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The Rambler
The students’ voice since 1917
Fort Worth, Texas
October 10, 2007
NEWS BRIEFS Sigma Week continues TWU’s Phi Beta Sigma fraternity continues their week of campus events including an interest meeting (mandatory for sigma wannabees) Oct. 11, party at Crystal’s Night Club in Arlington Oct. 12, Playstation 3 tournament in Wesleyan Village Club House at 1 p.m. Oct. 13 and church with the Sigmas Oct. 14. Contact president Kenneth Jackson at kennethjackson1914@yahoo.com.
News Briefs
Gay-Straight Alliance In honor of National Coming Out Day, the gaystraight alliance will hold various events during free period in the library Oct. 11 promoting tolerance, understanding and appreciation of the diversity in our culture. Regular Gay Straight Alliance meetings are every Friday at 12:15 in room B17 in the Eunice L. West Library basement. All students, faculty and staff that support human rights are encouraged and invited to attend. Hey Mr. DJ Come join Texas Wesleyan and 89.7 Power FM for The Road Less Traveled Concert Series at 7:14 p.m. Oct. 14 in Martin Hall. Tickets are $5 in advance ($7 for general seating, $15 for VIP seats) and can be purchased through the Texas Wesleyan bookstore or the chaplain’s office in PUMC. Featured acts include Slingshot 57, One Minute Halo and Eimi Hall. Don’t sneeze on me Tarrant County Public Health will supply flu shots from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Followship Hall of Poly UMC. Flu shots are $20 cash. Hear from hall-of-famer Bob Simpson, chief executive officer of XTO Energy, will speak at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 16 in Martin Hall. Simpson is named executive of the year for the Texas Wesleyan Business Hall of Fame. Willson Lecture Series Open your mind and take in a thought-provoking lecture by Dr. Stacey FloydThomas, associate professor of ethics and director of black church studies at Brite Divinity School. She will give her lecture “What’s Going On: The Permanence of Racism, the Erasure of Education, and the Relevance of Religion” at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 in Martin Hall. You really need a facial... A Coldwater Creek spa package is being raffled off Oct. 23 between games 2 and 3 of the volleyball match. The package is valued at more than $200. Tickets are $20, available from any volleyball player or coach.
Vol. 99, No. 6
Executive of the year to speak on campus SHAMEKA HYATT
continuous, growing success. Under Simpson’s direction, XTO Energy has held fourth place in the best performing stock category of the New York Stock Exchange ever since its initial public offering in 1993. Since 2003, Selected unanimously from a pool of candidates, Bob R. Simpson is the XTO has been the No. 2 producer in North Texas’s Barnett Shale region, Texas Wesleyan Business Hall of Fame’s business executive of the year. The doubled its daily production and reserves and increased its revenues by 30 percent ($4.6 billion) and its profits by 61 percent ($1.9 bilchief executive officer of Fort Worth-based XTO Energy, lion). Simpson is honorably known for his miraculous resurrecTo achieve such accomplishments, Simpson has impletion and running of XTO Energy. mented the following simple business strategy within his He will speak to the Texas Wesleyan campus at 9:30 company: “Take the good assets, and make them better.” a.m. Oct. 16 in Martin Hall. All are welcome to attend. Along with this strategy, an old- fashioned work ethic and “Students at Texas Wesleyan University should look to originality, Simpson has lead XTO Energy in obtaining and Mr. Simpson as an example of how those who achieve tackling the best oil and gas assets throughout the United great success are more outwardly focused than inwardly States for the past two decades. Shareholders have praised focused,” said Hector Quintanilla, dean of the school of these high quality assets, witnessing XTO Energy’s stocks business. increase more than 50 times in the recent years. Simpson was formally inducted into the hall of fame Simpson has accumulated an impressive repertoire of Oct. 2 when an annual black tie dinner was held at the Fort Google Images honors and awards, including Oil and Gas Investor magaWorth Club. The dinner supports scholarships for Bob. R. Simpson, chief execuzine’s Business Executive of the Year and one of Institutional Wesleyan’s business school. “Mr. Simpson is a business leader and philanthropist tive officer of XTO Energy, will Investor magazine’s Best CEOs in 2006. Along with these honors, Simpson has been distinguished as one of the 30 Most who has been nationally and globally recognized for his speak on campus Oct. 16. Respected CEOs in the World for three consecutive years by business and civic contributions,” said Quintanilla. In 1986, XTO Energy, then known as Cross Timbers Oil, was going the financial publication, Barron. Not only recognized for his successes in businesses, Simpson, a family downhill in the domestic energy industry. With the intervention of Simpson – along with two other colleagues, Steve Palko and Jon Brumley – the com- man with seven children, has also been venerated for his civic duties in the pany was back up and running in no time with most of its operations in Major Fort Worth community. Simpson has recently been revered by the National Historic Trust at its Restore America Gala in Washington D.C. for his efforts County, Oklahoma, and East Texas. Since the team’s acquisition of the company, XTO has been dwelling in See Executive, page 2 STAFF WRITER
Wesleyan billing now paperless
Calling all
SHAMEKA HYATT STAFF WRITER
MENTORS File Photo
Freshman mentorship program suffers shortage of members, increase in freshmen
students.” She plans to continue being a mentor this semester and hopes to soon be assigned to a freshman. STAFF WRITER “Commuting students don’t really get to see what’s The freshman mentor program exists to enrich the going on and what they can get involved in,” Choice said. Texas Wesleyan campus through helping freshman stuThe program is also beneficial, she said, to the mendents’ transition to college life. In the program, junior and tors. As well as being fulfilling, it will show community senior students, as well as the Wesleyan faculty and staff, service on one’s resume. are assigned one or more freshman students. There are currently no specific requirements for men“The main purpose of the freshmen mentorship pro- torship, said Whitehead. gram is to help students become more comfortable with However, potential mentors should, Choice suggestthe campus, feel more welcome, more ed, have leadership abilities, orgacomfortable with the responsobility. nizational skills, an outgoing perCurrent faculty and staff and students sonality and enough time to spend essentially provide guidance to the with the individual student. new students,” said James Whitehead, The freshman mentor program coordinator of new student programs. is in dire need of potential mentors The mentors can talk with freshto help encourage, direct and help men on just about any subject from freshmen focus on campus life, preparing the students for tests, exams both academically and socially. and mid-terms to introducing them to But will the program be in sororities or fraternities to join. danger without enough participat“[The program] was made mandaing mentors? tory this year for all freshmen. It helps “We will get the mentors,” with retention,” said Whitehead. vowed Whitehead. Unfortunately, this semester, there “For the student mentors, this Photo by Jillian Jones is a major lack of mentors in the pro- The mentor program hosts events for program is just like community gram. According to Whitehead, there mentors and mentees to bond (top) and outreach and giving back to are approximately 210 freshmen. With is led by James Whitehead (above). Wesleyan. They know how it was only around 20 mentors, the number of when they started,” said freshmen has ultimately outnumbered the available men- Whitehead. tors. Mentors can be asked to served as mentors for up to If you are interested in becoming a mentor, you can three students. go to the mentorship home page at www.txwes.edu/freshLindsey Choice, senior mentor and administration mentor. Click on “sign up” and fill in the mentor quesoperator, started participating in the mentor program in tionnaire. You can submit it to Whitehead via e-mail at spring 2006. She describes her experience as being “a jwhitehead@txwes.edu or at his office in the Academic chance for mentors to interact directly with the freshman Resource Center.
