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WEDNESDAY September 10, 2014
Vol. 98 • No 8
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RAM CAMP 2014
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By Stephanie Darbo
Does the Rambler have a comment on why the Director of Housing was fired after completing what appears from an Alumni standpoint to be the most successful Move-in in years? Why would the University give a staff member a President’s award last year, allow her to be featured in a news story, publish information about the success of student housing and then fire the person who made it happen? I’m actually not a student, but rather an Alumni from the class of 2012. I was a Resident Assistant during Sharon’s first two years at Wesleyan and judging by the person I knew then and her deep love for the school as well as the students, I cannot imagine she would be capable of doing anything worthy of being fired. I was also part of a group of students serving on the Student Government Association with Heath Alan Scott who interviewed Sharon before she was hired. She made the commitment to serve the students if selected and I believe she did that better than any Director of Housing before her. Please take some time to look at the recent Resident Assistant training pictures and see how much she has been adored by her staff. Take some time to interview past Resident Assistants and residents who lived in the dorms before and after she arrived. This is a big loss for Wesleyan.
GSAwelcomes new students with pancakes By Susan Smith scsmith3@txwes.edu
The Gay Straight Alliance hosted pancake dinners Aug. 25-28. Dmitri Nelson, GSA treasurer said the purpose of these dinners was to allow students of various sexual orientations to come together and see that they weren’t alone. “The GSA is somewhere I can go and not be judged,” she said. “It’s a safe place where I’m free to be who I am without being discriminated against.” In the future, the GSA hopes to participate in the Q-Cinema Film Festival Oct. 10-13 in Downtown Fort Worth.
Lambda Kappa Kappa is leasing a house on campus. Check the history on the next issue
Wesleyan’s Student Life invited new students to Ram Up before the start of the semester. Photos by Paula Justice
Ram Camp 2014 welcomes new students Paula Justice
prjustice@txwes.edu
More than 250 new students attended Ram Camp 2014 on Aug. 18-19. The yearly tradition kicks off each fall semester with the purpose of welcoming students to Texas Wesleyan. The two-day event, including activities and games such as Ninja, Hunger Games and other icebreaker activities makes the 2014 Ram Camp the largest one to date. Nikaila Morrison, senior Ram Camp Leader, was one of many student leaders who worked to
arrange the event. “[This year marks] the best Ram Camp ever,” she said. On day one, Ram Campers participated in activities geared toward introductions and identifying commonalities. Day two, “Messy Day”, was a mixture of mud, water and sweat. Sydney Mitchell, transfer student from Saint Mary’s University of San Antonio, Texas, thought Ram Camp may not have been worth attending. “I wasn’t going to come,” she said. “But my orientation leader convinced me. And I’m glad I came.” Messy day games included the
popular mud tug-a-war, where competitors strained to keep their respective teams from being pulled into a mud pit. Another game challenged competitors to fill balloons with shaving cream and pop them with any body part, other than their hands. Still, Ram Camp wasn’t just about playing games and getting dirty. Camp leaders also discussed high-risk behaviors and challenges associated with the first year of college through an event called Reader Theatre. Through theatrics, Ram Camp leaders shared personal experiences with the hopes of promot-
ing respect, diversity, equality and leadership, some of Wesleyan’s core values. “It [was] fun,” Mitchell said. “My group [was] always busy.” This Wesleyan tradition encourages new and transfer students to come together and familiarize themselves with not only each other but also their new campus. Camp leaders expressed a passion in coordinating Ram Camp, saying through Ram Camp, they were able to meet people and develop lifelong friendships. They encouraged this years participates to do the same.
Sexual assault has become growing issue on university campuses across the nation Paula Justice
prjustice@txwes.edu
One in five women and one in 75 men have been sexually assaulted while in college reports the Center for Disease and Prevention. Consequently, campuses are required by federal mandate of an amendment to the Clery Act, Campus SaVE Act, to implement prevention training before Oct. 1. In compliance with the Clery Act, Texas Wesleyan is scheduled to begin faculty informational sessions on sexual assault, on Sept 25. Staff training will be announced. “As part of these new requirements, and in support of our con-
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tinuous efforts to create a safe and secure campus, the director of security and dean of students will offer information sessions for all faculty, staff and students next month,” said President Frederick Slabach in an email announcing the training sessions. Although Wesleyan has presented campaigns, such as “No More”, which focused on domestic and sexual violence, the SaVE Act will offer a new approach in specifically addressing the issue of sexual assault. “Our on-going efforts to address and prevent acts of sexual violence and gender discrimination will also include: online training for students; monthly campaigns to promote a healthy, safe and secure campus; and
resources to stop and remedy any occurrence of sexual violence,” Slabach said. The Clery Act, named after Jeanne Clery, a 19-year-old rape and murder victim, requires colleges and universities that receive federal funding to disclose campus crime information, was amended on March 7, 2013 to include the Campus SaVE Act. The Act, intended to promote action and prevention of sexual assault and rape on campuses, also focuses on enhancing victim’s rights and providing campuses with educational programs. President Barack Obama responded again, on Jan. 22, by issuing a memorandum addressing college students’ safety against the emergent
problem. “It’s up to all of us to put an end to sexually assault. And that starts with you,” President Obama said in a public service announcement. In “The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault”, the task force is called to identify and distribute the best prevention practices, to encourage victims to report offences and to promote public awareness. The memorandum and the supplemental report follows President Obama’s 2010 call for governmental support of sexual assault victims. The report, “Rape and Sexual Assault: A Renewed Call to Action” outlines the statistics on rape and sexual assault in the US.
