Rambler 10.17.10 by The Rambler

The Rambler

The students’ voice since 1917

Fort Worth, Texas

October 17, 2007

Vol. 99, No. 7

NEWS BRIEFS Help a child, scare a friend The Student Life office is taking donations of childrens’ Halloween costumes. All donations can be dropped off at the Student Life office in the SUB by Oct. 24. Costumes will be donated to local D. McRae Elementary School and extras will be given to the Boys and Girls Club. For more information call Jenny Houze at (817) 531-4870.

News Briefs

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. It’s a Wonderful Life Theatre Wesleyan’s THE RADIO SHOW: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE runs from Oct. 19 to Nov. 10 at Artisan Center Theatre. The off-campus production of the play within a play, written by theater department chair Connie WhittLambert and directed by theater professor Joe Brown, features a cast of Wesleyan students decked out in gorgeous 1940’s garb designed by Brynn Bristol. Tickets are $8 for the Wesleyan community and children and $13 general admission. Some showings are already sold out, so call and reserve tickets soon. For information on times, dates and tickets, visit www.artisanct.-com. Alumni Medal Dinner Wesleyan’s annual Alumni Medal Dinner is at 6 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Fort Worth Club, honoring various alumni for accomplishments and service. Tickets are $40. For more information, contact the alumni office. 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. Movie time! Wanna see a movie on the cheap? The Student Life office has movie theater tickets for both AMC and United Artists theaters for $6.50. Tickets are good for any showing at anytime. Contact Jenny Houze at (817) 531-4870. College Republicans Donations of clothes and blankets are being collected in boxes throughout campus. College Republicans are holding the drive to benefit Salvation Army. The group will conduct its next meeting during free period Oct. 18 in Room 206 of the Sid Richardson Building.

Photos by Kevin Keathley

Listen up people Student musicians, poets, writers and their fans gathered in the University Club Oct. 11 for Aries’ biannual open mic night. While most sat back and took in the creativity, senior theater majors James Haney (above) and Chuck Jackson (right) entertained the crowd. See page 2 for more on the event.

Administration works to increase student retention JEFF RODRIGUEZ STAFF WRITER

New Latino organization makes mark on campus CHUCK FAIN

and voter registration drives. Currently, LULAC is planning to host STAFF WRITER a public speech by Sergio De Leon, a conSince 1929, LULAC has been a proud stable of Fort Worth’s Precinct 5, on the tradition, making strides for Latino civil subject of the importance of the Latino rights and promoting cultural awareness. vote. Recently, Texas Wesleyan has added itself The organization is also planning a to the 600 councils and 100,000 members door-to-door voting campaign to rally supnationwide of the League of United Latin port for Juan Rangel, running for office in American Citizens. Fort Worth City Council District 9. “We are the only non-Latino Greek Upcoming cultural events highlighting Organization with open membership,” said Latino influence and promoting awareness LULAC President in the community are Nathaniel Gangon. also in the works, as This new chapter of well as fund-raisers. LULAC is headed by There are no Gagnon and vice presirequirements to joining dent Olivia Aranda. LULAC, which offers According to nation-wide scholarGagnon, LULAC’s misships, gives back to the sion is “to advance the community and proeconomic condition, motes equality and civil educational attainment, rights. They meet during political influence, free period on the first Photos courtesy of LULAC and third Tuesday of health and civil rights of the Hispanic population Nathaniel Gangon and Olivia every month in Room Aranda (above) head up LULAC, 204 of the student union of the United States.” Texas Wesleyan’s which has participated in the 16 building. LULAC chapter became de Septiembre Parade (top). Officers encourage officially recognized by anyone interested in helping out the comthe Student Government Association this munity and promoting civil rights to fall. Since then, they have organized and attend. For membership information, conparticipated in many events both in the tact Nathaniel Gagnon at community and on the campus. One nggagnon@mail.txwes.edu or notable event was the 16 de Septiembre twululac@yahoo.com. For more informaParade (Mexican Independence Day) tion on the national organization, visit where the group arranged gust speakers www.lulac.org.

We’ve all seen the marketing that goes on for colleges to get students – billboards, brochures, the list goes on. But how do universities get their students to stay? For some, the diploma is enough, but other students can be lured away from a college for various reasons. University retention could fall under the penumbra of the old adage quality vs. quantity. Wouldn’t a school just want to keep its “good” students? Or, playing a sole numbers game, it would be easy to assume that the more students a university has, the more chances it has of striking that one person who will make the university name famous. Nevertheless, America is a very mobile society, and universities want to see students stay put and finish what they started because students equal money. Thus, attempting to keep both seasoned and new students is an important aspect of university machinery. Wesleyan is no exception. Currently, freshman retention is at 60 percent with a goal of 70 percent, according to Pati Alexander, vice president of enrollment and student services. The transfer retention rate is upwards of 80 percent. Nevertheless, retention is not everything, and Alexander clarified some confusion about retention. One aspect of university retention is about getting students and keeping them here on campus. Selecting a college is a very personal matter and selecting the wrong college wastes everyone’s time. Texas Wesleyan actually hires outside help in its enrollment management. A former employee of Noel Levitz—a nationally recognized enrollment management company—helps in raising student satisfaction. “I don’t think we do a good job,” said Brent Santos, a senior international business and finance major. But while some students might hold this view, the sole purpose of these mini-organizations is not to cater every whim of the student, administrators said. While universities strive to keep their “customers” happy, retention programs do not key in on student life as much as one might think. Many university retention programs focus on helping students avoid failure in their college career. This is done by helping the students in financial and academic areas and in understanding the bureaucracy of the university. To aid in some of these goals, Texas Wesleyan maintains a retention committee, chaired by Joe Brown, theater professor. The committee handles issues that arise from a student satisfaction survey given to approximately 500 students during a designated class. The goal of the committee is to raise satisfaction.