MICHELLE JOHNSON
Texas Wesleyan’s cashier’s office has gone paperless. Paper billing statements are no longer mailed to students. With a new electronic invoicing system, students now receive e-mail notifications through their Ram Mail account about payment deadlines, past due balances and when their refund checks are available. In correlation with Wesleyan’s electronic invoicing system, the introduction of RamLink last year allows students to access everything pertaining to their university business online. Some features of RamLink include account summary viewing, unofficial transcripts and degree audits. With the recent introduction of the electronic invoicing system and RamLink, students do not have to go to nor call the cashier’s office for simple needs. Students only have to visit the cashier’s office when a paper bill or specific billing information is desired. In addition to visiting the cashier’s office, students wanting a paper billing statement must send a written request via e-mail to cashiersoffice@txwes.edu. Marian Ford, manager of student accounts and cashier’s office, said the new electronic invoicing system, working along with RamLink, will make things easier for students and the cashier’s office as a whole. “Students don’t have to wait until 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to get simple financial issues resolved,” she said. Allowing the cashier’s office to spend less time answering questions on the phone and in person, the electronic invoicing system and Ram Link has made the cashier’s office more tech savvy. “We have more time to use the system better and to use more technology,” said Ford. The utilization of electronic book vouchers was an obvious result of the elec-
See Paperless, page 2
News
2 October 10, 2007
The Rambler
The Rambler launches new and improved Web site SHAWN R. POLING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Amanda May, senior English major, was resently added to The Rambler staff as Web editor, a new position created to keep up the Web site, post The Rambler online, and facilitate relations with U-Wire. The new and improved Rambler Web site is now live. Photos courtesy of RamblerArchive
Hall of Fame has not only served the Executive, from page 1 to revitalize and preserve historic purpose of recognizing top execustructures in the Fort Worth commu- tives for the sake of Fort Worth businity. The company has renovated sev- ness, but also for the sake of up and eral old buildings in the central city coming executives. “The purpose of the Business to house its operations. Simpson also oversees other Hall of Fame is to promote business areas of community outreach, such as as a challenging profession to young the recent donation of $3 million to people, provide information about the All Saints’ Episcopal School for a how the free enterprise system works new upper-school building and the and provide scholarships to enable purchase of Trigger, the 2007 Fort worthy recipients to prepare for busiWorth Stock Show grand champion ness careers,” said Quintanilla. The Texas Wesleyan Business steer, to provide scholarships for youth. He has also donated funds to Hall of Fame is a partnership between TWU, Fort his alma mater, Worth Chamber of B a y l o r Commerce and University, for “Take the good assets, and Fort Worth the construction make them better.” Business Press. of the Simpson’s To select the Athletic and – Bob R. Simpson’s motto executive of the Academic Center. Chief Executive Officer, XTO Energy year, a committee He obtained made up of former both his bachelor’s degree and master of business admin- inductees and representatives from istration at Baylor. He then served in the chamber, Wesleyan and the the Texas Army National Guard and Business Press meet in the spring to later earned his Certified Public discuss prospective candidates for induction. The winner is selected Accountant status. Quintanilla said Wesleyan’s based on business achievements and school of business is honored to service. Past recipients include W.R. induct Simpson into Wesleyan’s busi- “Bob” Watt, the head of the Fort ness hall of fame. With his accom- Worth Stock Show, and U.S. Rep. plishments and overall domination in Kay Granger. the business field, Quintanilla said Simpson is a great role model for TWU business students. Established in 1970, the Business
Change was a word heard often in The Rambler offices earlier this semester. “A lot of things happened over last semester and the summer. We changed printers, which led to many improvements concerning appearance, and the staff inevitably changed, including the editor-in-chief and managing editor positions,” said Kelli Lamers, faculty adviser to The Rambler. The Rambler also set out to, once again, launch a Web site. A site was launched last semester, only for the campus to run into licensing issues with the needed software. It rendered the staff unable to maintain the site. “The positive side of this is that it gave us a chance to reorganize our efforts for the site,” Lamers said. With the combining and changing of some of the staff positions, the newspaper was able to ad a Web editor position. Two of the paper’s current employees, Shawn R. Poling and Colleen Burnie, created a Web site in 2006 for their Web writing class, updating and launching the site last spring. Although the Web site functioned well as a recruiting tool, a number of the staff wanted to change the site around to help serve other purposes. “Our main goal was for the overall Wesleyan community to be able to read The Rambler online. Most of the college papers in our area have had that advantage for a while now,” said Lamers. “We want the site to attract
staff as well as attract ideas and participation from readership. It can also serve as a tool to reach advertisers and as another element for The Rambler to enter into competition.” The Web manager is also in charge of another addition this semester, the paper’s UWire subscription. The free wire service allows The Rambler to upload stories and photos for a chance to be published by other subscribing news organizations and, at the same time, gives The Rambler the access to interesting content published at other schools. It was clear a new employee was needed fast, and one was found in Amanda May, senior English major. May had already made numerous Web sites for herself and worked on a variety of campus Web sites for classes and internships. “I already had experience with Macromedia, so I was perfect for the job,” said May. Macromedia Contribute is the software used by The Rambler, and the rest of the Wesleyan campus, for design and maintenance of Web pages. Right into the semester, the program was made available and added to The Rambler offices, so May has already completely rejuvenated the site. “I changed it a lot; shortened things, condensed things. I think it looks loads better,” said May. The new Web site is now live, featuring upto-date issues, archived past issues and staff bios. There are also links for those interested in working with The Rambler and links to submit stories or photo ideas, as well as a sleek new look. Visit us at www.txwes.edu/rambler.
