The Rambler Vol. 101, No. 1

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The Rambler

The students’ voice since 1917

Fort Worth, Texas

September 3, 2008

NEWS BRIEFS Welcome back!

The Rambler welcomes

Vol. 101, No. 1

A much-needed face lift

all students, faculty and staff back

for

another

great

semester. Make sure to read The Rambler to get caught up on all the latest news, features and events going on

News Briefs

around YOU.

Political interest meeting College

Republicans

and Wesleyan Democrats are hosting a meeting to kick off the semester of Decision

Photo by Gasten Schoonover

Buildings across the street from Texas Wesleyan’s historic campus on East Rosedale are undergoing renovations. “Bringing life to the buildings on Rosedale Street has been in Texas Wesleyan’s best interest,” said Bill Bleibdrey, senior vice president of finance and administration. Read the entire story on page 2.

‘08! Join them Sept. 4 during free period in the SUB lobby.

Don’t miss out!

Fall 2008’s Academic

Convocation will be held at 12:15 p.m. Sept. 9 in PUMC--Polytechnic United Methodist Church.

Showcase your hard work The Rambler is now hir-

ing staff writers and photographers. Get paid and have fun

helping

produce

Wesleyan’s oldest news publication. Regular meetings are at 12:15 p.m. every Thursday in the lobby of Stella Russell Hall.

Mortar Board news

Members, mark your calendars; the first meeting will be held Sept. 16. More details to come.

Sid Richardson Gym Renovations are nearly complete. Activities have commenced, and the Ram’s are enjoying

the

innovative

floors at the Sid. Read all about the changes and other happenings

at

Wesleyan on page 2.

Texas

Breaking into the Shale: MARTIN GARCIA NEWS EDITOR

A natural gas drilling rig was placed on the property of Texas Wesleyan University this summer, and a well now remains in a fenced area just west of Martin Field. According to Bill Bleibdrey, senior vice president of finance and administration, the initial drilling "was completed [and the well] is currently shut in (not producing)."

The terms of the lease were not disclosed.

Typically, landowners receive a signing bonus for the right to drill, which is followed by royalties if and when the gas is flowing. These funds are "generally in the area of 25 percent," according to Bleibdrey.

Income generated from any gas wells placed on property owned outright by the university, such as that by Martin Field, is non-restricted and can be at the discretion of the university.

Wesleyan becomes a player in the natural gas-bearing Barnett

"Non-restricted income [for the school] is being held in a special account for future use-one that will likely be for either scholarships or capital [gain] or both," Bleibdrey said.

Bleibdrey went on to say that the active well is "awaiting a connection to a distribution pipeline." A pipeline must be installed before extraction can commence and royalties are paid to the university.

The university is currently benefiting from non-restricted and restricted properties--it all depends on "who donated the property or the lease," Bleibdrey said.

Restricted income includes that from any wells placed on property donated to the university. Income generated from those leases must follow the wishes of the donor. For example, some south Fort Worth land donated by the late Aggie Pate, Fort Worth businessman and philanthropist, "is used for the history department to support fac-

Mass Appeal

ulty and student scholarships," according to Bleibdrey.

Not only are property owners entitled to compensation when rigs are erected, but property owners also receive royalties when drills extend underneath the surface of their land. Many coalitions have formed as a result, giving more power to the people in negotiating lease terms.

Texas Wesleyan entered into an agreement of its own with Hollis R. Sullivan this summer for the land near Martin Field, officially making the university a player in the Barnett Shale.

Barnett ought to be a familiar term in every North Texan's vocabulary right about now. It's the source of natural gas that lies beneath the surface we walk on in the Tarrant County area. In a summer that saw people's pockets emptied by energy costs, interest in local drilling piqued. While what happens at the rigs that rise up nearby doesn't do anything to

See Shale, page 2

Wesleyan transfers courted by developmental department

RYAN AUTHIER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR The provost, president, professors and even a clown named RC gathered at the Louella Baker Martin Pavilion Aug. 23 to celebrate the largest group of transfer students Texas Wesleyan has ever seen. With an attendance of around 315, including family members as well as staff, there was hardly a building on campus that could contain the crowd.

The transfer dinner, a first for Wesleyan, was put on by Melody Bell Fowler, Wesleyan’s director of developmental and new student programs, and James Whitehead, coordinator of new student programs/transfer student liaison. Fowler, who is beginning her second year at Wesleyan, said that originally they were only expecting around 150 people to attend.

When 315 sent in RSVPs, Fowler said, “We had to double our party expectations and tell the clown to bring more balloons.”

So one has to ask, for a school that is competing with universities across the area, what is little old Wesleyan’s appeal? According to Fowler, it’s just that: Wesleyan is little and old.

“What appeals to most of these transfers are the small class sizes and the reputation Wesleyan has within the community,” she said.

A majority of the transfers are from the area, coming from larger

campuses such as Tarrant County College, University of Texas at Arlington and University of North Texas. With a faculty to student ratio of 15 to one, Wesleyan provides its students with the kind of interaction transfers seek in the classroom.

“Transfers know exactly what they want when they come in to Wesleyan, and our small class sizes provide them with a direct link to Wesleyan’s most valuable resource, its PhD professors,” Fowler said.

Fowler, as well as others, is also carrying Wesleyan’s small classroom ideals over and applying them to the relationship between faculty members and students. In an effort to boost retention rates among transfers, the faculty will now be in steady contact with students in order to ensure their tenure at Wesleyan is a suitable one.