See Retention, page 2

News

2 October 17, 2007

The Rambler

Politically minded students gear up for elections JEFF RODRIGUEZ STAFF WRITER

Blue vs. red. Democrats and Republicans characterize the contemporary essence of American democracy. With presidential elections on the horizon, political organizations across the nation are in full swing. But what exactly are Texas Wesleyan’s College Democrats and College Republicans up to? According to Zach Davidson, president of the College Democrats, Wesleyan’s blue man group is still going strong. The future ambition of the organization is to facilitate a political avenue between the campus and politics in general. Although the organization has not had an official meeting this semester, the group hopes to meet this month. Interested members of the Wesleyan community can be on the lookout for flyers to announce the official date and place. No dues are required for membership, and everyone is welcome to attend meetings. Davidson said he looks forward to the first meeting, which will be used to organize the group’s calendar and as a brainstorming session to schedule the year’s events. “I don’t want to be a dictator,” Davidson said. “The meetings will be centered on what the members want.” The College Democrats and the College Republicans will conduct voter registration on campus in time for the presidential election.

With that election in mind, Blake Sonuga, president of the College Republicans, along with other officers, recently had lunch with presidential nominee Ron Paul. The officers had a chance to get a feel for Paul’s platform, and the entire organization is participating in a few straw polls. The College Republicans are also conducting a Salvation Army charity drive on campus. Donation boxes are placed in major buildings to collect goods like clothes and blankets. More elaborate donations, however, are always welcome. The incentive for starting the charity drive came after a recent visit to the Salvation Army station in downtown Fort Worth, said vice president Stefanie Taylor. The group had been looking for a way to help the community around Wesleyan. The next meeting is during free period Oct. 18 in Room 206 of the Sid Richardson Building. Dues to join the College Republicans are $25 per year. The organization currently has 20 people in regular attendance. All are welcome. “You don’t have to be a Republican to join,” said Taylor. For more information on the College Democrats, Courtesy of Google Images contact txwesdems@gmail.com. For more information on the College Republicans, Wesleyan’s College Republicans are preparing for the upcoming presidential election with various events, including voter registration. Part of contact blake745@sbcglobal.net. the group recently met with presidential nominee Ron Paul.

Aries’ open mic rocks Wesleyan www.myspace.com. “James is recording an album with a EDITOR-IN-CHIEF studio in Arlington next week,” said Students and lovers of the arts turned Neeley. out for the biannual Aries open mic night Although the musical performances Oct. 11. The gathering, which is hosted by hit a chord with many attendees, poetry Aries every October and April, featured was the word for most of those who took poetry and prose readings as well as their turns at the mic. instrumental and vocal music performancWesleyan’s English graduates, includes by students, faculty and staff. ing Traci McMurray, Hank Sinatra and “We had a great range of participa- Allen, all shared either their own original tion,” said Stacia Neeley, associate profes- poetry or some of the classics, including sor of English and faculty adviser to Aries: Robert Frost. a journal of creative expression. One of the biggest surprises of the Although there was a wide variety of evening was Jeffrey DeLotto, professor of creativity shared with English and one of the the audience, there were original masterminds a few moments that behind Aries, shared stood out to attendees. poems from his newest Senior English publication. The work, major and guitar player Days of a Chameleon, is Ross Mullens joined the first to be published forces with junior by the newly established English major and newTexas Wesleyan found singer Martin University Press. Garcia to perform OneOne of the last to Semester-of-Spanish stand and share was Spanish Love Song. Brentom “Chuck” Sophomore English Jackson, senior theater Photo by Kevin Keathley major Andrea Wagner Senior English major Ross major. He dazzled the was used as a visual aid Mullens plays guitar during Aries’ audience with spoken for Garcia to sing his open mic night. word performed from song to, which was a big memory. hit with the audience. “Awesome. He put some soul into it,” “It was really cute and very creative,” said Allen. said alumna and former Aries associate Aries is a national literary magazine editor Whitney Allen, who attended the published annually. Those interested in event. ordering a copy of the 2007 edition or Senior theater major James Haney was applying to be an associate editor for Aries another musical performer at the open mic 2008 can contact Neeley at night, who also played guitar in addition to sneeley@txwes.edu. singing an original song inspired by

SHAWN R. POLING

What’s your

major?

Students from a range of programs showed up on the mall for the majors fair Oct. 11. Freshman music major Jamison Williams (above) takes in the offerings from each academic area. Junior English major Martin Garcia and junior religion major Kevin Doskocil (right) represent their respective majors, spreading knowledge about the different professions and careers available to the various majors offered at Texas Wesleyan.

