed in more than 30 plays.

“I was actually brought to Stage West by my mentor and founder of the theatre, Jerry Russell, who found incredible potential in me,” Schultes said.

It’s not surprising Schultes would succeed as a performer and later transition into an administration position, according to Mark Lowry, co-founder, editor and chief theater critic of TheaterJones.com, a website that focuses on performances in the Fort Worth area.

“Dana has tons of confidence in onstage performance and a huge love for all aspects of theater and I believe she will bring that same love and confidence to her executive position,” Lowry said.

This is the first season Schultes has completely picked, and features tons of great classics and bold new plays, Lowry said.

“Stage West has always focused on constantly performing new works, but this is one of the most daring seasons,” Lowry said. “The Fort Worth area has had tons of exciting performances, but has never seen something as bold as Stage West is wanting to perform.”

Booty Candy, a satire written Robert O’Hara that focuses on growing up as an AfricanAmerican homosexual male, is definitely one of the season’s boldest plays. The play closed on Sept. 11.

“Candy has a lot of sexual talk, profanity, focuses on black culture but is extremely funny for audience members,” Lowry said.

As a student, Schultes has always focused her time to learning every component of theatre, according to Dean of Freshman Success Joe Brown.

“If Dana didn’t get cast in a play, she would constantly ask what could she do to help with the performances,” Brown said. “One time, Dana pulled me aside to tell me about this great computer job she had and the amazing pay and she was bawling at the fact that she wasn’t happy. It’s never the money with her.

Her main focus in her happiness in what she is doing in the theater arts.”

Schultes said she served as the cafe manager at Stage West’s Ol’ Vic Cafe and Galleries from 2007 to 2010, was a primary soup maker from 2007 to 2011, and wrote a cookbook called Soups!, which is offered at West’s box office.

“Soup is always so easy and interesting to make,” Schultes said. “You can basically throw a bunch of things together and it usually ends up pretty delicious. When we decided to open the cafe in 2007, I decided to take the role of primary soup maker and patrons would constantly ask for recipes.”

Schultes has had the opportunity to direct Photo courtesy of TheaterJones.com her favorite production -- her daughter Matil- Wesleyan alumna Dana Schultes was named executive producer of Stage West in January. da.

“Of everything Dana has ever done having for the occasional production, according to Wesleyan alumni, university President FrederMatilda will always be her greatest accom- Brown. ick Slabach, and the marketing department to plishment,” Brown said.

“As an alumni of Wesleyan, I’m extremely strengthen this ongoing partnership.

Wesleyan continues to have an ongoing proud to see Stevenson, who I went to Martin “Stage West has always had deep roots with partnership with Stage West. Many students High School with, drive Theatre Wesleyan in Wesleyan and will continue to have this relaaudition for roles and Theatre Department an incredible direction,” Schultes said. tionship,” Schultes said. chair Bryan Stevenson is the lighting designer Recently, Schultes has begun to reach out to

New professor to orchestrate orchestra Cheyan Fite cjfite@txwes.edu

Dr. Paul Sikes, new assistant professor of instrumental studies, plans to bring an orchestra and a pep band to Texas Wesleyan.

“We have not had a significant program in recent years and, with my orchestral background, I plan to change that by offering the same challenges and benefits to the entire student body,” Sikes said.

Sikes is working with Dr. Jerome Bierschenk, Music Department chairman, to accomplish this, in addition to organizing a pep band that will play at sporting events.

“With the support of the president’s office, we plan to create an ensemble that will bring excitement to events throughout the year,” Sikes said. “His final plan is to organize a strong pep band to support athletics and the university as a whole.”

Sikes grew up in Odessa, Texas, and was educated in the public school music programs.

From there, he went on to get a bachelor’s degree in music education from Texas Tech University, followed by a master’s degree of music in conducting from Baylor University.

During his time at Baylor, Sikes served as director of the pep band and assistant director of the marching band.

“From there, I went on to earn my doctorate degree from the University of Houston, where I also taught music education classes as an adjunct faculty,” Sikes said.