Dinners – such as the one Saturday night – e-mails, phone calls, letters and personal meeting invitations will all be extended to students in order to maintain that which Wesleyan has become famous for: its care for its students.

RC the clown entertains familes of transfer students in the parking lot across from Dan Waggoner Hall at a barbecue August 23rd.

Photo courtesy of James Whitehead

News

September 3, 2008

Revitalized Rosedale storefronts receive long-overdue attention SANDRA BAKER REPRINT COURTESY OF FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM

Work has begun to restore the vacant storefronts on two blocks of East Rosedale Street across from Texas Wesleyan University, which decades ago was the busy Polytechnic Heights business district.

Neighborhood residents and university officials are thrilled to see the work. It’s been more than a decade since the neighborhood has had shops, restaurants and the bustle of people, they say.

TownSite Co., the Fort Worth urban-development firm headed by Phillip Poole, who has long supported the renovation and redevelopment of some of the city’s older buildings, bought the property in April. It includes four buildings from the parking lot where the Varsity Theater once stood, east to Wesleyan Street, and three more buildings on the next block east, next to Burge Hardware store.

Older residents will remember that Mott’s 5-10-25 Cent Store, Rexall Drug, Ashburn Ice Cream Co., Mattison’s Cash Grocery, Polytechnic Cash Grocery and Renfro’s Pharmacy were once there. There were also barbers and beauty shops, dry cleaners and doctor’s offices. The storefronts date to the 1920s.

“This was where the trolley stopped.” Poole said.

It takes a vision The project is being called Poly Retail, with some restaurants, shops and professional offices encompassing the south side of the 3000 and 3100 blocks of East Rosedale Street. Poole said he’s also talked to a bakery interested in a spot.

Texas Wesleyan Bookstore will move there from the school’s campus student center.

TownSite said Follett, the college bookstore operator, has leased 3,900 square feet for the new store.

All the buildings are getting new floors and roofs, and their storefronts will be cleaned, Poole said.

TownSite is negotiating with the city to buy the 4,500-square-foot former post office building at the southeast corner of Rosedale and Binkley streets, to finish out as a restau-

The Rambler

rant, he said.

Poole and Don Scott, a principal in TownSite who is a former president of Fort Worth South, the nonprofit group that oversees development on the city’s near south side, admit that they’re not going to get rich off the project. Instead, it’s a project they feel they are giving back to the community.

“We haven’t gone into this with our eyes closed,” Scott said. “It takes a vision.”

The Poly neighborhood is not a wealthy one. Wesleyan has nearly 3,100 students daily traversing the campus, but only about 400 live there. That section of Rosedale Street doesn’t have the traffic like other areas of the city.

Public money will help Poole said the total investment is about $1.5 million. Some of the work is being funded with a nearly $1 million Economic Development Initiatives grant from Housing and Urban Development and administered by the city’s Economic and Community Development Department.

TownSite and Texas Wesleyan are splitting the grant. To get the money, though, the work has to be completed by Sept. 15, Poole said. They’ve also received a five-year tax abatement from the city.

Texas Wesleyan is using the money to fix a boarded-up building at the northwest corner of Wesleyan and Rosedale streets. The building last served as the university’s theater department scene shop, work which will be done elsewhere on campus.

Bill Bleibdrey, the university’s senior vice president of finance and administration, said the building will be renovated for an art gallery, faculty offices and a community meeting room.

Bringing life to the community Bringing life to the buildings on Rosedale Street has been in Texas Wesleyan’s best interest, Bleibdrey said.

Feedback from potential students shows concern about the property’s blight, he said.

Up until 18 months ago, Texas Wesleyan officials tried to buy the property and were willing to hire a developer to get the buildings occupied and some activity going.

Negotiations lasted for nearly two years, but they could never agree to a price, Bleibdrey said.

“It’s been such a detriment to this university because it looks so bad,” he said. “It certainly has an impact on us. We have more than a vested interest in seeing that succeed. In the long run, it worked out just fine.”

Nearby residents who have fond memories of the street’s heyday are glad about the development, said Faye Brown, president of the Poly Historic Neighborhood Association, which covers an area just east of the project.

Now, residents travel several miles farther east to stores along Eastchase Parkway to shop, Brown said.

Everyone will benefit from having the property improved, she said.

“I’m encouraged, of course,” Brown said.

New sights and new heights Wesleyan renovates gym, adds outdoor court BRYCE WILKS SPORTS EDITOR

There are times when Mother Nature interferes with plans and juggles when and if an activity is feasible. A baseball game, for instance, can be easily postponed or cancelled due to rain. This issue, however, should not apply to college basketball.

Two years ago it did, when, because of sub-standard facilities, six basketball games were cancelled or delayed when the Sid Richardson Gym flooded.

“It was embarrassing to be the only program in the country to call off an indoor sport because of rain,” said head basketball coach Terry Waldrop.

“Generous donations and contributions by alumni made constructing the court over summer break possible.”

– Cary Poole Dean of Students After a summer of renovations, weather and safety issues should no longer come into play for any of the teams that practice or play in the gym. The fact that it is much more pleasing to the eye doesn’t hurt either.

“We are hoping that the renovations will encourage the performances of all our teams, and encourage fan and student interaction,” said Cary Poole, dean of students.

The renovations were fairly extensive.