Photos by Kevin Keathley

Retention, from page 1 The last survey was taken in 2005, and the next survey is scheduled to be administered this fall. The top three satisfaction issues identified on the last survey were freshman core curriculum, junior and senior advising and finance, in that order. For some students, money is the very reason they stay. Financial incentives can be huge in whether or not students stick it out. “It’s all about the money,” said Megan Krause, a senior finance major. University President Hal Jeffcoat pointed out another piece of the money puzzle. That is, that one of the main objectives behind university retention is to “hold the costs of attendance down” for the students. He said university retention is a “big equation” with lots of different variables, but tuition can be lower if more students are attending. Then there are professors. Yes, they must be retained too, and some of them are glad those numbers don’t get as big as many universities’. Michelle Payne, visiting assistant professor of political science and director of the paralegal program, said she sticks around year after year “because of the academic freedom.” Professors enjoy the power to pick their own textbooks and teach their own way, she said, and small classes are always better than an auditorium full of 200 students.

Opinions

“Israel because of the history.” “Egypt to study the buildings, sacrificial burials and culture.” “I want to go all over Europe. I love the way the people speak and the land is gorgeous.” “England to see the sights just for fun.”

Jonathan Rueter Junior Athletic Training Major

Melinda Garza Sophomore Spanish Education Major

What country do you want to travel to and why?

Rachel Schmeichel Graduate Studnt Nurse Anesthesia Erick Lozano Freshman History Major

The Rambler

October 17, 2007 3

Hollywood enters another golden age of cinema T

his past summer was not just a big season for Hollywood, it was the biggest. For the first time in history, American cinema generated $4 billion in ticket sales in one summer. This comes at a great time for Hollywood, which has been SHAWN R. stuck in a ticket sales rut POLING for nearly a decade, according to movies.com. Audiences seemed to never stop going to the movies during the warm summer months, causing record-breaking revenue for both franchises and original projects alike. That being said, although it’s a great thing for the movie world, why now? Just a few years ago production companies feared for their futures after the debut of filesharing programs like Napster and Limewire dealt a significant blow to music sales. In no time at all computer geeks went from illegally copying and downloading single songs to flooding the Internet with complete films and albums available for a free (and illegal) download. Although Napster was shut down and turned into a pay-program, free programs like Limewire mange to escape the law with a variety of disclaimers and warnings to users. Now anyone with a DVD burner and a printer connected to their computer can create near-perfect-looking DVDs, complete with high-quality, full-color discs and inserts. Even the plastic DVD cases can now be bought in bulk. “I haven’t actually paid for a CD or song in over five years. It’s enough that I had to pay for my iPod. I was able to download Spiderman 3 and make copies for my friends before the movie came out in theaters,” said an anonymous Wesleyan student. So if it’s so easy to get new movies for free without ever leaving your home, why are people flocking to the theaters? Many critics and publications are giving credit to the abundance of sequels and remakes that filled screens this summer. Sequels for the Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean and Spiderman franchises all topped $300 million this summer in the U.S. alone, while installments in other

series’ such as Harry Potter and Bourne topped 200. It would be easy to say that sequels are to thank for Hollywood’s success, but that just isn’t true. Neither is Entertainment Weekly’s claim that audiences just turned out for the special

joke about. Looking at this past summer’s specialeffects movies, it seems like the majority (save for the latest Fantastic 4 installments) have also featured solid plot and decent acting. Franchises like Pirates are now rivaling the complex and in-depth storytelling of films like Harry Potter. The other factor that has helped Hollywood this year is a greater reliance on star power and less reliance on trends. From 2004 to 2006 a new throwntogether horror film featuring a fresh (and cheap) young face debuted almost every week. If it wasn’t that, audiences were bombarded with nothing to see but pointless Courtesy of Google Images video game adaptations. I’m an avid horror movie buff, and even I was uninspired by some of the dredge dished out over the past couple of years. Now days it seems to me that a slew of new stars, screenwriters and directors are solidifying their places in popular film. Our society’s celebrity obsession has taken a turn for the better, and more people are turning out to movies simply because of their stars. “Younger” stars like Jessica Alba, Christina Bale, Scarlett Johanssen, Naomi Watts, Anne Hathaway, Steve Carrell and Shia LeBouf are showing that they can carry a film to the No. 1 spot just by showing up and providing a quality performance. Directors and screenwriters like Dave Cronenburg, Michael Bay, Ehrin Kruger and Judd Apatow are now getting more mentions in previews than the stars of their films. And better yet, audiences are responding and showing up at ticket windows. We are entering another golden age of cinema. We may not be there quite yet, but I can see the horizon before us. Let’s hope Hollywood can keep it up. May the films please, the effects dazzle and the stars bring it!

effects and nothing more. I think filmmakers found themselves in danger over the last few years and finally learned some lessons. First and foremost: quality is always important, no matter how big your budget is. Take for instance some of the high-profile “blockbusters” of the past decade: Van Helsing and Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Both films cost more than $200 million to produce (not counting millions in advertising) and featured big names such as Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Alec Baldwin and Ving Rhames. Both films were huge bombs (FF has the distinction of being the biggest movie bomb of all time and drove Square Pictures right into bankruptcy) and to this day continue to come up in jokes about Hollywood. I was shocked enough, never mind how the filmmakers felt. At that point the ticket sales rut had already taken hold, and bombs (technically, a film needs to break twice its budget in ticket Shawn R. Poling is a senior writing major and is the news editor for The Rambler. sales to be declared a success) were nothing to