Google Images
Bob Simpson is the latest executive of the year for Wesleyan’s Business Hall of Fame, founded in 1970 to recognize top executives in the Fort Worth area.
Paperless, from page 1
tronic invoicing system’s and RamLink’s impact this semester. TWU saw the need to upgrade in communication by implementing a new electronic invoicing system for a number of reasons, according to Ford. The primary reason was that students fail to update their addresses when changes occur, resulting in university-related mail being sent to an incorrect address. Along with the cashier’s office using the electronic invoicing system to get important information to students, Kahla Van Toorn, the registrar and secretary of the university, can send information regarding university events via Ram Mail to students.
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Opinions “Vanilla Special K bars.” “Donuts.”
Jayson Nag Senior Political Science Major
Coridon Laus Sophomore Biology Major
The Rambler
Dear Princess Diana, live on with us forever P
rincess Diana will always have a spot on the cover of magazines, newspapers and other media so that her story can be told. I can remember watching her and Prince Charles getting married and playing with the doll replicas that my granny gave me. “Wow, a true prince and princess getting married on live TV! How cool is that?” I said to my mom. “Did you know that you and her share the same birthBARYN day?” asked my mom. “Does that make me a princess SHEPHERD too?” I asked. Even at a young age she made an impression on me and many of my friends. Diana is more than just a princess who lived in castle with a prince. She is a hero, a hero to her family, country and to people around the world. She is a true icon and role model in our world today, tomorrow and yesterday. What Diana has done for charities, nations and young women around the world is remarkable. If we had more people like her across the nations, I don’t believe that we would be at war, nor would any other countries. It is a shame that more people with her kind of clout and prestige can’t part with some of their personal items for charities, the arts and fund-raiser in local communities and museums. On an old news report, Diana visits an orphanage where Mother
he recurrently makes the covers of hit magazines; headlines couple her name and gossipy tidbits time and again. Every one of those abundant write-ups reveres the pretty icon. You’d think the woman was alive, but she’s not. She TIARA departed this mortal life NUGENT more than a decade ago, but, oh my gosh, we can’t let her actually die. No, no. Bury the body, but let her spirit live on forever. Rehash the glory on every magazine cover. I’ll readily admit Princess Diana possessed remarkable charisma, achieved admirable goals in charitable endeavors and, with a beautiful smile, became one of the most photographed and prominent women of her day. Hello reality, sorry to shatter those rose-colored spectacles, but her marriage wasn’t a happily-ever-after fairy tale. She carried on more than an affair or two and is said to have admitted a battle with depression. Why can’t people let her go? If Princess Di had not been subject to a premature death and had instead died of old age, would we patronize her still? Who can judge Princess Di to be the only woman to grace this earth with charm and generous good will towards less-than-fortunate
“What is your favorite midterm study snack?”
Courtesy of Google Images
Baryn Shepherd is a senior liberal studies major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.
beings? Yet we continue to idolize and pay ism (why?) as they clamored for the plush anihomage to other illustrious philanthropists, mal that would surely be worth a fortune. I just reliving each moment of his/her charity and found one on ebay for $6. At least some portion soap material of this Diana craze is dying off. with relish. The Now let’s address the fact that the humorous irony American media is giving such coverof the situation age; Diana’s not even one of our own. squirts the How many American women go unnoketchup on top. ticed everyday for kind deeds, and how Currently, many famous good-hearted American Welsh investigawomen of the past have been forgotten tions are being for their acts of love toward fellow men? held on the case A scroll-down of the left-hand links of Princess Di’s on the Fox World News Web page death and more reminds me of the cute “which one doesthan ever she is n’t belong” game I loved in elementary all over the school. Let’s give it a shot using a cou“news.” The ple of those tabs: Iran, North Korea, headline I found Afghanistan, Princess Diana, Africa, on both MSN Courtesy of Googel Images Europe. Need I supply the misfit? and Fox News The extremity to which Americans home pages the other day cracked me up. It fantasize over a deceased foreign woman truly read, “No way of knowing whether Diana was summons disturb. pregnant.” Really? Are you serious? People need to get on with life (or should I And why, may I add, has it taken a full say get a life?); the woman has been dead for decade for the inquest to begin if Princess Diana over a decade. is truly the big deal she’s cracked up to be? Princess Diana, may you someday rest in Anyone remember the majestic purple TY peace. Beanie Baby bears that hit the market back in 1997 shortly after her death? Americans swalTiara Nugent is a junior writing major and is the lowed the gimmick, feeling a sense of patriotmanaging editor for The Rambler.