Sexual assault, page 3
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Sexual assault Continued from pg 1
The report, compiled by The White House Council on Women and Girls, also details the physical and mental effects of sexual assault, saying rape and sexual assault victims are “more likely to have asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, and diabetes, and are also more likely to suffer from chronic pain, frequent headaches, and difficulty sleeping than nonvictims.” The psychological effects include “depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.” And the possibility of an assault going viral via social media may exacerbate the chances of victims developing lifelong mental health conditions. “Sexual violence is more than just a crime against individuals,” President Obama said after signing the memorandum to initiate the task force. “It threatens our families, it threatens our communities…. It tears apart the fabric of our communities. We have the capacity to stop sexual assault, support those who have survived it, and bring perpetrators to justice.” Students are encouraged to report acts of sexual assault immediately and may do so anonymously by calling tollfree 866-943-5787. Counseling and other assistance is offered through the Rape Prevention Center of Fort Worth at 817-927-2737. Students may also access free counseling services by calling 817-531-4859. All acts of violence should also be reported to appropriate local law enforcement.
Preparations for the coming “front door” are in progress. Workers have removed a portion of the sidewalk, which lined Rosedale Street. Photo by Paula Justice
Dora’s Cafeteria, previously scheduled for completion during the sumer, is being renovationed. Photo by Paula Justice
Renovations to OC and Elizabeth Armstrong Halls were completed just in time for move-in day. While finishing touching are still being made, students were able to move-in. Photo by Paula Justice
A new Wesleyan Flame has been added. The Flame will serve as a traffic median once the gate is complete. Photo by Paula Justice
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Opinion
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Beware smokers, tobacco products banned on Texas Wesleyan campus
r o t i d E e h t m o r f r Lette Now that you’re settled in and have time to do something other than read syllabi and mark your calendars, I challenge you. We at The Rambler look forward to bringing news and entertainment that matters — to you. Hence, “The voice of Texas Wesleyan students.” But we’re not psychics and mind-readers. I challenge you to let your voices be heard by letting your media, your university and your community know that you notice, you care (or don’t) and have something to say about it. I want to have a dialogue with you and on your behalf. Your media should reflect what you want others to know about your school and community. It should deliver information that you need and want. BREAKING NEWS: We don’t know what those things are unless you tell us. You may have noticed the new look of The Rambler and TheRambler. org. But let’s talk functionality. We don’t have much “breaking news” on our campus (which is probably a good thing), so The Rambler is dedicated to bringing feature stories on ongoing, relevant discussions to our students, campus and community. And of course there’s our (that means yours, too) opinions, as 21th century thinkers, on the world around us. The Rambler.org will feature many of the same stories (for you electronic junkies), but that is where you can also find podcasts, breaking news and blow by blow details as we discover them (with your help). And don’t forget about Rambler TV where you’ll find news on campus events, weather updates and much more. With that said, I challenge and encourage you all to join the conversation. It’ll last all semester, and you can join in at any time. Engage us on social media, and email us at twurambler@yahoo. com with your opinions, tips, comments and questions. Or stop by the newsroom in room 107 of OC Hall. The door is usually open (yes, usually; we have class too, geesh). Can’t wait to hear from you. Best regards,
Paula Justice
John Ortega jaortega@txwes.edu
No-smoking signs were placed throughout campus to emphasize new rule. Photo by John Ortega
Welcome to Texas Wesleyan. The fall semester dawns upon us. With the new semester comes loads of new students, classes, and rules. Speaking of rules, the newest rule on campus, no smoking. That’s right. And this ban includes e-cigs, vaporizers, smokeless tobacco, all of it. “But where am I going to enjoy a relaxing smoke?” and there’s the rub. Should you wish to use any banned product you will have to either walk or drive off campus. Wesleyan no longer permits smoking anywhere on campus, including parking lots -well, unless you want to smoke out your vehicle. That doesn’t leave any safe options
for the smoking populous. Students and faculty must walk across Collard Street, Vickery, Rosedale, or Binkley to smoke. You have the choice to either try your luck crossing Vickery, or you can try some random homeowner’s front yard. Good luck with that in this neighborhood. First, let me say that the smoking ban is something that this university needed to implement. The amount of cigarette butts littered across campus started to pile up. “Literally it was a littering problem,” said SGA president Tyler Mendez. “Myself and a few others were sweeping and picking up butts with our bare hands. It was getting ridiculous.” Not to mention the health concerns for those of us who chose not to smoke. And according to Americans for Non Smokers’ Rights as of July 3, at least 1372 U.S. college and university campuses have adopted a 100% smoke-free policy. Twenty-five of those schools are here in Texas: UTA, TCC, WC, Texas Tech, Baylor, etc. Still, I cannot fully endorse this new policy. The smoking ban does not take into consideration student safety. Thus, making the ban inadequate. Mendez agrees that the policy does create a potentially unsafe environment for smoking students.
