November 20, 2013 Vol. 97, No. 11

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wednesday

November 20, 2013 Vol. 97 • No. 13 www.therambler.org

The Rambler The voice of Texas Wesleyan University students since 1917

2013 Review

Rams SAC Review

Campus,

Sports,

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Library staff spreads holiday cheer with gifts Rosy Perez

Rperez1196@txwes.edu

Jessica Liptak | Rambler Staff President Frederick Slabach (second from left) and area officials broke ceremonial ground on the next phase of the Rosedale Renaissance project Friday, Nov. 15, before a large crowd of onlookers and construction personnel.

Rosedale breaks new ground Erica Estrada

eestrada@txwes.edu

Friday morning, Nov. 15, the official groundbreaking of Rosedale Renaissance took place adjacent to the Armstrong-Mabee Business Center. A multitude of supporters from Texas Wesleyan students, faculty, and those of the community gathered to witness Wesleyan history. Local dignitaries such as City Manager Tom Higgins, Tarrant County Commissioner Roy C. Brooks and City Council Representative Dennis Shingleton came in celebration for the groundbreaking. The ceremony began with the welcoming of Kenneth H. Jones Jr., chairman of

the Wesleyan Board. Following the welcoming was the opening prayer by the university Chaplain Rev. Dr. Robert K. Flowers. The national anthem was sung by the Texas Wesleyan Chamber Singers directed by Dr. Jerome M. Bierschenk, director of Choral Activities. Texas Wesleyan President Frederick G. Slabach announced the groundbreaking as the official start of the Rosedale Renaissance Project. “Today we mark the beginning of a Renaissance,” said Slabach. “The revitalization of our home here in East Fort Worth will bring real, lasting change and build the foundation for a vibrant economic future. There is no doubt that today

marks the beginning of a new era.” Slabach explained the revitalization in four parts: East Rosedale Street Improvement project; laying groundwork for economic growth, Business Accelerator; Business School faculty and students help local entrepreneurs start and grow businesses; Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church Service Center, welcoming more than 25 new members of the Texas Wesleyan community; and Campus Entry and Clock Tower, opening Wesleyan to welcome prospective students, visitors and local community to campus. Slabach gave remarks and recognition of donors. “This project represents

a true public, private partnership involving many governmental entities, non-profit organizations and individuals committed to the Wesleyan Village area,” said Slabach. “These four projects stand together to signify the rebirth and emergence of this area as a growing economic center in the city of Fort Worth.” Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem Zim Zimmerman also assisted with the groundbreaking and reiterated the importance of the development for the community and growth at Wesleyan. Zimmerman spoke in place of Mayor Betsy Price, who was unable to attend due to recent surgery. The groundbreaking was spaded by four different areas of the project.

AlGhussein pursues U.S. education Gates Lopez

dglopze@txwes.edu

Hafiz AlGhussein: pursuing Wesleyan educational dream in U.S. A young man from the Middle East, Hafiz AlGhussein, could be a role model for anybody because his determination to become a successful businessman and to help the community is admirable. AlGhussein, known as Fez to his friends, is a long way from his native home of Khobar, Saudi Arabia. But after 17 For More Current News, check out TheRambler.org

years of living with his family, he made the decision to pursue a general business degree with a minor in political science in the United States. “I came to America because I realized that I could get a great education and gain work experience that I may not be able to get in my home country,” AlGhussein said. Since his arrival at Texas Wesleyan three years ago, AlGhussein has become much more than a business student. During AlGhussein’s freshman year, he was a part of the table tennis team, the soccer team and a part of the Social Ram. “I really enjoyed being a part of an athletic team that works together to make Texas Wesleyan successful in its sports program,” AlGhussein said. ”We don’t have these opportunities to play sports for a university back home.” During his time with the Social Ram, AlGhussein helped organize events such

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as the Wesleyan Talent Show and the Resident Life Carnival. AlGhussein said he is proud of his work in helping to organize the program called LEAD, an organization for leadership for anyone at the university With his interest in helping the University and student body, he realized that there was an influx of foreign students coming to the university that might need assistance in adjusting to new surroundings. “I started tutoring in math in the Academic Success Center because I realized there are a lot of Saudi Arabians at the school that needed help understanding how to do math and learn the English system,” AlGhussein said. During AlGhussein’s second semester at Wesleyan, he found another new interest scuba diving. “How many Saudis do you know that are actually certified scuba divers?” he asked.