Student reflects on Chavez immigration address A
“Nachos.”
s part of a family of Mexican descent, I was eager to hear what Linda Chavez had to share at a recent event I had the opportunity to attend with some of my fellow Wesleyan classmates and professors. Chavez spoke recently on “How to Create an Immigration Policy that Works for America” as part of the author series for the National Center for Policy Analysis. Chavez, one of the Library of Congress’ “Living Legends,” is, among other things, the first MARTIN Hispanic female nominated to a U.S. cabinet. GARCIA Immigration is a topic that natives have had to deal with as long as the United States have existed. It seems that over the past couple of years, attention to the issue has increased. Although most, if asked, would agree that immigration, legal and illegal, is at an all time high, Chavez refuted that claim with several statistics. She noted that the United States is not at a peak in illegal Mexican migration; rather, illegal immigration has gone down 25 percent since its peak in 2000. A quick rebuttal to that claim would raise the question: why, then, are we spending more on enforcement and catching fewer immigrants? In 1992, the average cost to apprehend an illegal alien was $300. That price tag has rocketed to $1,700 in a decade and a half. You do the math. People seeking refuge in the land of the free are also getting a whole lot sneakier. The percentage of immigrants caught has gone from 33 percent to 5 percent in that same time frame. This phenomenon, according to Chavez, can be attributed to the fact that families – not just men looking for work – are making their way across the border.
“Goldfish.”
Patrick Brandt Senior Mass Communication Major
Teresa was working. Diana knelt down in front of a child and took the child’s cheek in her hand. As they gazed into the other’s eyes the innocents of the child and tenderness and compassion of Diana were caught on film and forever touched my heart. Would you or anyone you know leave your friends and family to fly across the world to help a saint in a tiny overcrowded orphanage to try and make a difference in only one tiny little life? I don’t know anyone like that. Even after her death there are many more things that we can and should learn from her. It is also important for her boys, who lost their mother so tragically, to see that she is still respected and needed by her people and so many, many more.
Will Princess Di ever really die?
S
Teaira Little Senior English Major
October 10, 2007 3
Immigration isn’t controlled by the free market anymore. It’s not like buying a ticket or taking a number. Immigration happens, and it will continue to happen. Citizens must accept that if they took the millions upon millions of immigrants settled in the United States out of the equation, the market would suffer an unrecoverable hit. But there is an answer to control the wave. Chavez stressed that the immigration policies set forth in our society should be market-based and beneficial to the country. She followed by insisting on and promoting “policies that encourage assimilation.” By assimilating to the norm, she envisioned a stronger society. The speech itself lasted but a half hour, and I felt we didn’t get to hear enough of her ideas for changing and improving the illegal immigrant situation. We were, however, given many surprising facts that are not commonly known about a widespread issue in society that kept us thinking and discussing long after we left. As the chair of the Center for Equal Courtesy of Google Images Opportunity, an acclaimed author and a syndicated columnist for FOX News, Chavez has established herself as a leading advocate for bettering immigration policies in America. For further reading on her Latino background and political ideas, I recommend her books: An Unlikely Conservative: The Transformation of an Ex-Liberal and Out of the Barrio: Toward a New Politics of Hispanic Assimilation. Martin Garcia is a junior English major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.
Rambler Ratings
The Rambler Founded in 1917 as The Handout
Thumbs down to the pests plaguing dorm residents.
Member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.
Thumbs up to all Wesleyan faculty, staff and students making it through the first half of the semester.
Opinions expressed in The Rambler are those of the individual author only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole. Letters to the editor: The Rambler, a weekly publication, welcomes all letters. All submissions must have a full printed name, phone number and signature; however, confidentiality will be granted if requested. While every consideration is made to publish letters, publication is limited by time and space. The editors reserve the right to edit all submissions for space, grammar, clarity and style. Letters to the editor may be subject to response from editors and students on the opinions page.
Thumbs up to all freshman mentors.
Thumbs up to all who seized the opportunity to hear Marshall W. Mason speak on campus.