“It’s something that I will take up with the president [Slabach],” Mendez said. “Because it’s an issue if we don’t have a safe environment for all of Wesleyan students.” Nevermind the problem of enforcement, which speaks to the issue Mendez spoke of directly. The issue causing the smoking ban was the litter. We already have a campus policy that prohibits littering. What we do not have, enforcement. “I thought it was funny that the policy asked [students] to help by telling people not to smoke on campus,” Carleen Capaldo, junior English major said. “Yeah that will go over real well… ‘Geez fellers, you're not allowed to smoke on campus!’” Ban smoking all you want. But if the expectation is that students will enforce the rule then I suggest wishing in one hand and, well...letting a dog slobber in the other. See which one gets filled first. We veterans of Wesleyan know how long questions remain unanswered. Smokers need answers. This seems an issue that should have been addressed during the implementation of the new rule. Providing a tobacco-free campus is something that this school needs. But that cannot come at the expense of the student body.
Racism: A thriving American institution continues in 2014 Paula Justice prjustice@txwes.edu
Illustration by and courtesy of Kalvin “Pharoah” Watson
One cannot truthfully say that the black men’s value has depreciated. Such a statement would imply that the lives of black men, in America, had once had value. From the time of one of the largest influx of blacks to America, the slave trade, traders and plantation masters imported blacks as if they were mere cargo. During their voyage to the land of the free, home of the brave – blacks were quarantined to lower decks of slave ships followed by mud huts, as if they were Ebola virus made manifest. Except to work, of course. The antidote: chains and whips.
And where barbaric beatings failed, lynchings were employed. Tuskegee Institute documents 3,445 lynchings over 82 years, a period ending in1965 — when more efficient, less physically exertive methods had begun to be utilized and even nick-named. “Bombingham,” where a church bombing resulted in the deaths of four girls, ages 12-14, is one of many examples. And in the aftermath — Johnny Robinson, 16 and Virgil Ware, 13, were killed in the streets by a police officer and white teens. The latter was sentenced to twoyears’ probation while the police of-
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ficer was never charged. At least 50 bombings targeting black establishments had occurred before officials had begun to take notice. “The Negro Project” was an effort accredited to Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, noted eugenicist and Darwinist. Archives of Sanger’s life work reveal writings in which she declared her plans to exterminate blacks. She writes: “We should hire three or four colored ministers, preferably with social-service backgrounds, and with engaging personalities. The most successful educational approach to the Negro is through a religious appeal. “We don’t want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population. And the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.” This passage illuminates two aspects of racism: the attempts to annihilate a race by sterilization and birth control and the recruitment of blacks to participate in and perpetuate the mindset that we are less than, which continues to infect our neighborhoods. Some things haven’t changed. Family planning facilities are still concentrated in minority neighborhoods, and there are blacks who don’t see or understand their participation in their own demise, as seen in the ever standing statistics on
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black on black violent crime. Blacks are still killed in the streets without consequence, as seen in the killing of Trayvon Martin and the more recent Michael Brown who police left in the street for four hours. But it’s not exclusive to children. Dark skin, at any age, automatically deems one a mark amounting to 3/5 human. Although 3/5 is no longer a law, which classifies blacks as partially human, it’s an unspoken rule that renders blacks to an even smaller percentage of equality, as in the case of Eric Garner. The 43-year-old father of six was tackled to a sidewalk by officers before being placed in a chokehold, which was banned in 1993. Probable cause: Garner was allegedly selling single cigarettes. Not machine guns to minors, but cigarettes. Medical examiners determined the chokehold as cause of death and ruled Garner’s July 17 death a homicide. Still, as of Aug. 31, those officers have not been suspended or charged. Their consequence: desk duty. When our loved ones are murdered in the streets and left to lie likened to road kill, the system, ironically named justice, attempts to placate us by moving throw the motions of court trials (sometimes), which though we hope, we know the verdict will prove yet again that life cloaked in dark skin is of less value. As if one man’s worth can be mea-
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sured by another. The social scale of America has long determined that blacks are inferior to their white counterparts. This recurring theme is evident in nearly every fabric of life: education, socioeconomics, politics, entertainment.... But, we the people, pretend racism is dead. Discussions on racism and the actions thereof are taboo. When blacks initiate the discussion, they’re playing the race card; when whites start the talk, they’re tokens, because God forbid a dialogue begins. Let it never be said of 21th century Americans that they (dare I continue to say we) discussed and sought viable solutions to a plague that has haunted this nation since its beginnings. Rather, let the vicious cycles of racism continue. After all, there is a level of comfort in stagnicity. And because most blacks cannot give a physical description of the glass ceiling, America can continue to exist in the status quo and deny its existence. Even as statistics show the educational gap between blacks and white, the economic gap, the prison population and even in governments, as with Ferguson where the police department employs 50 officers — and three are black. Racism is alive. It continues to stalk America, persistent in its stride towards racial supremacy and eradication of what Sanger referred to as “human weeds.”