“We basically gutted the place – turned it into a big hollow square and started over with new materials,” Poole said.

The drop down ceiling that made some find the court to be dreary is gone, replaced now by a cleaner more metallic look with black paint.

Music now blares through brand new speakers from a professional soundboard rather than the old microphone and CD player system that was in place.

Write original articles Take scenic pictures Gain valuable experience Meet new people Have fun, and get paid twurambler@yahoo.com

The floor itself is gone too, replaced by an orthopedically pleasing maple floor with new designs.

The most important change, according to Athletic Director Kevin Millikan, is probably the updated bleachers.

“The old bleachers were getting unsafe for our fans,” he said. “We had trouble keeping them in place and functioning safely.”

The new gym will seat fewer people because there is more room between rows, and the sections do not roll out as far to allow for a wider walkway behind the benches.

Two sections have stadiumstyle seats with backs that Photo by Gasten Schoonover also fold up when needed.

Students enjoy the luxuries and location of the new sport court.

Waldrop is excited not only for his team, but for all students who will benefit from the possible.”

The multi-purpose apparatus not only has a basketball completion of the job. court, but is set to host volleyball, badminton, and floorball “To me, this gym is one of the most important places on campus,” he said. “It hosts many events and is viewed by the as well.

Along with the tennis courts near Wesleyan Village and public. We are happy that improvements have been made.”

The official basketball court won’t be affected by rain the Frisbee golf course, the Sport Court serves to broaden the anymore, but another brand new playing surface constructed possibilities for student activities and involvement on campus. on campus this summer will.

Electricity for the lights and possibly bleachers and The brand new outdoor “sport court,” located just east of cooking grills are on the way, according to Poole, who said Stella Russell Hall, will give students more opportunities to that he hopes to see more students having fun on campus. be active outside throughout the year.

“This was designed as a hangout place for the students, “Students have been requesting something like this for and we are always looking to improve student life.” years,” Poole said. “Generous donations and contributions by alumni made constructing the court over summer break

Shale, from page 1

affect the price at the gas pump, it does impact our economy. While sometimes controversial, experts say the Barnett Shale has created jobs locally and has quietly stimulated an otherwise falling economy by injecting money into the community, businesses and homeowners.

TheBarnettShale.com notes that "wildcatters" in the early 1950s actually discovered the Shale. It goes on to state that "the technology to produce from [it] did not evolve until 1980." Slowly but surely, oil field knowledge, expertise and equipment has caught up to the rise in demand for gas. Consequently, the second largest producing gas field in the United States (The Barnett Shale) has seen rigs pop up in fields and on street corners everywhere.

Members of the Wesleyan community might have noticed a rig behind the 7-11 on the corner of Lancaster and Beach. Despite the proximity, "the university has no association with that well," Bleibdrey said.

Rigs are erected at the beginning of the drilling process, leaving behind wells to send gas through pipelines.

Photo courtesy of Travis Basden, Multi-Shot, LLC

Opinions

“I gave Boy Scouts paintball guns and we ended an alien invasion.”

“I played in a recreational center’s basketball tournament.”

September 3, 2008 3

Controversies detract from games’ true spirit I

t was hard turning on the television this summer without hearing of some new Olympic controversy. At first, the world’s attention was on the Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit, which has been worn by more than 20 world record breakers since its unveiling in February.

Then came debates concerning the age of various Chinese gymnasts. Then came scandals about how boxing was scored. And it wouldn’t be the Olympics without a doping scandal, but this time it was the RYAN horses shooting up before races. Oh Olympic Games, AUTHIER your spirit lives on.

Controversy certainly isn’t new to the Olympic games: Think Jim Thorpe, 1972 basketball, pairs figure skating, most of the 1980s, and that epic WWE showdown between Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan.

There is just a certain appeal about being the best in the world that reveals mankind’s true self. And as time has shown, it isn’t pretty.

It’s laughable now to think that sports were once a wholesome way to bring people together.

Athletes are cheapening the name of athleticism in order to be the first to the top. Clemens, Bonds, Jones: modern cheaters that make Pete Rose look like a saint.

Realistically, cheating in sports has always been around. When watching an athlete on any level, you are seeing their raw persona, and at the

heart of human nature is a competitive drive. Athletes will be the best no matter what the cost.

In a way, the Olympics merely exploits athletes for the sake of our love of competition. If new records weren’t being set in every race, billions of spectators wouldn’t tune in to watch.

Every four years, these athletes have their moment of potential fame. And with gymnasts hitting their prime at the age of 16 and swimmers being forced into retirement in their 20s, it’s no wonder there are cheaters. It certainly isn’t justifiable, but who is to blame?

I guess there is always hope for a future that tells a different story. Perhaps fame and records will take the sideline to the more important ideals of the Olympic Games, such as competition and international unity.

I guess we will have to Courtesy of Google Images wait until 2012 when London hosts the flame, though I hear it is now fueled by chemically-enhanced kerosene.

Ryan Authier is a senior psychology major and is the entertainment editor for The Rambler.

Where’s my greasy grub?

Fast food ban a futile scheme to reduce U.S. obesity P

“I worked.”

eople everywhere are prepare fresh food to order are exempt. I guess Americans can really be dumb. stepping on the scale Jared proved something to the world nine years Popular contest to the restriction accuses the each day, holding their breath ago. government of interfering with citizen’s daily as they peer down at the It strikes me as odd that the injunction’s lives and complains that low-income residents small screen in front of their influence is only over a portion of the city. will be hurt as it is frequently “their only toes to learn their weight.