Harold G. Jeffcoat, Publisher Kelli Lamers, adviser Zainah Usman, photo editor Bryce Wilks, sports editor Skyla Claxton, advertising manager
Shawn R Poling, editor-in-chief Tiara Nugent, managing/college life editor Colleen Burnie, entertainment editor Amanda May, Web editor
"We are not afraid to follow the truth...wherever it may lead." -Thomas Jefferson Address all correspondence to: Texas Wesleyan University, The Rambler, 1201 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth, TX 76105. Newsroom: 531-7552 Advertising: 531-7582 Fax: 531-4878 E-mail: twurambler@yahoo.com
College Life
October 10, 2007
The Rambler
International Fair 2007 arrives at Wesleyan TIARA NUGENT MANAGING EDITOR
Oh say can you see . . . the fashions of Australia? The schools of Nepal? How about the Scandinavian cuisine of Sweden? These images may not be visible by the dawn’s early light, but International Week 2007 could be just the right telescopic lens to observe the outdoor markets of China. Looming on the horizon for Oct. 15-19, Wesleyan’s International Week will provide students and faculty alike a ticket on an exhilarating journey to discover unique facets of world culture and develop a deeper appreciation for cultures differing from America in lifestyle and customs. This week also gives the chance to recognize, applaud and get to know Wesleyan’s slew of international students. “Preparing our students to be good citizens of the world community is part of the university’s mission,” said Betsy Johnson, director of International Programs. “International Week provides a unique “Teaching our students about international opportunity to issues today will make us better equipped to focus on the tackle global challenges in the future, from poverty to environmental concerns, hunger world’s culand disease. International education enlarges tures through our perspective, as individuals and as a the many nation.” activities offered to the -Margaret Spelling campus.” Secretary of Education National observance of International Week traditionally occurs in November, but because the Thanksgiving holiday and the fluster of class demands at that time, Wesleyan shifted its global celebration to October this year. Date isn’t the only significant change of schedule for International Week. In previous years, most events took place in the evening. Realizing that Wesleyan is primarily a commuter campus, the majority of festivities are moving to the more convenient daytime hours in hopes of boosting attendance. Accommodating the entire Wesleyan body in scheduling remains an impossible task, but there are plenty of events to go around. Some classes may conflict with events, but professors are encouraged to still allow students to attend when possible. Preparation and planning for the occasion commenced before the school grind crunched into gear. Johnson and International Student Adviser Ashley Porterfield are spearheading most of the work out of the international office, but faculty, departments and groups all over campus are pitching in. For instance, displays of international authors and books will adorn the West Library’s first floor and Dora’s Residential Restaurant has agreed to serve international foods all week. Student Life and the Spanish department – hosting the Italian Ice Social and International Film Night, respectively – are two more members of the league pitching in to make this International Week the best Wesleyan has ever seen. “Should be fun – I’m excited about it,” said Porterfield. Events of this special week divide into three categories: fun, academic and study abroad.
FUN and Wednesday, students and faculty who had the privilege A unique feature of the fun portion of International of taking part in these trips will share their exciting experiWeek is “International Student Perspectives,” a panel in ences. which students from multiple continents (including China, The primary purpose of these sessions, however, will be Uganda, Mexico, Australia and Ireland) will address issues to inform the campus of upcoming study abroad opportuniunder the canvas topic of “My life and where I’m going.” ties. Seven trips have already landed the calendar for 2008 Designed to give fellow students an idea of what it is and more could be in the works, according Porterfield. like to grow up in another Also on Wednesday, country, this interactive session faculty members who bids informative entertainment embarked upon their own for all. Members of the study abroad will report Wesleyan Collegiate Institute, their findings on out of the dual-enrollment program country encounters. for high school seniors in the COME Fort Worth school district, will If you’re interested in be guests at this function. broadening your cultural Thursday will usher in the knowledge, take a step highlight of the week as the toward becoming more halls of the Brown Lupton the infinite person so Center come alive in the colorfondly discussed and ful flair of the international fair. attend International Week. International students clad in Turning out for this home-style week-long comgarb showmemoration, coorcase snapdinators said, will shots of also show support their homefor Wesleyan’s land at own international booths set students and keep up with ethone of the main nic foods, purposes of native music International and items Week – celebratsymbolic of ing those exceptheir indigetional students – nous culfrom being overture. looked. “The “For internafair is a lot tional students, of preparaInternational tion,” said Week is a Porterfield, reminder of being “but the home and a campus chance to show community everyone else who enjoys it so they are, where we like to they came from,” put it on.” said Porterfield. Other “It is a chance to Courtesy of International Department fun slots on say ‘Yes, I am Booths decked out with photos, food and cultural icons are shown by international stuthe schedule dents such as Carlos Chiu and Juan Dominguez during the 2006 International Fair. different and here include a is how.’” Scottish Putting Challenge and Irish Dancing. Consider this: hundreds of American students and facACADEMIC ulty, 41 international students, 25 countries, one Wesleyan Tuesday holds two academic presentations, Population family. Only by understanding values and backgrounds can and Society and Cross-Cultural Psychology. In the previwe appreciate each other. ous named session, attendees can witness an all out debate In the words of Margaret Spelling, secretary of educaon the controversial Mexican illegal immigration topic. tion: “Being prepared to contribute to a better world is STUDY ABROAD about what you know, not where you live.” In the past year, the school of arts and sciences has For further details on scheduled events, contact the sponsored four study abroad trips – to Scotland, Paris, international office at (817) 531-5868 or e-mail Ashley Mexico and London – and the school of education two Porterfield at aaustin@txwes.edu. more – to Brazil and Croatia. During gatherings on Tuesday
‘Don’t limit yourself.’
3PR prepares students for next step in education Saint-Exupery: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” SPECIAL TO THE RAMBLER If you have the goal of becoming a profesThe M.D. Anderson Pre-Professional sional in any of the above mentioned fields and Program is a grant-funded program designed to would like to be a part of a program that is serve the needs of Texas Wesleyan students who designed especially for the purpose of helping aspire to attend graduate school and become you to meet that goal, please contact Yanika professionals in the fields of medicine, dentistry, Daniels, 3PR Coordinator at (817) 531-4908. other health professions, ministry and law. I am eager to help anyone who truly desires The goal of the to maximize their potential and reach for program is to provide “A goal without a plan is their academic and professional dreams. an opportunity for Getting there doesn’t have to be so just a wish.” - Antoine de Saint-Expery difficult if someone can point you in the interested students to be properly prepared right direction and help you through the academically for the professional/ graduate process of creating a working strategy and helpschool application process and professionally ing you to stick to a plan. for their subsequent careers. My encouragement to all students this week We offer entrance exam preparation and is this: Don’t limit yourself. practice tools, mock interviews, contact and netBut specifically, if you have a desire to enter working opportunities with professional memone of the helping professions and are willing to bers of the community and admissions personwork hard to get there, please let us help you nel from graduate programs. find your way. It’s what we are here for. Our motto this year is a quote by Antoine de
YANIKA DANIELS
Dancin’ into midterms This week marks the halfway point of the semester, meaning late-night cramming sessions for midterms plague many students. Short nights make for crazy days, as sophomore Michael Clements and freshman Stewart Martin will attest.