thumbs up Thumbs up to Ram Camp for hosting one of the largest camps thus far. Thumbs up to one side of Rosedale being smoother. Thumbs up to the beginning the NFL season. Thumbs up to the number of new freshman on campus.
thumbs down Thumbs down to the dean of students and director of housing being fired at the beginning of the new semester. Thumbs down to Dora’s not being finished and the inconvenient hours of The Sub and West Express. Thumbs down to parking, or the lack thereof. Thumbs down to OC hall still being renovated.
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Diving into dreams
Darlene Donaldson, May 2014 Aqua Cum Laude graduate, is the fifth graduate to have the underwater graduation ceremony. Photos by Paula Justice
Aqua Cum Laude dives into her dreams Paula Justice prjustice@txwes.edu
Darlene Donaldson was the latest of only five students to graduate aqua cum laude from Texas Wesleyan. The nontraditional criminal justice major completed undergraduate studies in May 2014. And the experience of participating in the scuba program and having an underwater graduation is still enough to bring tears to her eyes. “It was a life changing experience,” Donaldson said. “Originally, the reason why I chose to go to Wesleyan was because of the [scuba] program. That’s why Wesleyan became the center of my life for four years. “I wanted [my experience] to be a positive statement to say, ‘At any age, you can accomplish your dreams or whatever plan that you put forth.’ Just trust in God.” Each semester, the scuba program begins with approximately 26 students. And for some, those who ride the current to its completion, the program provides more than scuba theory and practice. “When you become a scuba diver, it’s almost like you become
a special part of a unique club,” Donaldson said. “You meet family. You have such a personal relationship with your instructors.” Donaldson recalls the leaders of her scuba team – Dr. Pamela Rast, Professor Bill Rucker and Alec Ranck, assistant – as having a combined 75 years of experience. Each played in intricate, sometime overlapping, part in Donaldson’s success. “They’re not going to sugar-coat anything,” Donaldson said. “People don’t understand; they think they can just go do [scuba] and won’t get hurt. But they don’t realize that when they go underwater, they’re actually risking their lives.” Donaldson said her experience with scuba was an unforgettable adventure. Scuba is a sport and it’s fun and exciting. But it must be taken seriously. “It’s a lifestyle,” she said. “And if you want instructors that care for you, [scuba at Wesleyan] is the program you want to go through.” After visiting many dive shops and surveying other scuba programs, Donaldson decided the scuba team at Wesleyan was the one for her. “I needed someone who was going to treat me with respect — who
was going to treat me like a human being,” she said. “We need each other to succeed in this life.” Bill Rucker, adjunct professor and coordinator of the recreational diving program, started his career at Wesleyan in 1994. One of his goals was to develop a program in which students could advance from the basics of diving to becoming a licensed instructor. “I spent probably eight years just with the open water and the next program, which is called the advanced open water,” Rucker said. While there are other undergraduate programs that prepare students for an entry-level diving certification, Rucker worked to ensure that Wesleyan’s scuba program has some exclusive qualities. “There were no universities in the whole United States that had any kind of a program that would take a student from learning how to dive to being an instructor.” The dive and motorcycle enthusiast said while he developed the program, he examined his life and the things that he would have wanted to do while of the traditional college age. “I wanted my students to not only have their formal education from the university, but I wanted them to have a backup plan, a plan
B that would allow them to travel,” Rucker said. “If I could have gone to work in the Virgin Islands or Cozumel or Tahiti and actually got a job there, I’d probably still be there.” In partnership, Professor Rucker and Dr. Rast, director of athletic training education, developed Wesleyan’s minor in scuba program. The 16-18 hour minor has offered internships, which has sent to students to the Grand Cayman, St. Thomas, Cabo San Lucas and more. “There’s an offshoot to that, that nobody ever things about,” Rucker said. “’ Do you want to teach [diving]? And do you want to teach it in a typical environment and be able to live on the beach for a year? “’Or if you decide that you don’t want to be a nuclear physicist, that you want to be a dive instructor and have a house on the beach, you can do that,’” he said. Most other scuba programs in the US are at universities near the ocean. Still, none of these programs can brag about having an underwater graduation ceremony. And even if they could, Wesleyan had it first. “We wanted to do something special to identity those students
[who had completed the program], because scuba is a social kind of activity,” Rast said. “Even though you’re underwater and can’t really talk, it’s the whole thing if getting together with people on a boat and making a dive and then being back up on the boat and talking about all the cool stuff you saw. “If you don’t dive, it’s just one of those things that you can’t really appreciate the m a j e s t y that you see under the ocean,” she said. “It’s just phenomenal.” As is each underwater graduation. Each ceremony is a tradition, which further solidifies the bond between participates. To be “penned and finned” is a sacred ritual, in which graduates are always finned by Dr. Rast and Professor Rucker. But each graduate is penned by their most recent predecessor. “It keeps everybody involved,” Rast said, “because it’s something that very few people can say that they’ve been through.” “I take life moment by moment,” Donaldson said. “And when [my brother] started telling me everything that I’d done, I was amazed at myself. I had accomplished what I set out to do. My faith in God was the driving force for all of this to take place.”