Perhaps those lawmakers don’t want to risk option” at mealtime. Yeah right!

Some mind their mass for restrictions on themselves when it comes to a A mammoth puddle stands under the strainer health reasons and some for greasy meal over-packed with calories. Obesity of that argument. Go to the grocery store, and image. Select self-controlled rates are high and climbing still all around the the options for a meal cheaper than fast food TIARA and motivated indi(nevermind healthier and tastier -NUGENT viduals endeavor on it doesn’t take much to beat their own to lower McDonald’s) are vast in variety the number on the scale, others join and plentiful in number. support groups like Weight Watchers.

I’m not talking a nutritional Still others, like the entire population of regime of Ramen noodles or Los Angeles’s south side, are put on a pork-n-beans either. There are diet by their legislators. other options. People are just City officials cast a unanimous vote plain lazy and prefer to save in late July making illegal the erection themselves from the inconvenof any new fast food restaurant in South iences of budgeting or the hassle Los Angeles, also the poorest area of of innovating their diet. They prethe city, where obesity rates hover fer to settle for the no-effortabove the city’s mean. The ordinance required fast food... it allows will become law once Mayor Antonio more time to sit dumbfounded in Villaraigosa inscribes his name upon front of the TV anyway. the ordinance.

What I wonder is how much of Christina Hoag of the Associated a difference the moratorium can Press reports that the moratorium can make when the fast food restaube extended for up to a year and will rants that induced the soaring affect standalone restaurants only, not obesity rate in L.A.’s southern eateries located within strip shopping district are still operating in full centers or the mall. L.A. is defining fast swing. Wouldn’t it seem that to food restaurants as those that “do not make a significant difference to a Courtesy of Google Images offer table service and provide a limited problem, you’d need to take away menu of pre-prepared or quickly heated food in country, and the rest of L.A. is certainly no the problem’s supplements rather than that just disposable exception. Why not “help” everyone? barring the addition of them?

Fatty Facts wrapping.”

My initial reaction to this unprecedented law Fuel for the fire is as plentiful as it’s ever **30 percent of adults in South Los “Fastfound humor in the situation. How funny that been. food casu- Angeles area are obese, compared to 19.1 Americans are so obsessed with instantaAccording to an article ran in The New York percent for the metropolitan area and al” restauneous physical gratification (well, as instanSun on July 31, NYC politicians are considering 14.1 percent for the affluent westside. rants such taneous as a drive-thru anyway) that authori- following L.A.’s example, but do not despair as El Pollo **73 percent of South Los Angeles’ ties have to step in as mommy and daddy McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and Taco Bell – Loco and and say, “Now baby, you can’t eat this. It America will never go without you. restaurants are fast food, compared to 42 Subway isn’t good for your health. Have some tasty percent in West Los Angeles. that do not green broccoli to satisfy your muchies cravTiara Nugent is a senior writing major and is editorin-chief for The Rambler. have drive-through windows or heat lamps and ing!”

“I worked at Casa Manana.”

Jennye James Junior Theater Major

Oliviu “Olly” Vosilca Freshman Business Adinistration Major

“What did you do over the summer?”

Robert Carroll Senior Theater Major Christopher McVay Freshman Business Major

The Rambler

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 renovations in the gym and updates to the Stella lobby.

Thumbs down to over-crowded parking lots.

Thumbs down to the frigid temperatures in PMC 123.

Thumbs up to progress on the storefronts along East Rosedale.

September 3, 2008

College Life I’m here ... Now What?

The Rambler

Tried and true tips help freshmen learn the college ropes Y

ou made it! High school hallways, TAKS tests, lockers and bells are relics of the past. Hail college! Crossing the university threshold can be overwhelming with never-before-encountered demands and decisions, so take heed of this essential advice to aid your smooth transition.

Branch Out You turn the campus map one direction and then another, trying to figure out which building your class is going to be held in. You finally TIARA reach the destined doorway only to be baffled attempting to figure out NUGENT what the building initials on the sign stuck to the door stand for. Then you start all over again since someone decided to switch classrooms on you. You arrive late to class huffing for breath. Do not feel daunted or intimidated by the trek or the cluster of faces peering curiously at tardy you. Getting lost on the way to class happens to everybody, and, secondly, those classmates are your ticket to collegiate memories and to connecting with the Wesleyan community.

Become a part of Wesleyan, not just its classes. Take advantage of the activities offered on campus, whether it be through a music venue, a sporting event, SGA’s barbecue or any of the activities Student Life hosts throughout the semester. (Shamelessly, we suggest you also consider working for the campus newspaper!) And with regard to Student Life, you may not know it, but discount tickets to the movies, Six Flags and the Fort Worth Zoo or other entertainment are often benefits of being a Wesleyan student.

Focus Probably the most valuable study tip I’ve ever heard instructs: “Set yourself in a place where the coolest thing in front of you is your textbook.” In a locale aloof from the temptations of Facebook, MySpace and your favorite TV show, your potential to be distracted diminishes. Discipline yourself to study for a certain period of time each night, whether you have a big assignment due the next day or not. Consistent study time will not only develop a valuable habit early in your college career, but help you prevent falling behind in any class.