Diligence important to self and others in group work G

roup work seems to always hold a love/hate relationship. You either find yourself paired with the brilliant micro-manager who is willing to take it all on (so that you are both guaranteed an A, of course) or you are that manager, cleaning up the mistakes of your partners’ less than worthy excuses for ‘their share.’ But JOSEPH sometimes, in its most dazSAVAGE zling form, group work produces wonders. Dr. Stacia Neely, associate professor of English, speaks regularly of “the miracle” of fall 2007, when a group of grammatical gurus achieved record greatness for an entire semester in an advanced grammar class. Neely describes the group’s interaction with the principle of “accountability as a collaborative entity,” which enhances organization, negotiation and delegation skills. Teamwork, cooperation and leadership become second-hand through adherence to integrity principles. “Group work is beneficial to the education of students because it’s helpful to communicate ideas with one another,” said Ross Mullens, a Wesleyan senior studying English. Self-evaluation comes almost naturally with an assignment’s completion, including that group presentation to be reviewed. This interaction pushes students forward to learn more about their own views of the world and produce greater works. Through communicating our ideas we understand their ‘real world value’ when receiving

Joseph Savage is a senior literature major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

Rambler Ratings

The Rambler Founded in 1917 as The Handout Harold G. Jeffcoat, Publisher Kelli Lamers, adviser Zainah Usman, photo editor Bryce Wilks, sports editor Skyla Claxton, advertising manager

feedback, thus preparing us for ‘real life’ corporate jobs. In an article titled Communicating Ideas published by The Insider in July 2002, Ron Nehring said that the ultimate goal in communication is to “recognize that you are competing in a market place of ideas and you have a narrow window of opportunity to obtain and hold a [listener’s] attention before he or she moves on to another issue.” With group work the student can increase metacognitive awareness, students can begin to learn something about the way they think and, in turn, how the listener thinks as well. Group work is one pedagogical strategy that promotes participation and interaction, saving students from hours of long-winded lectures where no one is interacting and learning. It breaks up the pace of the traditional classroom and keeps everyone honest, fostering a deeper and more active learning process that renders long term results. Skills acquired through group work prepare students for a corporate life of human interaction, as well as acts like a gateway to our own cognitive processes. So whether your group work consists of a study group, class presentation or some tangible project, throw your all into it. Don’t show up to a group session with a passive attitude; challenge your group mates to set the bar high. Not only will you gain more out of the experience yourself – includCourtesy of Google Images ing friendships, learning and good grades – but you may also invest in a fellow student. In short, “Ask not what your study group can give to you, but what you can give to your study group.”

Shawn R Poling, editor-in-chief Tiara Nugent, managing/college life editor Colleen Burnie, entertainment editor Amanda May, Web editor

Thumbs up to each of Wesleyan’s international students.

Thumbs down to being disconnected by the switchboard.

Thumbs up to people who get flu shots.

Thumbs up to Betsy Johnson, Ashley Porterfield and all others who sponsored activities for International Week.

Member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. 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. "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 17, 2007

The Rambler

ave you ever wondered what it would have been like to grow up in a different culture? The food? The language? International students at Wesleyan offer a peek into their experiences. Q. What city are you from? Can you tell me about the family you have there and what kind of contact you keep with them? Sandhya Karki, Nepal: I am from Kathmandul. I have a mother and an elder brother whom I am in touch through phone, text and e-mails. Musa Walulingia, Congo: I am from Kinshasa (the capital). I’m the fifth of six children and the only one who lives in United States. My parents live with my two other brothers in Congo, but the rest live in Europe. I communicate often with them by telephone or Internet. Ryan Barnes, Australia: I have one younger brother (Mitchell) and a younger sister (Ashlea). My parents are Glenn and Trudy Barnes, who I e-mail every day and call once a week. I often speak to my brother and sister on the Internet chat. Toby Rochau, Germany: I am from Frankfurt. I have one brother who lives in Munich and one sister. My sister is an elementary school teacher and has four kids: 8, 10 and 12 years and 3 weeks old. My parents live in Frankfurt. I keep in touch over the Internet via messenger or e-mail, and we talk once or twice every week on the phone. Martin Vahala, Australia: I’m from Perth, in Western Australia. I have a reasonably large family; there are seven kids including me, but some are step brothers and sisters. I usually talk to my mum and dad about once a week. Carlos Arenas, Columbia: I’m from Bucaraman- ga. My dad, mom, younger and older brothers live there. I talk to my mom maybe twice a week on the phone, my dad once a week, and with my brothers once a month.

lot of jeans and polos; girls are more modest in clothing than they are in America. Q. What was your biggest culture shock coming to America? Sandhya: I was really surprised to find out how people were so friendly and helpful. Before I had had the impression that everyone is busy with their lives and nobody cares about another person, but that is not true. Musa: I was surprised to see that whoever you are, everyone has the opportunity to be rich even if you don’t have a degree. Differently from Congo, in the United States, to have the opportunity to be an athlete requests being educated. Ryan: When I first got to America, it was extremely weird to hear every one around me saying “Y’all,” which I have never heard in my life. And the other major thing was driving on the opposite side of the road; that’s taking a little bit to get used to. Martin: I come from a very isolated city – it’s actually the most isolated city in the world – so it’s a lot more laid back, easy going. Sometimes I find things over here too crowded and hectic. I also miss the ocean — I lived three to five minutes away back home — and

