The Rambler, Vol. 101, No. 4

T

E

X

A

S

W

E

S

L

E

Y

A

N

U

N

I

V

E

R

S

I

T

Y

The Rambler

The students’ voice since 1917

Fort Worth, Texas

October 1, 2008

Vol. 101, No. 5

Texas Wesleyan begins accredited Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia

NEWS BRIEFS Gamma Sigma Sigma hosts movie night The International Fair begins its festivities with the showing of Fearless, starring Jet Li. Gamma Sigma Sigma invites everyone to the free event at 7 p.m. Oct. 15.

Refreshments will be on sale as well.

ALYSSUM POWER STAFF WRITER

2008 Best of Fort Worth The United States Local Business Association has selected Texas Wesleyan University for its Best of Fort Worth award in the Colleges and Universities category. The USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category.

Voter registration deadline and early voting The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election is Oct. 6. Texas Wesleyan will host an early voting temporary location from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21-23 in the Brown-Lupton center.

Gay Straight Alliance GSA’s next meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Oct. 5 in the Academic Resource Center (ARC). Join Professor Joe Brown and company as the club reveals its plans for the semester which will promote tolerance and human rights.

Mark your calendar Student Life has the following events planned for October: *Oct. 2 AMC Movie Night. Come by Student Life for your free tickets. *Oct. 9 Bingo Night 6:30 p.m. in Stella Hall, free food and prizes. *Oct. 14 Brazilian Barbecue Pool Party 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Part of International Week) Student Life/International Club sponsoring *Oct. 16 Scottish Putting Challenge 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

(Part of International Week) Student Life/International Club sponsoring *Oct. 30 Student Life/Resident Life Halloween party in Stella Mexico mission trip The Chaplain’s Office is taking a team to Anapra, Mexico this spring break.

Registration deadline is Oct. 27; see Dr. Gladys Childs for more details.

Photos by Katie Slaten

Dr. Gladys Childs, university chaplain, sponsored See You at the Pole Sept. 24 on the mall.

Students and staff gathered for a time of fellowship, prayer and reflection. Students in more than 20 countries take part in the event worldwide. See You at the Pole is not a demonstration, political rally nor a stand for or against anything, it is simply a time of prayer.

The event is scheduled annually on the fourth Wednesday of September. The chaplain’s office will also sponsor the annual spring break mission trip to Mexico.

United in prayer SGA seeks bids for fall project LORRAINE FRAJKOR STAFF WRITER

Like clockwork every year, the members of Student Government Association participate in a fall project geared towards beautifying the school and benefitting the student body in some way. Past projects include buying couches to put in the student union building and constructing a wireless bar, which is also located in the SUB. They’re currently working on determining a project for fall 2008.

“Student Government is a voice for the students,” said Amber Barger, SGA president. “We are given a specific budget every year to serve the students and the campus alike. SGA feels that it is part of our duty as the voice of the students to add to the campus and leave something behind for future students to enjoy.”

This fall, three main ideas have been floating around as to what project the group should implement: converting the empty lot located by the facilities building into a university garden, creating a movie rental system for the dorms and/or converting the seldom-used SUB loft into a game center.

Christine Tham, SGA secretary, noticed the space by the facilities building being used as a dumping

On the west side of Texas Wesleyan’s historical campus stands a building many undergrads might not be too familiar with (besides the fact that it seems as if its parking lot is the only one that ever has ample space). Many have wondered what Wesleyan is cooking up in that cozy corner, and now it’s becoming more evident as the Graduate Programs of Nurse Anesthesia grows in size and popularity.

The GPNA building is located at the corner of 1000 Wesleyan and Avenue B. The facility opened in fall 2003, and the building is equipped with two classrooms, administrative offices, a human simulator laboratory and a lecture hall.

It is also the home of the university’s new doctorate-level program. The curriculum is a collaborative effort between GPNA and the school of business. The DNAP requires students to take business courses geared towards the business end of nurse anesthesia. These classes include health organization, health care law and clinical business planning.

The Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The accreditation process requires self-evaluation as well as close scrutiny by a team of reviewers.

Wesleyan’s program completed the official recognition, but it will have to undergo another one as it begins to graduate its first students.

“The DNAP adds the first doctorate level program at the main historic campus,” said Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez, associate director of the DNAP. “It gives the university more exposure and expands the offers of degrees at the doctoral level.”

The new degree program provides master-level nurse anesthetists, or CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists), an advanced education leading to a doctoral degree. The program is designed to further the students’ scientific understanding concerning disease processes and treatments

See Nurse, page 2

See SGA, page 2

Admissions’ efforts evident in fall enrollment increase TIARA NUGENT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Total university enrollment increased by 3.7 percent this fall, according to Pati Alexander, vice president of enrollment and student services. A total of 2,171 students populate the main campus this semester, with a total of 750 new undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students contributing to that sum.

The influx of new students is largely the result of the hard work of Director of Admissions Holly Kiser and the admissions teams.

“Kiser is the best director of admissions we’ve had in my 24 years here,” said Alexander. “She believes in cross-training her staff including working with the academic areas, which has really turned out to be a productive strategy.”

The admissions staff, all of whom have been in that department for well more than a year, engages each year in re-writing recruiting materials based on the previous year’s results and feedback, getting alumni and faculty involved in recruitment and hosting

sneak previews and open house. Alexander said their outstanding efforts have streamlined consistent results.

This year, new undergraduate enrollment grew 5 percent over fall 2007.

There are 44 more transfer students who chose Wesleyan this fall than in 2007, bringing the total number of new transfers up to 283. This group includes masses from Tarrant County College and the ever-growing Hill College.

Both the Burleson campus and the law school reaped an increase in student population as well.