Yanika Daniels is the Wesleyan 3PR coordinator.
Sports
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Quick Quotes “If a tie is like kissing your sister, losing is like kissing your grandmother with her teeth out." - George Brett Baseball Hall of Famer “The fewer rules a coach has, the fewer rules there are for players to break.” - John Madden NFL Hall of Famer
Upcoming Events Oct. 12 1 p.m. Women’s soccer @ Northwood 3 p.m. Men’s soccer @ Northwood 1 p.m. Volleyball @ Oklahoma City 3 p.m. Volleyball @ St. Thomas Oct. 13 11 a.m. Volleyball @ Lubbock Christian 4 p.m. Volleyball @ Houston Baptist Oct. 14 12 p.m. Women’s soccer @ Huston-Tillotson 2 p.m. Men’s soccer @ Huston-Tillotson *denotes home games
Log on to: www.ramsports.net for the latest game information and profiles of your favorite Wesleyan Teams and Athletes
Sports Briefs Rams split road trip Oct. 6 The volleyball team dropped a 3-1decision at Lubbock Christian and then travled to Hobbs and defeated College of the Southwest 3-0. Senior Ashley Mock recorded 45 digs on the day. Rams play to draw in shortened game Oct. 6 The men’s soccer team battled to a 2-2 tie against Southwest Assemblies of God University when the game was called due to lightning after 82 minutes of play. Lady Rams 3-0 in conference play Oct. 6 The women’s soccer team improved to 3-0 in conference play after pounding Soutwestern Assemblies of God University 6-0. Sophomore Kly Randall contributed two goals and an assist. Lady Rams win battle with pioneers Oct. 5 Senior Liz Meng had 20 kills and 20 digs, leading the volleyball team to a 3-1 victory against Wayland Baptist. Shorthanded Rams fall to saints Oct. 4 With several key players out due to injury, the men’s soccer team fell 2-1 to Our Lady of the Lake University.
October 10, 2007 5
Poker continues to gain national popularity, and it trickles on down to Wesleyan BRYCE WILKS SPORTS EDITOR
supposedly reveal the pros’ secrets. The Travel Channel reported in 2006 that weekly coverage of the World Poker Tour yielded the highest ratings of any show on the channel. Poker’s exposure to the masses can be somewhat attributed to scenes in classic old western movies. In many cases, the action in saloons and taverns seems to center around the events at the poker table.
They used to be known as “the big four.” For years, the national media focused its coverage to the most popular sports: football, baseball, basketball and hockey. Several factors have changed that outlook – and fans’ attentions – not to mention the billions of dollars now focused on alternative sports. Several relatively new games are getting highlighted, but one stands above the rest in terms of popularity and the ability to reach fans of all demographics. Poker is already played by an estimated 50 million Americans, according to USA Today, and there are no signs that interest will dwindle anytime soon. Although no real athletic ability is involved, poker is considered a sport, and ESPN spends several prime time hours covering the World Series of Poker. “It’s the adrenaline rush that makes it a sport to me,” junior accounting major and poker enthusiast Matt Chutchian said. “Anything that involves losing or win- Actor James Woods (above, in sunglasses) is just one of several celebrining money will get my ties that has caught poker fever. He participated in the 2005 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. interest.” More recently, poker has been gloriOthers must agree, as poker has found a niche among sports fans that enjoy the high-risk, high- fied intensely in movies such as the Matt Damon cult fave Rounders, the most recent reward format. Millions of people play poker, either tradition- James Bond film Casino Royale and Drew ally around a table, or against national and inter- Barrymore’s poker-romance Lucky You. In said movies, dramatic depictions of national competition on Web sites. An astounding percentage of poker fans watch poker hands can determine anything. professionals play on television or buy books that Characters get rich and go poor in a matter
of minutes. Some even play as a matter of life and death. Television coverage vaulted in 2003, when ESPN experienced a huge ratings hike while covering the World Series of Poker that summer. No-name Chris Moneymaker took Las Vegas by storm that year when he defeated several famous counterparts to win $2.5 million. After that, it seemed that everyone felt they could come out of nowhere and win millions of dollars playing poker. The World Series has now become a fixture on ESPN, while copycat shows have made their way on to other networks. The trickle-down effect has made it all the way to Texas Wesleyan. Students and alumni gather each Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Stella Russell Hall lounge to bluff their way to cash prizes. The weekly poker league has become one of the most popular intramural activities on campus. After all, anything about winning or losing money could get a college students’ interest. Photo courtesy of Google Images
Photo by Kevin Keathley
Table tennis takes Hazinski around the globe Champion ‘Haz’ could be the best player on the best team in America als in January. “Making the men’s doubles team was a great triumph,” said ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Hazinski. “I missed the single’s team by one position, but I’m hoping How does a summer in Rio Di Janeiro sound? How about a year in play in the 2008 singles and team event.” Along with his place on the Olympic team, Hazinski also took part Germany? That’s the kind of life that sophomore business major Mark Hazinski leads. Traveling the world training and competing in table- in this summer’s Pan American games in Rio Di Janeiro, Brazil and tennis tournaments Hazinski, known better to his friends in the table- was a member of the team that took the Bronze medal. This fall is an especially focused time for Hazinski’s table tennis tennis world as “Haz,” has made a name for himself as one of the career as he trains for the Olympic trination’s best players. als and plays tournaments nearly every Hazinski chose to come to weekend. In late September Hazinski Wesleyan last fall after spending three took first place at the Life-West Open years training in Europe. at California Berkley, a tournament “I was ready to start school, and I that hosted more than 200 players. knew Wesleyan’s table tennis coach “I was excited,” said Hazinski. Jasna Reed from