Stay Organized It’ll be a big challenge, I guarantee. Three-ring binders and portfolios can be your best friends when it comes to keeping all the handouts, tests, papers, notes and especially syllabus. Don’t lose that course guide – it not only likely has your tentative schedule of assignments, but also practical information you may need later in the semester about how to contact your professor, details on grading, assignments and more.

Try hole punching all your syllabi and sticking them in the three-ring binder complete with section dividers labeled according to your list of classes. Add some notebook paper in each section and you’re set for taking those copious class notes that will help you come test time (wink, wink). Class handouts can be punched and put in right alongside. Wa-la.

You’re on top of it and your classmates will soon notice that you’re the one to go to for answers when course questions arise.

Keeping all your work – quizzes, homework, tests and papers – is very important through at least the end of the semester. Then, should there be any issue over your final grade, you’ll have proof of your semester achievements. That’s where a small portfolio is handy – try keeping it in your car to avoid graded work from permanently lying to rest in an “interim” location.

Invest No, that expensive stack of chunky textbooks is not for dorm decoration or to throw out your back due to their weight in your backpack. There are some classes and some students, of course, who can get through or even ace a class without opening a textbook, but what those students don’t often realize is how much they cheat themselves by being con-

Make your dorm your home A

s summer comes to an end, students forgo the luxurious comforts of home by moving back to campus in order to further their education. This move is quite a commitment when the average student’s stint GASTEN in the dorms is about SCHOONOVER seven to eight months.

With such a long stay, there is no reason that your dorm room should not feel like home. But who has the time? More importantly, who has the money to improve one’s living conditions? Well, my friends, hope is not lost.

There are several inexpensive and easy solutions to these college conundrums.

First off, start by planning your room, or your half of the room, around your bed. This is usually the most space-taking item you will have in your room, followed by your desk. Try to keep the bed close to the wall and parallel to it if at all possible.

Next, choose your bedding. If you plan on giving your room a color scheme (mostly talking to the girls) then try choosing a reversible comforter to give yourself more color options. Also, try to stick to darker colors for the bedding so dirt and stains will not be as prominent.

(Let’s be honest, who has time to clean their sheets?)

You might try as well to raise your bed,

via the adjustable bedposts or cinder blocks, to give more storage space. A mattress topper could not hurt either, because, frankly, dorm beds are not the most comfortable in the world, and for about $20, it is a worthy investment.

The next stop on our list is everyone’s favorite store: IKEA. At IKEA a student can find anything and everything they could ever want at relatively reasonable prices.

Couches, shelves, storage units, chairs – you name it, they have it. The closest location is in Frisco, but you can also shop via catalog or online. While shopping, grab some extra lighting and posters to spice up your room and add some life to those lackluster walls.

Finally, there is one last thing you can do to your room to make it more livable and welcoming. It is inexpensive, not too time consuming and, guys, it goes a long way with the ladies – clean it.

Cleaning your room is the most effective way to improve your room and make it more livable. Not only will you actually be able to walk across your room, but it might even smell nice too, which won’t hurt when you have visitors.

Follow these tips and you will be living in collegian class in no time.

Gasten Schoonover is a senior business major and is the photo editor for The Rambler.

tent with the least amount of effort. If nothing else, gain extra knowledge about the subject at hand -- you never know what that knowledge could do for you, especially if it’s related to your desired field. Job competition is stiff -- clutch every asset you can and don’t settle for less than your all! As the adage goes, “If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.”

Set attainable goals Lofty goals may sound impressive to the ear and to your mother, but it’s the short-term, attainable goals that will fasten you to success. Long-term goals (i.e. obtaining a degree, finding a high-paying job in your desired field, etc.) are the reasons you’re warming that college desk seat. However, waiting for the materialization of those grand dreams working solely toward those select ends will result in feelings of defeat and stagnation before eight semester have gone by.

Direct your attention and energies instead to short-term goals which lie along the same lines as your major ones. Obtaining an internship or aiming to make the Dean’s List this semester are a couple of examples – possibilities loom at every angle. Knock out those shortterm goals and you’ll be surprised at how fast those long-term goals are attained.

Receive Counsel Everything’s a little new, and learning and remembering all the ropes is a little tricky. You’ll probably have many questions pop up in the first few weeks especially. That’s OK – your GST class is here for you this fall, existing just for the purpose of networking, guiding and supporting you. Come spring, the Wesleyan Freshman Mentorship program will be ready to take over that job (assuming you choose to participate in their program). The mentor program will connect you with a junior or senior student to come along your side with encouragement, so strongly consider signing up.

College is a rigorous and exciting journey! Congratulate yourself for arriving here, and then throw your all into getting the most out of your time at Wesleyan. Take it from experience – your four years here will pass quicker than you can imagine.

Tiara Nugent is a senior writing major and is editor-in-chief for The Rambler.

A presidential welcome Alpha Xi Delta is one of many campus organizations who participated in the President’s Picnic Aug. 26.

Photo by Katie Slaten

The Rambler

Quick Quotes "I won't predict anything historic. But nothing is impossible.”

- Michael Phelps Olympic Swimmer

Upcoming Events Sep. 5 10 a.m. Volleyball @ Denton vs. Pittsburgh State 6 p.m. Volleyball @ Denton vs. Cameron University Sep. 6 *1 p.m. Men’s Soccer vs.