A total of 31 new students descended upon the Burleson campus this semester, the breakdown revealing 16 new undergrad students and 15 graduate students.

The law school boasts 45 new students.

As compared to the 766 total enrollment last fall, 811 law students are currently preparing for their futures under Wesleyan instruction.

“We are very pleased with the results from Burleson and the law school,” Alexander said. “They’re doing a great job.”

According to the enrollment data published on the university Web site, graduate

Photos courtesy of Office of Communications

Dr. Thomas Klassen

Dr. Katherine Prater

University professors awarded for excellence EUNICE NICHOLSON STAFF WRITER

What do economics and chemistry have in common? At Wesleyan, it’s two award-winning professors. Dr. Thomas Klaasen and Dr. Katherine Prater were presented with the 2008 Exemplary Teacher Award at Academic Convocation.

The Exemplary Teacher Awards are sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in partnership with the United Methodist Church. The award exemplifies excellence in teaching, commitment

See Awards, page 2

Sports

Entertainment

Ram cheerleaders and competitive dance team earn recognition for their efforts. Read about their successes and thier bid for national competition. Page 5

Does love indeed conquer all? Find out in a review of Howard Deutch’s My Best Friend’s Girl. Page 6

October 1, 2008

News

Wesleyan Greek showcased

The Rambler 2

Nurse, from page 1 while it also strengthens the student’s administrative skills, patient care and patient safety skills.

The students who ultimately graduate will have developed the knowledge necessary to succeed in educational administration and management.

The DNAP requires 35-42 credit hours and can be completed in three years as a part time student and two years as a full time student. There is both an administrative plan that requires 37 hours and a traditional management schedule that requires 35. The program is done completely online, and there are currently 19 students enrolled—all of whom started their classes in August.

“Things are going well,” said Rodriguez. “There are some kinks as with any new program but, overall, things are going well.”

Pennie Clayton, senior psychology major and secretary of the psychology department said that “adding the GPNA PhD program is a fantastic addition.” She added that she wishes to see more doctoral programs in every department at Wesleyan.

“The benefits [of the program] greatly outweigh the cons,” said Clayton.

For more information, call DNAP office at (817) 5314248.

Photo by Gasten Schoonover

Greek life has been in full swing since the start of the fall semester. The chain linked fence that borders the residence halls has been livened up with letters from the respective organizations. The Greek letter fraternities and sororities, along with the Greek Council, promote positive relations and a better understanding between all Greek organizations.

Photo by Kristen Potter

Nurse anesthesia students often hold class in the lecture hall.

Enrollment, from page 1 programs at the main campus were mixed.

The number of full-time graduate education students jumped from 23 in 2007 to 40 this fall. However, the overall count of enrolled students fell from 114 in 2007 to a current 108.

The graduate school of professional counseling also came close to doubling full-time students, leaping from 23 to 43. Overall program enrollment also increased from last year by 33 students, bringing the total enrollment to 100.

Graduate counseling enrollment climbed by five to reach 43 this fall.

The graduate school of business decreased from 75 to 39 students, and the nurse anesthesia program fell to 365 students from last year’s 377.

Overall, though, retention is an area of improvement for Wesleyan this year. The university retained almost 82 percent of the students enrolled this past spring, a rate that’s up about two percent.

“That 2 percent increase is a significant improvement because retention has been steady at 80 percent for 15 years,” said Alexander.

Including counts from the undergraduate, graduate, law and doctorate realms, 1,946 students returned to Wesleyan.

Freshman retention is at 63 percent this fall. Small, private universities typically land about 70 percent in freshman retention, according to Alexander.

Wesleyan is working to get freshman retention numbers stronger through several initiatives, Alexander said. The developmental math and reading programs – recently cultivated by a Title 3 grant – personalized advising and assis-

tance from the ARC and the efforts of Professor Joe Brown in the freshman general studies classrooms are working to lure students back to Wesleyan for their sophomore year.

“Brown is really making an important difference on freshmen retention,” said Alexander.

Wesleyan is working to improve other areas as well.

Alexander said the university didn’t quite make their freshman headcount goal. The aspiration was 230, but 206 interspersed the campus this fall, a decrease from last year’s 214.

“We still have work to do,” Alexander said. “The economy has definitely impacted freshmen growth. There is a great deal of stiff competition for the freshmen, including that with junior colleges.”

Neither an increase nor decrease in student enrollment plays a part in setting the cost of tuition.

“We don’t necessarily base our tuition on demand,” said Alexander. “We look at what increases our competitors are setting, what our students can afford and set tuition accordingly.”

Texas Wesleyan, along with other universities and colleges across North Texas and the nation, is following an increased and record-high enrollment trend.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the higher number of college applicants follows a largely steady increase in students graduating from high schools nationally over the past 15 years. The U.S. Department of Education reports that the figure is projected to rise to a record 3.3 million next school year before the numbers start to drop slightly, the U.S. Department of Education reports.

For more statistics regarding Wesleyan enrollment, visit www.txwes.edu/institutionalresearch.

SGA, from page 1 ground filled with weeds and gravel and saw the potential for it to become a “sanctuary” for students.

“We had an idea to convert this into a garden that will not only beautify the campus but also allow a lovely place for students to gather and socialize,” Barger said.

In addition, Tham had the idea that the science department could use the garden for study purposes.

Another suggestion that sparked interest is implementing a movie rental system in the dorms. Ultimately this would work much like Blockbuster, except the movies would be free-of-charge to the students.

“Basically, a student would go to the main office in their respective housing unit and submit their student ID card,” Barger said. “The student’s name and ID number would be recorded and the student could take a movie for viewing in the dorms.”

Barger suggests allotting a two to three day time frame for the rental, and, in the event that a student fails to return the movie on time, a late fee will be charged to his/her Wesleyan account.