He then went on to Texas A&M where he directed two concert bands, and the pep band, and assisted with the marching band. He eventually became the director of orchestras and associate director of bands.

“At A&M, all of my students were majoring in subjects other than music,” Sikes said. “It was great, but I wanted to make an impact on my profession and work to train professional

Photo by Cheyan Fite Dr. Paul Sikes, new assistant professor of instrumental studies, shares his pqssion for both music and education with students in a recent class.

musicians and music educators.”

Sikes has now come to Wesleyan to pursue that dream.

“I came to Wesleyan because I wanted to teach in a school of music,” Sikes said. “Texas A&M is a fantastic university with fantastic students, but it does not offer a traditional music degree.”

Despite wanting to teach music majors, Sikes wants students from all majors to participate in Wesleyan’s concert or pep band.

“The band is open to all students at the university, regardless of major, because the joy of music making is for all people,” Sikes said.

Music Coordinator Janna Mckinley said the need for a pep band is what prompted the ad-

Greater Fort Worth Community Band October 16 @3:00 p.m.

Martin Hall Conductor Christine Beason

dition of Sikes to the music department.

“Wesleyan has come into an era with football,” Mckinley said. “We needed someone to put together a pep band and orchestra.”

She feels Sikes is just the man for the job.

“He is very experienced,” Mckinley said. “He single handedly put together an orchestra program at A&M, and we are hoping he can do the same here.”

Bierschenk agrees.

“We chose him due to his record as a recruiter,” Bierschenk said, “and that he built multiple orchestras at previous schools.”

Bierschenk feels the addition of the orchestra will complete Wesleyan’s music program.

“Most university music programs have that

discipline,” Bierschenk said. “We have the choral vocal and instrumental, but the one component that we were missing was an orchestra.”

He confirms that a pep band is in the works as well.

“We do have plans in the works for a pep band that will participate in some sporting events,” Bierschenk said.

All students are invited to participate in the concert band, the orchestra and the pep band, regardless of major.

To be a part of any or all of these groups, contact Sikes at psikes@txwes.edu or 817-5314971. The first auditions for the pep band will be Oct. 15.

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Rams work hard in the off-season Karan Muns kemuns@txwes.edu

Athletic Director Steve Trachier and Texas Wesleyan athletes agree: off-season practices prepare Rams and Lady Rams for their games.

“Off-season training is critical for all sports,” Trachier wrote in an email. “It is an opportunity to increase strength, power, speed in preparation for the following season.”

Trachier believes that working out during the off-season is beneficial to the mental and physical health of all the athletes.

“Constant conditioning equates to constant wellness,” Trachier wrote. “People who condition are less likely to be ill and are generally less stressed than those who don’t condition.”

Rams pitcher Steven Frederick, a sophomore exercise science major, also thinks that off-season is the best time to build stamina and prevent injury.

“It keeps your endurance up, so whenever you’re having to go through multiple games in a week, or even in a few days, it keeps your arm and your whole body healthy,” Frederick said.

Conditioning in the off-season is mainly about getting in shape, while practices during the season are about perfecting skills and getting reps in for the upcoming game, Frederick said.

“Off-season is mainly to make sure we are [physically] prepared for regular season,” Frederick said, “so we can have less lengthy practices and focus on our games rather than having to focus on practice and getting in shape.”

The baseball program tries to make the most out of off-season practices for the players, Frederick said.

“We practice five times a week usually, sometimes six times a week, and then we practice from two to about five or six,” Frederick said. “We go in and get as much work done as we can in the time that we have and then we leave.”

Frederick thinks that the goal for most sports during the off-season is to prepare for next season’s games.

“Our off-season practices are more runningintensive than our regular season,” Frederick said, “mainly because our regular season is more making sure we are prepared for the game that we’re about to play rather than conditioning ourselves.”

Head coach Mike Jeffcoat expects the players to keep perfecting their skills over the summer, Frederick said. “[Our coach] doesn’t care what we do for

Photo by Karan Muns Rams first baseman Josh Mender plays in a scrimmage with Richland College on Sept. 24. The team is playing several exhibition games this fall.

summer ball as long as we are playing competitive baseball so we can keep getting better,” Frederick said.