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Athletics director rides Harley in 49 states
Steven and Machele Trachier have thousands of photos from their motorcycle adventures. Pictured from left to right are Niagra Falls, Monument Valley, Niagra Falls and Grand Tetons. Below: the Black Hills of South Dakato. Photos courtesy of Steven and Machele Trachier.
Trachier travels life in more than one lane Paula Justice prjustice@txwes.edu
Like the great highway, Steven Trachier has more than one lane. Wesleyan’s athletics director stands tall in his right lane, leading a department through the demands of sports, planning, organizing and executing. But his left lane — the fast lane — flows in the opposite direction. Straddling his Harley, wife at his side, Trachier is freed from the confines of four walls, sports jargon and stats. And this summer, the Trachiers travelled across five states, riding closer to their mission. On a warm July morning, he sat in his office— sifting through memories of him and his wife traveling the United States on their Harleys — with one elbow propped onto a brown-leather chair’s arm, hand beneath his chin. He smiled. “People ask all the time, ‘Why do you ride motorcycles?’ ” he said. “I tell them, ‘If you’ve ever seen a dog riding down the road with his head hanging out the window, same reason.’ We call it road surfing. “You just enjoy the curves and the scenery and the smells.” He owned his first bike at 18. His wife of more than 30 years, Machele, grew up riding dirt bikes. Three children replaced their four wheels. But
when their children were older, the Trachiers declared in their bucket list to make an epic return to the road. Steve and Machele took a second vow: to travel, just the two of them, all 50 states on Harleys. Why a Harley? “Well, there’s only one bike!” Trachier said, and he believes any room full of people would agree. It has taken the bikers seven years to cover 44 U.S. states. And they have just returned from what Trachier calls a “power tour” of Washington, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska. “We try to see the big ticket things,” he said. Admittedly, there isn’t enough time or money to ride every road and see all the sights. Still, the Trachiers have experinces parts of the country that could make most anyone stand in awe. “Oh my Lord,” Trachier said in a burst of excitement. “We’ve ridden across New York into Canada at Niagara Falls, and we’ve watched fireworks on July 4. I can’t name a thing that’s been unimpressive: Mount Rushmore, Deadwood, SD, the Black Hills, the Badlands; Devils Tower in Wyoming; Monument Valley in Arizona. It’s just incredibly awesome. The Grand Canyon….” Recalling the canyon, with its depths reaching 14 vertical football fields, rendered Trachier speechless. Again. “There are moments when you feel insignifi-
cant. I can’t even describe it,” he said. “When you look at the Grand Canyon, you feel insignificant. “You are a speck in the universe. Something that gargantuan, it’s just hard to get your head around it. It’s just incredible.” There’s one place the Trachiers agree to never visit again: the Mojave Desert. The 25,000-mile desert covers a region of southeast California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. And by July, the teperature has reached 115 degrees.
“You are a speck in the universe. Something that gargantuan, it’s just hard to get your head around it. It’s just incredible.” - Steven Trachier
“My wife literally started seeing spots,” Trachier said. “We were riding from Arizona, north up to Las Vegas. We crossed Hoover Dam, which is incredible. But on the way back, she started seeing spots. That was not good. You don’t want to be on two wheels and be dizzy.”
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One incident out of thousands of experiences and a husband with a background in physiology doesn’t qualify the couple to be “Wild Hogs.” But it has made Trachier more aware of his place in the grand scheme of life. “Everything is awesome, everything!” The Trachiers’ summer vacation days are filled with mesmerizing glimpses of America’s natural beauty. Recaps of the day’s ride occupy their nights — sacred stories that neither husband not wife will divulge. “Nooo, nooo,” Trachier said on the topic of sharing with family and friends. “Just me and my wife. They’re just our memories. ” “A gazillion” photos serve as reminders of their motorcycle trips across the country. Each photo is Machele Trachier’s “opportunity to capture America.” Then back home, the story begins again as she sifts through frozen images of America’s beauty searching for those that best capture each journey. “She will create these scrapbooks for us when we return,” Trachier said. “And she does a little chronology within the scrapbook; she makes those for birthday presents and Christmas presents for us.” In their hearts and on leafs of those scrapbooks are some of Machele Trachier’s fondest memories. “A couple of my favorites include riding to Ni-
agara Falls and watching the fireworks, riding to Maine and having fresh lobster. And riding the Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee,” she said. Next year, the Trachiers plan to complete their mission with an expedition to Florida. But once they’ve covered all 50 states and semi-retired the Harleys, travel plans will not end. “I think we are going to have some non-motorcycle trips,” Machele said. Future destinations will include Venice, Italy, England and probably a few other places. These travel enthusiasts take pride in their expeditions. And their everyday lives provide the perfect smokescreen. They simply don’t look the part, said Amanda Bermejo, administrative assistant of athletics. “He’s really good at doing what he does [in the Wesleyan athletics department] and still having a good time with his family,” Bermejo said. “I would never have thought that he road motorcycles. [And] not just him, but his wife — she was in pageants!” It has taken the Trachiers seven years to create a lifetime of memories. And those memories have in turn created a sense of humility. “We’ve done so many things, it’s almost embarrassing. We have to remind ourselves of all the places that we’ve been,” Trachier said. “We’ve been very lucky. Very fortunate.”