a soccer program, and Wesleyan was one of them, so I decided to go here. Martin: I decided to study abroad last year. Ben Hunt, who went here in 2005, recommended Texas Wesleyan to me. Carlos: You can’t do sports and academics in Columbia; here people care to balance them. Q. What has been your favorite discovery within American culture? Sandhya: I should say it is the law system. Nobody gets away with [things]. The other thing I like about American culture is being independent; when you are 18 years old you go on your own. Toby: A barbecue with friends. Martin: I had never had peanut butter M&Ms, so I like them a fair bit. Q. What are your goals/dreams after college? Sandhya: After college, I want to go back and start my own business and create employment opportunities for others. My mom and I have a dream of opening an elderly home for those in need. I also want to open a non-profit school for children to provide them with better quality and opportunities. I want to bring changes in the school systems. Toby: My dream is to go to Hong Kong and spend one semester studying over there. After college I want to travel around the world for a year and then start to think about my future while doing this. I want to spend the rest of my life wherever my heart takes me in this world. Musa: As I am a good citizen who likes his country, I’m planning to go back to Congo and create my own business. The major thing, for me, will be to make a connection between Congo and the United Stated in order to keep using my knowledge learned from there and increase the rate of employees for my country. Martin: I’m just looking to graduate at the moment; I’m not getting ahead of myself. Travel — that’s something I really want to do. Carlos: I have two options: continue with my golf career (I play on the team here) and be professional or try to start my own business, hopefully in the U.S.

Getting to know Wesleyan International Students

Q. Will you give me a brief synopsis of your native culture? Sandhya: Nepal is the only Hindu country besides India. Our culture is quite similar to that of India but not to China at all. We eat rice, vegetables, meat curry and dal (lentils), but the groceries we buy there are usually organic. Unlike here, we cannot get all kinds of vegetables or fruits all year long. The school system is totally different. In Nepal we go to school the whole year and have five or six subjects. We do not have many choices regarding our major. Musa: In brief, I will tell you that the Congolese food is most natural. We don’t use some chemical products in any kind of food. More of us are Christian, and we live almost like European people because we inherited it from the colonization. Ryan: I believe the fashion in Australia is very similar to that of America except for the board shorts, wife beaters and constant wearing of flip flops and bare feet. America has a lot more fast food restaurants than Australia, and I still believe that the Australian food is much better and healthier. Toby: The biggest difference between Texas and Germany is the weather. It’s hot here for about six months, and in Germany we get the four seasons and a great winter. Martin: No funny stories, but people over here have difficulty understanding us from time to time. We use the same language, but I guess we just put a different spin on things. Carlos: The food is the same as what you would find on an American table but it is all natural; we use real ingredients. We don’t have fast food. Guys wear a

by tiara nugent the greenery. Perth was a really beautiful place to live but not much to do. Carlos: In Columbia, it’s normal to meet a girl and kiss her on the cheek. On my second day here, a friend introduced me to two girls and I kissed them. My friend said, “No, you don’t do that here!” In America, you treat girls the same way as guys. That would never happen in Columbia. Q. Why did you decide to study abroad for college? Sandhya: It was my mom’s dream to send me abroad for my further education. No one in the family

Q. How does schooling in America differ from Congo? Did language play into your adjustment to America? Musa: Given that Congo has been colonized by Belgium, the educational system in Congo is very different than in America. I reached the United States in 2005, and that was not easy for me because I used to speak French back home. I still learn English by reading a lot, listening to some music and watching movies. I am glad for myself because, after all these difficulties, I earned my associate degree in business from Lon Morris College, and now I’m studying at Texas Wesleyan University Courtesy of International Department for my bachelor’s in finance.

had done it. So I guess it was for pride, but for me it was for better education and better opportunities and exploring behind the mountains. Musa: I will tell you first that I am a kind of person who likes to travel and to know about other cultures; I want to exploit my name (Musafiri) that means traveler. The United States is considered a more developed country than Congo. If I [gain] knowledge from the U.S. I know that I will bring new things to Congo, and then that will make me an important person in my country. Toby: I spent a year as an exchange student at Grand Prairie High School in ’02-’03. I liked it so much that I decided to finish school in Germany and then come back into this area. I was looking for a school with

Q. Can you tell me something unique and littleknown about your country? Have you heard many “American misconceptions” about your country? Ryan: Haha! One of the biggest sayings that everybody says is “throw another shrimp on the barby,” but in fact no one I know eats shrimp, let alone on the barby. As for drinking Fosters beer, I believe that Australians drank that about 50 years ago, but now days nobody drinks it and not many places sell it. Carlos: Columbia is a really pretty country; it’s a beautiful place. People are very nice and polite. It is nothing like what the media shows. The drug dealings they portray are not even close.

Japan * Burkina Faso * Kenya * Spain * Jordan * Canada * Great Britain * Congo * Nepal * Scotland * New Zealand * Ukraine * Chile * Singapore * Italy * Australia * Nigeria * Ireland * Peru

* Croatia * Jamaica * Zimbabwe * Mexico * Germany * India * Pakistan * China * Sweden * Brazil * Russia *

Sports

The Rambler

Quick Quotes “Dear Reporters, Due to the magnitude of this week’s game and high volume of questions for the Original 81 about the other 81. I will be taking all questions immediately following Sunday’s game. Sincerely, Terrell Owens p.s. Getcha Popcorn Ready.”