Benedictine 4 p.m. Volleyball @ Denton vs. Southeastern Oklahoma St. 6 p.m. Volleyball @ Denton vs. Texas Woman’s University Sep. 9 *5:30 p.m. Women’s Soccer vs University of Arts & Sciences *7:30 p.m. Men’s Soccer vs. University of Arts & Sciences *denotes home game

Sports Sweet Swingin’ Saracho

September 3, 2008 5

Golfer takes game to next level with help from brother; qualifies for prestigious national amateur tournament BRYCE WILKS SPORTS EDITOR

As the Dallas sectional qualifier for the U.S. Public Links approached in early July, Wesleyan senior Paco Saracho was not playing much golf.

The Guadalajara, Mexico, native was instead planning a trip for his younger brother Pablo to come across the border for a visit.

“I only make it home once or twice a year, so I was really concentrating on making his trip a possibility,” Saracho said.

Saracho had reason to By the end of his brother’s trip, Saracho won grin after his victory at a tournament that qualified him for one of the best Tenison Highlands in amateur tournaments in the country, the USGA’s Dallas.

Amateur Public Links.

Saracho endured a grueling 36-hole day at Tenison Highlands in Dallas, a task made worthwhile with his brother at his side.

“It was a special day, having my brother caddie for me. He knows my game as well as anyone, and I was just trying to set a good example for him with my play and my attitude.”

Saracho clenched the title with a combined effort of 139 over the two rounds (68-71). His lead was in jeopardy until the last four holes as he finished birdie-birdie-par-birdie to put the tournament out of reach.

“When you qualify for any USGA event, it means that you are competing at the highest level. Paco beat a bunch of solid Division-1 players to win the tournament.”

– Kevin Doskocil

Intramurals TWU Poker League deals Sept. 8 Student Life announced that the Poker League will begin on the evening of Sept. 8 in the Stella Russell Hall lounge. All students are still welcome to join the weekly league.

Frisbee Golf League begins second year The frisbee golf league will fire up its second season Sept. 8. The course is arranged around campus, and all students are welcome to participate.

TWU Bowling League announced A Wesleyan bowling league will begin Sept. 10. For more information about the league contact awhaley@txwes.edu.

Flag Football to resume The Saturday morning flag football league will resume play this month. There are still open spots for teams to register.

Sports Briefs Rams and Lady Rams equally impressive Aug. 29 The men’s and women’s soccer teams cruised to victories over McMurray in their season openers.

Lady Rams split at OCU Tournament Aug. 29 The volleyball team suffered a 3-1 loss to College of the Ozarks, but bounced back to defeat St. Gregory’s 3-1.

Former Rams pitchers signs with Detroit Tigers After setting several Texas Wesleyan and NAIA pitching records, Hayden Lackey signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Tigers.

Lackey is a former conference pitcher of the year and holds the all-time appearance record with 105 games.

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

Ram Golfer

Teammate Kevin Doskocil, an alternate for the tournament in his own right, was impressed by Saracho’s performance.

“When you qualify for any USGA event, it means that you are competing at the highest level. Paco beat a bunch of solid Division 1 players to win that tournament,” Doskocil said.

After winning, Saracho quickly turned his focus to competing in the historic tournament held at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora, Colo. This time, he had to compete without his brother, who had by now returned home.

“I went to the tournament and was pretty nervous,” he said. “There was pressure because I was the only Spanish-speaking player, and there were only about six international players in the entire field. There was a Mexican flag hanging because I had made the field.”

Saracho started out slow, fighting his nerves and the playing conditions.

He thought they were the toughest he had seen in a tournament.

“I would say In early July, Saracho that the course became the first was PGA-calRams golfer to iber,” Saracho qualify for the said. “The greens U.S. Amateur were lightening Public Links fast and the rough tournament was really hard to since 2005 dig out of.” when Will Saracho did Woodring and not make the cut, Justin Smith accomplished but enjoyed the the feat. The experience and smooth-swinggot a taste of what ing Mexico a professional native was a golfing career third team Allmight be like.

American in “They treated 2007-08 after us like royalty out posting a scorthere, and I just ing average of was glad to be 74.84 and placing in the top there,” he said. five several “Last year before I times.

He is came to Wesleyan, also the defendI broke my wrist ing collegiate and didn’t even champion of know that I would the Fort Worth be playing golf. It City Open. was an awesome experience.”

According to RamSports.net, Courtesy of Paco Saracho Saracho was the first Ram golfer to qualify for the U.S. Amateur Public Links tournament since 2005.

He was third-team NAIA All-American last year and is the defending collegiate champion at the Fort Worth City Open.

Saracho came to Wesleyan after turning in two stellar years at Pima Community College in Arizona, earning All-American status in his second year there.

Saracho’s talent and leadership are sure to help guide the Rams golf team to another successful season... especially if his brother can come carry the bag.

Long Lost Summer...

Wesleyan alumni contribute to legend of LaGrave Field BRYCE WILKS SPORTS EDITOR

Wesleyan before moving on to a career in professional baseball. I watched him play for the Ozarks Mountain Ducks in Missouri in 2000, where he was an immediate fan-favorite.

He began playing for the Cats in 2004 and helped lead the team to three consecutive league championships from 2005-07. “T-Dogg,” as he is known, retired after the 2007 season, much to the

Professional baseball returned to Fort Worth in 2002 after a 36-year hiatus with the resurrection of the Fort Worth Cats. Skeptics wondered if anyone would notice or care. Hopefully those people were paying attention on July 4, 2008.