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Arts Entertainment
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Jubilee Theatre Presents The Brothers Size Compliments of Jubilee Theatre
Theatre Wesleyan presents Sylvia by A.R. Gurney Compliments of Texas Wesleyan Theatre
Theatre Wesleyan is pleased to announce the second production in our 2014-15 season, Sylvia by A. R. Gurney which opens in The Thad Smotherman Theatre September 25. This comedy of canine proportions is directed by Instructor of Theatre Brynn Bristol. Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after twenty-
two years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg's career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate's career, as a public-school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park—or that has found him—bearing only the name "Sylvia" on her name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from
Upcoming:
the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection. And Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn't understand the relationship between man and dog. The marriage is put in serious jeopardy until, after a series of hilarious and touching complications, Greg and Kate learn to compromise, and Sylvia becomes a valued part of their lives. The show will run Sept. 2527, October 2-4 at 7:30pm; Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 at 2:00pm.
The Box office will open Sept.16, 2014. Hours are 1:304:30 Tuesday-Friday and one hour before curtain on performance days. To reserve tickets call the Wesleyan box office at 817-531-4211. General Admission is $10.00 for Wesleyan faculty, staff and students with ID. Admission for senior citizens over 65 is $5.00.The Thad Smotherman Theatre is located on the Texas Wesleyan Campus on the corner of Avenue E and Binkley Street.
THE STORY: In the Louisiana bayou, big brother Ogun Size is a wall of tough love. Younger brother Oshoosi still struggles to find his footing in the world complicated by his mysterious past. What begins as a ritual, evolves into a tough yet tender drama about the bonds of brotherhood. Poetry and myths are spun into this hot-blooded, music-filled contemporary drama from one of the country’s most exciting new voices. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “The greatest piece of writing by an American playwright under 30 in a generation or more” … an unforgettable theatrical event that will leave you breathless.
Ticket Information
Bargain Priced $18 Preview Performances are availble for Sept. 26 – Oct. 2. Opening night is Friday, Oct. 3 and performances continue through Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014. Evening performances are at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Matinee performances are at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Ticket prices (after preview performances) range from $22.00 - $26.00 and may be purchased online at jubileetheatre.org, in person at the theater Box Office, located at 506 Main Street or by calling 817-338-4411. Box Office hours of operation are Tuesday – Friday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and one hour before each performance.
Wesleyan Music Department presents: Recital: Suré Eloff and John Fisher Thursday, Sept. 25 in Martin Hall from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30
The Review: Black White and Gray by Chris Watson Band By Abigail Ross alross@txwes.edu
Black White and Gray, Chris Watson Chris Watson of the Chris Watson Band Photo courtesy of Chris Watson Band’s second studio album released July 2014, was a great way to introduce the new, fully equipped horn section. Local talent Chris Watson -- musician, vocalist, songwriter for band -- makes it clear that Chris Watson Band began to get comfortable with the idea of having a full band after touring with the infamous Lynyrd Skynyrd. For at least six years Watson made music with a three or four instrument band before deciding to upgrade. The album’s main attraction and most impressive component is undoubtedly the full horn section. The horn section adds many different sounds to the songs, specifically the title track, “Black White and Gray”. And that is what will keep people coming back. Although their success with the horns
is something to brag about, the band’s dependency on it may eventually be their downfall. The intensity of the horn section should come with some intense lyrics. Instead, the success of their music is completely reliant on the success of the horn section, while the lyrics are less than desirable due to overused theme of heartbreak in the album. Unfortunately. Chris Watson refers to himself as a “musician before a lyricist”. Consequently, the majority of the album’s lyrics sound like they all came from a single song. Eight out of ten songs on the album have the same overall theme: women are awful. Seemingly heartbroken Watson sings lyrics such as: When I ask you where you’ve been you say nowhere, if I ask you where you’re going, you don’t know, I ain’t got the time to sit and worry about your life, if you ain’t gonna worry about mine He adds: “I’ve been hearing rumors about you with another man.” Even though Watson asserts that there is no intentional theme for this album, anyone who listens to this album once could come to the conclusion that Watson is heartbroken. The lack of substantial variety in the songs makes the album . Still, there are a few lyrical highlights in the album. The title track, “Black White and Gray”, contains the most entertaining lyric of all. Watson sings: “If I find out who he is I can promise, he’ll be hard for you
Texas Wesleyan Religious Life University Chapel
to kiss with no front teeth.” In the song “It don’t matter” the line “So you can take your little mind control device, and put it neatly where the sun don’t shine” adds a humorous aspect to the already fun upbeat tune. But otherwise, the lyrics are lacking.