Upcoming Events Oct. 17 *6 p.m. Volleyball vs. Wiley College Oct. 20 *11 a.m. Volleyball vs. Jarvis Christian College *4 p.m. Volleyball vs. Texas College *5:30 p.m. Women’s soccer vs. College of the Southwest 7:30 p.m. Men’s Soccer vs. College of the Southwest Oct. 23 *7 p.m. Volleyball vs. Southern Nazarene University.

Lady Rams stay undefeated in conference play leader, earning two all-tournament team awards, averaging double-doubles in kills and digs in CONTRIBUTING WRITER those tournaments. She has also earned a RRAC Player of the Week award. The Lady Rams have yet to lose a conference Freshman Evoni Darling is the silent but deadgame, and it does not seem like they are planning ly setter. Coming to Wesleyan to any time soon. With an as a standout at Colleyville overall record of 21-11, the Heritage High School, Darling Lady Rams have high conis already making a name for fidence going into round herself as a freshman, earning two of RRAC play. two consecutive Conference Although head coach Setter of the Week awards and Christy Clawson is very averaging almost 11 assists per pleased with the way her match. team is playing, she has The Lady Rams are on a very high expectations of roll, and with only four conferher team. ence games left before region“We haven’t peaked als, they are determined to finyet. Hopefully we will ish undefeated. between conference and Tons of Lady Rams regionals,” Clawson said. action is taking place at home Several leaders on the this week. team are shining as the Wiley College will travel Lady Rams look to take to the Sid Richardson the Red River Athletic Gymnasium for a match at 6 C o n f e r e n c e p.m. Oct. 17. Championship. Oct. 20 will feature a douSenior libero Ashley ble-header against Jarvis Mock is one of them. Christian at 11 a.m. and Texas Mock has earned five of College at 7 p.m. the seven RRAC Player of On Oct. 23, Ashley Mock, the Week awards, as well Liz Meng, Sandra Ayala and as two Region IV Libero Erinn Miller will be honored on of the Week awards. What exactly is a Photos by Kevin Keathley senior night, with a match vs. Southern Nazarene University libero? According to the Ashley Mock has won six of seven conference libero of the week awards this season and also at 7 p.m. NCAA volleyball Web set a school record for digs in a game with 51.

MICHAYELA MAYS

site, the libero is a designated back-row player, intended to be used as a ball-control specialist. The libero is allowed to replace any player in the back row without counting as a substitution. Senior middle blocker Liz Meng is also a stat

Goalies keeping Rams tough

*denotes home games

O’Brien an award winner, men deliver one-two punch

Log on to: www.ramsports.net for the latest game information and profiles of your favorite Wesleyan Teams and Athletes

TWU wins battle of Rams Oct. 14 The men’s soccer team defeated Huston-Tillotson University 2-1, climbing into second place in the conference.

Ayala, Meng named to AllTournament team Oct. 13 Sandra Ayala and Liz Meng were named to the AllTournament team at the Houston Baptist University Husky Classic. Lady Rams take Huskies to four games Oct. 13 The volleyball team dropped matches to Houston Baptist University and Lubbock Christian University on the second day of the Husky Classic. Volleyball Rams win two at Husky Classic Oct. 12 The volleyball team notched two wins on the opening day of the Husky Classic against Oklahoma City University and the University of St. ThomasHouston. Rams move to second in Red River Conference Oct. 12 The men’s soccer team moved into a tie for second place after defeating Northwood University 3-2. Lady Rams lose to Knights on late PK Oct. 12 The women’s soccer team lost 1-0 to Northwood University on a penalty kick in the 71st minute.

who mans the goalie box, it will have an international feel as Rochau hails from SPORTS EDITOR Oberorsec, Germany, and Soderbaum Both the men’s and women’s soccer (“Sven” to teammates) is from Varberg, team have staked their claim for respect Sweden. Coach Josh within the Red River Gibbs described Athletic Conference the situation for by climbing into secplaying time in ond place in their goal as fiercely respective standings. competitive all Solid goalkeepseason. ing has given both Rochau began teams the confidence his second season to execute an aggresat Wesleyan as the sive game plan, and starter and played the keepers have very well. gained recognition Rochau made for their play. nine saves in a Women’s keeper shutout victory Brittany O’Brien against the was named outstandUniversity of St. ing defensive player Thomas Sept. 23. of the week in the An injury to conference twice this Rochau opened the season and gained door for recognition as the Soderbaum to get best in the region some quality playonce. ing time. For the week of Soderbaum played Sept. 17-23, O’Brien well in victories allowed just one against Northwood score in 200 minutes. Photo courtesy of Texas Wesleyan Athletic Department Oct. 12 and She stopped 16 of 17 Huston-Tillotson attempted shots in Brittany O’Brien has denied shots on Oct. 14. victories over Texas goal all season with her leaping efforts. Wins in both College and Her success has resulted three conference and regional honors. games allowed the University of Science Rams to take sole and Arts. The following week, O’Brien repeat- possession of second place, with just one game remaining ed her performbefore post-season ance with a stel- “It’s been a contested position all year, play. lar game against and the first guy to slip could unfortuBoth goalies U T - nately be out of luck. Having two great hope to help the Brownsville. guys is a problem to have.” Rams win a conFor the sea– Josh Gibbs ference title and son, O’Brien Soccer Coach possibly more has made 65 before the end of saves and recorded two shutouts, while allowing the season. “It’s been a contested position all just one goal on three other occasions. year, and first guy to slip up could unforO’Brien has netted most of the playtunately be out of luck,” Gibbs said. ing time on “Having two the women’s great guys is a side, but the good problem men have utito have.” lized a dualBoth the keeper sysmen’s and tem, allowing women’s conboth Joakim ference tourSoderbaum naments are and Toby scheduled for Rochau to Oct. 26-29 at show what Courtesy of Athletic Department Martin Field. they can do. Keepers Joakim Soderbaum (left) and Toby Rachau No matter

BRYCE WILKS

Sports Briefs

Lady Rams route HustonTillotson Oct. 14 The women’s soccer team took a convincing 5-0 win over Huston-Tillotson.