playing with her on “There were a lot of really good the national team,” said Hazinski. He Chinese players there, and I really said he found the prospect of playing pulled it out. I was pretty pumped.” table tennis and going to school to be a For most American kids, playing great option. sports means baseball, football or basHazinski’s time at Wesleyan has ketball, but for this Indiana native an given him ample opportunity to show after school program in his elementary the excellence he has achieved in the school took his sports career in a difworld-wide sport as well as make ferent direction. friends that share his passion. “I started playing when I was 9 Ranked close to 2,700 on a scale Photo courtesy of Mark Hazinski and got hooked after playing some that reaches 3,000 (the highest ranked Already an Olympian and national champion, Hazinski has his mind tournaments,” said Hazinski. “I just player reaches 2,900), Hazinski has and training regimen set for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. really liked it, and I was good at it so I taken his place beside the world’s best kept going. I love the mental aspect of at tournaments and training centers all the game. I enjoy it a lot.” over the globe. The United States does not house the role models for young table“Having to train outside of the U.S. has been one of my greatest tennis players that it does for other sports. challenges,” said Hazinski who has traveled to China, Brazil, Sweden, “Jan-Ove Waldner of Sweden is probably the greatest player to Germany, Japan, Norway and France just to name a few. “Rio was ever play the game,” said Hazinski. pretty cool, and Greece was also amazing.” When he’s not on the court with a paddle, you can find Hazinski According to his bio on Wesleyan’s table tennis site, Hazinski’s table tennis credentials rival those of the top players the Rams’ pro- on the green with his golf clubs, flipping through the TV channels or gram has ever seen. Hazinski was a 2004 Olympian, eight-time junior hanging with his friends. “I like TV and playing other sports,” he said Hazinski, but right Olympian gold medalist and five-time under-22-year-old U.S. singles now, table-tennis is the No. 1 priority for Hazinski, who is working on champion. On top of that, he is a two-time U.S. doubles champion, two-time U.S. singles finalist and 2003 USA Table Tennis Player of his degree bit by bit. “It’s a good time for me,” he said. “I get to be home in the States the Year. and playing my sport.” Hazinski earned a spot on the 2004 Olympic men’s double’s team with his partner Ilija Lupulesku and will play at the 2008 Olympic triCOLLEEN BURNIE
Entertainment
6 October 10, 2007
The Rambler
Libraryfest celebrates the fun in learning The Fort Worth Magicians Club will provide comedy, illusions, music, volunteer acts and good old fashioned magic shows. There will be six different 30 minute shows every hour beginning at 12:30 p.m. At this year’s festival, the Central Library will be only the second in the nation to offer children’s cooking classes inside the library. Three free food preparation classes are open to children ages 7-12. Each session can hold up to 20 children and are scheduled for 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sessions include dessert sushi made from fruit roll-ups and ingredients that can be purchased easily in any store (no prior sushi knowledge required) and peanut butter chopsticks, peanut butter filled wantons with jelly dipping sauce. “Children can learn so much just from cooking alongside you in the kitchen,” said chef Tom McGrath of the Ultimate Cuisine. A packet will be provided including tips on how to get started and pointers on developing age-appropriate culinary skills. The Tarrant County Young Chef’s Academy, scheduled to open in November, will also be set up outside of the cooking classes with recipes, demonstrations and giveaways. Barron Wortham, former Dallas Cowboys linebacker, will be on hand throughout the day [for the second year] to promote education at the Wal-Mart pumpkin patch held in the library on Sunday. Children will be able to take home the pumpkins they decorate.
COLLEEN BURNIE STAFF WRITER
Games. Ask any one who experienced a childhood and they will tell you that games are an integral part of growing up. No matter what form games come in, all children play them. But can games really help us learn? The Fort Worth Library Foundation thinks so, and that’s why the theme for this year’s Libraryfest is games, games, games. Libraryfest, a free family festival that celebrates learning at the Central Library in downtown Fort Worth every fall, reaches out to children from all over the Metroplex. For the seventh year, the Oct. 14th event is designed to get children and families into the library and show that learning can be fun. The Fort Worth Library Foundation has partnered with Bailey’s Auto Plaza to debut the Fort Worth Public Library’s first digital gaming center. The brand new XBox 360 and a wide range of games such as Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, Sing Star Pop, Tony Hawks’s Downhill Jam, NASCAR ’08 and Madden ‘08 have been donated by Bailey Auto Plaza and will constitute the first Library gaming center at any of the Fort Worth libraries. The games vary in rating from E for everyone to T for teen. “Studies have shown that electronic gaming provides opportunities for young adults to develop their creative thinking, analytical and The free celebration of books and reading literary skills,” said Amy Bearden, library will be held from noon to 7 p.m., rain or foundation operations and programming manshine, Oct. 14 at the Fort Worth Central Courtesy of Google Images ager. “We are thrilled for this development.” Library, 500 W. 3rd St. Parking is also free. Members of Texas Wesleyan’s Gamma Central Library in downtown Fort Worth will host Libraryfest 2007, a program that aims to Through a partnership with The T, free bus Phi Beta have volunteered to face paint at this show families that learning is fun using activities such as cooking and games. passes can be picked up at the Central year’s Libraryfest. Library and used Oct.14 only to get to and from the event. “We are really excited about being a part of Libraryfest,” said sophomore education For more information visit www.libraryfest.com or call Amy Bearden at (817) 871-8022. major Ashly Spenser. “It is such a great event for kids of all ages, and we are glad we get to help!”