More than 12,000 spectators crammed into LaGrave Field (which usually holds a capacity of 5,200) and the grassy bank just beyond the left-field fence for the pregame festival, baseball game and fireworks show.

As a sales intern for the team, I can personally tell you that hundreds more were interested but had to be turned away.

The game was reflective of the entire season, as baseball fans were hungry for a cheaper alternative to major league baseball.

As a Wesleyan student, I was excited to see LaGrave Field, also home to the Rams baseball team, on the front page of the Fort Worth StarTelegram the next day.

Two former Wesleyan Courtesy of Fort Worth Cats standouts are partly responsible for building the Cats fran- Former Ram Terrence “T-Dogg” Green (above) helped lead the Fort Worth Cats to three consecutive league crowns from 2005 to 2007. chise into what it is today.

Third baseman Terrence Ryan Riddle (top-right) signed with the team for the 2008 season and Green (‘98-‘99) played for battled through injuries to post a solid record of 5-4 with a 4.28 earned run average.

dismay of Fort Worth baseball fans. He is still a visible fixture at LaGrave Field as he roots on the Cats in 2008.

Lefty hurler Ryan Riddle starred for the Rams ball club in 2007, going 9-0 with a 1.88 earned run average. After initially signing as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals, Riddle returned to Fort Worth to play for the Cats in 2008.

The Bedford native went 5-4 with a 4.28 era for the Cats in his first full season of pro baseball, all while battling injuries throughout the season.

Riddle’s fiery competitiveness was also applauded by teammates during scrums with rivals like the Pensacola Pelicans and Grand Prairie AirHogs.

Both former Wesleyan players joined a fraternity of baseball legends while playing for the Cats, now in the American Association of Independent Baseball.

Two versions of LaGrave Field have hosted more than 40 baseball Hall-of-Famers in its history. Some fans still attend games that were there to witness Duke Snider glide through the outfield at old LaGrave in the 1940s.

Recent signings like Luke Hochevar, Max Sherzer and 2008 first-round pick Aaron Crow may eventually work their way to a historical levels as well.

Baseball enthusiasts are still thrilled to meet and chat with legends like Maury Wills and Bobby Bragan as they continue to support the Cats to this day.

It’s no surprise that the rise of Wesleyan’s baseball program to national prominence can be associated with the program’s connection to LaGrave Field and the addition of quality players that move on to star for the Fort Worth Cats.

Entertainment

6 September 3, 2008

The Rambler

A summer that never sleeps I

f not stuck in the doldrums or domestic confines, summertime should bring plenty of excitement for all.

People can catch some rays, travel with smiling faces and visit friendly places. Las Vegas, the MARTIN city that never sleeps, GARCIA proved to be the hot stop for me and other college students trying to find a quick and hip getaway.

Sin city has been the hottest thing to hit Clark County since the early 20th century, and it doesn’t show signs of slowing. No other location in the country offers the Eiffel Tower, the Sphinx, the Coliseum and the Statue of Liberty all within miles of each other. And don’t think that the replicas cheat someone out of the real experience; a countless number of tourists wouldn’t line the streets day in and day out for 365 days a year if the spectacle wasn’t worth seeing firsthand.

Crowds of all ages pack Las Vegas Boulevard throughout the summer. The heat, a tolerable 100-plus, does nothing to affect the number of tourists that walk the strip.

“Summertime is the time to go,” said Patrick Peevey, a graduate of University of Texas at El Paso, who visits Vegas regularly

Vegas maintains reputation as summer getaway hot spot

throughout the year. He recounts that the pools aren’t as full and the hype isn’t as intense when visiting during the wintertime, as he and I did in late 2007.

Jake Nelson, a senior at Tarleton State University, would agree that “the tables are always hot” when visiting Vegas in the summer. He and several friends spent ample time in the casinos and searched the streets for the best buffets and comedy

clubs.

If you’re in it for the buffets, you should certainly stroll

by Planet Hollywood. The PH all-you-caneat is a little pricey but well worth it, offering fresh and delightful food from all ethnicities.

Vegas has something to offer to everyone in the family. Restaurants, shows, casinos and one of the best nightlife scenes in the country does enough to hold up the city’s name and reputation. Although there

seems to be construction going on at all times of the year, the strip still does not disappoint. As time goes on, the old must go, and the new must come.

Between my last two visits, the Boardwalk was the most noticeable fallen hotel.

The empty space will now be used as a real estate center with commercial sales and residential living—and of course glamorous hotels.

This summer, I had the luxury of catching old favorites such as the Blue Man Group at The Venetian and superstar magician and illusionist Criss Angel at Luxor. Seeing both first hand overwhelmingly defeats the teasers on TV. It’s no wonder why a city that used to count so much on gambling for its revenue, Las Vegas has come a long way. By offering talented acts such as these, anyone and everyone can find their niche in a piece of Vegas.

Eric Jones, a native of Richardson, Texas, mentioned that he and his wife “don’t even think twice about gambling.”

They hit the strip for the gala of restaurants and endless shopping. My friends and I met Eric at the ESPN Zone in the New York,

Ditching the dog days: T

he beginning of a fall semester doesn’t necessarily mean the end of summer movies. The Dark Knight, for instance, is still at No. 4 on the charts after almost three months in release, leaving the blockbuster RYAN season alive and well.