October 17, 2007 5

Players to Watch Crunch time has arrived for the volleyball team, as they will play many important matches leading up to the Red River Conference Tournament Nov. 9. Here are two players that will have a huge impact on the outcome of the season: Evoni Darling (pictured above) was named conference setter of the week twice this season and posted 50 or more assists five times. Liz Meng (pictured below) was named conference player of the week twice and averaged 14.5 kills and 11 digs per match at the Husky Classic in Houston. - Bryce Wilks

(right) have both helped win key games this season.

Entertainment

6 October 17, 2007

The Rambler

Musicarte fills the downtown air with a Latin flair

to displaying music, will invite local, regional and national artists to exhibit and sell art and handi-crafts. ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR The festival’s featured artist is Fort Worth native Manuel A. Pulido. Pulido, 35, earned a Musicarte, a three-day street festival celebrating Latino culture through visual and per- degree in advertising commercial arts but considers himself to be a self-taught painter and forming arts, will take place Oct. 19-21 in Sundance Square. Proceeds from the cultural event sculptor. He works in all mediums including stone, bronze, oil, acrylic and water color. will benefit the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Foundation. Pulido has studios in Fort Worth and Dallas and has exhibited his work internationally and The vision of Musicarte was shared between several downtown partners who envisioned throughout the United States. a street festival that encompassed the Latino Pulido said he first became interinfluence on today’s and yesterday’s culture. A ested in art as a student at South High celebration of the arts, both visual and performMount Elementary. A visiting children’s ance, exhibited by local and national artisans repauthor and artist came to the school to resenting sculpture, painting and photography as give a motivational speech and demonwell as performing artists including dance, music strate his work. When the author asked and song – but not limited to those forums. for a volunteer to help him draw, Pulido “This could not be possible without the supeagerly raised his hand and, to his port of community and corporate partners who delight, was chosen. have come together to promote the influence of “I went up there and started to do Latin culture and arts in our area,” said Rosa the drawings, and he liked it. It was the Navejar, president Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber first time I felt proud of what I could do,” of Commerce. said Pulido, who had often gotten into “What makes this a true community event is trouble for drawing on the blank pages of that all of the proceeds will benefit the his school books. “I knew from that Chamber’s scholarship foundation, which so moment that art would always be a part many of our children in Fort Worth can prosper of my life.” from.” Now he spends all of his time The FWHCC Scholarship Foundation was working as an artist and encouraging created in 1991 to provide eighth grade Hispanics other budding artists to develop their tala $600 scholarship upon graduating. Since then ents and helping to promote Latin art in the FWHCC Scholarship Foundation has evolved America. and provided close to a million dollars in scholThe mission of the Fort Worth arship funds for Fort Worth area Hispanic stuHispanic Chamber of Commerce is “credents. ating, promoting and enhancing economFeatured artists include Grammy award winic opportunity and prosperity for the Fort ner and traditional tejano musician Emilio; Fanny Worth Hispanic business community.” Lu, actress turned upbeat salsa Latin pop diva; The organization, which was charand the Latin-infused, hip hop sounds of tered in 1974, was the fourth MexicanNOTCH. American Chamber of Commerce to be Emilio and Fanny Lu will play at 9 p.m. on established in the state of Texas. Since Photo courtesy of LComm Marketing and Public Relations Friday and Saturday, respectfully, and NOTCH its start, the Chamber has grown into Musicarte, the first annual Latin music festival in downtown, features the wide range of music will take the stage at 4 p.m. on Sunday. more than 550 members and is proving from the Latin culture. Proceeds from the event go to the FWHCC Scholarship Foundation. Closing out each day, Univision 23, to be a dynamic force in promoting Telefutura 49, KESS Radio and La Kalle 99.1FM will present the musical headliners repre- international trade and continued overall development for its membership as well as the senting some of today’s up and coming and veteran musical acts crossing over the tejano, area’s economic community. salsa/tropical and regeaton genres of music. The event is from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 19, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 20 and 11 to According to Navejar, the first-year festival will become an annual event and, in addition 6 p.m. Oct. 21. For more information and a complete lineup, visit www.musicartefw.com.

COLLEEN BURNIE

Theatre Wesleyan goes off site Prof brings the brass SHAWN R. POLING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Theatre Wesleyan is celebrating Christmas a little differently this year. In honor of the happiest holiday of the year, Theatre Wesleyan is putting on a production of theater department chair Connie Whitt Lambert’s THE RADIO SHOW: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Instead of pulling back the curtains of Wesleyan’s Martin Hall for a performance, students will be performing their hearts out on the stage of Artisan Center Theatre in Hurst. This production also marks another first of sorts. It will be the first time WhittLambert will have one of her plays directed by fellow theater professor Joe Brown. “This is a new experience for both of us. Joe is the reason I first came to teach here,” said Whitt-Lambert. The play, which has also been produced at Stage West and Circle Theatre, is like a play inside of a play. The actors, all Wesleyan students, portray employees of the TXWS Radio Network, which is presenting the WONDERFUL LIFE radio drama the particular day the play takes place. “The structure of the play is unusual

T HE W EEK A HEAD To submit an event for the calender, e-mail twurambler@yahoo.com.