The idea that seems to have sparked the most interest from not only SGA but also other organizations is to convert the loft in the SUB into a gaming center complete with a Wii. The idea entails moving the foosball and pool tables upstairs and buying arcade-like games to add to the gaming experience.

“Students [would] have entertainment at their disposal in the SUB during the hours it is open,” Barger said. “This will also benefit admissions Photo by Gasten Schoonover purposes since prospective students will enjoy the One of SGA’s possible renovation targets is converting the empty land idea of an arcade-like area on campus.”

Barger also notes that this project can be an near the the facilities building into a garden that will beautify the campus, ongoing renovation, with a new game added benefit the biology department and serve as a social student location. every semester or every year, depending on the budgets or donations of the organizations.

“SGA and Student Life are planning on teaming up for the initial planning,” Barger said. “So far, College Republicans and LULAC have also expressed their interest in helping to complete the project.”

Students who wish to make other suggestions are encouraged to come to the SGA meeting at 12:15 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Carter Conference Room. SGA and Student Life are also planning on setting up a suggestion box for students who cannot make the meeting. Suggestions and comments may be submitted to wesleyansga@yahoo.com.

Awards, from page 1 to value-centered education and service to students.

The award was presented to them by .Dr. Allen Henderson, provost of Texas Wesleyan University.

“Dr. Klaasen and Dr. Prater are both able to establish incredible relationships with their students,” said Henderson.

Prater is an associate professor of chemistry at Texas Wesleyan and has been at the campus for 10 years. Her love for science and desire to teach developed early.

With two parents having doctorates in chemistry, she was inspired to follow in their footsteps. After earning her doctorate in chemistry from the University of Kansas in 1998, Prater accepted her first teaching position at Wesleyan. She said she chose the school in part because of the connection she witnessed between the faculty and students. She said she loves the way interacting with her students makes her feel.

“I can walk into a classroom and be in a bad mood, start teaching, and suddenly I am in a good mood,” she said.

The teaching is not one-sided. She said she learns lessons from her students, and one of the greatest ones is to have a sense of humor.

“This (science) can be stressful for students, but they know how to laugh at their mistakes and keep things in perspective,” Prater said.

Prater’s love of teaching and dedication to students does not end in the classroom. She also serves as the director of freshman advising at Wesleyan. She said this gives her an opportunity to assist students in a variety of ways and allows her to serve more of the student body.

Klaasen, professor of economics and finance, said he also appreciates the opportunity to interact with students and other departments on campus. This other exemplary teacher awarded at Texas Wesleyan has taught at larger schools but said he prefers the smaller atmosphere, similar to where he started himself.

Klaasen began his teaching career 41 years ago at Hope College, a small school in Michigan. Hope is where he earned his undergraduate degree in economics and where his father also taught business courses.

Klaasen was inspired by his father’s work, but in an effort to avoid being in the same classroom with him, he deliberately took courses in economics rather than typical business courses. Klaasen went on to earn a doctorate in economics from Michigan State University.

He is now beginning his 20th year at Wesleyan.

Klaasen said that providing necessary guidance and mentoring students is what he enjoys most about being a professor. Like Prater, he also enjoys learning from his students and said they have taught him to be prepared.

“Students are very bright,” Dr. Klaasen said. “They’ll ask questions, and they’ll keep you on your toes.”

Although he is easing into retirement over the next three years, his door is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays to any students or faculty members who want to talk economics or fishing (Klaasen’s favorite hobby).

Then again, an open door is what one would expect of an exemplary teacher.

Check us out Seriously

.

.

www.txwes.edu/rambler

Opinions “Studying and work.”

Desirae Gibbs Senior Accounting Major

The Rambler

Greenwashing

Corporate America deceives consumers for monetary gain T

“Having to work while in school.”

“Writing papers, especially for mass comm.”

“What is the most timeconsuming thing about college?”

William Rather Junior Accounting Major

CHUCK FAIN

Marques Griffin Senior Mass Communication Major

October 1, 2008 3

oday, with all the footage of drowning polar bears and shrinking glaciers, the effort to “go green” is a prevalent issue in commercial and private life. One can hardly hear a radio or television ad without the word “green” somewhere in the message – and why not?

Companies that have “gone green” have enjoyed such benefits as their stocks achieving the “high performers” sta-

tus.

Also, “investors see [green companies] as less risky investments because going green often means reducing government penalties, the number of possible accidents and therefore the threat of lawsuits” said Francesca Di Meglio of BusinessWeek.com.

Every day more and more consumers are looking to give their business to environmentally-friendly companies that uphold the consumers’ personal beliefs (and eases their conscience).

Even if one’s own personal beliefs do not lend to the notion of global warming, the results of going green (conservation of energy and resources, less pollution in the environment) are wholly beneficial to the earth and all of its inhabitants.

Wildly popular with consumers, reduced government penalties, a decrease in lawsuits – with all these perks to going green, it’s a wonder companies don’t just say that they’re green in

an effort to reap the benefits without any of the work.

Oh wait – that’s exactly what they do.

It’s become so prevalent in our society, that this deplorable act now has a name: “greenwashing.”

Not every company that claims to be green is lying; many have spent millions reworking business practices to become more environmentally friendly. Inc.com has a list called the “Green 50” naming and detailing each company’s efforts to go green.

However, many more are guilty of greenwashing, according to the Advertising Standard Authority, a British company responsible for holding advertisers accountable for their claims in advertisements.

According to Rob Edwards of bNet.com, some of the companies guilty of greenwashing are Toyota, Volkswagen, easyJet, Ryanair, Scottish and Southern Energy and Tesco. Claims of “low emissions” and decreasing one’s carbon footprint are, according to the ASA, wildly exaggerated or just plain false.