Newscast Sports Access The Weekender Wesleyan People

AlGhussein said he started with the open water dive class, which taught him the basics of scuba diving. By the end of the semester, AlGhussein was on his way to Huntsville, Texas, to get certified. After getting his certification, scuba training got more intense with courses in rescue diving and advanced diving that taught AlGhussein dangerous scenarios that can occur in scuba. “It’s a rush, and it’s not easy,” he said. “There are situations where your life could be at stake because you’re dealing with underwater breathing.” AlGhussein is now a junior, is still a part of the Academic Success Center and still tutors Saudis as well as anyone else who needs help. Building on his civic involvement, AlGhussein joined the Student Government Association as well. AlGhussein described his

 FEZ, page 3

During the holiday season while children are writing letters to Santa, the staff at the Eunice and James L. West Library are helping the Meals on Wheels clients put smiles on their faces. For the past eight years the Star Tree for gifts for older area citizens also has been placed at the library for willing participants. Originally the staff at the library took turns serving the clients of Meals on Wheels year round - not to mention this was all done on their own time. While sharing the route, the staff learned that every year towards the end of the year every client receives a small gift. The West Library staff then decided to make a Star Tree since many help children with gifts and they needed to help the elderly. In 2004 the library collected 98 gifts, and this has since grown to 354 gifts in a matter of eight years. “We usually have between 400-500 gifts, so we do about a fourth of the Tarrant county area gifts,” said Sheri Parker, coordinator of library operations. As children many Wesleyan students asked for cell phones, iPods and computers while never thinking of how others were celebrating or think where their next meal was coming from. Parker noted that the clients of the Meals on Wheels sometimes live alone and have pets to keep them company. Some of these clients even share their food with their

pets, so the library’s Star Tree has stars to pick up and buy pet food to give to someone. “We do have regulars who get really into it like Joe Brown always buys dog food, so certain people are really committed to the tree,” said circulation assistant June Johnson. Other kinds of gifts that are needed are socks, lotions, fleece covers, monetary donations, and gloves. All these gifts can be found for less than $10 each at Walmart and other area stores. For some Wesleyan when they were growing up, organizations helped our families during the holiday season such as the Salvation Army Tree. Children whose parents might not have the means to buy gifts can apply and hope to receive help and gifts for their children. If you received help earlier, you now have the opportunity to give back. By picking up a star, you are bringing joy to someone’s life. “I just loved talking to the people,” said Parker. “They are so sweet, and they are so thankful. It’s such a little thing to give an hour of your time. and they are very thankful to have the meal and the help and really the contact with someone else because some of them don’t really have any family.” When you go to the library and pick up a star, you can look at an instructions’ sheet attached that tells you what to do. After you choose your star, be sure to bring the un-

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Students, faculty compete in tree decorating contest Mariah Bosilikwa

mbosilikwa@txwes.edu

Get ready to see the West Library, decorated and lit up in 50 different little Christmas trees representing their own themes. This is a start of a new tradition at Texas Wesleyan: fun and new joyous participation from students, staff, and faculty. Even though the deadline of picking up a tree from the West Library has passed, the participants - individuals or groups - had until Monday, No. 18, to return their trees. The trees will be displayed at the Reference Area counter for all the school to see until De. 4 when the top three finishers will be announced. “The Christmas tree decorating contest came about

because we do the Meals on Wheels giving (Star) tree, every year with the Meals on Wheels clients,” Sheri Parker, coordinator of operations of the West Library said, “We just wanted to use the Christmas theme and get everybody into the Christmas spirit by decorating Christmas trees. “We’re using it as a kickoff for the Meals on Wheels giving tree.,” she said. At the end of the contest the participants may either pick up their tree between Dec. 5-13, or they can donate their tree to be purchased. Donated trees will be sold for $15, and all proceeds will be given to Tarrant County Meals on Wheels. For more information contact the West Library circulation desk at 817-531-4800.

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