Saturday On Campus:

Wednesday On Campus:

with the play within the play and the students playing actors who are playing characters. Plus, this is a period show set in the ‘40s, and the costume design is beautiful,” Whitt-Lambert said. This production will provide unique opportunities for the students involved. All actors either play both an employee of the radio station and a character in the radio station’s production or they are both a technician for Theatre Wesleyan and also play an employee of the network. A big change from a traditional Wesleyan production is the production schedule for the show. There are 17 performances of the play spread out over 14 Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. “This show will be a very unique experience,” said Whitt-Lambert. Artisan Center Theatre is known for packed theaters, and a few of the showings are already sold out, so Whitt-Lambert recommends calling and reserving tickets as soon as possible. Tickets are available through the Artisan Center Theatre box office and are $8 for anyone from Wesleyan. Information on times and tickets can be found at www.artisanct.com.

Thursday On Campus:

*Methodist Student Movement *The Rambler staff meeting: Stella Russell Hall lobby, meeting: Poly UMC, noon, 12:15 p.m. free lunch served *Baptist Student Ministry: Sid * Interntaional Week International Fair: Louella Richardson Building, noon, Baker Martin Pavillion, 11:30free lunch served 1 p.m. * International Week Italian Ice Social: Brown Lupton Center Lobby, 11:30-2 p.m.

Sunday On Campus:

* Dallas Cowboys vs. * The Radio Show: It’s a Wonderful Life: Artisan Center Minnesota Vikings: Texas Stadium, 3:15 p.m. Theratre, 7:30 p.m. * Brick Dedication Ceremony: * On the Mountain: Fort Worth Steps of West Library, 10:30 Community Arts Center, through Nov. 4 www.stagewest a.m. .org

Monday Off Campus:

Friday On Campus

* International Week Closing Celebration: Bragan Fellowship Hall, noon- 1 p.m. * The Radio Show: It’s a Wonderful Life: Artisan Center Theratre, 7:30 p.m. * Alumni Medal Dinner: Fort Worth Club, 6 p.m.

Tuesday On Campus:

*Women’s Volleyball vs. * The Radio Show: It’s a Wonderful Life: Artisan Center Southern Nazarnene University: Gym, 7 p.m. Theratre, 7:30 p.m. *DVD releases: Meet the Robinsons; Hostel: Part Two; The Sopranos: Season Six Part Two; Veronica Mars: Season Three

English gives collaborative recital COLLEEN BURNIE ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

One of the advantages to being a member of a university community is the availability of arts and entertainment events at subsidized or non-existent cover charges. The talent that the Wesleyan community contains from the music and theater departments to the average student, who just might be a poet or a photographer, is astounding. On Oct. 18, Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Bryan English will give a recital in collaboration with some of the area’s best musicians, alumni and Wesleyan staff, and the show is free. English began teaching at Wesleyan four years ago while finishing his doctorate of musical arts in trombone and conducting at the University of North Texas. His role at Wesleyan as director of instrumental studies allows him to teach private trombone, instrumental conducting and jazz arranging, as well as direct the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. This will be his first recital to give at Wesleyan. The recital features several guest performers including 2003 alumna Courtney Guyon-Winslet on saxophone and Hsinyi Wang on cello, as well as a drummer, violinist, percussionist and staff pianist Jessica Koebbe on piano. The program’s genres range from classical to jazz to film score, and two of the selections that will premiere at the recital were commissioned by English himself. According to English, the first of the two pieces to premiere, entitled Milanthian, “blurs the boundaries of musical genres by combining jazz, contemporary and classical styles.” It is the first project that he has been afforded the privilege, he said, of premiering for the composer Dusty Dan Clayton. Another piece in the program was written by the prolific trombone composer David Uber for a Boston Symphony bass trombonist Douglas Yeo, who said that the song is to be a musical representation of New York, Chicago and Boston. “I like the piece so much because David so accurately captures the flavor of each city in his music,” said Yeo. Other selections include pieces from composer Alec Wilder and Dr. Michael Thomas Benoit. “I've made great efforts to design a program that is a unique artistic contribution to the local Photo courtesy of Texas Wesleyan Communication and national music scene. It is very upbeat, eclectic, jazzy, and modern, but incredibly easy Dr. Bryan English will give his tromto listen to. It should be enjoyable to audience bone recital at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18 in members whether they are musically inclined or Martin Hall. not,” said English of his recital. The wide variety of music in the recital matches the plethora of performers that English has collaborated with. The credits include the likes of Willie Nelson’s and George Straight’s bands, Tim Ries of the Rolling Stones, jazz performers Dick Oatts and Maria Schneider, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Texas Wind Symphony and North Texas One O’clock Jazz Band. In addition to his roles at Wesleyan, he is also the director of the orchestra at First Baptist Church of Euless, husband to Stephanie and father to Lexi. The recital begins at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18 in Martin Hall and is free and open to the public. There will be a reception to follow in the Baker-Martin Pavilion. For more information on this or other Texas Wesleyan music department faculty or events, visit www.txwes.edu/music/music.