Elizabeth Judge of TimesOnline reported that the ASA told these offending companies “to avoid sweeping statements about being “environmentally friendly” if there is no way that they can prove it.”

Truth in advertising has always been scarce, and most take advertisements with a grain of salt. Lying about one’s business practices to gain government funding or reduce penalties, to swindle the consumers, and to put a false face on shameful business practices is a despicable crime that should not go unpunished.

Much effort is made to produce a green society and a green economy, but lying to consumers’ faces does nothing but generate mistrust and skepticism in a marCourtesy of Google Images ket that already makes the public leery.

Chuck Fain is a senior writing major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

Discrimination 2008: “L

ate in my career, someone left a note sin my box at work showing my pay versus three males. We four were doing the exact same job, and their pay was drastically higher than mine.” — Lilly Ledbetter.

Ledbetter was a former EUNICE 20-year Goodyear employee NICHOLSON who, after leaving the company in 1998, took this issue all the way to the Supreme Court.

Women today continue to be shortchanged in the workplace.

According to the 2004 U.S. Census Bureau, women earn 75 cents for every dollar that men earn. Why? In his book Why Men Earn More Dr. Warren Farrell refers to three things: 1) women need to choose careers that pay more, 2) women need to work more hours, 3) women need to be more productive in the time that they are at work.

While I agree with the first, I don’t agree with his second and third points. Often, I think women are more conscientious than men when it comes to their jobs and are more willing to work

Women receive unequal treatment and compensation in the workplace

long hours.

What about promotions? Once again discrimination rears its ugly head. More often when a man and women with equal experience are being considered for a promotion, the man is chosen. Why? Because women “may take out time for children.”

What about behavior? Denise Morris, a 15year journalist and holder of a master’s degree in psychology, had this to say: “What I have found is that women are expected to behave better in general. Men in the last newsroom where I worked (and other places of employment to varying degrees) would yell, complain, whine, criticize co-workers and sleep at their desks,” she said. “We would get fired if we acted like that.”

There are, however, success stories. Marina DeFuentes is the manufacturing manager of a local company. I asked her secret and she told me this.

“I want to look like a woman, but I act like a man,” she said.

She is referring to being confident, articulate and focused. Trust me, she is. DeFuentes went on to say that she has never felt discriminated against.

“It’s up to me how I am going to feel,” she said. When asked what advice she would give to young women heading into the workplace she said, “Find a model – a high profile professional and study her, emulate her.”

Yesterday I had an appointment with my dentist. I asked Dr. Williams if he thinks women continue to be shortchanged at work. His reply?

“Yes. Men have dominated women for five thousand years,” he said. “It’s going to take a while for that to go away.”

Robert Williams is a successful forensic dentist in Dallas. He says he has always encouraged both his son and daughter to be whatever they aspire to be. Incidentally, his daughter is a law student at Texas Wesleyan.

While women do continue to be shortchanged in the workplace, let’s do our part to change that, like many have done before us. Let us stand up for what is right and fair, let us exhibit strong leadership skills, and let us never stop celebrating the strength we bring to the table!

Eunice Nicholson is a sophomore writing major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

“Studying and practicing music.”

Chelsea Jena’ Williams Freshman Music Education Major

Student disrespect to others not Christian behavior Dear Editor, Some students have a lack of respect for others and their vehicles.

Recently my motorcycle was parked legally in the Dan Waggoner parking lot for an evening graduate class. While in class another student thumbtacked a nasty note to my seat, damaging the seat. The note stated that I was *** for parking in a car space when I could park “anywhere” and that the next time they wouldn’t be so nice to my bike. It went on to say that I should have respect for real students who could have parked their car in that space.

Mind you this is most likely an education undergraduate or graduate student. I hope they don’t end up teaching my children. Of course they are a coward for not leaving their name as most sorry people like that have yellow stripes down their backs. I would love for The Rambler to print the entire message left me but I am sure that the administration would not approve of the language and intent.

So much for a “Christian university.”

Joseph Flink Graduate Education Student

Rambler Ratings

The Rambler Founded in 1917 as The Handout Harold G. Jeffcoat, Publisher Kelli Lamers, adviser Tiara Nugent,editor-in-chief Ryan Authier, entertainment editor Gasten Schoonover, photo editor

Martin Garcia, news editor Bryce Wilks, sports editor Ashely Oldham, advertising manager Rachel Horton, Web editor

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

Thumbs up to the fun sorority and fraternity display on Wesleyan Street! Kudos for making a chain link fence look inviting and promoting campus spirit!

-- Joe Brown Thumbs down to the swarms of gnats on campus. Why are they there?

Thumbs down to the overgrown trees in front of the business building. They’re obstructing the walk way.

Thumbs up to the SUB for efficiently serving masses at lunch time.

Corrections *Henna Rehman is the is the vice president of membership for Gamma Sigma Sigma.

Her title was printed incorrectly. *One of this year’s new Hatton Sumners scholars is Jonathan Towne. His name was printed incorrectly.

College Life

4 October 1, 2008

The Rambler

You’re stronger than that. Don’t give in.

Greet your new independence with responsibility, discretion and forward-vision

F

or most students, college is the first time they are away from their parents. It is a time to prove their independence and make decisions for themselves; a time to make mistakes and learn from them; a time to emerge as adults in an influential society.

What these students sometimes fail to realize, however, is that with this newfound independence comes responsibility and an implied understanding of being able to apply good judgment in pressured situations.

While students embrace their individuality in a new environment around new people, they may express a desire to “fit in” LORRAINE with the norm. In this case, peer pressure can become increasingFRAJKOR ly problematic. With a lack of curfew and rules, students become adventurous in a society ready to shape and mold their every move.