Paages woorth turniing
Novel enchants with love story T
hink your love life is complicated? Try meeting the love of your life when you’re 6…and he’s 36. Now before you get grossed out by this seemingly Celine Dion age difference, consider the fact that he may just COLLEEN be a mere eight years BURNIE older. How can this be you ask? Well, in the amazingly well written, cleverly crafted world of Audry Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, Henry DeTamble is a time traveler, although not by choice. He has a very rare genetic disorder known as “chrono-displacement” that forces him to time travel leaving behind his clothing, belongings and loved ones until he randomly appears again with no control over where he goes, when or for how long. So, when he meets his future wife Claire, she is 6 and he is from the future. Now before you stop reading and think, “that’s way too sci-fi for me,” you should know that while this book does explore the space-time continuum, the basis for the story is one of timeless love between two people who know that they were made for each other. Henry finds out about his genetic disor-
T HE W EEK A HEAD To submit an event for the calender, e-mail twurambler@yahoo.com.
Saturday On Campus:
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Wednesday On Campus:
der when he is very young in an accident that robbed him of his mother. As time goes on he learns that in order to survive while traveling through time, he must acquire skills that will keep him from being harmed by thugs and arrested by the police. One of Henry’s trips takes him to the meadow behind young Claire Abshire’s house. Henry gives her a list of dates that he will return and asks her to keep some clothing and food for him in the meadow. Clare grows up falling in love with a man who comes to her at random dates and at different ages. When she turns 20 she finally meets the 28-year-old Henry who has never seen her before, although she has known him her entire life. The novel follows the story in mostly chronological order from Claire’s perspective. From a young girl who waits for Henry to appear, to the adult who has to wait through his disappearances, we as readers are taken along the incredible ride of these two unconventional lovers. The movie version of this tale is due out in 2008 staring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana. I suggest you read the novel, before Hollywood takes a carving knife to this amazing read. Colleen Burnie is a senior writing major and is the entertainment editor for The Rambler.
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*Majors Fair: location TBA, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Thursday On Campus:
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On Campus
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*The Rambler staff meeting: Stella Russell Hall lobby, 12:15 p.m.
* Thom Pain (based on nothing): Fort Worth Community Arts Center, *Methodist Student Movement Sanders Theatre, *Snake in the Grass: Circle meeting: Poly UMC, noon, www.firestarterproductions. Theatre’s season closer opens, org free lunch served www.circlethatre.com *Baptist Student Ministry: Sid *Movie releases: Elizabeth: Richardson Building, noon, The Golden Age; We Own free lunch served the Night
Sunday On Campus:
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Monday Off Campus:
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* John Williams Adventure: *International Week: Opening Fort Worth Symphony Pops at Ceremony, library steps, 12:15 Bass Hall, www.fortworthsym- p.m. phony.org *International Film Night: *Dallas Cowboys vs. New Stella Russell Hall lobby, 7 *Run for Wishes: Sundance p.m. Square, www.sundancesquare. England Patriots: Texas Stadium, 3:15 p.m. com * John Williams Adventure: Fort Worth Symphony Pops at Bass Hall, www.fortworthsymphony.org
Friday
Tuesday On Campus:
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*Scottish Putting Challenge: Brown Lupton Student Center lobby, noon. *DVD releases: Transformers; Grindhouse Presents Planet Terror; Studio 60 on the Sunset Series: The Complete Series
Courtesy of Sony Pictures
Evan Rachel Wood is the brightest vocal spot of the Across the Universe soundtrack, while Jim Sturgess is one of the weakest.
Soundtrack to Beatles musical doesn’t make the wait easier SHAWN R. POLING EDITOR IN CHIEF
I’m going to be honest. If given the choice of listening to the happening jams of the 60’s or one of today’s charttopping tracks, I prefer to go the modern route. I’m usually better off with what I already know. One thing I know nothing about is The Beatles. Yes, The Beatles. My mother has countless records of their’s, in addition to the wildly popular #1’s compilation that came out a few years ago. She knows every word to every track. Alumna Traci McMurray goes to Beatle’s tribute band Me and My Monkey’s shows so often that they know her by name. Even today, Amazon.com lists them as one of their most popular artists. Now, Broadway legend Julie Taymor has taken on the band’s iconic music and crafted her first motion-picture musical Across the Universe. To put it lightly, I’m dying to see it. From the distance of previews the film looks beautiful, exciting and original. Unfortunately, the film is only in limited release until Oct. 12 (when it opens “everywhere”), and I am forced to settle for the soundtrack. As I said, I know nothing about The Beatles themselves, although I was very surprised to learn I knew most of the tracks covered on the soundtrack. As far as I can tell, the film’s young cast does a decent job of taking on some of the most popular songs ever. Jim Sturgess and Joe Anderson, both British
celebrities, sound pretty close to what I imagine the Beatles sounded like. With their long-ish dark hair, they also look very similar to The Beatles. Both actors, who dominate the soundtrack, seem like mere imitators of The Beatles, and fail to breathe new life into classic songs like Hey Jude and Strawberry Fields Forever (their Across the Universe rendition sounds like pure, undiluted trash). On the other hand, American actresses Evan Rachel Wood and T. V. Carpio actually bring something new to the table. Wood, known for her harsh roles in Thirteen and Pretty Persuasion, does a great job with the music. Her voice ranges from rock-band temptress on It Won’t Be Long to a smooth and serene diva on the silky Blackbird (my personal fave on the album). Carpio (who is of Asian descent and looks out of place next to the Brit boys and blonde girl) really busts out the vocals on her cover of I Want to Hold Your Hand, which is the is the most raw and unpolished of the tracks. All in all, thanks to the boys, the soundtrack is pretty lifeless except for some high points provided by the girls. Bono also makes two appearances on the soundtrack, singing Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds and I Am the Walrus. Neither track catapults the album into greatness, but they both are good for a laugh. The clock just keeps ticking until Oct. 12, and you might as well continue to wait instead of spending your money on this soundtrack.