Music ENGAGE US
Presents at Martin Hall:
Recital: Suré Eloff and John Fisher
Common Meal
Duo Piano Recital: Jose Cubela, piano Ilka Araújo, piano
September 25 at 7:30 PM
Wesleyan Wind Ensemble October 9 at 7:30 p.m.
October 21 at 7:30 p.m.
The Stephen Barr Memorial Concert October 24 at 7:30 PM
Greater Fort Worth Community Band October 26 at 3:00 p.m.
The Modern Faculty and Student Performers
“Faith Seeking Understanding”
debut album from his new band betterrounded. The lack of lyrical creativity and the overemphasized horn section overtook the lyrics to the point where it is difficult to make out what is being sung. Regardless of the lyrical problems, the band itself has real potential and could be a rising star.
Wesleyan
Live music with brief worship Tuesday at 12:15 PUMC Chapel Free lunch after service - PUMC 312 Free lunch and discussion Thursdays at 12:15 PUMC 312
In all, the album Black White and Gray is a great way to show the new and improved Chris Watson Band. But it’s not such a great way to gain a wider range of fans. With the Southern soul genre of music already being less popular than a majority of mainstream music, Watson should have made more of an effort to make the
November 1 at 2:00 p.m. Wesleyan at The FW Museum of Modern Art 3200 Darnell St
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Men’s soccer 9.11.2014 University of St. Thomas Houston, TX 5:00PM
9.12.2014
University of Texas Brownsville
Houston, TX
5:00PM
9.20.2014 Paul Quinn College Martin Field 8:00PM 9.22.2014 Texas College Martin Field 7:00PM
Women’s Soccer 9.12.2014 Huston-Tollotson University Austin, TX 6:00PM 9.20.2014 Paul Quinn College Martin Field 6:00PM 9.22.2014 Texas College Martin Field 5:00PM
Women’s Volleyball 9.16.2014 Tarleton State University Sid Richardson Center 6:00PM
9.16.2014
Mid-America Christian University
Sid Richardson Center
7:00PM
9.20.2014 Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX 11:00AM
9.22.2014
Saint Gregory’s University
Sid Richardson Center
7:00PM
9.23.2014
Southwestern Assemblies of God University Sid Richardson Center
7:00PM
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country 9.13.2014 Gerald Rickey Invitational UT-Arlington 8:00AM 9.20.2014 4th Annual Ram Ramble Gateway Park 8:00AM
Men’s Golf
9.22.2014
O.D. Bounds Gold Classic
Diamond Oaks G.C.
8:00AM
Lincoln Park West
8:00AM
Sid Richardson Center
9:00AM
Women’s Golf
9.15-16.2014
Susie Maxwell Berning Classic
Table Tennis
9.20.2014
Texas Wesleyan Open
Lady Rams revamp team John Ortega jaortega@txwes.edu
Texas Wesleyan sports graduated many players after last season. And the Lady Rams’ softball team lost over half of last year’s team. After a disappointing 2426 season in 2014, the Lady Rams look to rebuild. “We have eight freshmen,” said Kendall Kizer last year’s first team All American and second basemen. “Eight freshman and three transfers. I’m the grandma, fifth year senior.”
Returning along with Kizer are pitcher Amber Marlett (SR), second team All American, first baseman Chelsea Anderson (SR), pitcher Amanda Windham (JR), shortstop Lauren Davis (JR), outfielder Amber Tucker (JR), and outfielder Dani West (SO). Kizer lead the team in hits (52) and batting average (.351). Marlett lead the team in wins (14), ERA (1.87), and strikeouts (121). The newcomers will have to learn quickly as the returning players have high expectations for the upcoming season.
“I wouldn’t call it coping,” said Chelsea Anderson, senior athletic training major. “The returning players and the incoming 11 this year have already established an awesome bond. I expect a lot to come from this team this year. Our team has amazing potential.” With high expectations, the Lady Rams look to the near future for success. “We seem to mesh really well with the new girls,” Amber Tucker, junior business major, said. “And I have high expectations for our team. And I think we can win conference this year.”
Next Issue Preview Rams BBall preview
Check out next issue where Jose Navar and Victor Jech spotlight Rams basketball. We will take a look at the back court for the Rams and Lady Rams.
Wesleyan gets new coach Blake Vinson profiles the new head coach for the Rams’ baseball team.
Bandwagon fans bad for sports
Jose Navar offers his opinions of fair-weather fans in next issue’s sports op-ed piece.
Cowboys’ Romo in the hot seat?
Johnny talks Cowboys football. Is this Romo’s year or will the Cowboys fall short once again in 2014? Check out Rambling with Johnny.