Trying to fit in can be a daunting task, and with it comes difficult decisions about certain factors such as alcohol, smoking and drugs. College is a confusing time and the pressure put on by peers can make it even more difficult. Some people may think that there is less pressure in college than in high school, but if anything, there is more.

While many people who grow up in households filled with smoke, alcohol and even drugs end up following in their parents’ or guardians’ footsteps, I have found that it makes me want to participate in these bad habits less and less.

Quite frankly, it’s not fun watching loved ones hurt their minds and bodies in such a grotesque manner. It really is just a painful process just to watch. Why would anyone want

to subject friends and family to this kind of pain?

It’s not so much that it affects the individuals participating in this behavior, but that it has a greater effect on the people around them. Secondhand smoke is more harmful to the cardiovascular system of nonsmokers because their bodies are not accustomed to the toxins.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the number one drug problem amonst the nation’s youth is alcohol, and it is more likely to kill them than combining all illegal drugs.

Around this time last year, a student at Stephen F. Austin University died from alcohol poisoning at an off-campus frat party. I had never actually had a conversation with him, but I did have a class with him in high school. Apparently, according to the handful of friends we had in common, he was a binge drinker all through high school.

That’s not the way someone should be remembered.

The desire to fit in sometimes clouds the way we think, and Courtesy of Google Images because I am such a logical thinker, I have never understood why people feel that drinking, smoking and doing drugs are the only ways to have fun. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I want to remember my college days as something other than a smoky, drunken blur.

The decisions we make today will potentially alter the rest of our lives, making right now a great time to learn how to “just say no.”

Lorraine Frajkor is a freshman writing major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

Did you stereotype me?

CHUCK FAIN STAFF WRITER

Whenever I tell people that I’m an English major, almost without fail the next thing out of their mouth is, “So, you’re going to be a teacher?” “No, no” I respond with a chuckle, “After my last law suit, I can’t go anywhere near children!”

Once I’ve calmed them down and explained that I’m just kidding about the law suit, they seem confused as to why I’m an English major with no aspirations of teaching.

Many people have a stigma about certain college majors, and while many choose careers that are synonymous with their respective majors, there are nearly limitless possibilities as to what one can do with their four- (five for me) year degree.

In fact, many careers and major companies don’t particularly care what your degree is in, just as long as you have a degree (excluding highly specialized fields – you probably couldn’t become an astronaut with a bachelor’s in art).

“Many careers do not require a specific major, but a range of skills and accomplishments,” reads an article on Rutgers.com. It goes on to state that one can increase their job marketability by participating in “internships, work experience, and college activities.”

That said, there are many interesting careers one

can obtain that seem to have nothing to do with one’s specific major. A quick look at quintcareers.com and collegeboard.com gave me some interesting results.

For instance, my own major, English, has many different career paths aside from teaching. Librarian, media analyst, lobbyist, copy writer, technical writer and campaign manager are just a few of the jobs you might not have considered that are available to someone with a bachelor’s in English.

Those aspiring for accounting degrees aren’t pigeonholed into sitting behind a calculator all day. They have to option to become integrated resource management consultants, investigators for the Internal Revenue Service, commodities traders or a stock broker, to name a few.

Going for a business degree? Your future doesn’t have to be spent under florescent lighting tucked away inside a partitioned cubicle a la Office Space. Human resources manager, sports agent, chamber of commerce director and politician are counted among the jobs that people hold with business degrees.

History majors, who I’m sure get the “Oh, you’re going to be a teacher?” response all the time, can branch out into such professions as movie historical consultant, agents for the, genealogist and museum curator or agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigations or Central Intelligence

Careers options are endless for everyone, despite choice of major

Agency.

Even more specialized degrees such as music and religious studies have more options than an orchestra member or preacher, respectively. A bachelor’s in music can afford someone such opportunities as public relations specialist, recreation director or an architectural acoustic monitor.

Religion majors can look forward to careers in anthropology, diplomat and press secretary.

And for those psychology majors, what do you think are other jobs in your field? And how does that make you feel?

(My wife has a bachelor’s in psychology, so she’ll appreciate that joke). For you Freud-followers, there are scores of jobs available from animal trainer to art therapist to researcher.

Many more options are available to the majors listed here, as well as the ones not mentioned. More information is available either at the library, through a career counselor or a simple Google search. You may try Wesleyan’s own Career Services Center.

Many companies are less concerned with what your major than with how you performed in school and what skills you acquired there. By obtaining your degree, your career path is wide open to pursue almost any career you wish.

Voting by mail prime option for absentees TIARA NUGENT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Are you a passionate political buff anxious to get involved but living afar from your native territory?

Concerned your voice will be stifled due to your absence? Never fear. Absentee voting has your ballot.

As absentee voting may be a vague process for many Wesleyan students, The Rambler brings you this Q&A, reprinted courtesy of the Fort Worth StarTelegram.

What is absentee voting?

It’s a way for you to vote by mail when you can’t be in your home county on Election Day. What’s your home county?

Wherever you consider your permanent address to be — your parents’ home, for instance, or where you live when you’re not at school.

How do I We the people... qualify?

You can qualify to vote absentee if you’re planning to be outside your home county on Election Day and during the early voting period, which is Oct. 2031. If you’re a student going to college outside Tarrant County, you meet the requirement. (By the way, you also qualify if you’re 65 or older, disabled or confined in jail but otherwise eligible to vote.)

mation for student voters.

2. There you’ll see a link that says “Request a ballot by mail.” Click on this link.

3. Then you’ll see a mailbox icon and a link that says “Application for ballot by mail.” That’s what you need to submit to get a ballot.

4. The form will ask for your mailing address.

Remember to type in your school address, not your permanent address in Tarrant County.

Can’t get online?

You can request a ballot by phone: Call 1-800-252VOTE (8683) and ask for a ballot to be mailed to your school address.