Volleyball player Kiersten Mebane thinks that volleyball’s main goal in the off-season is to perfect fundamentals and endurance.

“The reason for an off-season is to be prepared for the upcoming season and to get you in a good work ethic mode before the summertime,” the junior psychology major said.

During the summer, volleyball head coach Kimberly Weaver still expects the team to condition and work out over the break, Mebane said.

“[Our coach expects us] to stick to the workout plan that our strength and conditioning coach gives us, eat healthy, and make sure we are touching a volleyball any opportunity we get,” Mebane said.

A lot of the things that volleyball does in off-season is to help guarantee that the athletes are healthy and ready to work next season, she said.

“We work on strength and basics,” Mebane said, “and when you break down fundamentals you know how to do things to the point where you won’t get hurt.”

The volleyball team practices and works out

every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the off-season, Mebane said.

“We also have things we do outside of practice,” Mebane said. “We swim and have jump workouts and beach workouts.”

Mebane thinks most sports on campus work on things like the basic aspects of their sport, conditioning, and strength training so they can be ready for their seasons.

“Off-season is when you break down the skills and you focus on more individual things and more positional things as well,” Mebane said. “Whereas in-season it’s all about putting it together and playing as a team.”

VB vs Oklahoma City University 1PM Midnight Madness 9:15PM

WSOC vs University of Science and Arts 5PM MSOC vs University of Science and Arts 7PM TT vs NCTTA Texas Divison 10AM

VB vs John Brown University 7PM

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Wesleyan athletes: one big “Ramily”

Baseball player Joe Lyall (standing) and other Rams cheer on the Lady Rams volleyball team at a recent game.

Cheyan Fite cjfite@txwes.edu

For Texas Wesleyan athletes, it doesn’t matter what sport you play: if you’re a Ram, you play for the same team.

The Wesleyan softball team cheers on its own players during games, but their support doesn’t end there. The Lady Rams fill up the stands with blue and gold at many other games as well.

“It feels good to know you have other Ram athletes backing you up,” said softball player Bailey Terry, a sophomore accounting major.

“We make a point to go watch our fellow Rams and cheer them on.”

The Lady Rams are encouraged to support all of Wesleyan’s sports teams by head coach

Photos by Hannah Onder Zack Lanham (left), who is a cheerleader and baseball player, and basketball player Praneeth Udumalagala cheer on the Lady Rams at the same game.

Shannon Gower.

“Our coach definitely supports us going to other sporting events,” softball player MacKenzie Kirkpatrick said. “She wants a positive presence to be known on campus.”

But the softball team isn’t the only team fostering camaraderie among Wesleyan athletes.

“I have seen small groups from other teams coming to support us, and other sports,” Kirkpatrick said.

Rams pitcher Dusty Cloud believes the support unites the various teams on campus.

“Other teams show support not only to baseball, but all sports on campus, and the teams seem to bond,” said Cloud, a junior criminal justice major.

The baseball team chooses to support fellow athletes in many ways, Cloud said.

“We decide as a team to go out and show support to other teams, whether that is attending the games, or asking how the season is going,” Cloud said.

Cloud believes the support from other athletes improves team performance.

“The support fires us up and makes us want to perform to hear the crowd cheer,” Cloud said. “It’s a rush when you do something good and people go crazy.”

Not only do the Rams support each other at games, but many athletes help each other prepare for the next season.

“We try to reach for the same goals in different sports,” Gower said.

When some softball players were struggling to pass their conditioning test earlier this semester, Gower reached out to cross country

head coach Natneal Amare for support.

“He had some of the track team stay after their training session to help out,” Gower said.

“The girls ran it with the softball team to motivate them, and four to five girls passed due to their help.”

Kirkpatrick was thankful for the track team’s support.

“They gave our players tips on how to run a faster mile, and they ran it with them to motivate them,” Kirkpatrick said. “Several people have passed due to their help, so we are thankful for them helping us.”

Terry, Kirkpatrick’s teammate, has high hopes for the athletic program’s future.

“I hope for the program to become stronger and be able to compete with the best,” Terry said.

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