AUTHIER Summer 2008 saw some of the strongest box office numbers to hit American theaters in many years. With comic book-inspired movies topping the charts week after week, some might call it the best summer ever.

To kick off the butt-kick bonanza, Paramount Pictures’ Iron Man, released May 2, grossed well over $100 million in its first weekend (www.the-numbers.com).

The action flick stars Robert Downey Jr. as multi-billionaire weapons designer Tony Stark who, after a change of heart, literally and figuratively, becomes super hero Iron Man (cue Black Sabbath).

The movie fit pretty well into the modern day comic-book movie mold (i.e.

Spiderman, Spiderman 2), going beyond just the action and integrating more satire, political commentary and an in-depth plot.

Downey Jr. redeems himself after some poor performances in movies past and adds a level of sarcastic wit that not many other actors could have contributed to the roll. As

A

Wednesday

L OOK

On Campus:

AHEAD

with all comic book movies, Iron Man ended with a twist that, without going into too much detail, featured Samuel L. Jackson and an eye patch. Enough said.

Directly after the release Iron Man came the highly anticipated Incredible Hulk, with Edward Norton as the green man himself. Though the technology has upgraded since Lou Ferrigno’s green spray paint and purple sweats, the internal struggle between Bruce Banner and the Hulk lives on in this most recent depiction. Norton’s portrayal of the Hulk took the character to a level that Eric Bana fell quite short of in the 2003 release.

The next comic-inspired flick that hit the big screen over the summer was Guillermo Del Toro’s highly acclaimed sequel Hellboy II: The Golden Army. The original Hellboy comic, published in the early 1990’s by Dark Horse Comics, didn’t have as great of a following as the famous Marvel or DC series’, but that certainly hasn’t affected its recent popularity in theaters.

Considering the film consists of demons, Nazis, lots of explosions and awesome weapons, as well as appearances by both The Angel of Death and Family Guy’s Seth Macfarlane, it’s no wonder followers have latched on tightly to the series.

To finish off the list of summer hits was the highly acclaimed picture circling around the hauntingly creepy man in makeup: Pierce Brosnan in Mama Mia. OK, actually

3

Thursday On Campus:

4

Friday Off Campus

5

*Baptist Student Ministry: Sid *The Rambler staff meeting: * Charlie Robinson: Live at Stella Russell Hall lobby, Richardson Building, noon, Billy Bob’s, 10 p.m.

12:15 p.m. free lunch served Weekly Movie Releases: *Methodist Student Mister Foe, Everybody Movement meeting: Poly Wants to be Itallian, UMC, noon, free lunch Bangkok Dangerous, Ping served Pong Playa

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

Saturday On Campus:

6

* Men’s Soccer vs.

Benedictine College, Martin Field, 1 p.m.

Sunday Off Campus:

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Monday Off Campus:

8

* Trapt: Palladium Ballroom, *Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Presents "Pops Goes 8 p.m.

Vegas!" 2 p.m.

Tuesday On Campus:

9

* 16th Annual Academic Convocation, Poly UMC 12:15 p.m. * Men’s Soccer vs. University of Science and Arts, Martin Field 4 p.m. *Women’s Soccer vs.

University Of Science and Arts, Martin Field 5 p.m.

New York hotel and casino as we cheered on our favorite Texas players in Major League Baseball’s midsummer classic. We agreed with them, seeing that a small fraction of our time was even spent at the slots—that includes walking through the aisles to get from place to place.

Any occasion may give enough reason for the impromptu trip to the LV; birthdays (21sts especially), weddings, and anniversaries all merit a trip for celebration, and where better to celebrate?

The body is overcome by an Photo by Martin Garcia unexplainable feeling once it steps foot off of the jet into McCarran Airport. Inhibitions are released, and the clock disappears. It’s no wonder why so many people take the plunge to immortality and spend a couple of days here and there in the heart of Nevada.

Vegas has the lights, the entertainment, and the satisfaction to enjoy a much-needed summer vacation. Maybe it’s not for everyone, but those who do venture out to the desert seem to come back with memories, smiles and stories to tell. But all the details may not be table-appropriate. After all, what happens in Vegas…

Martin Garcia is an English major and is the news editor for The Rambler.

Comic book movies still on top after dominating the summer box office

it was The Dark Knight, but Mama Mia did givean equal amount of the population nightmares.

The Dark Knight received most everyone’s attention, as well as money, this summer, bringing in almost $900 million worldwide since its release (www.boxofficemojo.com). Before the film’s release, most of the anticipation revolved around late actor Heath Ledger’s role as the Joker: a role that hasn’t been attempted since Jack Nicholson in 1989.

Only six actors have ever won Oscars after their deaths, but I don’t think it is a stretch saying that Ledger will be the seventh. His performance was eerily excellent.

Without going into too much detail for the sake of those who have yet to see the film, I will never trust a clown with a pencil.

Ouch.

Aside from Christian Bale’s annoying Batman voice, which at times sounded like an apathetic dog growl, the movie was perfection. Keeping in tune with the comic flicks above, The Dark Knight strayed from making just a pure action film by fusing themes of morality, justice, order and cell phone bombs.

Summer 2008 definitely delivered in the movie department. With school back in session, and substandard new releases like The House Bunny and Disaster Movie arriving in theaters, it’s best to go catch any of the summer releases you still can in the theater or sit back and wait for some DVDs to hit the shelves.

Ryan Authier is a senior psychology major and is the entertainment editor The Rambler.