How soon do I have to do this?

You must request an absentee ballot by Oct. 28. (That means your request must be received, not postmarked, by that day.) And seriously, don’t procrastinate, because once you get your ballot, you’ll still have to fill it out and return it by mail before Election Day.

DECIDE 2008

Photo by Gasten Schoonover

Shake a leg

Table table tennis coach Jasna Reed finds a new way to traverse campus.

OK, I qualify. What do I do?

You need to request that a ballot be sent to you by mail. Here’s how: 1. Go to the Texas Secretary of State’s Web site, www.sos.state.tx.us. Then, in the search box, type “Student Voters.” That will pull up a page full of infor-

What happens then?

You should get a ballot in the mail within a few days. When you receive it, follow instructions and send it back to the address provided.

Note: It must be received by the time the polls close on Nov. 4. That means you’ll need to mail it back a few days before Nov. 4, allowing plenty of time for it to arrive.

What if I’m not even registered to vote?

It’s not too late, but hurry! If you want to vote this year, Oct. 6 is the deadline for registration.

Go to www.votexas.org, a voting site run by the office of the Texas Secretary of State. Click on “Register,” where you can download an application. Then you’ll still have some time to request a ballot and vote absentee.

Sports

The Rambler

Quick Quotes “People don't play sports because they’re fun. Ask any athlete, most of them hate it, but they couldn't imagine their life without them.”

- MySpace User Favorite

Upcoming Events Oct. 1 2 p.m. Women’s Soccer @ Our Lady of the Lake University 4 p.m. Men’s Soccer @ Our Lady of the Lake University *6 p.m. Women’s Volleyball vs. Texas Women’s University Oct. 6 *1:30 p.m. Baseball vs.

Richland College TBA Men’s Golf @ Grand Canyon Invitational Oct. 7 7 p.m. Women’s Volleyball @ Southwest Assemblies of God University TBA Men’s Golf @ Grand Canyon Invitational Oct. 8 5 p.m. Men’s Soccer @ UT-Brownsville 7 p.m. Women’s Soccer @ UT-Brownsville * denotes home game

Sports Briefs Rams get first conference win Sept. 27 The men’s soccer team picked up its first conference win with a 3-0 shutout of Bacone College.

Goalie Joakim Soderbaum made four saves in his third shutout effort of the season.

Lady Rams net second straight conference shutout Sept. 27 The women’s soccer team started off their conference schedule with consecutive shutouts for the first time in program history with a 5-0 win over Bacone. Christina Zimmerman scored two goals and the defense allowed on four shots on goal.

Volleyball team swept on road trip Sept. 27 The volleyball team dropped a pair of tough road matches to Lubbock Christian University and Wayland Baptist University.

The Lady Rams will return to the refurbished Sid Richardson Center, which now has new bleachers installed, for the remainder of the season.

Road trip yields mixed results for soccer Sept. 25 The men’s soccer team suffered a 3-2 loss at Texas College while the women cruised to a 6-0 victory over the Lady Steers. Junior collge transfer Dominique Harrison scored two goals and a host of other Lady Rams contributed to the victory.

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

October 1, 2008 5

It doesn’t have to end here Some Wesleyan alumni manage to plow their way to the pro ranks BRYCE WILKS SPORTS EDITOR

USAToday.com reports that Leggatt won the 2002 Tucson Open and has competed in two major championships. He finished 20th in the 2003 U.S. Open and failed to make the cut in the 2002 PGA Championship.

This former Ram may never win a green jacket at The Masters, but he made it from practicing at Sycamore Creek just a mile down Vickery Street, to teeing it up next to Tiger Woods on television, and maybe one of the current Wesleyan golfers could eventually do the same.

Apparently foreign athletes have a better chance of making it to the pro’s, as proven by Leggatt and former Wesleyan

Hunt hit the game winner in 2006 to give Texas Wesleyan a

Athletes at Wesleyan play more for the love of their given sport than for the recognition that success at a grand scale brings.

The rosters here scatter walkons together with scholarship players, and the fusion of the two creates eclectic and exciting sports action on the NAIA fields of play.

There are a select few, however, that make it to the next level. These persistent professionals dedicate the time and energy that results in them getting paid to play games. Some of the lucky ones in recent years hail from Wesleyan, and they give current athletes hope.

Golfers can turn there attention to seasoned PGA Tour professional Ian Leggatt (BA 1990), who has put together a run of successful seasons. Leggatt has never been a superstar and doesn’t even play in every tournament, but his national champiresume does hold some onship, and his shiny statistics. subsequent move According to his to summer camp PGATOUR.com profile, with the Dallas the native Canadian has Mavericks was racked up over $2.4 milwell-documented lion in career earnings.

by Fort Worth Add that to the nearly Star-Telegram $400,000 that he has won columnist Randy Courtesy of google images Galloway, among on the smaller nationwide Athletes like professional basketball player Ben Hunt and PGA tour, and you find someothers. one who has made a nice Tour member Ian Leggatt prove that playing careers don’t have to Hunt spent end at Wesleyan. chunk of change playing two seasons with what some consider a basketball star and native Australian the Perth Wildcats of the National relaxing game.

Ben Hunt.

Basketball League in Australia from

2006-2008. The 2008-2009 season just begun, and while Hunt is not currently on a roster, there is a good chance that he will get picked up as teams realize their need for a solid veteran point guard.

The Bendigo Advertiser, an Australian newspaper, recently featured Hunt’s achievements in basketball and his aspirations to prolong his career.

According to the article, Hunt played for the Willetton Tigers in Western Australia’s state league last summer to stay sharp for the NBL season, and, until he gets a contract signed, is coaching prospects at North Hills Preparatory School.