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Abilene Christian defeats Lady Rams 2-1
Channel 25.1 on campus and therambler.org Lockwood, Michaelkovich, Popejoy, and Hart prepare for the game. Photo by Jessica Liptak Katie Hurrell kvhurrell@txwes.edu
The Lady Ram’s soccer team lost to Abilene Christian University 2-1 on Aug. 31 at Martin Field in Fort Worth. The first goal of the match was scored at the 38-minute
mark by Wesleyan’s Kaitlin Bush. Abilene’s Lindsey Jones tied the game at the 58-minute mark. The Wildcats pulled ahead with a goal by Baylee Mitchell in the third minute of overtime. The Lady Rams’ record is
| 7
1-1. Josh Gibbs, head coach, said the team retains it fighting spirit and love for the game. “We don’t all look the same, we don’t all have the same story,” he said. “But we all have [soccer] in common. That’s pretty awesome!”
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Lady Rams defeat A&M-Texarkana
Sports Rambling with Johnny The End of an Era John Ortega jaortega@txwes.edu
In a surprising move, Ron Washington stepped down as the Rangers manager on Friday afternoon in order to handle a private matter. Bench coach Tim Burger will take over the managerial duties effective immediately. “I deeply regret that I’ve let down the Rangers organization and our great fans,” Washington said in a statement issued Friday. “Over the past eight seasons, it’s been a privilege to be part of some of the best years in club history. I will always be grateful for the opportunities I’ve had here, and for the great management, players, and coaches who have made our time here a success.” This marks the end of the greatest era in Texas Rangers’ history. Ron Washington leaves a 664-611 win/ loss record during his seven and a half seasons as manager with backto-back World Series appearances. Washington’s win/loss record isn’t what sets him apart from the likes of Johnny Oats or Buck Showalter (both former Rangers’ managers). It’s the two American League Pennants that Washington won. Never mind the fact that no other Rangers’ manager ever took the Rangers past the first round of the playoffs. Washington took them to two in a row. I will never forget where I was when the Rangers beat the New York Yankees in 2010. Game Six. Top of the ninth. Two outs. Alex Rodriguez at the plate. Neftali Feliz on the mound for the Rangers. The sports bar I frequented was silent. Strike one. A collective inhale by my fellow fans. Strike two. Quieter still. And when Feliz threw the 98 mile fastball by a swinging ARod the place erupted. Grown men, hardened men, wept as the realization that the Texas Rangers were
bound for the World Series. Laughter and cheers and recounts of what had just happened along with the “cheers” of beer bottles and whiskey glasses became the sounds of the bar. I couldn’t believe what I saw. For the first time in my life, for the first time ever, the Texas Rangers were going to the World Series. Even after the disappointing loss in the Fall Classic to the San Francisco Giants I had that moment of bliss to hang onto. Thank you Ron Washington
Fight Song Wesleyan Rams are bold For the flames we dearly hold Lady Rams’ Lauren Kee, junior mid fielder, waits for a pass. Photo by Katie Hurrell.
and gold Our flames are blazing, In the shining glory Wesleyan Rams are we For TW we’ll always be With all our might We will Fight, Fight, Fight
Katie Hurrell kvhurrell@txwes.edu
The Lady Rams soccer team won against Texas A&M University -- Texarkana with a score of 4-0 on Sept. 5 in Fort Worth. This win puts the ladies at 2 and 1 for the season. The first goal of the match was scored in the 7-minute mark by Shrareh Asadi on rebound from Alexis Michaelkovich’s shot, which was saved by the Eagle’s goalkeeper. Wesleyan’s Sandra Villarreal took a corner kick at the 23-minute mark of the game, finding Michaelkovich giving them a 2-0 lead. The third goal of the first half
was scored by Ram, Kaitlin Bush at the 34-minute leaving the score 3-0 at halftime. “The girls are going to put up a fight,” Wesleyan veteran Abigale Elj said during the first half. And she certainly wasn’t wrong about that. The Ram’s final goal was scored at the 53-minute of the second half ending the game with a 4-0 score to the Lady Rams. Sandee Wheaton, the mother of senior Mid-fielder Paige Wheaton said the girls have had a good year. “They have gained a lot of experience and should have a great season ahead of them.” The Lady Rams travel to Austin to take on Houston-Tollotson University (1-2) on Friday, Sept. 12.
Here and now,
Ron Washington Manager of the Texas Rangers. Photo by Keith Allison https://www.flickr.com/photos/ keithallison/5607791897/
And we’ll steal the victory!
Dining Services Brown-Lupton Food Court Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, from Monday - Friday International & Vegetarian Selections Various Food Choice Weekend Brunch Balcony Dining HOURS Monday - Thursday 7a.m. - 8:00p.m. Friday 7a.m. - 6:30p.m. Saturday 11a.m - 2:30p.m 4:30p.m - 6:30p.m Sunday 11a.m. - 2:30p.m. 4:30p.m. - 7:30p.m.
Texas Wesleyan WEE can have fun WEE can be there WEE can meet WEE can chill WEE can create HOURS Monday - Thursday 11a.m. - 7:30p.m. Friday 11a.m. - 2p.m. Saturday/Sunday Closed