Again in Hunt’s case, he never starred in the NBA but has had a chance to earn a living in professional sports abroad.

As the commercial says, almost all collegiate athletes will go pro in something other than sports, but two former Rams give athletes reason to think otherwise.

Cheerleaders have a brand new dance A summer full of awards and advances gave the cheerleading squad and competitive dance team reasons to be excited about upcoming seasons ALYSSUM POWER STAFF WRITER

While the fall sports teams are grinding into the toughest part of their respective seasons, it’s time again for the group that cheerfully supports them to get rolling too.

The Texas Wesleyan cheerleaders and competitive dance team have both been keeping busy and have a lot to show for their efforts.

During the summer, both entities that are under the direction of coach Carolyn Ikens-Owen attended the Universal Dance Association College Camp in San Marcos, Texas.

Colleges from Texas, New Mexico, Puerto Rico and Mexico all participated. The dance team earned multiple awards including best collegiate small team and gained recognition as the team with the “strongest traditions.”

They also won the first place trophy for best fight song and second for overall superior performance. Most importantly, they received a national bid to attend the upcoming national competition in Florida.

“It is so fantastic to work with this group of college kids,” said Ikens-Owen.

The cheerleaders were also successful this summer while attending the National Cheerleading Association College Camp at Southern Methodist University. Nineteen other colleges competed, including the University of Arkansas and Oklahoma State University.

The cheerleaders earned multiple awards, including four gold superior ribbons for their performances.

They garnered recognition for excellent traditions, superior “game day” performance and a national bid to Daytona, Fla., where there they will compete in the national competition.

“They have more talent than I ever could have dreamed of,” Ikens-Owen said.

Such talent has revolutionized the programs at Texas Wesleyan. The teams practice apart but attend the most of the same events. Both are held to high standards on and off the court, and spend a

Intramurals This week’s standings:

Courtesy of Nikkina Robinson

Like most students, the cheerleaders and competitive dancers found some time for the pool this summer, but they also invested in their skills to help support all Wesleyan athletics. Both teams traveled to camps and came back with major hardware, including many awards that were earned over larger schools.

minimum of four hours a week practicing.

They are also both required to perform a minimum of 30 hours of community service per semester at Wesleyan and in the community.

The spirited troupe recently put on a pep rally at near by Polytechnic High School, and events like that have led members to be more involved than ever before.

“The team has improved a lot over the past three years,” said current co-captain of the squad Saba Whipple. “We also have three new members on the team, which is a first for this team.”

With great chemistry and values it is easy to see how successful both these teams are becoming.

“This is my first year to cheer,” said freshman

Flag Football: 1. Gopher 2, 5-1 2. Pickles, 5-1 3. Lambdas, 3-3

Felicia Nunez. “And the squad has been very supportive of me and the other new members.”

Members new and old will have their schedules fill up soon as they attend events like table tennis tournaments, basketball, volleyball, soccer and softball games.

The current cheerleading team has 22 members, and the competitive dance team includes 16.

The dance team consists of 2009-2010 cheerleading team members. Dance team tryouts for next school year will be held in April, and opportunites to sign up happen throughout the year.

The competitive dance and cheerleading programs are evolving, and their progress is sure to make an impression on spectators at Wesleyan sporting events this year.

Poker League: 1. Aaron Whaley, 780 pts.

2. Ryan Amador, 660 pts.

3. Rachel Loftin, 645 pts.

Pig Skin Pick “Em: 1. Rachel Loftin, 34 pts.

2. Aaron Hastings, 33 pts.

3. Paige Cook, 33 pts.

Entertainment

6 October 1, 2008

The Rambler

Theatre Wesleyan owns the stage Loads of laughs delivered in Stones in His Pockets

T

heatre Wesleyan has a long tradition of producing quality shows right here on our campus, and this semester is no exception.

Stones in His Pockets

by Marie Jones, directed by senior theater major CHUCK Dillon Maroney, is a FAIN unique and engaging comedy about a small Irish town overran by a Hollywood production crew. The citizens of the small town, most of who are related, are employed as extras in the film to act and be treated as scenery.

Tensions mount when one of the townspeople commits suicide, conflicting with the movie’s production schedule. Amidst the constant goading of the Hollywood team, the cast of extras comes to terms with broken dreams, bruised egos and biting reality.

The stage is beautifully set as a quaint Irish countryside violated by a Hollywood movie set. Lights, trunks and cables run across the scene, effectively highlighting the contrast between small town Ireland and big city Hollywood.

The two actors, senior theater major Ben Phillips and junior theater major Chase

Burnett, take on a heady task as they portray the roles of 15 different characters – signaled by a change in body movement, accents and hand gestures.

Sound confusing? In unskilled hands, perhaps, but Phillips and Burnett pop in and out of character in such a seamless and convincing way, you’ll begin to forget there are only two actors on stage. Phillips delivers a dramatically passionate performance, while Burnett illuminates the stage and commands the audience’s attention. His portrayal of a Hollywood movie starlet is eerily convincing.

Stones in His Pockets is an energetic and engaging play, performed with great craft and skill. The actors’ skillful, split-second morphing from one character to the next is worth the price of admission alone.

You can catch the show at 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 and Oct. 4. Ticket prices are $8 general admission, $6 for Wesleyan faculty and staff and $4 for all students with ID and seniors citizens. Theatre Wesleyan box office hours are 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and one hour before curtain on performance days.

The box office phone number is (817) 5314211.

Chuck Fain is a senior writing major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

Courtesy of Theatre Wesleyan

Senior theater major Whitney Park (left) and junior theater major Carrie Watson portray Agnes and Dr. Martha Livingston in Theatre Wesleyan’s production of Agnes of God.

Students’ skills impress in production of Agnes of God

A

gnes of God, a play

by John Pielmeier, is about a young, naïve nun named Agnes. Innocent to a fault, Agnes knows nothing of sex and birth yet mysteriously becomes pregnant and bears a child, found dead in a CHANTEL waste paper basket inside JEPSON her room.

Dr. Martha Livingston, played by junior theater major Carrie Watson, is the court appointed psychiatrist who has been sent to determine if Agnes (senior theater major Whitney Park) is competent enough to stand trial. Conflict soon arises between the Mother Superior Mirium Ruth, played by junior theater major Ashley Mosley, who simply wants Agnes left alone, and Dr. Livingston, who is determined to uncover the truth.

Directed by senior theater major Alfredo Martinez, this interpretation of Agnes of God truly captures the emotion of the story. Set on a simple stage that enhances the mood and longing for the knowledge of what actu-

A

Wednesday

L OOK

On Campus:

1

On Campus:

4

*Agnes of God: Thad Smotherman Theater, 7:30 p.m.

Off Campus: *Three Phantoms: Bass Performance Hall, 8 p.m.

Thursday On Campus:

*Gay Straight Alliance: ARC, 5 p.m.

2

*Agnes of God: Thad Smotherman Theater, 7:30 p.m. * Virtuoso Strong Quartet: Martin Hall, 7:30 p.m.

To submit an event for the calender, e-mail twurambler@yahoo.com.

Sunday On Campus:

5

*Stones in His Pockets: Thad Smotherman Theater, 2 p.m.

Monday Off Campus:

6

*VH1 Hip Hop Honors: VH1 and VH1 Soul Television, 7 p.m.

Friday

Silver screen triad

Hollywood young guns hit the big screen in My Best Friend’s Girl

A

movie is at its best when it’s packed with some of the hottest celebs in Hollywood. Kate Hudson, Dane Cook and American Pie’s Jason Biggs all took to the screen recently in ZAYLE My Best Friend’s Girl.

GRIFFIN Tank, played by Dane Cook, is a selfproclaimed jerk with a warm heart who takes women out on horrific dates to help their ex’s win them back. After his best friend Dustin, played by Jason Biggs, gets his heart broken by Kate Hudson’s character, Alexis, Tank is hired to help Dustin get her back.

The unimagined happens when Tank falls head over heals for his best friend’s girl. Tank is trapped between two lies; Torn between a best friend and love. Tank goes to his sex-crazed father, played by Alec Baldwin, for advice. This turns out to be no help, once Tank realizes his father wants nothing more than for Tank to be just like him.

Tank soon realizes that friends come before girls and does everything possible to break Alexis’ heart. He destroys her sister’s wedding by telling crude jokes and exposing himself to her mother. Alexis wants nothing to do with Tank and although his heart is severely wounded,

Dustin is finally able to forgive him.

Seeing the pain Tank is in, both his father and Dustin are able to see the love Tank has for Alexis and help him gain confidence to win his woman back.

Although this movie received mostly bad reviews, it wasn’t as dreadful as many alleged. The New York Times stated that the movie was tasteless and not romantic.

And yes, perhaps the movie had its unsavory parts, and it might not have been as funny as many presumed, but it was romantic.

My Best Friend’s Girl tells a story of finding true love and doing just about anything to have it. It teaches the lesson that women do not like disrespectful men (which many already know) and maybe even gave a few members of the audience some job ideas. Who wouldn’t want Tank’s job?

For those of you with tight wallets, this might be a movie you wait to watch on DVD in the comfort of your home. But if in the mean time you find yourself looking for something to occupy a Friday or Saturday night, this might be a good movie for you. It will provide a few laughs and, let’s admit it, some juicy eye candy.

Go into this one with a light heart and little expectation, and you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Zayle Griffin is a junior mass communication major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

LIKE TAKING PICTURES? Snap away and work for The Rambler!

3

On Campus: *Stones in His Pockets: Thad Smotherman Theater, 7:30 p.m.

Off Campus: Weekly Movie Releases: Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist; How to Lose Friends and Alienate People; Flash of Genius

Tuesday On Campus:

7

* Chapel Service: Polytechnic UMC, 12:15 p.m.

Off Campus:

Off Campus: * Kellie Pickler: State Fair of Texas, 5:30 p.m.

Hollywood hotties Kate Hudson, Dane Cook and Jason Biggs costar in the this fall’s love triangle flick, My Best Friend’s Girl.

Chantel Jepson is a freshman theater major and is a contributing writer for The Rambler.

*Baptist Student Ministry: Sid *The Rambler staff meeting: Stella Russell Hall lobby, Richardson Building, noon, 12:15 p.m. free lunch served

AHEAD Saturday

ally happened, the actors brilliantly hold you enraptured with their performance.

Watson captures your attention and brings you along with her on Dr. Livingston’s quest to unveil any wrongdoers.

Mosley and Watson’s portrayal of the mounting tension between Dr. Livingston and Mother Mirium Ruth continuously draws the audience in until the viewer can feel their pulsing animosity.

Spectators will be thrown by the twists and turns that this cast takes with new revelations surfacing by the minute. The play boils down to the intriguing final scene, the quiet intensity of which will have the audience mesmerized in silent awe.

A riveting story dealing with scorned relationships, naïve innocence and unexplainable phenomena await at Texas Wesleyan’s new season of exciting theater.

Agnes of God shows at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Thad Smotherman Theatre. Tickets are $8 general admission, $6 faculty and staff and $4 for students with ID and seniors.

Photo courtesy of google.com

*Filming Kennedy- Home Movies from Dallas: The Sixth Floor Museum, noon-6 p.m.

Weekly DVD Releases: The Happening; Psycho; You Don’t Mess with the Zohan; Stuck

Weekly meetings every Thursday during free period in Stella Russell Hall. twurambler@yahoo.com